Migration History

In 2007, Rico arrived in Richmond, BC, from the Philippines. Originally, he considered going further east to Toronto as he saw it as a place with more opportunities for him, but his wife wanted to be closer to family on the West Coast. The following year, he flew back and forth between Canada and the Philippines by himself, getting documents ready and preparing for the big move across the Pacific. 

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“It was a decision that my parents made - they thought it would be a better life for their kids – me and my sisters…It was hard moving here and leaving, leaving everything behind, but I prayed about it, I sought counsel and I felt that that was the best thing for me to do is pack everything and move with my family.”

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When his wife’s papers were finally ready for her to go to Canada, she was already eight months pregnant, making it a difficult time to go on such a long flight. They decided to stay in the Philippines until after she gave birth, and decided to stay in the Philippines for just a little longer until they were ready to move. During his year and a half staying in the Philippines, he found it difficult to not be working. His wife found a weekend market that opened up and came up with the idea of making barbeque sandwiches. Together, they explored that idea which became their first business.

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How Smokehouse Sandwich Co. Began

Rico and his family moved back to Richmond, BC in 2011. He worked in a restaurant called Jeff Rose and worked there for a while until he felt a need to open his own business. While exploring business ideas and scouting locations, he came across the spot where his business currently is and immediately, it felt right. They decided that Smokehouse Sandwiches were a great fit and opened in November 2013. He learned the skills needed for the business while working at the weekend markets in the Philippines. Even though it started as a side gig to keep him busy and explore something new during his temporary time in the Philippines, it helped hone the skills needed to open Smokehouse. The relatively slow-paced life in Richmond proved to be a big contrast from his fast-paced lifestyle in the Philippines. This difference helped reshape his priorities, enjoying more of the little moments in life.

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“The circumstances here [in Richmond], the situation here made things simpler. Especially at that point I knew I wanted to raise a family, so it made me slow down and made me think of what I needed to prioritize that. It made me realize that I was in a different season of my life too, and the environment really helped… I think simpler is always much better than having a life that goes by so fast, and you’re not getting to enjoy those little moments in life.”

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