Pangyao Magazine Issue #10: Jun/Jul 2023

Hong Kong’s Migrant Community

Kapangyawan

Friendship Festival

Celebrating International Domestic Workers Day

NGO spotlight: Bethune House

JUNE TESTING SCHEDULE:

All things gold

Gold and other precious metals are a smart way to invest because they hold their value and preserve their purchasing power despite fluctuations in the dollar. Gold’s high liquidity makes it easy to exchange for cash in case an urgent need arises, much more so than illiquid assets such as property or bonds.

There are different types of gold. Each carat or ‘k’ designation is a measurement of the amount of pure gold alloyed or mixed in with other metals:

• 9K gold contains 37.5%

• 12K contains 50%

Founded in Singapore, Maxi-Cash is a safe and trusted pawnbroker and retailer to pawn, trade, or buy 22K and 24K gold.

If you are looking to reward yourself with some brand-new gold jewellery, Maxi-Cash will also be the place you will want to shop at. As Maxi-Cash also sells brand-new gold from Singapore, this means that you will be able to buy the latest gold jewellery at low prices. Buying quality jewellery such as 22K or 24K gold also means that they are more likely to retain their value, which means you will be able to trade-in or pawn them at a higher valuation as compared to other jewellery of lower gold content.

If you are looking to let go of some old jewellery, you can also sell, trade-in or even pawn at MaxiCash. You can be assured that the professional team of appraisers at Maxi-Cash will be able to provide fair valuation and turn your items into instant cash. This will be handy in times of

Issue 10

Jun / Jul ‘23

Editors:

Aileen Alonzo-Hayward & Martin Turner

Lead writer:

Aileen Alonzo-Hayward

Front cover:

Designed by Martin Turner

Design: Martin Turner (based on original template designed by Steve Ellul of Cedar Hong Kong)

Special thanks:

Steve Ellul, Darren Hayward & Lie Fhung

A word from the founders

HELLO PANGYAOS! June sees the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, with the Kapangyawan Friendship Festival taking place in Central on the 11th of June for the first time in 4 years, with street dancing, performances, celebrity guests, and many more activities on offer for all to enjoy. Make sure you pay us a visit in the Pangyao booth!

Our lead story in Issue 10 pays tribute to Hong Kong’s migrant domestic workers (MDWs)

Community groups: United Poets @ Heart Aileen talks to founder Veronica Roma Pingol

Poetry corner

In collaboration with United Poets @Heart

Conversation with Ron

Why does Ron like ChocNut? Find out here!

International Domestic Workers Day

A tribute to Hong Kong’s domestic workers

Pangyao pics

Winners of our #proudMDW photo competition

A taste of home: Jojo cooks Linarang

Learn to cook this famous Cebuano sour fish stew

in celebration of International Domestic Workers Day on the 16th of June; the feature includes stories from three MDWs from different walks of life, which we hope will serve as an inspiration to many.

Also in this issue; our NGO spotlight focuses on migrant women’s refuge Bethune House; Ron shares a candy-inspired story of a loving father in celebration of Father’s Day; we talk to poetry group United Poets @ Heart; and Jojo cooks a Cebuano fish stew in A taste of home.

Aileen & Martin

NGO spotlight: Bethune House

Providing shelter to MDWs for almost 4 decades

Refugee week HK

Events throughout June in support of HK refugees

Kapangyawan Friendship Festival (PCG special)

The ever-popular Independence Day event returns

Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas (Filipino)

Exploring national symbols of the Philippines

Mimpiku (Indonesian)

Dealing with grief; a story by Artiningsih

Useful contacts NGOs, consulates, and more...

6626 9751 (Aileen) aileen@pangyao.hk

Chicken Biryani Thali (Mutton, Chicken, Fish or Veg Available)

FIND OUR MENU ONLINE:

@8Karaikudi

Paper Dosa

Paratha with Chickpea Curry

United Poets @ Heart

By Aileen Alonzo-Hayward

Expressing oneself through poetry can be liberating, empowering, and uplifting. Putting words down to describe one’s emotions and experiences has been a fixture in society for as long as we can remember.

“When I started United Poets at Heart (UPAH) in September 2021, I wanted to give others a space and the opportunity to share their poetry,” says Veronica Roma Pingol, founder of UPAH. The group now boasts over 4,300 members from a wide range of different countries, including South Sudan, Nigeria, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, USA, Vietnam, Philippines, Romania, Macedonia, Kenya, Bhutan, and England, to name but a few.

The overwhelmingly positive reception the group has received has motivated Veronica to keep pushing the reach of their poetry and give her UPAH poets more and more opportunities to showcase their work.

