
In this first entry of the Wanderfil Interview Series, I am honored to share with you the journey (and wisdom) of one of my dearest friends, whom I met during my first month in Barcelona. Strong, independent, and a go-getter, she is one of the wisest women I have ever encountered.
In 2013, she was chosen to represent the Philippines as one of the youth delegates in the 40th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program in Japan. Two years later, she packed her bags and moved to Poland to be an English teacher, where—serendipitously—she met the love of her life, now-husband Miki.
Currently based between Spain and Germany, she works for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Let’s get to know Yuwi of @mybarcelonastory
Where are you from in the Philippines?
I am a proud Pinay with strong Bisaya roots.
What urged you to move abroad?
The short answer is I wanted to find my place in the world. The long answer to that started with growing up knowing that there are bigger ponds out there other than mine. So then at the university, I decided I want to become an ambassador, which I ended up being. This really pushed me to find international political/public experience. So I went for Europe.
How did you end up in Spain?
I will quote myself with my famous line for this question - "LOVE brought me to Spain."
I met this Spanish cutie when I was in Bangkok (Thailand). I was hosting a conference for a European Union funded program in the same hotel where he transited awaiting for his flight back home. He managed to get my attention by pissing me a bit for mentioning all the Southeast Asian countries except the Philippines when I asked him where I'm from (guys take note!). All the while, he had already asked somebody about me before the interaction. All that to say, 4 months later I found myself spending Christmas with all his family in Barcelona - being introduced by him as his girlfriend.
What was your first impression of Spain/Barcelona?
Before coming to visit him for Christmas, I made sure to learn Catalan to try to also impress his parents a bit. Sure it did, and they were quite content (already) even with a simple greeting.
I came during Christmas time. I was very happy to see then that the way they celebrate this season, their language, their churches felt so much like home.
Any culture shock you've had when you first move?
I had a lot - from the food, the etiquette in the table, the number of plates they serve. Then you add another cultural layer of Catalan people such as birthday dinners with friends ie: you don't pay for everyone, everybody pays for themselves. No random meet-ups, you can't show up at your friend's door without planning ahead. These are simply the first layer of the culture shock. But what surprised me the most was the love they have for Isabelle Preysler. She's a Filipina-Spanish generational icon in fashion & lifestyle here in Spain until today.
What's the hardest thing you've undergone in Spain as an expat (Filipina)?
Definitely having to not eat rice for breakfast was the hardest. But kidding aside, it was hard not being understood, and not being capable of expressing my thoughts in a conversation. I relate to Sofia Vergara in Modern Family "Do you know how intelligent I am in my language?" Other than that, I always feel that I have been lucky to have my husband, his family & close friends that are always there to make me happy and content just being myself with them.
After living here for 8 years, what are your favourite things about Spain?
Everything! I love Spain now, and I love this country like I love my motherland. I have accepted and learned to love all the good and bad side of this country, including its history. Coming from a very biased image of Spain due to our history as a former colony, I would never have imagined that 2 decades later, I would come out on the other side and learned to embrace their culture and forgive the past, if I were to tell this to the 13 year old me learning about Philippine history.
Now you are working in one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world, what's your advice for Filipinos who want to thrive in Spain?
The road to living the career you feel you deserve has many paths. I happen to have walked to one where I got a big boost of confidence from my husband and his family for sure, & legal support for being married to a Spanish man. So I can say this path may be short but was also not one that was easy. I still had to invest in my desired career path by finishing a master's degree, and I still had to prove my value in the corporate world in every conversation / negotiation / job interviews I go to. If you can, never stop learning. Learn from your mistakes if you get rejected, and learn from your wins too. Always aim to improve by studying your environment.
Congratulations in getting your Spanish passport! Por fin, somos españolas! Can you describe your Spanish journey in one word?
Smooth
Final words/advices to fellow Filipinos who want to chase their dream lives abroad?
Choose wisely. Wherever you go, whatever you do, whoever you associate yourself or live with. And always choose your dream. Doubts will come every now and then, and so you have to cling on to your dreams especially when motivation / inspiration run dry. And lastly, your dream may change and that's okay. Simply trust that life will guide you to a better dream one step at a time.
Get to know Yuwi and her journey more @mybarcelonastory on IG
Hasta luego!
Wow what article love it