Key Points
- Cristina Bontjer’s first job when she arrived in Australia in 1997 was cleaning.
- Her desire to help her family in the Philippines is what drove her to start a business.
- She also wanted to share and introduce Filipino food to Australia.
Cristina Bontjer is originally from Panay Island in the province of Iloilo before she arrived in Australia in 1997.
In nearly three decades of staying in the country, she shared that her life was simple but full of dreams, not just for herself, but also for her family in the Philippines.
She said she did this because she couldn’t bear to see her family suffering back home, so she worked hard for them.
“I worked as a cleaner here because even if you finish a degree back home, you're not automatically qualified.
I could’ve been content with my life, but I couldn’t ignore the needs of my family in the Philippines, so I started a business to earn extra income.”
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Filipina cleaner turns entrepreneur in Sydney to support family’s future in the Philippines
SBS Filipino
26/02/202510:26
In addition to selling Filipino food, her business has also expanded to offer party venues.
These are just a few of the food items sold at the Filipino fiesta shop in Sydney. Credit: Filipino Fiesta FB Page
These are just a few of the food items sold at the Filipino fiesta shop in Kogarah, Sydney. Credit: Filipino Fiesta FB Page
Tilapia food platter, banana cue, and ginataang gulay (vegetables) are just a few of the food items sold at the Filipino fiesta shop in Kogarah, Sydney. Credit: Filipino Fiesta FB page