“Lalakas ang loob mo kapag maganda ang feedback sa’yo. Gusto kong pagandahin ang experience ng mga members,” [It gives you courage when you receive good feedback. I want to improve the experience of our members] she shares.

Veronica arrived in Hong Kong in 2016 as a migrant domestic worker (MDW), but her full-time work hasn’t slowed down her literary dreams. Her poems have been published in many online and printed publications including Migospecta, Humanity magazine, and Blossoms journal, amongst others. Her self-published book, Night Butterfly, is the culmination of her hard work, and a personal milestone in which she speaks freely about her emotions, thoughts, and opinions about life, love, and soul.

Running such an active and fast-growing Facebook group is better done as a team, and Veronica has a handful of select individuals that she knows she can rely on for support: UPAH’s graphic designer Glynda Andrade; group experts Melody Munson (HK), Loreta Bande (Philippines) and Sudipta Mishra (India); and group administrators Frieda Norma Dela Cruz (Philippines) and Ledarose Delima (HK).

Poetry is meant to be accessible to everyone, and this is where UPAH has found its place – bringing together poets from around the world, showcasing their writing, and providing them with opportunities to be published.

Many members post poems in their own language, sharing a slice of their culture and heritage with their fellow members.

Many within the group have forged close friendships, finding a common voice that brings them together. “Never lose your momentum, keep your ink on a blazing flame. Bring out the best writing in you!” says Melody Munson, UPAH group expert and founder of Horizons International – an established literary group here in Hong Kong.

So what does the future hold for United Poets at Heart? According to Veronica, “Gusto kong mas maraming mga kababayan natin dito sa Hong Kong ang magshare ng kanilang poetry sa UPAH. Maraming mga submissions galing ibang bansa, at alam ko na maraming mga magagaling na Filipino poets, kaya maganda kung madami tayong representation.” [I want more Filipino compatriots here in Hong Kong to share their poetry on UPAH. There are a lot of submissions from different countries, and I know there are a lot of really good Filipino poets, so it would be nice if we had more representation.]

Lalakas ang loob mo kapag maganda ang feedback sa’yo. Gusto kong pagandahin ang experience ng mga member (It gives you courage when you receive good feedback. I want to improve the experience of our members)

- Veronica Roma Pingol, UPAH founder

Photo provided by Veronica Roma Pingol

A sublime quest

By Sudipta Mishra (India)

Night after night, I tread on a sublime quest!

Indomitable desires force me to trace the same old taste

With her, I have rediscovered the Paradise

Now, at her grave, as a mourning spirit, I seek only peace

How much she loved me is beyond any explanation

Let me trace her again in divine submission

Recharge

By Ody Munson (Philippines)

Unloading my baggage now I’m light and free emerging to the surface.

Old soul

By Ledarose Delima (Black Angel)

I missed an old soul, Who’s always here to comfort. That makes me feel my worth.

When I’m feeling down, He just smiled and waved his hand. Then, I will be fine.

Love (Harrisham poetry)

By Nightbutterfly

Sweet foundation of trust

Two people with good start

Or in the corner without lust

Reunited even apart

Define as stronger, cover with a solid crust

Euphoria within the heart.

In collaboration with United Poets @ Heart

Why I like Choc Nut

He was there, standing. I could see him from the corner of my eye.

Meanwhile, my big classmate was bullying me. “Give me your Royal Tru-Orange drink or I’ll punch you,” said the brute, with a voice that resonated like cracking bamboo, as I sat on the pavement of our primary school.

I looked again: the man was watching us. It was mid-afternoon; his faded shirt seemed to glow as the sun’s rays struck upon it.

“Are you going to give it? Or I’ll pour it on your head!” said the bully. He pushed me, knocking me down. We were both 10 years old, but he was so big he looked 15. I needed to either fight back now or cry. Well, okay, most likely cry. I glanced across the road, searching for the man again. But he was gone.

I tried to get up, but the bully’s strong hands grabbed me. I was trembling as I knew I would feel the cold liquid on my head any second. I closed my eyes, waiting to experience my darkest moment of this sunny day, when suddenly, someone spoke, “Hey, you two, do you like ChocNuts?”

RTHK Pinoy Life presenter and Pangyao resident wordsmith

Ron R. Lacson shares his thoughts

I recognised the voice. He spoke clearly as if trying to avoid adding to the pain of the scene.

“I’ll give you two pieces each.” He was like a radio newscaster ‘signing on’ excitedly about the good news he was about to broadcast. This was the same man I saw across the street. He, my father, had stayed after all and even approached us.

