Fidela Mangulabnan - Innovation Workshop

BY FIDELA MANGULABNAN

This is a developing podcast series inspired by 11 Brantwood Drive – or what my family calls Brantwood.

Brantwood was home to generations of my family that migrated to Canada in the late 1980s. But it was also considered home to many friends, community members and strangers who turned into family.

It is an empty-nest story that gives voice to other migrant families with similar experiences – coming to Canada, having little money and, therefore, needing to house multiple people in one home.

This series explores the safe haven that Brantwood became and how it shaped my family and impacted the community surrounding them.

Episode #1: Maureen Damian

In this episode of Brantwood: A Home With Open Doors, Maureen Damian, or Grace as my family and I call her, talks about how all the people living at Brantwood helped shape her into the person she is today and the symbolism that Brantwood held for people outside of our extended family.

But she also shares the limitations and difficulties that came with living in a house with so many other people.

Episode #2: Rene Diwa

In this episode of Brantwood: A Home With Open Doors, Rene Diwa talks about her migrant journey from the Philippines to Canada.

Although she struggled being alone in a new country, she was always motivated by the need to bring her parents and siblings to Canada in order to give them a better life.

Rene also talks about the blessings that Brantwood has provided to her family.