Lara Quigaman Reflects on Her New Life and Struggles in Canada
LARA QUIGAMAN – Former beauty queen and actress Lara Quigaman opened up about the emotional and physical struggles she faces while adjusting to life in Canada.
Lara Quigaman recently shared her life’s new chapter as she and her husband, actor Marco Alcaraz, moved to British Columbia, Canada, with their family. After many years in the Philippines, the couple made the life-changing decision to migrate in hopes of creating a better environment to raise their children.
“Nung first time namin pumunta ni Marco, napag-usapan talaga namin na parang masarap mag-raise ng family dito,” she said in an interview with Canada’s OMNI News.

Embracing a completely different path, Lara pursued a long-time dream of becoming an educator. Upon discovering the high demand for teachers in Canada, she took up Early Childhood Education.
“Hindi ko alam na in demand ‘yung mga teachers. Nung nag-decide kami kung ano ang kukunin kong course sabi ko talaga gusto ko maging preschool teacher. Gusto ko mag-Early Childhood Education (ECE). So, parang tinuloy ko lang ‘yung pangarap ko.”
As she trains and works in early childhood education, Lara has encountered a more inclusive educational system that deeply impressed her.
“Dito sa Canada, everyone’s included, gusto nila included talaga sila, very inclusive dito. Hindi talaga nila sini-separate ‘yung mga bata. Kahit may special needs, children with autism, children with behavioural needs or challenges, lahat ‘yan kasama halu-halo.”
However, the road has not been easy. Working with children with diverse needs presents emotional and physical challenges.
“So mahirap lang kasi may times na iba iba rin ‘yung moods ng bata so nagkasabay sabay. More than the physical na pagod, minsan gusto ko silang tulungan kasi hindi mo alam kung paano matutulungan kasi may mga bata na non-verbal, hindi nila ma-explain kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman nila,” she explained.

Lara credits her husband Marco for being her strong support system.
“Sobrang laking tulong talaga ni Marco, ng husband ko. Grabe ‘yung supporta, hindi talaga kaya kung ako lang… In terms of pagluluto, hindi na ako nagluluto kasi masarap magluto ‘yung asawa ko.”
She also gave valuable advice for those planning to move abroad.
“Sa lahat ng desisyon, kailangan talaga pinag-pi-pray… Hindi katulad ng nakasanayan natin sa Pilipinas, hindi magiging madali ‘yung journey so kailangan ready,” she said.
“Mukhang madali siya but it’s not. Ang pagiging teacher, ang pagiging educator, it’s really a calling.”