From TV production to transit innovation

A former ABS-CBN engineer shares her journey in Canada

by Ethel Clemente Fernandez

In May 2014, when Maria Karla Pascual arrived in Winnipeg, she was newly married, unfamiliar with her new country, and starting over. Back home in the Philippines, she had an established career as a broadcast operations engineer, working behind the scenes at the country’s largest television network, ABS-CBN. In Canada, she had to rebuild everything from scratch.

Growing up in Caloocan City in the 1990s, she cherishes the memories of her childhood spent with her two older siblings. Her younger sister, being 14 years younger, wasn’t part of those early days.

She recalled growing up as a “batang ‘90s,” experiencing life before computers, cell phones, and the Internet. Her days were filled with playing traditional Filipino street games like patintero, luksong tinik and piko. Every afternoon, after naps, she and her cousins and older siblings would gather outside to play these games until twilight. Sometimes, she found herself wishing she could transport back to that time when a child’s happiness was so simple.

Her parents, Rogerio and Grace Milla, both worked full-time to support the family.

“They instilled in us the importance of education, hard work and perseverance,” she reflects.

She always believed she was destined to be an engineer. Since grade school, she has had a passion for math and science, always curious about how to apply these subjects in the real world. After graduating from high school, she decided that engineering was the ideal path for her. In 2008, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering and successfully passed the electronics engineering licensure exam in that same year, marking the beginning of her engineering career.

When she married the love of her life, Richard, a childhood classmate who was already living in Canada, she had to leave not only a promising career but also her family who had always been there for her.

Before leaving the Philippines, knowing she wanted to continue her engineering career in Canada, she took proactive steps to meet the licensure requirements. Her research led her to the Filipino Members Chapter (FMC) of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba on Facebook, where she joined the group and reached out to several members.

Through these connections, she learned about the process and was advised to contact the international registration program coordinator at EGM to begin the academic assessment.

Determined to get a head start, she began the registration process while still in the Philippines, ensuring that she gathered all the necessary documents before her departure. As a result, her transcript from the University of the East arrived at EGM a month before she even set foot in Canada.

The first few weeks were tough as she struggled with intense homesickness, missing the close bond with her family in the Philippines.

To aid her integration into Canadian culture, she registered for the Manitoba Start Program, which offers support and services to newcomers. Additionally, she enrolled in an English class, as she needed to achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 8 to gain admission to the University of Manitoba.

During those early months, she struggled to find a job. She submitted her resume online and even made in-person visits to drop it off, but she had no luck. It wasn’t until seven months later that she finally secured her first part-time job at Canada’s largest coffee restaurant chain.

In 2015, she began her journey by enrolling in the courses-in-lieu option at the University of Manitoba. After applying and being accepted into the Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification (IEEQ) Program, she transitioned to it.

Her decision to pursue the IEEQ pathway was guided by advice from others who had already completed the program. They highlighted the value of the program’s co-op opportunities, and the diploma awarded upon completion.

Returning to school at 27 after several years in the workforce, she struggled with third- and fourth-year courses, as professors expected foundational knowledge. Undeterred, she committed extra hours daily to review basics and catch up.

Her perseverance paid off when she earned her post-baccalaureate diploma in engineering in 2018.

After registering as an engineering intern, her path to earning the P.Eng. designation was not easy. She faced personal hardships, including a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy, before being blessed with two children. Despite these challenges, she worked full-time and remained committed to her dream of becoming a professional engineer.

In 2021, she passed the National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE), and by 2023, she began drafting her engineering experience report, one of the final steps toward licensure. She successfully completed it while juggling her career and caring for her young children.

In February 2025, her dedication finally paid off when she officially became a P.Eng. “It was a journey that took 10 years,” she said, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs that led her to this moment.

When asked for advice to those facing challenges on their path to becoming a P.Eng., Karla’s answer was simple: “Never give up!”

She shared, “My story is meant to inspire and motivate others. Remember why you started, stay positive, and build a strong support network. And most importantly, find a great mentor. They do exist, just seek them out by joining groups like the FMC and attending networking events.”

And for those already registered in the profession, she has this to say, “Let’s maintain a supportive community for aspiring professionals. If you receive a message from someone curious about becoming an engineer in Canada, take a moment to respond. A small gesture can have a lasting impact.”

From coordinating national broadcasts at ABS-CBN to shaping sustainable transit at New Flyer, she’s come full circle and is now living out her dream as a professional engineer in Canada.

Maria Karla Pascual, P.Eng. currently works as a Junior Electrical Design Engineer within the New Product Development division at New Flyer, one of North America’s leading bus manufacturers.

Ethel Clemente-Fernandez is a professional engineer registered in the province of Manitoba. She is an active member of the Filipino Members Chapter - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba (FMC-APEGM).