When one thinks of migrating, what often comes to mind is settling in the United States or Canada.
Many overlook the continent in the southern hemisphere that is much closer to home.
Read: 12 Filipino celebrities who quit showbiz and moved abroad
Just a five-hour flight from Manila, Australia is known for its beautiful beaches, exotic animals like the kangaroo and koala, and picturesque tourist spots, such as the Sydney Opera House.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) lists these celebrities who have made the Land Down Under their home.
BIANCA KING
Bianca King is now based in Australia with her husband Ralph Wintle, and she considers moving there the “biggest plot twist” in her life.
In a Q&A session via Instagram Stories back in 2021, Bianca related she went to Australia in March 2020 to celebrate Ralph’s birthday on March 9, then her birthday on March 19. “Then I never went back,” she wrote.
They were not married yet then.
Although Bianca once opened up about struggling as a freelance artist amid the pandemic, she revealed in the same Q&A session that running Made Mindful PH has become her full-time job.
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She also has been studying every day, keeping busy with topics like “e-commerce, how to be an entrepreneur, digital marketing, how to be a good team leader, what’s going on in the world.”
Read: Bianca King opens up about struggles as freelance artist: “I don’t have a regular paycheck.”
The former actress hasn’t completely turned her back on Philippine showbiz though.
“My doors are always open. For good roles please [smiley face emoji],” she wrote in her Instagram Story.
Nowadays, she is also busy being a mom to her firstborn child.
Read: Bianca King keeps fans guessing about firstborn’s gender: “Is it a boy or a girl?”
DIANA ZUBIRI
Back in 2019, Diana Zubiri told PEP.ph all about her family’s plans to migrate to Australia, where her husband Andy Smith grew up.
She said then it was her eldest son King who really wanted to move there, “Gusto niya dun, unang-una, meron siyang sariling freedom, wala kasing maid doon, e.
“‘Tapos, may park. Nakakalabas siya. Kasi dito hindi ko siya masyadong pinapalabas, e…siyempre, may kaba factor ka talaga pagdating dito baka ma-kidnap, ganyan!
“Siyempre, praning ako.”
Read: Diana Zubiri bares family’s plans to migrate to Australia
Now based in Adelaide, Diana keeps fans updated on her life through her YouTube vlog, and regularly posts funny Instagram Reels that feature her husband.
One post on Instagram Reels even shows Andy taking on a dance challenge from Aira Bermudez, who is also based in Adelaide.
The 38-year-old actress and her husband Andy have three kids: son King, and daughters Aliyah Rose and Amira Jade.
Read: Diana Zubiri introduces second daughter Amira
AIRA BERMUDEZ
A whirlwind romance with now-husband Ronald Inovero changed the life of Aira Bermudez.
The former Sexbomb dancer was splitting her time between Australia and the Philippines after marrying Ronald in 2016.
But after the COVID-19 pandemic kept them apart for two years, Aira finally settled down with her husband in Adelaide.
Read: Aira Bermudez reunited with husband in Australia after 3 years
Aira is now a businesswoman. Her Manila-based business Eirald Trading supplies organic hair and beauty products from Australia.
She also continues to show off her dance moves on TikTok, and is busy taking singing lessons virtually with a studio based in the Philippines.
Read: Aira Bermudez’s “kaldagan” video gets 20M views on Tiktok; noticed by Rosie O’Donnell
RICH ASUNCION
Last seen in the GMA-7 teleserye Dahil sa Pag-Ibig in 2019, Rich Asuncion found herself adjusting to life in Australia in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was a good thing that Canberra had much more relaxed safety protocols compared to Manila, because it allowed Rich and husband Benj Mudie to raise their daughter Bela normally.
Rich said in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph back in December 2020, “I honestly think we are in the best place-to-be in terms of raising Bela.
“Kasi marami na siyang friends sa Day Care. We are happy she still gets to live normally amidst the pandemic.”
Read: Rich Asuncion proud of work as waitress; happy with quiet family life in Australia
The former actress first put her Tourism course to good use by working as a waitress.
Now, she works as a Music, Dance, and Drama Teacher for kids below the age of five.
In an Instagram post back in April, she said of this new chapter in her life, “I believe I have come full circle as a former actress for 12 years to an early childhood educator and now teacher/educator/entertainer to young children.”
Rich and Benj recently celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary. They now have two daughters: four-year-old Bela and one-year-old Alessandra.
