Lara Quigaman Shares the Realities of Moving and Living in a Foreign Country
LARA QUIGAMAN – Former actress Lara Quigaman gave an honest glimpse into her journey of navigating life, work, and motherhood in a foreign country.
Former beauty queen and actress Lara Quigaman recently opened up about a major life transition—relocating to British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, actor Marco Alcaraz, and their children. After spending many years in the Philippines, the couple decided to embark on a new journey abroad to offer a better upbringing for their kids.
“Nung first time namin pumunta ni Marco, napag-usapan talaga namin na parang masarap mag-raise ng family dito,” she said in an interview with Canada’s OMNI News.
As part of this shift, Lara chose to follow a personal aspiration she had long held. Learning about the high demand for teachers in Canada inspired her to pursue a course in Early Childhood Education, a field she had always been passionate about.
“Hindi ko alam na in demand ‘yung mga teachers. Nung nag-decide kami kung ano ang kukunin kong course sabi ko talaga gusto ko maging preschool teacher. Gusto ko mag-Early Childhood Education (ECE). So, parang tinuloy ko lang ‘yung pangarap ko.”
Through her training and hands-on experience, Lara came to appreciate the inclusivity within Canada’s education system. She noticed how children, regardless of their backgrounds or needs, are integrated and treated equally.
“Dito sa Canada, everyone’s included, gusto nila included talaga sila, very inclusive dito. Hindi talaga nila sini-separate ‘yung mga bata. Kahit may special needs, children with autism, children with behavioural needs or challenges, lahat ‘yan kasama halu-halo.”
Despite her passion for the work, Lara admitted that the experience can be exhausting and emotionally demanding, especially when dealing with children who have special needs.
“So mahirap lang kasi may times na iba iba rin ‘yung moods ng bata so nagkasabay sabay. More than the physical na pagod, minsan gusto ko silang tulungan kasi hindi mo alam kung paano matutulungan kasi may mga bata na non-verbal, hindi nila ma-explain kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman nila,” she explained.
Lara also expressed her deep gratitude for her husband’s unwavering support during this transition.
“Sobrang laking tulong talaga ni Marco, ng husband ko. Grabe ‘yung supporta, hindi talaga kaya kung ako lang… In terms of pagluluto, hindi na ako nagluluto kasi masarap magluto ‘yung asawa ko.”
For families considering a similar move, Lara highlighted the importance of spiritual guidance, mental preparedness, and setting realistic expectations.
“Sa lahat ng desisyon, kailangan talaga pinag-pi-pray… Hindi katulad ng nakasanayan natin sa Pilipinas, hindi magiging madali ‘yung journey so kailangan ready,” she said.
“Mukhang madali siya but it’s not. Ang pagiging teacher, ang pagiging educator, it’s really a calling.”