A Glimpse of Filipino Life in Neepawa
With the desire to fulfilling one’s dreams of having the best life possible for oneself and family, many Filipinos do their best to leave the country and find work opportunities abroad that will help them earn more compared to the daily minimum wage in the Philippines. Canada is one of the countries where Filipinos try their luck to make their dream of a stable and more comfortable life a reality. Statistics show that Filipinos are the fourth-largest visible minority group in the country, with around 837,130. The population of Filipinos in Canada almost doubled in 10 years, from 2006 to 2016.
Neepawa, a small and humble town located in Western Manitoba, two hours west of Winnipeg, is one of the towns in Canada where Filipinos reside. The 2016 census shows Filipinos are the country's largest visible minority population or about 93 percent of the town’s total visible minority population.
In just half a century, Neepawa doubled its population. The reason behind this growth can be attributed to the HyLife pork processing plant with almost two thousand employees, the majority of which came from the Philippines. So, if you desire to move to Neepawa and try your luck and see what life has to offer, expect that one of the jobs that are popular here is butchery. Yes, the majority of the Filipinos who work and migrate here are butchers.
In a video posted by one of the Filipino butchers in Neepawa, the hourly rate of a butcher in Canada, regardless of the province, is around 21 to 23 CAD per hour. First-timers can expect a more modest salary of 15 to 18 CAD per hour. In 15 days, a butcher’s salary in Neepawa is around 1,000 CAD or less.
If you earn around 1,000 CAD bi-weekly or approximately 2,000 monthly in Neepawa, here’s an estimate of the expenses you need to pay for during your stay in the country:
- $300 for house rent
- $20 for carpool
- $200 for food
This estimate does not yet include the money you want to spend on shopping and other things you want to purchase. Filipinos who work abroad often set aside a considerable amount from their salary to send back to their families in the Philippines. At times, a butcher has around 480 CAD or around PhP 20,909.82 (assuming that CAD to PHP is 43.56) as excess from the expenses he has to pay bi-weekly.
As you can see, starting life in Canada is not a sure shot to earning six figures in the Philippine peso. But living in Canada has its advantages, especially in healthcare. So, before you jump on the next flight to Canada, it is best to know what kind of life you and your family could have, especially in Neepawa.
The Philippines Feels in Neepawa, Manitoba
When you land in Neepawa, expect that it is common to find a fellow Filipino along the streets, at work, and in establishments. Many temporary foreign workers, including Filipinos, have applied for permanent residency in Canada through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
When Filipino butchers bring their families with them when they move to Neepawa, their wives and family members often find other work in town and do volunteer work related to church and cultural associations.
Neepawa doesn’t feel like a place far away from home. Instead, it feels like the little Philippines because you will be surrounded by Filipino where people who speak Tagalog and Filipino food is served and shared by people, often at the back of their houses.
There is also the Filipino Association of Neepawa and Area (FANA) to unite Filipinos in Neepawa. This association also caters to Filipinos nearby, such as Gladstone and Minnedosa. At times, this association hosts Filipino Cultural Festival.
RemitBee: A Filipino’s Excellent Partner When Sending Money from Neepawa
Living in Neepawa is exciting, especially for Filipinos, because you will be surrounded by fellow Filipinos, which will help combat feelings of loneliness and homesickness.
If you plan on sending money to your family back in the Philippines, send money via RemitBee. RemitBee gives you the best currency exchanges with minimal fees. We will waive your transfer fee if you send at least $500!
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