Lunch Break at Ravisoups

San Beda high school batchmate Noel Pacampara has been living in Canada which I won’t tell since when. 🙂 He took me to some places which he thought might be of my interests. But before that, Noel brought me to this place called Ravisoups. I don’t remember where exactly this one of the most favorite restaurants is located somewhere in Toronto downtown. Yet, the last thing I had such an authentic curry soup was in Brunei 4 years ago. Although I wasn’t able to finish the meal, it’s absolutely fantastic!

And this is the best part…hot curry soup and pork shoulder wrap..

Before having a serious conversation on how he started in Canada, Noel asked me some questions on how I made it as an entrepreneur. My answer? It’s all about the “passion”.

The first generation of Pacampara family started in 1976 when Noel’s brother Henry migrated to Canada. Years after, sponsored his parents. Noel, under 20, was automatically eligible to jump to the underrated heaven of milk and honey. After graduating from CEU with Radio and TV Broadcasting major, he then migrated and joined his parents and not too long ago started the next generation of Pacampara with his own family, indeed, more than a treasure from God.

Just like every new settler must do to get a Canadian experience, Noel started as a mail clerk of a financial firm. Far from his interests and where he really wanted to start. As opportunities came, he found himself working for different groups (business ops, process engineering, IT integration and support). Obviously, he lived the culture lifestyle of banking. Conservative and formal as you may wonder in this generation. His career philosophy is — “Reinvent to be rediscovered”.

While family is his priority, Noel truly believes that God works in mysterious ways as he’s blessed with two kids (2 years-old Jalen and 5 month-old Tiana) after waiting for 10 years and his wife Paula of 12 years (and still going strong) whom he met in the Toronto club scene. Can be challenging at times, a normal and simple life is effective in raising a family especially in Canada where the impression is family-oriented.