Meet Catalino Macaron

Today we’d like to introduce you to Catalino Macaron.

Catalino, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am an immigrant from the Philippines. I arrived in Canada on November 2012 and became a citizen on May 2019.

My journey to what I am today was not as easy pessy lemon squeezy as a piece of cake. It was a rocky road and a roller coaster ride. I struggled and faced various challenges and underwent through depression and anxiety. But with strong conviction and determination to succeed, I survived that turmoil of my life. I can’t believed that a poor man stepped into the rich and bounty of the Americas, of which most Filipinos are dream about. I belong to a poor huge family size. Our house was just made of a nipa hut. Made of “cogon” grass for the roof, “sasa” for the wall where you can see holes and “lipak” bamboos for the floor, a typical house for poor families in the Philippines. We are 11 siblings and I am the fifth in the family. My parents were not employed and were just dependent on the harvest of the farm that we don’t own. We are just a tenant in a piece of land. Aside from being a farmer, my father was a traditional midwife helping pregnant women for their labourious delivery in traditional way. My mother helped to cope up the needs of the family by selling candles. She went to places where Filipino celebrated fiestas. Her main station was at Basilica Minore de Santo Niño church in Cebu Philippines. Being ambitious as I am, when I was in Grade 4, I started to stand by my own feet by serving as working student until I finished high school. When the priest died who was responsible to finance my studies, my younger brother (Rolly) he is next to me, who never finished elementary grade took over the responsibility of sending me to university with the helped of my parents. I was the first professional in the family. When I graduated from the university, I was hired as an Instructor and became an Associate Professor at Siquijor State College in Larena, Siquijor Philippines. Three years after, I was promoted as the director of Physical Education Cultural Arts and Sports (PECAS) Department of the college. I finished three degrees, Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Master of Arts in Teaching Physical Education, and Doctor in Business Administration. Since I can already stand by my own feet, I brought my parents and my younger brothers and sisters to Siquijor and had them studied at the school where I taught. My parents at least rested from their tiring job for us to survive. I took the responsibility as a breadwinner of the entire family. Graciously, three of my younger siblings, became professionals. My 2 nieces too stayed at my rented house and became professionals. As of the moment there are 2 nieces staying at my newly constructed house studying their chosen fields. More are coming and I am willing to help them to break the chain of poverty which we inherited from our parents.
For 17 years of working in the school, I had lots of accomplishments. One thing I could be proud of was, I am instrumental in the prestige of the tourism and cultural image of Siquijor Province. I directed major festivals, pageantries, and shows. I formed the then Siquijor State College Kultura Filipina Folkloric Dance Troupe which served as ambassador of goodwill of the province. With the provincial tourism officials we went to national and regional shows and expositions and various local entertainments to promote the tourism industry of Siquijor through dances. As the years went by I was tired of the excessive demand of the job. Aside from being physically and mentally challenging I never get paid for the services rendered because I am a public servant. My other related duties were to work with other government agencies. As far as I remembered, they paid me only once when my father died (I am referring to the provincial government, other municipalities paid me of the services I rendered). That sort of death aid. But I didn’t complain and never asked for payment for the services I been doing because it was part of the responsibilities as teacher in public school. Besides, that was my passion and I loved doing it. The only prized I got was the admirations of the Siquijodnons and that I was famous in the island. Politicians and mostly people working in the government sectors knew me and they were happy for what I have done and they took pride of it. But prestige comes with great responsibilities and laborious tasks and its tiring, So I tried my luck to apply under federal skilled worker category in Canada as a college instructor. I was lucky enough and got my immigrant visa. When I landed in Vancouver, at first, It was very hard to start a new life. Though I was applying as a college instructor, it doesn’t mean I will be a college instructor right away. I need to follow the process of how to be an instructor by studying some courses. By doing it was not an easy task, aside from being expensive I need to cope up with the struggles and obstacles as a newcomer. Being alone in my journey, I suffered from anxiety and depression. There were situations in my life were I had hallucinations. I can vividly recall when I worked at McDonald’s in Richmond BC and at 711 in YVR Airport BC, I heard voices of my friends and co-workers at Siquijor State College calling my name.

