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New Life for a Betan Immigrant
By Noli Nolasco '62b
Philippines - 1982. Te-c left for Canada as an immigrant in October. I was confused on what to do and bored in a corporate job that was going nowhere. I quit my job.
My immigration papers were processed sooner that I expected. Date of entry: February 27, 1983.
I was torn between saving my marriage and enjoying the company of friends. My car was stolen two weeks before my departure. The amount will have covered my plane ticket. I was flat broke. I approached some brods. Some of them failed me. One even said I was being stupid having my car stolen.
However, some brods helped me and I owe them greatly - Mel Gulfin, Vic Pizarro, Eddie Baldoria, Greg Abreu, Caesar Reynoso, Louis Gomez, Pat Roman, Mario Parreno, and Ando Roman. The Black Secrets arranged for a fly now-pay later plan.
I left with my sons Nilo Boy (8) and Theobalt (4) for Vancouver. Did I have anything to declare?
" Thirty dollars," I told Immigration.
The plane ride from Vancouver to Edmonton seemed to last forever. It was minus 42 C at Edmonton International Airport. My "Juvers" jacket was no match for the weather. My teeth were chattering, my knees were locked. Even my meditation training from Johnny Chiuten failed.
We stopped at the Bay for a "True North" winter coat. The parka has some faked fur on it. I looked at myself in the mirror... an Eskimo!
I arrived in the Town of Boyle where Te-c works as a nurse in a hospital. Population: 600 Ukrainians; 8 Filipinos.
Canada was on a recession. No jobs. Nothing. I applied in whatever job was advertised - from sales to kennel assistant.
" Not qualified." " We will put your application on file." "Et cetera."
I filled up a shoe box of rejection letters. I felt left out. But Brod Jopet Laraya was there to encourage me to hang on.
My vet application was approved. I had no money to buy a single reference book. I volunteered my vet knowledge for free to some local vets. Rejection.
I was finally able to land an interview with the Town of Boyle.
" I got a J-o-b!"
I ran home to announce to my wife that I'll work as a utility-person. Salary: Can$3.80/hour.
Job Description:
· Shovel snow at Senior Citizen Lodge
· Collect town garbage
· Inspect town water and chlorinate if needed.
· Maintenance asst (gas well)
· On call ( per shift schedule)
Summer
Arena maintenance, ball diamond grass along highway. Supervise summer job of students
I also took on many odd jobs, like perimeter fencing and garden maintenance.
After six months I was finally given a car, a calling card and a decent salary:
Noli H. Nolasco
Technical Sales/ Livestock Specialist
Lakeside Milling Inc.
For 1½ years, I was separated from the family. Traveling 827 km every 15 days, I only saw my family from midnight of Friday to Sunday at 2:00 PM.
It was tough for our two boys. Te-c decided to quit her job.
We moved to Strathmore in 1986. I am the only Asian in the Alberta, Canada Feed Industry.
I am now employed by Masterfeeds, which is owned by the largest processors of Soya and the largest protein manufacturer in the world.
As of 1994, I successfully negotiated a franchise for the Philippines. Manila SeaCorp, owned by Brod Ando Roman, is the sole franchise holder for Masterfeeds in the Philippines. Cost of franchise: Betan Brotherhood.
The legacy of the fraternity will always remain with the family. All the trials and tribulations in my life as a Betan has not altered my love for the frat.
I often say " If any brod can find a reason for his joining the fraternity... if it can be described by words.. it is and will remain a selfish motive." For me, I'm still in search for the true answer.
Ed's Note: We thank Noli not only for this humble sharing of brokenness, but also for all those years he spent teaching karate to hundreds of Brods - for free. We all know that Noli was the country's black belt karate champ and put up his own School of Martial Arts. He helped his Master, Brod Johnny Chiuten produce many Betan karatekas. The UP days could have been different without these two. § § §
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