Read: Rich Asuncion, Benj Mudie achieve dream of owning home in Australia
MAKISIG MORALES
At the age of 17, Makisig Morales, a former child actor, decided to leave the entertainment industry and relocate to Australia to be with his family.
On January 9, 2019, Makisig married Nicole Joson, a Filipina-Australian beauty queen.
Since then, the couple has embarked on a new venture by establishing a small online food business.
While focusing on his family and entrepreneurial endeavors, Makisig has also been pursuing his passion for singing in Australia, furthering his career in the music industry.
Read: Former child star Makisig Morales quits showbiz to work and study in Australia
BRAD AND GREG TURVEY
In the early 2000s, twins Brad and Greg Turvey entertained the Filipino audience with their good looks.
Read: Brad Turvey refuses to give details about break-up with Nancy Castiglione
Today, they entertain Australian foodies with great food.
In 2017, Brad and Greg opened Knox Dining, a restaurant in Surfers Paradise.
An article in Gold Coast Bulletin described the restaurant as “a mostly-healthy eating cafe… a realistic approach to dieting and eating out. A healthy compromise.”
Brad said the concept was born from the insight of locals that “there’s nowhere to go to get wholesome food, whole food that’s healthy and tasty.”
Based on their respective Facebook profiles, Brad started working with Sugar Creek Smokehouse in Distillery Road Market in July 2021, while Greg has been working at Friday’s Riverside since 2020.
Both brothers are based in Gold Coast, Queensland.
RJ PADILLA
RJ Padilla left showbiz in 2017 to bring up his young daughters in Australia. Based on his Instagram posts in 2018, the family settled in New South Wales.
Read: RJ Padilla sacrifices showbiz career in hopes of a better life in Australia
However, in 2020, the former Bubble Gang mainstay hinted at going through a tough time.
The caption of his birthday greeting to daughter Raniaah read (published as is), “im trying my best to live a better life for you girls. im trying my best to find my self again. i may be in a tough road right now but i know in the end of the road we will be together again.”
Whatever he may have gone through, RJ seems to be getting back on his feet. Based on his Instagram profile, he runs two Manila-based businesses.
One is Akma Moto, a “lifestyle brand that focuses on plain, simple, and useful street motorcycle riding gears that fit your daily lifestyle as a rider without compromising the protection you need on the road.”
RJ also runs By The Form Nook, which its website describes as “a small concept shop that curates everyday functional objects for your home/nook needs.”
The former actor continues to be a doting dad to his daughters Raniaah and Royce, and is fond of posting Instagram Reels that feature his two girls.
MIGO ADECER
Migo Adecer made headlines in April 2021 when he suddenly announced on Instagram that he was quitting showbiz.
A PEP Troika article cited a text message that the actor sent to one of his coworkers before flying out of the country: “Decided to hang up the coat. Just wasn’t feeling it anymore! And I wanted to be closer to my family.”
Read: Migo Adecer nag-quit na sa showbiz?
It seems the Starstruck Ultimate Male Survivor not only wanted to be closer to his family, but was also thinking about starting his own family.
Later that year, Migo announced that he was engaged to Katrina Mercado, his non-showbiz girlfriend. The engagement took place on Migo’s 22nd birthday.
Read: StarStruck winner Migo Adecer gets engaged on his 22nd birthday
And just 11 days later, Migo surprised fans with an Instagram post that had a simple caption: “Mr & Mrs Adecer!” The couple celebrated their wedding aboard a boat in the company of family and friends.
The former actor’s various Instagram posts throughout 2022 showed he and his wife spent time exploring Europe together.
Based on their Instagram posts, the couple is based in Sydney.
ALA PAREDES
Many knew her first as the daughter of Jim Paredes, but Ala Paredes was able to make a name for herself as a model, blogger, and MYX VJ in the late 2000s.
Her showbiz career was cut short when the family migrated to Australia, and Ala was forced to start from scratch. In a feature by SBS Voices, Ala revealed that her first job was at a local cafe in Sydney.
She said, “My old and new lives would sometimes collide in comical ways. Filipino tourists would enter the cafe and recognise me, confused as to why I was in Australia mopping floors.
“My colleagues would also wonder why people wanted a photo taken with me in my dirty apron and milk-stained shoes.”
Today, Ala is a writer, visual artist, teacher, wife, and mother to two young daughters.
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