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From Cleaning Toilets to a Corporate Leader: Kuya Bisdak’s Story

(I shared my story with ChatGPT and asked for help putting it into words)

In 2016, Kuya Bisdak arrived in Australia with his wife and their baby boy. They came on a student visa, his wife as the primary visa holder, studying her Master’s in Professional Accounting, and Kuya Bisdak as her dependent. Their goal was simple: to survive, to support each other, and to build a better future.

During the first eight months, Kuya Bisdak worked whatever jobs he could find. He was a cleaner, a caregiver, and a food delivery driver, often all in the same week.

He would leave the house at 5am to start his cleaning shift from 6am to 4pm. Then, after a short break, he would head out again to deliver food from 6pm to 10pm. On some nights, he would take on a third job, cleaning a warehouse from 11pm to 1am. The days were long, the work was tiring, but he never complained. He was doing it all for his family.

At the same time, his wife was balancing full-time studies, caring for their young son, and stretching a very tight budget. Despite everything on her plate, she still managed to squeeze in part-time jobs whenever she had free time, just to help cover food and save enough to pay for her next semester. Kuya Bisdak often says that none of it would have been possible without her. She held their little family together with strength, grace, and endless sacrifice.

There was one week they’ll never forget. They had to hire a nanny to look after their son, and the cost was more than what Kuya Bisdak was earning as a cleaner. But they had no choice. If he missed work, he’d lose the job. His wife cannot miss the class. So they paid the nanny, took the financial hit, and kept going.

One memory that still brings emotion was when his wife had class and there was no one to look after their son. Kuya Bisdak would sit outside the school with the baby, waiting for his wife to finish. As soon as class ended, he would hand over their son, give her a quick smile, and rush off to work. Then she and the baby would head home on their own. It was never easy, but they were always thankful. Even during the toughest moments, they reminded themselves how lucky they were to be in Australia, even if it was just on a student visa. They chose to see challenges as opportunities.

Then one day, while cleaning a toilet, Kuya Bisdak’s phone rang. It was a recruiter who had found his LinkedIn profile. The recruiter asked what he was doing at the moment. He answered honestly, “I’m working as a cleaner.”

There was a short silence, then the recruiter replied:
“You’re wasting your talent.”

The recruiter had noticed his corporate compliance experience from Singapore and invited him for an interview with a mid-tier global company.

On the day of the interview, Kuya Bisdak brought his wife and son with him. They all travelled together to Sydney City, and the air was filled with both excitement and nerves. On the train ride, he told his wife, “I’m praying for this one interview only. I will give it everything I have.” His wife simply smiled, held his hand, and reminded him gently, “Whatever happens, it’s okay. I believe in you.”

As they reached the office building, Kuya Bisdak turned to see his wife and son waiting outside. Just before stepping in, he looked back, and there she was, waving and smiling at him, a look full of encouragement, pride, and silent strength. That moment gave him a surge of confidence. “I can do this,” he told himself. “I am capable. I am one of the best.”

Inside the interview, he gave it his all. He spoke with clarity and purpose, drawing from his experiences and staying true to who he was. And when it was over, he stepped outside, and there they were. His wife and son, still waiting in the exact same spot.

She didn’t ask many questions. She just looked at him and said, “It’s okay.” That quiet understanding meant everything.

Instead of going straight home, they decided to take the day off, a rare moment of pause in their busy lives. They went to Manly Beach, letting the cool sea breeze wash over them. Their son played in the sand while they watched, holding hands and just being together. It didn’t matter yet if he got the job, they had each other, and they chose to celebrate that.

Then, his phone rang! It was the company! They were offering him the job that same day!

That was the start of his corporate career in Australia, as a Corporate Governance Professional.

From there, he continued to push himself. He enrolled in the Governance Institute of Australia’s Diploma in Corporate Governance Practice, a two-year program that he completed while working full-time and raising a family. The best part? His employer paid 100% of his tuition. Today, Kuya Bisdak is a Chartered Secretary and a Fellow Member of GIA.