It was the toughest moment of my life. I missed dearly my adopted daughter, my mother and the rest of my family. The situations were getting worst to the point that my health was affected. My body weight dropped tremendously and the hallucinations came excessively. So I decided to go back to the Philippines (May 2013) and taught again at the college. But a year after, I came to realize that I spend almost a million of money to get my immigrant visa and landed as permanent resident in Canada and I just wasted it. Moreover, the job that I had were still the same and it was getting more and more demanding. The management added another responsibilities as the Gender Focal Point on top of being the director of PECAS. The sad turning point was they demoted my salary grid from Associate Professor IV to Instructor I because I had an early retirement prior to that. They said I need to start from the beginning as Instructor 1 though my plantilla item was still available. I emailed the Civil Service Commission if I can get my item back. They said yes, the appointing authority will just need to justify it. The management said they will do within 6 months. I waited and waited and it never happened. So I made up my mind and came back to Canada in 2014. This time with strong conviction, determination, and courage. I went to Saskatchewan and worked in A&W, 711, and became a client advisor at Royal Bank of Canada. While working in these establishments, I processed my credential evaluation as a teacher. In 2017, I got my license as Professional A Teacher in Saskatchewan. To know what is Canadian teaching is all about, I applied as sub teacher at Sunwest School Division in Rosetown, SK. As inexperienced as I was, I never got a permanent position. So I tried my luck to go up north. Luckily the Northern Lights School Division 113 accepted me and got a permanent position. I taught in that division for 4 years. My Principal Rosalena Smith strongly supported me in shaping my career at its best. I had a good memories with my co teachers, students and the Pinehouse community. Teaching the new generation of learners is not an easy job. But I need to do it to give better future of my family specially my daughter. Since living in the northern area is a tough situation where choices of leisure and fun are limited. With that, it prompted me to create my Youtube channel, Leisure & Fun. The purpose was purely for me to spend my weekend entertaining myself and have fun. Since I loved cooking too, I put up a business and got my license to have my cooking business “The House of Noodles and Rolls”. The community loved my foods and the business was pretty steady. I did it every Saturdays and Sundays if I had the appetite to do it. But if laziness strikes, I’ll took videos to create contents for my youtube channel. Sometimes its silly but I love it. Since I had a dream of working in the wilderness of Yukon, I had my credentials evaluated and got my another teaching certificate from Yukon Education. When I saw a post for job opportunity as teacher, without hesitation, I applied and got the job. Now, I am here in Ross River Yukon enjoying its beauty and bounty. During school breaks, I traveled to places and that’s the time I created some of my youtube contents. I don’t have the expertise of professional video editing. It is purely a product of an amateur vlogger. I am still learning the craft and hopefully be pro at it. Now, some of my videos have already commercial ads but I can’t monetize it cause I didn’t get yet my number of subscribers and watch hours. Hopefully, I can get it soon. But that’s not the point the real intention is purely entertainment but if there’s a chance to get extra income with that why not. Hope if you read my story, will you be my subscriber as well? If you don’t mind. Please and thank you.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Back in the Philippines, I was Associate Professor and here in Canada I am an elementary teacher and a vlogger. I am very proud that I survived the hindrances to start a better life in Canada despite the obstacles I encountered. As Christian as I am, my only refuge is the Lord God Almighty.

If some problems come along the way, I always prayed and talked to the Lord. In that way, I regain my well-being and continue facing the challenges in life. As a vlogger, I am thankful to Youtube that they have this platform so that I can spend my leisure time wisely especially I am living alone in this country. Persistent, perseverance and being resilient are the keys to succeed. Have goals in life, work it out and evaluate it. If it doesn’t work change your strategies. Don’t stop until you get it because when you rest you rust.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are many people I would like to thank for. Without them, I am not be of who I am today.

To my brother Rolly Macaron, Manoy Danilo Macaron the late Nicolas Macaron and my parents, thanks for your sacrifices to send me to university.
To my adopted daughter Mary Pauline Macaron, despite my absence, she is very responsible and possesses with good characters and attitude. I am thankful to my mother Sylvia Macaron and my family for taking care of her and for all the support they always showed.

To my friends Ate Marlene Paez, Melanie Carreon, Melisa Piñez and Hannah & Guy Tomimbang, for allowing me to borrow money for my actual show money when I arrived at the airport.
To Ate Vergie and Kuya Renier Ragay for their helped to ease my situation when I had depression in Richmond BC and to Jeopry Paghasian for allowing me to have a short stay in their abode while finding ways to settle down as newcomer.

To Siquijor State College administration, faculty, students and the elected politicians of Siquijor Island in the Philippines from 1997 to 2013 especially the Fua’s for the trust and confidence they bestowed upon me. My self actualization as the highest need of Maslow’s Hierarchy was already achieved.

To the members of the Siquijor State Kultura Filipina Folkloric Dance Troupe, without hesitation in every event, they were there sacrificing their time and helped out to get the job done. Until today we are still adhering to our promise to be sisters and brothers and affirmed to be lifetime members of the organization.

To my teachers both elementary and high school, my university professors specially our Tatay the late Melquiades Gonzalez Jr for honing my talents and skills.

To my friends and subscribers around the world for always cheering me up to keep going and going despite the hindrances.

Most importantly to Heavenly Almighty God, for giving me good life, wisdom, and knowledge to carry on the mission He gives me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalinomacaron/
• Facebook: facebook.com/kate.gelle.71
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/katemacaron
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leisurefun2181

Image Credits
Siquijor State College, Kultura Filipina, and Folkloric Dance Troupe