Rediscovering Easter in Niagara

Rediscovering Easter in Niagara

By Marlou S. Tiro

TORONTO–For some Pinoy newcomers in Canada, Easter may not be as auspicious it is as back in the Philippines but for the Pabon family, their surprise invitation from a long time friend in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to visit Niagara region was a blessing.

“We never realized that our first Easter in Canada would be memorable,” said Rosario Pabon, a nurse in Toronto who arrived in Canada last year. “I filed a one week holiday but I did not know where to bring my family. We hardly knew anybody. I had been working hard the whole year so I never had time to spend leisure hours with the family. I thought that this Easter would be an ideal time because the kids have no school. I prayed to God for guidance because I owe it to my children and husband who are undergoing a tough time adjusting as immigrants. I already gave up hope that Easter in Canada would simply be staying at home. Finally on Black Saturday a friend of ours invited us to visit St Catharines. The kids were so delighted and we grabbed the first available bus trip. We were able to ride at 12:15 midnight–just in time for Easter Sunday.”

For a more countryside atmosphere, the Pabon family checked in at Country Dream Bed & Breakfast inn at the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the Lake. Adding spice to their blessing was their discovery that it is managed by a Filipino who was more than pleased to serve authentic Pinoy dishes peppered with a true Pinoy hospitality. As an added bonus to their trip, the owners served as their tour guide and gave them the opportunity to tour Niagara Falls for free! Of course, they relished the spectacular sight of Niagara Falls. They were also mystified upon seeing the historical cottage inns.

“Although we can hardly see the beauty of the plants around, I can already imagine the wonder of this vast wineries,” said Rosario’s husband Efren, an airline mechanic in the UAE. They felt proud also when they were informed that the Deputy Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake ( Art Viola) is a Filipino.
As Rosario ventured along the vast countryside in Niagara-on-the-Lake, she could not help but dream to own one of those magnificent houses overlooking the lake. “Its panoramic view is really overwhelming.”

Rosario admitted that this Easter is highly significant to mend ties with her family. According to Rosario who lived in the UAE for 20 years, “When I decided to immigrate to Canada, my children were not really happy because they would leave the only country they called their home. My husband was also hesitant to come due to lack of job opportunities. This Easter has made us closer to each other. Looking at the beautiful homes here in Niagara-on-the-Lake has inspired us to settle here for good. It is an ideal place to retire. I think God has enlightened our mind to look forward to a brighter future together. For more than a year, we were under tremendous pressure.”

Apart from enjoying the sightseeing scenes, Rosario was also able to help some of her newfound friends in Canada with her “gift of touch.” She is a great believer in the power of “the healing touch,” known as one of the alternative health medicines that help unlock blocked energies of the body and help cure various ailments. Her healing power, she claims, has also been a blessing to others. Thus, she did not waste time to share it with the rest of the other Pinoys in Niagara. “ In my own little ways, this Easter has made me an instrument to help ease the pain of some people here in Niagara. Perhaps this is the reason why I was able to come.”

Rosario believes that Pinoy newcomers should continue to maintain their real traditional values regardless of place. All they need is an ounce of self-initiative. “They do not have to lock themselves up in their homes because their families are not around,” she explained. She also believes that on this Easter, God has definitely brought her closer to heaven…to the Niagara region where serenity and spiritual reflection go hand in hand.