This month’s story features Niña Lachica De Dios, mother of senior Danica De Dios and freshman Alexandra De Dios, whose journey from the Philippines to the United States began in the early 2000s.
- Where did you grow up, and what was your life like there? What prompted you to leave?
She was born and raised in San Mateo, Rizal, a small town in the Philippines, where she described her childhood as simple but filled with valuable lessons. Her mother owned a hair salon, while her father worked overseas to support the family. When her father first left to work abroad, her mother struggled to provide for all three children while continuing to work herself.
Although money was tight, she looks back on those experiences with gratitude. “Daily hardship in life came in various ways and forms,” she said, “but looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She considers those challenges “blessings in disguise” that helped shape who she is today.
However, the corruption she witnessed and the hardships she experienced growing up all contributed to her decision to leave her homeland.
- What do you remember most about the moment you decided to come to the U.S.?
As the eldest child, she felt a strong responsibility to support her family. After graduating from college and entering the workforce, much of her salary went toward household expenses and her younger siblings’ college tuition.
After three years of working, she realized that even taking on overtime was not enough: “It was never enough for me to enjoy life and have enough savings to plan for the kind of life I want in the future,” she said.
That realization prompted her to seriously pursue job opportunities in the United States, where she could continue her career in radio frequency engineering while working toward greater financial stability.
- Can you walk me through your journey to becoming a permanent resident/citizen?
Her path to permanent residency began with a job offer. She was recruited from the Philippines under an H-1B visa, which is a temporary nonimmigrant work visa. Her employer agreed to sponsor her green card application after a year of satisfactory performance.
Her first application was unsuccessful because the project she was working on ended before the process was completed. However, after joining another company and beginning work on a different telecommunications project, she tried again.
The second application went much more smoothly, and she received her green card in less than a year.
- What was the biggest culture shock you experienced? What felt familiar and what felt completely different?
One of Mrs. De Dios’s earliest culture shocks was how often Americans greeted her with “How are you?” She initially wondered why people she had just met wanted to know how she was doing. “I overthink a lot whenever I get those greetings,” she said.
Over time, she realized the phrase was often used casually, more like a “Hi!” or “Hello!” In the Philippines, she explained, the question is usually reserved for closer relationships and followed by a longer conversation.
- How has your identity changed (or stayed the same) since moving here? What parts of your culture have you held on to the most?
After two decades in the United States, Mrs. De Dios reflects on how much she has changed, especially since becoming a mother. She compared her transformation to a butterfly’s metamorphosis, emerging stronger after life’s challenges.
Throughout her journey, her Catholic faith has remained a constant source of support; as her contracting jobs took her from city to city, she always looked for the nearest Catholic church. Through these communities, she found lifelong friends and a sense of belonging. “The values of being a Christian Catholic [have] been an anchor for me ever since I moved here in the U.S.,” she said.
- Do you ever feel disconnected from the Philippines?
After 20 years in the United States, Mrs. De Dios sometimes feels separated from her homeland. She tries to return to the Philippines whenever possible to visit family and childhood friends, and celebrate Christmas.
Although she remains grateful for the opportunities she has found in the U.S., her connection to the Philippines has never faded. “My homeland, [the] Philippines, will always have a special place in my heart,” she said.
Mrs. Lachica De Dios’s journey reflects the challenges and opportunities that come with building a life in a new country while staying connected to one’s roots. Though the United States has become her home, the Philippines remains an important part of who she is and the life she continues to cherish.
