(Fresh Start)

Growing up, I understand the importance of work, especially with my father forced to go
overseas to earn a living and my mother going around the province for her work. I was exposed to an
environment that values the importance of the career path they chose, the ability to be versatile along
the way, and to continually pursue what make them better in what they do. This kind of environment
influenced me to mold my own vocation, and to have a dream of doing and being good at what I do.
Since childhood, I always see myself in the aviation industry. I wanted to be a pilot; I want to fly planes
like how my dreams take off to motivate me. However, this dream did not materialize. Along the way,
there were other fields that interest me like marine biology, and fine arts since I am blessed with a
talent in sketching. However, I forego those possibilities and chose a different path when I graduated
High School. With my dad in mind, a civil engineer himself, who can be a good mentor, and the
possibilities of what I can be, I chose the Civil Engineering program at the University of San Carlos. Such
program never did cross my mind, it was the unlikely track that I will pursue, but it seemed like I was
naturally drawn to it. When I was still young, engineering marvels shown in National Geographic and
Discovery Channel fascinate me. It gives me a drive, a sense of purpose.

I believe in this line “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” By Albert Einstein, in which it
happens to me most of the time during college where I struggled to find the best solution no to be a
burden to my family and create a foundation of my own. In the end, I got the degree that I worked so
hard, although I still have a lot to learn working hard, have patience and grabbing my opportunity just
like studying in Canada.

When I chose Civil Engineering as a program for my undergraduate, I learned that it is not all
about skyscrapers, but it can also deal with dams, bridges, roads, flood control or structures that
prevents soils erosions. As I go went along in that direction, I learned how to compute and design
structure which can withstand seismic activities and typhoons. At my on-the-job training (OJT) before
graduating, it made me realize the passion that I have for this discipline. I was able to apply my
theoretical knowledge to the concrete incidents at the site, which also gave me a different rush and
excitement whenever I complete a project. Nevertheless, like most of us have, there were some
setbacks that I encountered being an engineering student. I must admit, I have failing grades in some of
my courses, especially in mathematics subjects. They were, in my case, hard to comprehend. To which I
try to augment by taking summer classes until I finally earned my Civil Engineering degree.

Making my father proud was the only reason I choose Civil Engineering course, regardless of the
consequences I got during college. Although it took more than 5 years to finish and a lot of failures, I still
manage to passed and graduate. I failed many times during my first 2 years in college, particularly in
math subjects. I have to admit, that those math subjects are difficult to comprehend. In addition, I’m
miles away from home and have the liberty to do anything, where I don’t concentrate more on my
studies, thus ended up a lot of failing grades. I tried to catch up by taking summer classes, but it not
enough because of the limit imposed by the university when taking summer class and thus, taking it
seriously until graduation. I took review classes twice, I asked for permission to my parents that I have to
continue it during the next board exam so that I could take a long break and to focus on filing for
temporary visa in Canada, surprisingly I was permitted so it gave me a huge relief. The other one was
during the time that I will be taking my first board exam. It did not go well for me, the time limit for
registering for the exam in PRC is less than 2 week and I have to wait for 2 weeks in order to acquire my
NBI clearance which both departments did not give me a chance to register or collect my clearance as
soon as possible. That situation was a huge blow to me, I studied so hard and motivated but, in the end,
it was useless, and that’s the time I decided to work for a while before taking again. I have to be
optimistic and hopeful that an opportunity will pave way for me, hence, my one in a lifetime opportunity
to study in Canada. If I still have the opportunity to study and the budget, I may take the aviation pilot
course aside from my bachelor’s degree. Some of my subjects in engineering are compatible with the
aviation course thus giving me familiarity to other fields – and of course a chance to manually pilot an
aircraft would be awesome.

Ever since I graduated, I took up jobs related to my field. I wanted to gain experience, and more
experiences to further understand the profession I chose. The theoretical knowledge that I gained in
formal education was different from the practical lessons that I encountered in the field. Although, truth
be told, what I learned in the university anchored me to the things need be done and studied outside
the walls of the classroom. Through doing and observing, from most mundane of tasks to being
entrusted with bigger tasks, I learned by doing and observing. The more I gained experiences, the more
aware I became of the huge room that I must still learn. Hence, it led me to seek for opportunities to
further my studies. I was thinking of taking a graduate study in the Philippines since it is my home
country. But it dawned on me that learning it from international institutions will make me a unique
engineer in our society. Add to that, the things that I will be taught is new and will surely increase my
ability to better understand my field and supplement the lacking knowledge that I will acquire from a
perspective beyond the Philippines.