The opportunity also helped his family become permanent residents, a life-changing milestone they had once only dreamed of.

In 2024, Kuya Bisdak was recognised as one of Australia’s Top 100 Governance Professionals. As far as he could tell, he was the only Filipino on the list, a deeply proud moment for him and his family.

Today, he manages a team of ten and plays a significant role in growing the business where he works. But his impact goes far beyond operations and service delivery.

As a leader, Kuya Bisdak is known for being supportive, empowering, and deeply committed to his team’s success. He believes in building people, not just managing tasks. He takes time to coach and encourage, shares knowledge generously, and champions continuous learning. He cares about quality, but he also cares about people. He leads with humility, empathy, and accountability, and his team knows that he always has their back.

Kuya Bisdak’s story continues to inspire, not just because of where he came from, but because of the family he’s built and the future they’re now creating together in Australia.

His wife, who once came to the country as an international student, is now thriving professionally. She’s working at a Top Tier Accounting Firm, steadily completing her final modules to become a Chartered Public Accountant in Australia. She’s also set her sights on becoming a Registered Tax Agent, a goal well within reach. Her quiet perseverance and drive reflect the same spirit that brought their family this far.

Their son, who was just a baby when they first arrived in 2016, is now almost 10 years old. A bundle of energy and determination, he’s active in Taekwondo competitions, plays chess, joins basketball games, and even attends piano lessons, a truly well-rounded young achiever. Watching him grow into a confident, curious, and passionate child is one of the greatest rewards the family cherishes.

They also now live in a home of their own, a modest townhouse that means so much more than just bricks and walls. It may not be a big house and lot, but for their family, it’s already a huge improvement from where they started. Back then, they were renting a small room in a shared house, with barely enough space for anything else. That tiny room was where they did everything, they ate there, their son played there, and a small TV provided their only entertainment. Most meals were eaten on the floor, often in silence, as they were shy to leave the room knowing other tenants were around. With a baby who could cry or make a mess, they always worried about disturbing others.

Now, having a place they can truly call their own, where their son can run freely and where they can share meals without worry, is something they’re deeply thankful for.

As they look around at the life they’ve built, stable careers, a growing child full of potential, and a place to finally call home, the family remains deeply grateful for the opportunities that Australia has given them. From starting with almost nothing to living a life filled with purpose, they carry their story with humility and hope.

Throughout this journey, Kuya Bisdak also found a way to share their life through vlogging. He began his YouTube channel (BisdakOZ) during their student visa days, not as a hobby, but out of necessity. He had read stories of people making extra income online, and although he had no background in video editing and lacked confidence in front of a camera, he pushed himself to learn. Out of sheer determination, he taught himself how to film, edit, and upload, often late at night, after work.

That’s how “Kuya Bisdak” the vlogger came to life, a simple, honest channel showcasing the reality of migrant life in Australia. From early struggles to small wins, every video became a digital time capsule of their resilience and growth.

These days, with his demanding role in the corporate world, regular vlogging has taken a back seat. But he hasn’t stopped dreaming. He knows he’ll return to it someday, with fresh stories, renewed passion, and the same heart that started it all.

And to their loyal subscribers, the family offers a heartfelt thank you. Your support through the years has meant more than views or likes, it’s been a reminder that their story matters, and that even ordinary people can inspire others simply by sharing their truth.

From cleaning toilets to leading a corporate compliance team, Kuya Bisdak’s journey is proof that no beginning is too small, and no dream is too far. His story is one of grit, sacrifice, and quiet strength. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, hope and hard work can open doors you never imagined.

His message is simple:

Work hard. Be grateful. Don’t be afraid to start small.
And most of all, never stop believing that something better is possible. MATA SA LANGIT, PAA SA LUPA!

Our first photo in Australia 🧡

1 month ago | [YT] | 69

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