It was summer vacation 2012, whilst visiting my mom in Australia,that my husband and I made the decision to make the move. It was to be a one year adventure to let our children experience what life is like in a different country. We knew that living, working and studying here would be a great learning experience for our kids.

The adjustment for us adults was quite challenging. We had just left the comforts of what we had built back in Manila. Our jobs, friendships, lifestyle and the list is on. It was an enormous change and looking back, I don’t know how we found the courage to pack up and go. When we made the decision, I distinctly remember us agreeing that it was now or never. We both firmly decided to just do it.

Our friends in Manila later told us that they thought we would be back after a few months. It has now been six years since. Many times the longing for things familiar and tried and tested made us think of packing our bags and getting on the next plane bound for our motherland. Somewhere between adjusting to our new home and missing our old one, we found ways to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Perhaps the transition was made easier by Facetime, Viber and Whatsapp, by email, Facebook and Instagram. In my younger years, I had known what it was like to go to the “long-distance” shop in “Divisoria” or downtown Cagayan de Oro City, go inside a booth and place a long-distance call to a loved one in another Philippine city. I had also experienced sending and receiving RCPI telegrams in the late 80s, 1989 to be exact. I also wrote letters via post to friends and family to keep in touch during my primary, secondary and even tertiary years. I still enjoy letter writing and sending them via post these days, albeit not that often. Yes, having experienced what it was like back then to wait for weeks or even months for a reply makes me appreciate how technology has made keeping in touch that much easier.

No doubt the challenges one goes through as a migrant remains complex. The adjustments just as daunting. But somehow, being able to instantly and freely communicate with loved ones wherever they may be, seeing their faces on my mobile phone as we converse, makes a world of difference.

Having caught up with friends in Manila just a few weeks ago, we came to the conclusion that we have even made more of an effort to keep in touch now that we live miles apart. Sure, I still miss them but there is something reassuring about knowing that we are all just a post or an update away from each other.

Lia Andanar Yu is a broadcast journalist by profession. She graduated with Cum Laude Honours from the Ateneo de Manila University. A former Binibining Pilipinas title holder, she proudly represents the Philippines on many occasions. She has worked in cable news as a segment producer, executive producer, stock market show host, administrative officer, morning show host and news anchor for almost 17 years. Lia took a sabbatical from the ABS-CBN News Channel in 2012 and, as life happens, continues to live in Australia with her husband and children. Lia has found a second home in country Victoria where she is a Councillor for her local Parish Pastoral Council, a Lay Eucharistic Minister and serves as a Multicultural Advisor active in doing community development work.

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