In the course of being an engineering student, it opened my eyes to become an engineering

assistant at a firm in my Province. An engineering assistant role is crucial as those of the engineer. One
must also be active on or off site to the following procedures given to you. Of my encounters, such are
the general agendas: assist in designing, developing and executing the construction details on and off-
site, giving the details of percentage completion, item alterations and improvisations, monitoring the
project to prevent unexpected errors, procuring items from different areas that of shop to the site on
time, constant communications between allied professionals and people involved is essential, providing
technical assistance to field staff when necessary, overviewing project layouts from the foundation all
the way to the tip of the trusses, keeping in touch with the schedules and deadlines assigned; analyzing
and solving construction issues and recommending the necessary corrective action and solution – all of
which enhances and enlightens one’s insight about life and work’s common denominator is that
multitasking, focusing, problem solving and more is not a walk in the park. However, the thrill of keeping
oneself moving onwards and learning more on a daily basis is intensely satisfying knowing that you’re
creating, building and helping out to the shaping of the future and to leaving a legacy in the process. I
first applied in a company in Leyte around February 2017 and worked there as an aid to the site
engineer, where I learned a lot of ways that doesn’t teach you in class, there are do’s or don’t in
applying skills or simpler ways to solve problems. The second company I applied was in Cebu city, where
I was stationed in the office doing technical related work like drafting or in Microsoft excel for more than
a year, while the Third one was in southern Cebu where this is one of my difficult challenges that I
encounter. I put a lot of effort and utilize my knowledge, learned from the previous company into
working my way to make my work done while the whole country was affected by the pandemic. It’s hard
to even move outside just to buy our necessities, much worse when I have to endure a few months on
lockdowns. This is why I decided to go back to my province in Leyte to work and stay with my parent for
safety purpose and to wait it out until the pandemic or the government eases the restriction of going
outside the house, I currently working as administrative aide in the government particularly in drafting
but sometimes doing surveying in another municipality’s uncultivated land. The decision to move from
another company is mostly because of my curiosity to explore and friends that I enjoy hanging out
during college days, we share hardships form first year in college and even taking the same subject –
mostly minor subjects until we graduated. Some of us graduated ahead but still, we usually see each
other when we have spare time. The other reasons would be the liberty of doing my own ways, and the
experience that I will gain. Most of my college days, I only go to my university, to my friends boarding
house to hang out or my own to my own room. I don’t have the luxury to go out far away and I needed
to catch up with my studies so I’m eager to go somewhere that I have not gone to. Although there are
disadvantages when it comes to this, like getting totally stressed during work – resulting in an
unproductive day or looking for a new home to stay and the attitudes of your workmates and employer.
There are some advantages like there will be people who are more knowledgeable in their respective
specialization; ergo, listening to and acquiring their ideas and processes under any circumstances will
help in the oversight of the project completion – seeing to it that all are in coordination while
simultaneously keeping in check of each particular progress is accomplished and reported.

Thus, began my search for an educational institution outside Philippines to where I can pursue
to further my studies. Among the countries that I considered, Canada was the number one choice due to
the quality of life, and of course, of education. When I was looking for the program to pursue, I found
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, who has a good reputation in the
discipline of Civil Engineering, offer Advanced Diploma for Civil Engineering Technology at their North
Campus. But what sold me to their program is that the curriculum is designed to cover, in their words,
“all aspects of infrastructure.” This will give me an edge from my counterparts in my country. I aim not
only to be a good engineer, but also to impart my knowledge in every organization and allied fields that I
will work with. Aside from that, it will give me an opportunity to broaden my knowledge in geotechnical
engineering, a branch of civil engineering I want to focus, which studies the behavior and the different
types of earth materials.

Personally, studying abroad is a daunting endeavor. But going out of my comfort zone is what I
think will help me grow as an individual. This will be a fresh start to adapt and acknowledge cultural
differences and to experience new set of sociocultural skills that I will learn in a new social milieu; and
Canada seems like the perfect country to go to. Amongst many countries, Canada is notable for its
quality of life, and well-being due to their healthcare system, academic, and good governance. Aside
from that, it embraces multiculturalism, and exchange of ideas especially a vast changing and globalized
world.

Being able to inhabit Canada will test my being independent to greater and farther lengths and
will give me the liberty to choose what I want to do responsibly within the ambits of a new community.
This will also test my confidence in living alone in a foreign land which serves as my first challenge.
Overcoming any fear and treating it as an advantage, becoming open minded and growing thirsty for
new adventure in finding new and interesting things to do while staying in Canada – all of which I
presume will involve several challenges.

