How Did you Get Here Salvador “Buddy” Halog?

By Jane Antoniak

Like so many other newcomers, it is the pull of family which made Salvador “Buddy” Halog to leave Manila, Philippines to immigrate to London, Ontario. However, unlike so many other newcomers, Buddy did so, not as a young man, but at mid-life, leaving behind a solid job and his home. Still, he has no regrets and he speaks openly when he encourages other to follow in his footsteps.  


(Photo by Sun Media Corporation)

“One after another, my wife’s family kept leaving for London. The first sister came 30 years ago as a nurse with her husband. Then her parents came and then three more siblings. My father-in-law would write and tell us good things about life in London and that it was great for the kids. I did believe him and I saw them all staying in London so I thought it must be good. And, it was the dream of my father-in-law for all the children to be here,” explains Buddy.

However, Buddy also had a good life in Manila. He had graduated from university there with a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in customs administration. He was a licensed customs broker with a good job. He and his wife Anita had two sons, Ricky (now 25) and Emmanuel (now 19). Even if they wanted to leave Manila, they could not come to Canada as sponsored family because Anita was married. She did come to visit her family three times, and each time returned back to Manila more convinced they should emigrate.

They began the process of applications via the points system in July 2003. With Buddy’s education and ability to speak English, they qualified easily. However, the process took until March 2008 to be completed, partially extended due to the 9/11 tragedy in the USA which delayed many applications.

“The Canadian embassy was so kind to us. They were very professional at the embassy and at our point of entry to Canada,” says Buddy. Despite the many years it took, he says it was all worth it. “I thought I would experience discrimination here because I came from a third world country but I was so wrong,” he says.

The family arrived in May 2008 with only a few suitcases each. They decided to leave behind most of their possessions and start over again here. His first impressions were that London was a “clean and serene place”. He connected immediately with settlement services and obtained health insurance and a social insurance number. The London Cross Cultural Learner Centre helped him with job applications. While he is still looking for professional employment, both his sons have jobs and his wife is working as a cleaner.

“We have already embraced Canada as our home, so whatever life offers, we face it. Coming here was for the kids. I really believe in this country because of its medical system and its social economic system. My hope now is to get a job with the Canadian Border service. My advice to anyone else is to embrace a country as a home and to embrace everything a community offers. For me, I have no regrets even though I have not found a job yet. I have decided that London is our home. And, the kids are happy here,” he says with a big smile.

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Jane Antoniak is a writer and owner of Antoniak Communications Inc in London. Her column, How Did You Get Here?, ran in the London Free Press for 5 years, winning recognition from the City of London for promoting diversity and race relations.