Miss International 2005 winner, Lara Quigaman, transitioned from a successful career in the acting and beauty pageant industries to become an early childhood educator in Canada. Discover how Langara College's Early Childhood Education program helped her follow her lifelong dream and build a new career in Vancouver.
Filipina actress, model, and beauty queen Lara Quigaman-Alcaraz (external link) , best known for winning Miss International 2005 in Tokyo and holding the Binibining Pilipinas International 2005 title, has taken on a new role far from the world of pageants and showbiz.
After years in the entertainment industry, she's now a proud graduate of Langara College's Early Childhood Education program and is building a meaningful career in Canada as an educator.
A passion rediscovered
"When I was young, my dream was to be a beauty queen and a teacher," says Lara. Throughout her reign as Miss International and her career in acting, she remained committed to child-focused advocacy, supporting causes around education, nutrition, and children's rights. But it was during the pandemic, while homeschooling her own children, that she felt a strong desire to return to that original dream: "That time reminded me how much I love helping and working with children."
While she still treasures her time in the acting and pageants, the lifestyle no longer aligned with her values. "I love acting and working in show business, but the demands of the industry often kept me away from my family and pursuing other passions," she shares. Shifting to early childhood education allows her to live out her childhood dream, aligning her work with her values while still being present for her family.
Choosing Langara College
"While I was still in the Philippines, I researched different colleges offering ECE programs. I watched YouTube vlogs, read posts online, and Langara just felt right."
What convinced her? "I saw a video (external link) on Langara's website showing a day in the Early Childhood Education classroom. It looked so fun, and I just knew this was the right place."
She was especially drawn to the program's balance of theory and practicum experience. "It felt very real, not just academic. I knew I'd be prepared to step into a classroom and make an impact."
From student to educator
In May 2023, Lara moved to Vancouver with her husband and three young sons. This move came with a huge lifestyle change for the family: "Back in the Philippines, we were used to having relatives and support around us, but here we were on our own"
Balancing full-time studies with parenting wasn't easy, but Lara and her husband made it work: "Finishing essays, projects, and coursework sometimes felt impossible, but my husband really played a huge role in keeping me grounded. He took charge of cooking and putting the boys to bed so I could study at night."
Lara's time at Langara was both challenging and fulfilling. Managing eight courses per term while raising a family taught her resilience. "One of the most meaningful moments was during my first practicum, when a child called me teacher' for the first time. That one word meant so much."
The program's hands-on practicum helped her build confidence and connect with children in a real classroom setting.
Looking ahead
Now a proud Langara alum, Lara has big dreams. She hopes to open her own faith-based, play-focused early learning centre that nurtures the whole child: mind, heart, and spirit. She's also exploring ways to blend her background in media and storytelling with education. "I'd love to create resources that inspire not just children, but also their families and fellow educators."
To others considering a similar career change, she offers this advice: "Working with children is a calling. It's not always easy but it's so rewarding. And if you come from the arts like I do, your creativity can help make learning fun and engaging for children."