The upper hand of studying again is to gain more quality education in addition to my previous
study – similarly relative as it may seem. Grabbing this opportunity would be beneficial to be
independent, and improve necessary skills that contribute to the workplace and even to the society. As
for my decision as to why I chose Humber, it is divided amongst the professional’s recommendation, my
own research, and my relative’s opinion who are currently residing in Canada. I have come to a
comprehension that Humber College is amongst the best colleges to go to by professionals that I have
been acquainted with and a number of alumni reviews. One of my cousins made mention that said
information which can attest to such. With that, Humber could pave the way to learn from the best of
the best in Canada. To learn something new and to become competitive I believe such a challenge is
what I aim for in Humber provided that the school facilities and amenities area accessible.

Basically, I have taken up engineering as a bachelor’s degree in the Philippines. Choosing it again
in Humber College’s selection of degrees means familiarity to the common processes. The only thing
that makes all the difference is that Humber College could enlighten me to know more of what I have
learned previously – new theoretical ideas and technical data which are accessible from college’s library
and other facilities, new insights from professors and amongst people I get to encounter on and off
campus, new environment that could pave the way to my opening door to more ideas and much more.
This area of civil engineering is relevant especially to the Philippines which is prone to stronger
earthquakes generated by volcanoes and moving tectonic plates. Hence, a good foundation in
Geotechnical Engineering is important to have a lasting structures and sustainable development.

After spending a day with my father to discuss about studying abroad. We discussed years
before, maybe around 2018 that I would consider taking a Aviation course in Cebu city in which he flatly
rejects my pitch but after I told him that I wanted to study in Canada and with the lessons I learned from
my previous university I thank God my father agreed and will spend more effort saving for my college
tuition fee until I graduate after 3 years, maybe because he wants me to have a brighter future with the
degree I hold now, just need to polish it more. My father will shoulder all my expenses during and after
graduated from college and consider this as supporting me even after I graduate. My mother on the
other hand gave me her support, too just in case I need it. Right now, we secured more than enough and
already paid my 1-year tuition already. The excess payment will be using for my second year in college
and will be continuing to save until I graduated in Canada. Some of the money will be divided and used
as my living expenses to ease my problem at the same time for tuition and books.

Tuition Fee Paid $18,380

Bank Certificate - (Personal Savings Account) Amount in CAD
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) $10,000
Social Security System (SSS) Contribution none
Phil Health Contribution none
Pag-Ibig Contribution 121285310499

BUDGET ALLOCATION AND LIVING COST

 - Leave this section. I will be the one inputting this details

I have a family of four where my father is currently working as a Senior Engineer in a Japanese
company currently stationed in Bangladesh. Me and my mother are employee of the Provincial
Government of Leyte, where I was assigned as a Draftsman and Civil Engineering Aide, whereas my
mother as a Construction and Maintenance General Foreman. My younger brother is a fresh graduate
from college and currently taking review lesson in Cebu City. Lastly, my youngest half-brother is a grade
school student and currently living with me and my mom.

PROPERTIES AMT. IN CAD

AGGRICULTURAL LAND 20000PHP (1997) = 53109.62
(2021) = $1300.71
VEHICLES OWNED AMT. IN CAD
MOTHER MITSUBISHI STRADA: 1,320,000 $37,053 (35.6244 PESOS/1CAD)
ANNUAL INCOME TAX RETURN AMT. IN CAD
150,000.00 $3,739.63
MONTHLY COMPENSATION AMT. IN CAD
22,889.00 $570.73
SSS TOTAL CONTRIBUTION AMT. IN CAD

PROPERTIES AMT. IN CAD

AGGRICULTURAL LAND 20000PHP (1997) = 53109.62
(2021) = $1300.71
VEHICLES OWNED AMT. IN CAD
NONE
FATHER ANNUAL INCOME TAX RETURN AMT. IN CAD
NONE (OFW for 15YRS +)
MONTHLY COMPENSATION AMT. IN CAD
$4,085 USD $5171.90
SSS TOTAL CONTRIBUTION AMT. IN CAD
CURRENTLY RECEIVING
MONTLY PENSION

PROPERTIES AMT. IN CAD

NONE
VEHICLES OWNED AMT. IN CAD
MOTORCYCLE 85K PHP = $2127.5
ANNUAL INCOME TAX RETURN AMT. IN CAD
STUDENT APPLICANT NONE
MONTHLY COMPENSATION AMT. IN CAD
6,600 $165.19
 SSS TOTAL CONTRIBUTION AMT. IN CAD
NONE

PROPERTIES AMT. IN CAD

NONE
VEHICLES OWNED AMT. IN CAD
MOTORCYCLE 100K PHP = $2,807.06
ANNUAL INCOME TAX RETURN AMT. IN CAD
YOUNGER BROTHER NONE
MONTHLY COMPENSATION AMT. IN CAD
NONE (STUDENT)
SSS TOTAL CONTRIBUTION AMT. IN CAD
NONE

Currently they are doing fine, and busy doing their jobs. Though they seldom talk to
each other, I really don’t dwell in my parent’s problems as long as they are happy living separately
It does not matter to me and thank that they still support me and my brother. In what I see, their
priority is to have us brother live a good life and continue to build our own foundation – an
investment for us.

