I was born the son of immigrant parents who worked tirelessly to give our family a fighting chance. We lived on the first floor of a seven-story building in Toronto, crammed into a small apartment where I shared a bedroom with my younger brother and sister. I slept on the bottom bunk while my brother took the top, and we all learned early what it meant to make do with what we had. Life was a balancing act—Filipino at home, Canadian outside—constantly switching between two identities and learning to navigate both worlds.

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Growing up in a lower-middle-class neighborhood, opportunities weren’t handed to us. If you wanted something, you had to go after it. Resilience wasn’t some lofty concept; it was the reality of how we lived. You got up every day and did what needed to be done, not because it was easy, but because there was no other option. Watching my parents work long hours taught me the value of effort and sacrifice, but also the importance of wanting more—not in a selfish way, but in a way that honored their hard work.

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Like anyone, I faced my share of struggles. There were moments of doubt, times when I felt stuck and unsure of what direction to take. But it was in those moments that I began to realize something: the challenges weren’t there to stop me; they were there to shape me. They forced me to reflect on what really mattered and pushed me to ask myself a simple but profound question: What kind of life do I want to build?

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That question was a turning point. It made me realize that I wasn’t just meant to survive; I was meant to create. That realization became the foundation for the Magna Opus Coaching Institute—a space where I could take everything I’d learned and use it to help others, especially men like me, who might feel lost or stuck. It’s about showing that no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, you can take control, rewrite your story, and build a life you’re proud of.

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The Magna Opus Coaching Institute isn’t just about coaching—it’s about transformation. It’s about taking the lessons life has thrown at you and using them to create something extraordinary. I’m not here because I had it easy; I’m here because I chose to put in the work. And now, I’m committed to helping others do the same.

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This is my story.

It’s not perfect, but it’s real.

And it’s proof that no matter where you start, you can create your masterpiece.