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 […]
Thrive in Canada: Why Therapy Needs to Speak Your Language: Mental Health for Immigrants in Canada
Moving to a new country is life-changing—but not always in the ways people expect. For immigrants and long-time residents alike, adjusting to Canadian life can bring stress, anxiety, identity struggles, and emotional burnout. In this episode of Thrive in Canada, host Cherie Mercado sits down with Claudia Jones and Teresa Salazar—registered therapists and founders of Well Journey Services—to talk about mental health, […]
Thrive in Canada: How Filipino Entrepreneurs Are Thriving in CanadaThrive in Canada:
Canada is full of opportunity—but also full of challenges. For Filipino immigrants, launching or growing a small business is one of the most empowering paths to financial stability and generational wealth. But it’s also one of the hardest. That’s why Thrive in Canada sat down with two leading voices from the Philippine Canadian Chamber of Commerce (PCCC)—Julian Baruatro and Joey Bermudez—to […]
Starting Over: Building a New Life in Canada
Moving to Canada is not just about relocating to a new country—it’s about starting over from scratch. For many Filipino immigrants, it means leaving behind familiar routines, family, and a way of life to face new challenges and uncertainties. Here are key insights and reflections for those embarking on this journey. Back to Zero In […]
Behind the Curtain: Creating Magic with JDL’s Frozen Junior
Theater has a way of weaving dreams and dedication into unforgettable experiences. This was exactly what I witnessed when I joined the JDL Performing Arts School as they prepared for their latest production, Frozen Junior. From the first note sung in rehearsals to the last prop placed on stage, every moment revealed the immense passion, effort, […]
