Thrive in Canada: Turning Job Search Challenges into Career Wins with Access Employment
“Most of the jobs out there? They’re never posted.” That’s how Mangjit Deman, Senior VP at Access Employment, kicked off a deeply insightful conversation on Thrive in Canada. And for thousands of newcomers struggling to find meaningful work, this fact can be both sobering and empowering. In this episode, we dive into the realities of job hunting in […]
Phil Ramirez: Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do
Phil Ramirez didn’t plan to be a trainer. It started with his little brother. Just two siblings in the gym, pushing each other, dreaming big. Phil had played college and university ball at a time when there weren’t many Filipinos on the court. That mattered to him. Representation mattered. So he trained hard, not just […]
Marching to a Shared Beat: Philippine Heritage Band Shines at Vaughan International Music Festival
This year’s Vaughan International Music Festival (VIMF) press conference hit all the right notes—not just with music, but with meaning. Now on its fourth year, VIMF continues to grow as a vibrant platform for cultural unity. Co-founder and chair Sandra Yang Rako shared the festival’s vision: using music to bridge divides, spark connection, and celebrate diversity. “You don’t need […]
Our Vote, Our Voice: The Rise of the Filipino Voter in Canada
If there’s a place in Toronto that feels like a piece of Manila, it’s right here—Bathurst and Wilson. Little Manila. It’s where the stories of arrival, survival, and new beginnings come together, along with the largest cluster of Filipino-owned businesses in the city. But this time, the question isn’t just about where we’ve gathered—it’s about […]
Spring in Canada: A Lesson in Trusting the Wait
Spring in Canada doesn’t arrive with fanfare. It tiptoes in, like someone who texted “on the way” an hour ago but still hasn’t shown up. The calendar says it’s here—but step outside and the cold air, silent birds, and undecided trees will have you questioning everything. Canadian spring is an exercise in patience. It’s the […]
AJ Mandani: Bigger Than Basketball
AJ Mandani has played the game at the highest levels. From college basketball in Missouri to pro leagues in Indonesia and Thailand, his journey was full of highs and lows. But after 14 years away, missing birthdays, holidays, and milestones, AJ found a new reason to come home. That reason was family. More specifically, his […]
Where Music Begins: Anjo’s Story at Long & McQuade
Every Filipino musician in Canada has a Long & McQuade story. Mine began 20 years ago. We had no budget, just a head full of melodies and dreams that needed mics, an audio interface, and a stand. We found everything—plus a little encouragement—at Long & McQuade. It’s more than a music store. It’s a launchpad. […]
Thrive in Canada: How Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities Is Redefining Health Care for Newcomers and Families
In Canada, especially in fast-growing urban areas like Scarborough, healthcare is more than checkups and prescriptions. It’s also about housing, food access, mental well-being, and a sense of belonging. On this episode of Thrive in Canada, host Cherie Mercado sits down with Mesh Marxa and Mimi Domano of the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) to unpack how healthcare has evolved—especially for newcomers, seniors, and […]
The Sound We Inherited: Anjo’s Journey Back to the Beat that Started It All
Imagine this: 1970s Manila. The country was under martial law, the streets were tense, and yet—out of that pressure cooker of politics and passion—something bright, cheeky, and unbelievably catchy came alive. They called it Manila Sound. Growing up in Canada, I didn’t quite know what to call the songs I’d hear in my parents’ cassette tapes […]
Ali Nizam: From Pain to Purpose at Core Basketball
There’s a rhythm to Ali Nizam’s voice on the court (part coach, part motivator, part older brother). But behind the drills and instruction is a story rooted in adversity. Ali grew up facing brokenness, disappointment, and instability. The basketball court became more than a game. It was an escape, a space where he could release […]
