{"id":19,"date":"2025-01-23T08:08:57","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T08:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2025-12-28T05:50:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T05:50:10","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Discover the inspiring story of Maria Imelda Argel, a retired solicitor and domestic violence survivor, as she shares her journey to empower others and raise awareness about coercive control through her memoir, ‘A Pebble that Floats.’<\/p>\n

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Maria’s story encourages victims to find strength and overcome adversity.<\/p>\n

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Highlighting the importance of recognizing early signs of coercive control.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Person Biography” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Imelda-Argel.jpg” title_text=”4 R UMAX PL-II V1.5 %914%93″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”1cc6152f-565c-4c4d-b0c9-cf8c9576c341″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Imelda Argel” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”ba4a6336-701f-47b8-bf5c-09da0ce28016″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Born and raised in Vigan City in the Philippines, Imelda escaped an abusive marriage and migrated to Australia in the 1980s. Unable to practice law due to her law degree not being recognized, while bringing up a young son as a sole parent, she fought to rebuild a new future and went on to become an award-winning immigration lawyer who received accolades from the President of the Philippines and the Australian government.<\/p>\n

As the author of her memoir, A Pebble That Floats<\/strong><\/a>, Imelda aims to share her inspiring story, empowering readers to overcome their unique challenges and unlock their inner strength. Imelda single- handedly obtained Australia\u2019s decision to recognize the Philippine Professional Board Examinations as a qualification equivalent to an Australian degree, and she has consistently spearheaded the fight against gender, racial and sexual discrimination.<\/p>\n

Imelda is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Philippine Presidential Award, NSW Filipino Australian Women\u2019s Achievement Award, University of the Philippines Alumni Association Award, and Plaques of Recognition from the Legal Management Council of the Philippines. She currently resides in Sydney, Australia with her partner Manny.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit her websites at imeldaargel.com.au and www.migrationprecedents.com.au<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_text=”Read More” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”1bffc0fc-42a0-49d1-bd9a-ae3ade2d7206″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wcm9kdWN0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEyMiJ9fQ==@” _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Work Experience” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Achievements & Contributions” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”c33f07d9-41e0-421a-8799-5799df695cce” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”8px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Education advocacy” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8c21dae4-c59d-4c2b-958c-0e045c7f06d6″ title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”048d8e79-b07f-439b-bd57-f41c14f0a56b” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”2c55a9c4-feed-423b-9edb-ae0b5b365cac” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Single-handedly obtained the Australian government recognition of passing the Philippine government national examinations replacing the selective educational institution-based skills assessment for Philippine degree educated visa applicants.<\/p>\n

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Obtained working visas of countless Philippine educated nurses ensuring their employment next day after arrival in Australia.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”2c55a9c4-feed-423b-9edb-ae0b5b365cac” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Opened up an internship program for overseas educated lawyers and law students in her self-established law firm in Australia.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”8px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Media – Radio & Print” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8c21dae4-c59d-4c2b-958c-0e045c7f06d6″ title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”048d8e79-b07f-439b-bd57-f41c14f0a56b” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Answered questions as a regular guest at the migration talk-back programs on Australian SBS radio<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Wrote monthly informative articles on Australian immigration for three community – based newspapers distributed around Australia<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”8px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Immigration” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8c21dae4-c59d-4c2b-958c-0e045c7f06d6″ title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”048d8e79-b07f-439b-bd57-f41c14f0a56b” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Served as EVALUATOR of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD), for the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), a testimony to her high standards of ethics, competence and integrity.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”8px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Cultural” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”8c21dae4-c59d-4c2b-958c-0e045c7f06d6″ title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”048d8e79-b07f-439b-bd57-f41c14f0a56b” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

As President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Australia, (UPAAA) published 3,000 copies of a Cookbook of Filipino favorite dishes.<\/p>\n

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Discover the inspiring story of Maria Imelda Argel, a retired solicitor and domestic violence survivor, as she shares her journey to empower others and raise awareness about coercive control through her memoir, ‘A Pebble that Floats.’Maria’s story encourages victims to find strength and overcome adversity.Highlighting the importance of recognizing early signs of coercive control.Born and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-19","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":458,"href":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19\/revisions\/458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/imeldaargel.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}