Roy Emmanuel
Cirenea Diao
Bumanglag
(MOTHER)
(FATHER)

Stephen Roy Carlos Gabriel

Gerald Spencer
Bumanglag Gaviola
Bumanglag
(Eldest child and (Half Brother & the
(2nd child)
Student applicant) youngest)

I have my own fair share of travels. Due to my father’s work, I was able to visit him to Vietnam
to where I was able to liken their way of living from my heritage. Although the difference in our culture
is explicit, but there were similarities in our ways of life, like for example the staple food or the mode of
transportation that we use. Maybe because our countries are just neighbors. It is experiences like this
where experience what I only see in the television. It is invigorating, it empowers me that my dreams
can truly materialize. I also go to places within the Philippines, like the province of Palawan, and the
beaches in Siargao. All these made me want to explore more, and see more what life can offer.
However, there are difficulties along the way like the time when my application was refused.

COUNTRY DATE FROM DATE TO PURPOSE

CANADA 2007 02 - 25 - 2013 IMMIGRATION
CANADA 04 - 25 - 2016 05 - 03 - 2016 LEISURE

The first one is due to backlog situation where we have to reapply again, the second one is due
to my travel history and employment where I was a few months graduated from college. I consider
traveling affects us a lot, starting with making friends with the locals, then having a conversation with
foreign nationals during the trip. In addition, the culture we would experience in another country,
stunning view, and a lot of fun stuff to do makes us wants to travel more. During my first two years in
college me and my father only communicate through video calls until he offered us to visit him during
Christmas break rather than him visiting us, brothers. Before pandemic we usually visit my dad working
in Vietnam if we have the perfect schedule to visit, if I’m not mistaken, I already visited three times and
one each in Singapore and Thailand. I was still in high school when my father decided to migrate, and
join my aunt which they went ahead. I’m still young and inexperience of the decision because I was still
focusing my studies and planning for my future in college. Because of backlog situation we decided and
force to back out and giving our best to graduate. The other one was when me and my younger brother
applied for a tourist visa in 2016 to visit our relatives living there and to enjoy the stunning view Canada
can give. Unfortunately, we were unable to visit due to lacking in employment where I was a fresh
graduate, the other one was I need to visit more countries not just Vietnam – in which my family spend
the next few years spending our holidays in Singapore and Thailand, if not for the pandemic, we might
travel in another country again.

The upper hand of studying again is to gain more quality education in addition to my previous
study – similarly relative as it may seem. Grabbing this opportunity would be beneficial to be
independent, and improve necessary skills that contribute to the workplace and even to the society. This
will give improvement to my work and creating new ideas back in my hometown or anywhere within the
Philippines. Having plans to working with my father and sharing experiences about what is happening on
field or office work. I want to accept a position on field for now rather working inside a small space
facing the computer whole day. I want to experience on field communicating with my fellow workers
and looking at the structure that I have been working for a few months or at least a year. Maybe, I could
contribute more on fields that are new to everyone after studying in Canada.

After graduating and giving it my all, aside from working abroad, I want to create my own
construction firm and start small in my home town, here in the Philippines. With my experience and the
teachings, I acquired may help me in creating my foundation. I will continue molding my future and the
future of the business I will create with my father and my relatives as my mentor, maybe I’m going to be
successful. This idea will help my relatives who don’t have a stable job and to my siblings who wants to
join.

In light to my decision as to why I chose Canada, I wanted to mold my career path in a fresh,
new, and different environment. My previous collegiate experience deems that I have quite spacious
room for improvement. I do believe that my age, my race, and my status in life is no means for
discrimination to achieve all of my goals and more – most especially in Canada where discrimination rate
is low. In conclusion, Canada can not only give me new light in my studies but also myself as a person. I
hope that this letter would give me the opportunity to experience different culture and meeting new
friends, giving exciting adventure and attaining my goal not just for me, but also for my family that
wishes me to be successful in the future.

Sincerel
y Yours,

Stephen Roy D. Bumanglag

Student Applicant