Home Address (Overseas): Shatin, Hong Kong

Home Address (Philippines): San Juan, Agoo, la union

My Story

Why did you decide to leave the Philippines?
I’m just fascinated with my auntie! As the light of her progress and everytime she sent some pictures she looks so great and as I stare at it, I assume being a helper abroad is very easy. Likewise at that time I’m challenge because all my high school batch mates are already gone abroad...and life becomes tougher. And although I don’t even studied college I have also a simple ambition. And that I have no choice to work as a domestic helper to earn dollars rather than staying in our country earning a very small amount of money...not even enough for myself.

How did you get your current job and how did you leave the Philippines?
With my auntie's help, she sent me the address of the agency in Marikina and it is surely not a bogus agency because as my auntie told me many of her friends applied in there. So with my little money in pocket I went in Manila for an interview. Luckily they choose me at once.

When did you arrive in your current location?
I arrived here in Hong Kong in March 25, 2000. Hong Kong airport is very wide and I almost lost; because I still need to use a train. It’s really funny that I felt innocent as it’s my first time to go out of a country.

What were your most memorable moments in your current location?
I have lots of memorable moments here in Hong Kong. Because it’s an open country and you can do what you want. And they have very good laws protecting the rights of foreign workers. Every day off (Sunday) is memorable. When I’m very new here I enjoy going to disco hanging with friends, making everyone happy. But the most is when my friends accompany me to the airport, my second time to see the HK airport after 4 long years, to take my vacation back home.

Tell us what has happened during your stay in this country you have worked in.
I’m now working here more than 6 years and I already adopted their way of living. For that long years, I’ve worked for three different employers. And the past two contracts (two employer), I have to worked very hard because they are very strict as I need to sleep late at night...but I show them my patience. And luckily after that, I found a very kind employer who treated me as member of their family. They really love me so much and they don’t want me to go home for good. As I’m newly wed, I just want to take one year leave to work but, I pity them everytime they ask me to stay longer. As they told me Filipina helper here in HK is more caring than any other nationalities which makes me feel very proud. Only Filipina helpers in here have a minimum wage compare to the other nationalities especially our counter parts Indonesian, most of them are underpaid which is against the law.

What are the things that you miss about the Philippines?
I only miss my family and my husband but not so homesick because every year I can take my vacation and now there’s a computer. I chat on net with my hubby if we have time since my employer allowed me to use their computer. Everything is here in HK, it’s like you’re staying in Manila. You can only feel alone during holidays like Christmas because Koreans don’t celebrate it. No warm spirit but fortunately I can always take my vacation during that time.

What is your message to all OFWs around the world?
To my fellows.... please earn more money and go back home for good and be the employer. Don’t ever let our children to suffer the way we do. I’m thinking what will happen to our country if all the educated ones will go out. We can not solve the crisis..... No manpower....! We are known as a family oriented people but if we are away with our family we can’t take care of them. Remember it’s not all about money. Don’t allow our children be an OFW just as what we are. Good luck and God bless us. Mabuhay!