As a migrant from a small barangay (village) in the Philippines, I wasn’t fully ready for the weight of the experience when I stepped inside the Parliament House.
I remembered my first ever job as a speechwriter for the House of Representatives back in the Philippines - and how surreal it felt to now walk through the corridors of another nation’s Parliament, this time as a participant in the Asian Australian Voices Program. I am immensely grateful for this experience.
To listen and observe the Prime Minister and his ministers in session, to meet leaders from CALD communities over lunch, to listen to young ministerial advisers and their work in shaping agendas of those they serve, to have a short but meaningful conversation with the Hon Tim Watts further explaining to him why I believe International Studies degrees in universities should be supported not cut, to see my peers advocate in the Senate Education Committee for stronger Asia capability- all these moments felt deeply validating.
But the moment that truly hit me - that tugged at the migrant heartstrings - was when I shook the hand of Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Senator Penny Wong.
This brief handshake carried years of memories. In that instant when we exchanged basic hellos, my entire migrant journey flashed before me - the sacrifices, the uncertainties, the resilience. I saw the faces of my Filipino friends who have built their lives here, our shared stories of starting over, missing ‘home’, finding belonging, contributing quietly but proudly to Australia’s vibrant society - in churches, in schools, in workplaces, on sporting fields.
It wasn’t just a handshake. It was a connection across stories, across generations, across cultures.
I used to stand outside Parliament House as a tourist, watching my daughters play on the lawns, unaware of the important decisions being made inside. Today, I walked those same halls - not as a visitor, but as part of a growing voice shaping Australia’s multicultural story. For my daughters and their fellow Asian-Australian friends, this was more than just a proud moment. It was a glimpse of a future where they can dream bigger, belong deeper, and lead confidently.
From a Filipino migrant’s heart - maraming salamat - for this unforgettable opportunity, and for the reminder that our stories, no matter how humble, have a place in Australia’s future.
Learn more about the Asian Australian Voices program on our website.
