From Bacolod to Kasson: The Valguna’s golden ticket journey

Submitted Photo
The Valguna’s immigrated from the Philippines to Minnesota in 2018 and moved to Kasson in 2023. Darwin (left), Phoebe Ruth, Darleen, Neriah Rose & Arzen Hope

Darwin Valguna’s story took him from sunny Bacolod in the Philippines to snow-dusted Kasson, Minnesota, trading tropical weather for winter boots and Filipino lumpia for Midwestern potlucks.
Darwin Valguna grew up in Bacolod and worked hard during his studies in a number of odd jobs, including as a tennis ball boy and a crew member at McDonald’s. He eventually earned degrees in computer science and nursing. Nursing would later become the career that opened a door to a new life overseas.
Darlene, also from Bacolod, earned a degree in secondary education with a focus on music, physical education, arts, and health. She spent nine years teaching at a private school. Then, as often happens in life, the unexpected happened. She met Darwin. He was working as a nurse at the same school, and what began as two people simply crossing paths eventually became something much more. Sometimes the best plans are the ones we never make ourselves.
Getting to America, however, was not nearly as simple as meeting the right person. For almost ten years, Darwin worked through the lengthy immigration and employment process with the help of a missionary sponsor, Sir Jim. There were forms, requirements, waiting and more waiting.
Finally, in 2013, the long-awaited approval arrived. Darwin and Darlene married in November 2014, believing that God had been guiding their journey all along. Then came another wait. In June 2018, they finally arrived in the United States and began putting down roots in Minnesota. The family first settled in Rushford, Minn., where Darwin worked as a nurse in an aged-care facility.
And then came their introduction to Minnesota weather. Their first snowfall arrived on October 15. For a family from the Philippines, snow was a novelty. Beautiful, yes — but also very, very cold. Minnesota introduced them to snow-covered sidewalks, freezing temperatures, quiet streets, and drivers stopping to let pedestrians cross the road, which does not happen in Bacolod. It was a different world from Bacolod but slowly became home.
In June 2023, the Valguna’s moved to Kasson, where their family continues to grow and become part of the community. They were excited as Darlene’s sister, Mythyl, and her husband Pastor John Todor and family also live in Kasson. The Valguna’s have three beautiful girls, Phoebe Ruth, Neriah Rose, and Arzen Hope. Their oldest daughter attends the KM Elementary School.
Darwin works as a nurse at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center. Darlene works with toddlers at KM Community Education Child Care Center. Their three children keep life lively. The Valguna’s have also found a spiritual home at First Baptist Church in Kasson, where Darlene shares her love of music.
One thing that definitely traveled with the family from the Philippines was their love of Filipino food. Darlene enjoys cooking favorites such as pancit, and of course, lumpia. For those unfamiliar with lumpia, it is the Filipino version of a spring roll — and once you’ve tried a good one, you may understand why lumpia deserves its own fan club.
The family also enjoys exploring their new home state and beyond, with trips to Wisconsin Dells, Duluth, the Dodge County Fair, and visits with Filipino families and friends in Iowa. They enjoy watching some of the sports events on TV such as soccer, the Vikings and Twins games, plus boxing.
For Darwin and Darlene, the journey to America has been about much more than changing addresses. It has been about faith, opportunity, family, and the courage to start over in a place thousands of miles from where they grew up. They are now looking forward to becoming U.S. citizens. They describe their journey to America as receiving a “golden ticket” — a chance to build a future filled with freedom and opportunity for their family.
Their story began in Bacolod, crossed an ocean, survived years of paperwork and waiting, and eventually landed in Kasson. Along the way, they gained careers, children, friends, a church family, a community — and perhaps a newfound respect for a good winter coat. From tropical Bacolod to snowy Minnesota, the Valgunas have discovered that sometimes the biggest adventures come with the biggest changes. And sometimes, the Golden Ticket comes with a little snow!