For many overseas Filipino workers, owning a house is the ultimate dream. For Rebecca Cruz, a nanny in Canada, that dream became a reality—thanks to the generosity of her employer.
Rebecca, who has spent the last six years caring for the children of entrepreneur Joanna Griffiths, was gifted a three-bedroom house in Toronto worth CAD 1 million (approximately PHP 40 million). The surprise gesture came from Griffiths, founder of the Canadian intimate and activewear brand Knix, as a heartfelt thank-you for Rebecca’s unwavering care and loyalty.
Rebecca began her journey in Canada as a caregiver before she joined the Griffiths household, caring for Joanna’s three young children—including a son and twin girls—since birth. “They trusted me completely,” she shared in an interview with OMNI Filipino News. Her deep bond with the children earned her the nickname “Becka,” and she became an indispensable part of their lives, often sleeping beside the twins until they drifted off.
Joanna, who built Knix while raising her children and steering her company through the pandemic, credits much of her success to Rebecca’s support. “I’m a female business owner with three young kids, building a company and navigating COVID… and the truth is that I could not have done it without Rebecca’s support,” she said.
One day, Joanna asked Rebecca about her biggest wish. Rebecca replied that it was to own a home. Without hesitation, Joanna made it happen. “Let’s do it,” she told her. The two looked at several properties, with Joanna even driving Rebecca and her husband around to view homes. Eventually, they found a house near the Griffiths’ residence. It came mortgage-free.
“If I’m asking Rebecca to spend so much time with me and my family, and we have so much, how can you not share that?” Joanna remarked.
For Rebecca, the gift meant more than words could express. “I can now think about retiring without worrying if I’ll have a roof over my head,” she said. “Most OFWs go abroad just to be able to have a home.”
She remains steadfast in her commitment to the family who changed her life. “I will stay loyal to them and love their kids for as long as they’ll have me,” she said.
