Celebrating Asian Heritage Month, the Saint John Newcomers Centre highlights the invaluable contributions of Asian community partners, businesses, organizations, and dedicated volunteers who enrich the local tapestry. This initiative spotlights the inspiring stories, achievements, cultural heritage, and profound social impact of Asian individuals in Greater Saint John.
Sandy is a dedicated educator and entrepreneur whose journey from the Philippines to Saint John has been shaped by her passion for community and youth empowerment. As the owner of a growing event-hosting business and a local daycare educator, Sandy has become known for her commitment to uplifting others—especially by fostering opportunities for the next generation. Through her work and volunteerism, she’s helping children discover their potential and encouraging newcomers to get involved, learn, and lead. Sandy’s story is one of resilience, cultural pride, and a belief that every voice matters in building a more inclusive and connected community.
What does Asian Heritage Month mean to you, and why is it important?
I’m an educator at a local daycare and also run a small event-hosting business for parties and gatherings. What’s been truly amazing is how word-of-mouth within the community has helped my business grow, even without paid advertising. I love how people here genuinely support one another—there’s no sense of competition or negativity, which I initially thought might be common, especially among fellow Filipinos abroad. But here, it’s different. There’s a strong sense of community where everyone uplifts one another.
Now, I’m focusing on creating more opportunities for the younger generation. I believe in involving children early—not only in cultural events but also by giving them simple roles and responsibilities within business settings. By inviting them to volunteer, help behind the scenes, or take part in small tasks, we are planting seeds of confidence and purpose. Training them while they’re young helps them see their potential and builds valuable skills they can carry into the future. I want to see more of that—youth stepping into their passions, exploring what they’re capable of, and realizing that they have a place and a voice in our community.
From your experience, what is the importance of diversity, and how has it contributed to multiculturalism in the community?
Diversity is a beautiful part of my everyday life—from my workplace to my social interactions, I’m surrounded by people from many different cultural backgrounds. What I love most is how, despite our differences, we come together to laugh, support one another, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. One of the best parts of this multicultural experience is the sharing of food—trying dishes from different cultures not only introduces us to new flavors, but also to the stories, traditions, and memories behind them. Food brings people together in such a meaningful way.
Whether it’s at small community events or casual gatherings, seeing a room filled with people from all backgrounds sharing meals, music, and moments of unity is truly heartwarming. This is what multiculturalism looks like in action—where we don’t just tolerate differences, we celebrate them. I feel incredibly blessed to live in Canada, a country that embraces diversity and actively promotes multiculturalism. That support fosters a deep sense of belonging and connection within our community.
What are some challenges or opportunities you have encountered as an Asian professional in your field, and how have they shaped your approach to your work?
One of the biggest challenges has been building the confidence to express myself fully—especially in a different language and culture. There’s always that fear of being misunderstood or not being able to communicate my thoughts the way I want to. Coming from an Asian background, I was raised with values and communication styles that can feel very different from what’s common here. But working closely with children from diverse backgrounds has been such a blessing—it taught me that growth often comes through the simplest and most genuine moments.
I love sharing stories with the children, especially about what life was like in my country. Recently, it’s been raining a lot here, and I told them how, back home, I used to run and play in the rain without feeling cold. I asked them to imagine it—barefoot, laughing, completely free. Sharing stories like that gives children a new perspective on life outside of this country. I even told them how I used to fear getting darker from the sun because of how dark skin was viewed differently back then. But here, that same dark skin is something I’ve come to embrace—because it’s loved and celebrated.
These moments have helped me overcome insecurities and build deeper connections. They remind me that even our vulnerabilities can be powerful when we share them. That’s how I’ve grown—not just by adapting, but by staying true to who I am and letting that authenticity guide how I work and connect with others.
What is your advice to young Asian professionals looking to make an impact on the community?
Be involved. Show up. When an opportunity to learn comes your way—take it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Growth starts when you put yourself out there and stay open to learning from every experience. Your voice, presence, and passion can inspire others and make a real difference in the community.
Thank you, Sandy, for all that you do and for granting us this interview for our 2025 Community Champion Spotlight Series.
Written by Amaka Otoh, volunteer contributor at the Saint John Newcomer Centre.
