Life often tests the boundaries of love and sacrifice, and Anne Catherine Padua-Narcelles (Kate)—proud mother, wife, and daughter—is no stranger to this reality.
Growing up in Luzon, Philippines, Kate’s childhood was filled with love and strong family ties. Yet like many families in the Philippines, Kate’s mother was forced to work abroad to support the family financially. “I was only 19 days old when my mom left to work as a Nurse in Saudi Arabia where she experienced the Gulf War in 1990,” Kate says. As a child, Kate didn’t fully grasp the significance of her mother’s sacrifice, but today at 37 years of age, she finds herself in an identical situation, separated from her five-year-old son, Pio. As she fights to create a stable life in Canada, Kate mirrors the sacrifices her mother once made.
Leaving her son behind was not easy. With tearful eyes, her heart aching for Pio, Kate says, “Two years is a long time to be away from my child. I should be there to comfort and nurture him.” Today, Kate understands her sacrifice and her mother’s absence. Everything Kate does, she does for her family.
“I grew up in a family of perfectionists who demanded excellence.”
Life in Luzon
Kate’s childhood was deeply influenced by the devotion of her parents. Her father, a policeman, and her mom, a nurse, were her superheroes; she admired their grit. “I grew up in a family of perfectionists who demanded excellence.” And like a diamond that forms under pressure, excellence she delivered. She became a Pediatric nurse in the Philippines, a specialization reserved for those with exceptional credentials. “I saw the positive behind those expectations. I followed the rules and stayed true to my path.” Life was perfect. Kate married her best friend, had a beautiful baby boy, her dream job, and parents who were immensely proud of her.
“I saw the positive behind those expectations. I followed the rules and stayed true to my path.”
An unexpected turn of events
However, Kate’s life took a turn when her two-year-old son, Pio, was diagnosed with autism. She found herself faced with many challenges: the overwhelming worry of how to best support him and the potentially lifelong stigma surrounding her son’s condition. In the face of hardship, Kate and her husband decided to immigrate to Canada in search of the best possible care for little Pio. This meant making the heart-wrenching decision to leave Pio with her parents temporarily, while she pursued a better future for her family. “I’m not with him right now because I understand that this is what he needs to make his life better,” Kate says.
Life in Canada
Both Kate and her husband enrolled in the Post Graduate Diploma in Canadian Nursing program (PGN) at Stenberg College. While excited about a new opportunity, life in Canada was an entirely new challenge. “We had to start from zero here. It’s a challenge to build from nothing.” On their first day in Vancouver, Kate and her husband took the bus but like many immigrants, they struggled with life in a new country. “We didn’t realize that we had to press the stop button, so we went four blocks past our stop. We had to pull 50 kilograms of luggage. Welcome to Canada,” Kate recalls with a laugh.
Slowly, Kate and her husband adapted to their new life and found comfort in a supportive Filipino community. “We shared common things that we grew up with, and it helped us cope.” In 2024, Kate graduated at the top of her program and became the PGN Student of the Year. Her instructor Vicky Brar says, “Kate has managed to perform at a very high level as a nursing student and maintained a high GPA, while also balancing employment and family obligations.”
“All my life I tried to dim my light, but now I’ve found my light.”
Life takes another turn
As Kate and her husband prepare for their graduation ceremony, their journey takes another turn, but this time, it’s for the best. Kate beamed with excitement as she revealed that her son, Pio, would be joining his parents in Canada and would be attending their graduation ceremony. Her mom will join them in the subsequent months as well.
Filled with a renewed sense of purpose and joy, Kate says, “All my life I tried to dim my light, but now I’ve found my light.” In September 2024, Kate passed her National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and officially became a Registered Nurse, a remarkable achievement that she had invested many long years and tears in.
Shining bright like the champion she is, Kate’s journey is finally complete with her family reunited. Having taken the torch from her mother, she found the strength necessary to illuminate the way for herself and others. This is a story of resilience, determination, and an unbreakable family bond.
