Kathy
“Healing is a process, it will not come overnight but with family, a strong support system, and by accepting the pain, the healing will come.”
Kathy has a creative mind and an adventurous heart. Originally from the Phillipines, she made the brave decision to move to Canada and pursue an education, far from her family and the life she knew. Her journey is well documented on her YouTube Channel in which she offers advice to other exchange students regarding the application and admissions process, working part time as a student, and what it is like adapting to Canadian culture. Although this has been a defining experience in her life, she was recently struck with the heart-wrenching loss of her mother. Despite the difficulty and sadness that this experience has brought her, her resilience and optimism have helped guide her on her path to healing. Meet Kathy. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
KD: Hi! My name is Kathy Dapal, I go by Kathy, Kath o. I've been through life's ups and downs on Earth for 24 years and counting. I went outside my comfort zone and moved to Canada to start a new life. I was born and raised in the Philippines, never left until I was 23.
I like exploring my creativity, from learning how to edit video, to talking in front of the camera, writing scripts, being my own model, scribbling digital arts, and to performing like a pop star in the shower. I create content on my YouTube channel (Kath Dee) where I talk about my experience as an international student in Canada, and on my Instagram account (@Okay_Project) where I post all my digital drawings; this is to keep in touch with my creativity!
K: Describe yourself in your own words
KD: I am passionate about certain things that interest me but also have an 'IDGAF' attitude. I am a goal-getter which means I am pretty hard on myself sometimes. I am definitely bubbly, loud and animated. I love putting myself outside my comfort zone because I believe that you'll never improve nor be at your fullest potential when you shy away to the other side of your comfort zone.
K: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
KD: My most favorite thing about myself is that I love and respect myself with all the flaws and imperfections. It is hard to fall in love with yourself everyday and I am so proud to be able to do it everyday even in the low times of my life.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
KD: Recently, we lost our mother before her birthday. I was away from her and it was sudden. It was painful not being with her during the scariest moment in her life. It was painful to not be with my family to hug them and do the logistics work while my mom was in the hospital. I, immediately, booked a plane from Canada to the Philippines for this matter. It was hard to accept everything, up until now I still think that she's just at our home. Apart from the pain of losing the most important person in my life, her unfinished business hunted us. There were people who harassed us so that my mom's business with them would be over. I was there with my sisters to speak up, get help, arrange things and all! I never knew I could do all those things.
This painful and frustrating experience made me stronger and gave me a wider perspective about life. Healing is a process, it will not come overnight but with family, a strong support system, and by accepting the pain, the healing will come.
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
KD: You are doing just fine. You don't have to change anything about you because you will be where you should be as long as you never give up and you trust in yourself.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
KD: Being a woman means being ambitious, assertive, and powerful yet being kind, compassionate and sensitive. Being whoever she chooses to be because we should rightfully to do so.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
KD: My mother! She greatly influenced me in so many ways! From taking care of myself and other people, to setting up my goals, to truly loving myself, to be spiritually connected with the Omnipotent One and to everything!! If she's here, like I always say - Thank you, Mama.