How Filipino Maids make it in Hong Kong
Life is never easy. Tell it to the Filipino Maids who risk their lives and special moments of it working for noble families in Hong Kong. As 2009 closes in, Hong Kong estimates its population to roughly 7 million. Filipino workers dominated by female maids’ average to 140,000. For these thousand feiyungs, as they are popularly called in Hong Kong, live a life far estranged from their lifestyle in the Philippines.
Once Filipinos step in Hong Kong to work as domestic helpers, life seems to shift course and transform, one thing remains continuous and constant-faith in God. Religion is a big part of the Filipinos Lifestyle that wherever they go, they take it with them. Roman Catholics dominate the religion. In fact there is a sizeable count of Filipinos frequently visiting Catholic Parishes especially on Sunday mornings and masses are even held in local tagalog to accommodate the language of the Filipinos.
Filipino maids are granted a one day off every week. For Catholic maids in Hong Kong that day would have to be Sunday, the day of praise and relaxation for Christians. This is one day where after attending Church, they gather together in a major spot in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Cultural Center is one of the places where Filipinos are caught singing, chatting or sharing meals every Sunday.
The local Hong Kong government recognizes this weekly practice of socializing and relaxation that the main central’s roads are often closed for at least 10 hours as Filipinos enliven their street party. Concerts are sometimes held to make their day more energizing while “no littering” signs are flashed in tagalog aside from English and Cantonese, proof that Filipinos indeed rule this side of the city.
Life is how you look at it, based on the lives of Filipino Maids. It doesn’t matter where you are as long as it is for a purpose. For Filipino workers in Hong Kong, this means a prosperous future ahead, no matter how the odds are today. Life in Hong Kong means Working hard; attending parties and congregation and keeping the faith alive.
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Author: Alice Sy
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