Our Story
How We Started
With support from GLOCAL’s CANConnect Micro-grant, we were able to launch a project focused on one important question: Why are so few Filipinos represented in higher-level careers and professional programs?
We recognize that post-secondary education is often the pathway to these opportunities, but for many immigrant families, navigating the education system for the first time can feel overwhelming.
To help address this gap, we set out to create an all-in-one resource for Filipino students. We created a digital space where anyone can access support ranging from study tips, university application advice, research opportunities (and more!) to help them pursue their academic goals with confidence.
Kasama is a reminder that no Filipino-Canadian has to navigate their academic journey alone. We are here to guide you!
WHO ARE WE?
Your Companions
Flor Angela Diaz
Hi there! My name is Flor. I’m a second-generation immigrant; I was born in Canada but raised by Filipino parents. Growing up without mentors meant I had to rely a lot on myself to find opportunities and information.
Once I entered university, I felt completely lost. My parents didn’t attend a Canadian post-secondary institution, and many of my friends were on different paths, so I had to figure a lot of things out on my own. That included learning how to study properly, where to find affordable textbooks, how to find research opportunities, and so much more. These are the kinds of things I wish someone had told me earlier, and now I hope to pass them on to someone else through Kasama.
Bienaventurado Dela Cruz
My family came over to Canada from the Philippines when I was a year old. As immigrants, Canadian institutions were difficult for them to navigate. I, too, always felt a sense of alienation with my peers, especially in the earlier years when Pinoys and asians were far less common in my classrooms. My enrollment in post-secondary education and my first year were defined by confusion. We had difficulties understanding all the requirements for enrollment, and important deadlines flew by me as I struggled through my very last year of high school. This confusion would follow me into university, where requirements and deadlines would persist, now joined by the brutal workload of first-year engineering. When Flor came to me with Kasama, I was fascinated with the project and eager to share my experience and help others navigate the intricacies of Canada's education system.