Hi ulit, and welcome back to DadBuhay!
If you’ve read my first post — maraming salamat. This space means a lot to me, and I’m really glad you’re here. For this second post, gusto ko sanang ipakilala yung mga taong dahilan kung bakit ko ginagawa ‘to — my family.
We’re a simple family of four. Ako, my wife, and our two beautiful daughters who completely turned our world upside down — in the best possible way.
Yung panganay namin is 3 years old, and she’s all energy and imagination. She sings, dances, and talks non-stop — as in, minsan parang may sarili na siyang talk show sa bahay. 😂 Our youngest is just 10 months old, and right now she’s at that stage where everything is new and exciting — lalo na pag hawak niya yung remote at hindi ko alam!
Both of them were born here in the UK, but me and my wife are both Filipinos. I moved here in 2019 for work, dala yung pangarap na makapag-build ng better life at mapalitan ang passport (lol). Then my wife followed me in 2021. Hindi ko akalain na in just a few years, I’d be holding two little girls who call me “Tatay” and make my heart feel full in ways I never imagined.
Raising Kids Between Two Cultures
To be honest, isa ‘to sa pinaka-interesting (and minsan challenging) parts of being a parent abroad — growing our kids in between two cultures.
At home, we try our best to keep our Filipino culture alive. We speak in Tagalog (minsan conyo, aminado ako 😅), we eat Filipino food, we celebrate Filipino values. Gusto namin maramdaman ng mga anak namin yung warmth, closeness, at kulit ng pagiging Pinoy.
Pero siyempre, we’re also living in a different country. They’re growing up in the UK — with British friends, holidays, weather (hello 4PM sunsets), and cartoons. It’s important for us to help them love both cultures, and to grow up confident in their identity — bilang British-born Filipinas.
Mahirap minsan. Pero worth it.
Why I’m Writing This Blog
I started DadBuhay not because I have it all figured out (I definitely don’t), but because I wanted to share this journey — the real, raw, funny, and even messy side of being a Filipino dad abroad.
Ang daming OFWs and immigrant parents out there like me. We love our families, work hard for them, and try our best every day. Pero minsan, nakakapagod. Minsan, nakakatuwa. And sometimes, kailangan mo lang ng reminder na hindi ka nag-iisa.
That’s what this blog is for.
Here, I’ll share:
• Real kwento ng parenting — the highs, lows, and the “hala, anong gagawin ko?” moments
• Tips on family life abroad
• Travel stories (yes, even with strollers and diaper bags)
• Reflections on identity, fatherhood, and growing up while raising kids
Thanks for being here. Whether you’re a fellow tatay, a nanay, an OFW, or someone just curious about this journey — salamat sa pagdaan. I hope my stories bring something to yours.
Until the next post. For now… may iyak na naman sa background. 😅
— DadBuhay
DadBuhay 
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