This article is published in partnership with SoJannelleTV, a magazine show about Filipinos in North America.
When Ruby Rodriguez returned to her hometown in the Philippines, she lived a life that many could only dream of. From 1991 until 2021, she appeared as one of the host's girlfriends. Let's eat Braga!, a variety show that puts her in front of millions of people every weekday. It was a comfortable existence, but one she envisioned leaving behind. but why?
Rodriguez sat down for an interview with Filipino American media pioneer Janelle Soperkins. So Janelle TV She talks about why she uprooted her life, family, and career to live a low-profile life in Los Angeles.
“It was planned. It takes years to uproot yourself, but you don't do it on a whim. I'm not single, I could do it if I were single…but I don't think I'd be able to do it without my baggage.” “When you have a family and you have a family, it doesn't happen right away. This has been planned for years,” Rodriguez said on a recent episode. So Janelle TV, a Filipino-American lifestyle magazine show broadcast nationally on cable channels The Filipino Channel (TFC) and ANC. So is local Southern California digital channel KNET 25.1. Also available on social media platforms.
There were many factors to consider. Her husband Mark Aquino wasn't keen on the idea, but her daughter Toni was all for it. This plan will have to wait until after Toni is accepted into the University of the Philippines. But the main factor for her was her son AJ, a special education student who lives with chronic Henoch-Schönlein purpura, an autoimmune disease that can cause damage to her kidneys.
Ruby and her son often flew to the United States for treatment, but even with her high income, the costs were prohibitive. After learning that his medical expenses would be covered by U.S. insurance, she decided it was time to move abroad permanently. But before her retirement, Ms. Rodriguez knew she needed to find a new career. At that time, she contacted Malacañang Palace about her job at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.
“I grew up independent. I don't like to burden others, because I know how difficult it is. You don't have a maid, so I do the laundry.” In the Philippines you just take off your clothes and someone will pick it up. I know how difficult it is. So first I looked for a job. I knew how to get into it. And they already have a presence there, so I said, let's give it a try. There's no harm in giving it a try,” Rodriguez said.
After submitting the requirements and taking the test, I received an email letting me know that I was accepted. She traveled to Los Angeles in December 2019 for a meeting with former Consul General Adelio Cruz, keeping her plans a secret from everyone in the industry except her best friend Pauline Luna.
The extent of her secrecy was revealed when Mr. Cruz asked if she could start work on January 1st.
“I said, 'I haven't informed them.' Then he started laughing, and I said, 'Sir, you have to formally notify the producers that I'm inactive. If they get into a situation, they don’t want to be put there,’” Rodriguez recalls.
Her flight was booked for April 5, 2020, and her son was able to finish classes on March 31. Then the coronavirus pandemic shut down the world and those plans were put on hold. The Consulate General, understanding the complexities surrounding international travel and the fact that the Consulate operates with a limited number of days and a small, elite force, urged her to take immediate action. I didn't apply pressure.
The following year, they asked her if she could start in May of 2021. She first traveled to Los Angeles with her daughter and stayed home with her son until her husband finished her classes in June 2021. After a 10-day quarantine, Rodriguez started at the consulate.
Rodriguez says her job involves processing dual citizenship, which can be hectic as she is scheduled to take the oath twice in one day. Still, she doesn't see her career shift as turning her back on the life she's lived for decades. She jokes that she's just “hibernating” away from show business.
“I enjoy my job now because I can finally use what I have learned. I am learning everything new again. Let me tell you, my job here is It's like I'm still in showbiz, because when I'm in front of them, they're like, “Hello, Ruby!” And when I explain something important, I feel like I'm still entertaining people because that's how I talk. People like it and laugh. I’m not trying to make them laugh,” said Rodriguez, who is also an organizer of the consulate event.
Still, she says she can't bring herself to watch the previous shows because she has to feel secure about her choices.
“I don't want to be jealous of how I should have been. I don't want to be jealous, so please get rid of your jealousy. If I had stayed, would I have done something like this? As I said earlier, Like, believe in yourself. Everyone has their own way of coping, so like me, I don't look at it,” Rodriguez said.
The immigration process poses many challenges for all Filipinos, even celebrities. Many Filipinos, including Rodriguez, realize they have to adapt to a new career as part of their migration, and she says that's something transplants should accept.
“Whatever you do, love it. So whatever your job is, maintenance or whatever, be proud of what you do. The fact that they chose you means you is perfect for it,” Rodriguez said.
“For all of us Filipinos, this is not the place where we were born. We all have hardships, be it friendship, family, work, economic, housing, immigration, etc. I have always believed this. “Laughter is the best medicine. But the most important thing is your faith. Never forget that everything is in God's hands. It is His will.” – Janelle So Productions | Rappler.com
Rappler has partnered with Janelle So Productions (JSP), founded by pioneering Filipino-American and Los Angeles-based journalist Janelle So, to produce videos and videos about the journeys, successes, and challenges of Filipinos living in the United States. Publish your article from SoJannelleTV.
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