I steadily opened my eyes, feeling the grip of the bully’s hands on me loosening. Shocked, the bully opened his mouth, like a cave waiting for the bats to return.

“Pa (short for Papa), what are you doing here?” I asked. (My mind said, “What took you so long? Please punch this bully!”)

“Well, I saw you two having fun. I thought you might like some dessert, so I brought ChocNuts,” my father said. “And who is this friend of yours?”

Silence. Neither the bully nor I said a word. It became so quiet that I could hear the wings of a bee buzzing, as it delivered its courage to sprout its legs on the nearby gumamela flower.

Award-winning

I steadily opened my eyes, feeling the grip of the bully’s hands on me loosening. Shocked, the bully opened his mouth, like a cave waiting for the bats to return

“Pa, his name is Carlos,” I answered, as if I could cling to my dignity for a moment and use my unblinking eyes to send him a message: ‘Pa, I know this boy. I got this.’

But I wasn’t sure who it was that I was trying to convince – my father or my ego. The bully and my father talked for a while. I listened to their conversation with increasing attention, like steam rising from a boiling soup. Then, the bee flew over me, on its journey to the next flower.

After the bully left, I was alone with my father. I was too embarrassed to say anything. All I could do was look at him and hunt for the expected dismay on his face.

But I didn’t see any emblem of disappointment in his eyes. He sat with me and handed me the ChocNuts.

Silence again. I could only hear our breathing. We had peculiar father-andson bonding moments, with neither of us talking. I hurriedly opened one of the ChocNuts, spilling some of it in the process. We both smiled. Everything around us was bathed in sunshine. The afternoon was getting hotter.

Then the bell rang. “Well, it’s time to return to your class,” my father said. I wanted to say something, too. So, I uttered the first thing that came to my mind.

“Pa, thank you.” “For what?” he asked.

I wanted to say: ‘For coming over at the right time, for rescuing me from the bully, for not saying anything about what you saw, for not embarrassing me, for understanding me, for just being my father, for loving me unconditionally, for everything you did today.’

Instead, I said, “For the ChocNut, Pa. Thanks for the ChocNut.”

He smiled and left. His steps made ticking sounds like a giant clock’s second hand. The bully didn’t bother me anymore after that; neither did my father ever mention that flustering day to anyone (not even my mother). We also never talked about it. He may have already forgotten, but I’ll always remember.

I also never found out where he got the ChocNut. Perhaps he just went out of his way to help in a situation he knew he needed to. As a father who must save his son, without boasting about it, and as a man who will always understand what a boy feels when faced with a striking humiliation.

That’s what fathers do. That’s what my father did.

To my Papa, this is the fourth year that you’re not with us anymore. Still, Happy Father’s Month to you. And to all fathers out there: Happy Father’s Month.

Perhaps he just went out of his way to help in a situation he knew he needed to. As a father who must save his son, without boasting about it, and as a man who will always understand what a boy feels when faced with a striking humiliation. That’s what fathers do. That’s what my father did

More from Ron:

@ronrlacson

Photos provided by Ron R. Lacson

International Domestic Workers Day

By Aileen Alonzo-Hayward

According to the International Labour Organization, around 67 million people are classified as domestic workers globally. As the terms of their employment can be vague and informal, as a workforce they can often be one of the most vulnerable to exploitation.

According to statistics from 2014, one in every eight households in Hong Kong employ a migrant domestic worker (MDW). Despite making up about 10% of the working population, most are not granted the same liberties as local workers.

A study commissioned by Experian, jointly presented alongside Enrich HK – a local NGO that advocates financial literacy for MDWs – found that domestic workers contribute approximately HK$98.9 billion to Hong Kong’s economy, equivalent to 3.6% of local GDP. Yet in many respects, they continue to be excluded from participating in the local economy; only around 18% have Hong Kong bank accounts and they are not considered eligible for government initiatives such as the recent consumption voucher scheme. Likewise, as many as 85% of domestic workers are saddled with high and often unsustainable levels of debt.

It is common for MDWs to face excessively long working hours, with many not given their mandatory 24-hour rest period every 7 days (as stated under Hong Kong labour laws). This in turn increases the risk of mental and physical health issues, which often go untreated due to heavy workloads and the demands of the job.

Living arrangements for MDWs are also an ongoing cause for concern. According to a 2017 study by Mission for Migrant Workers, one in fifty domestic workers are not provided with adequate living quarters; examples were highlighted where workers were expected to sleep in areas such as toilets, storage rooms, basements, balconies,

roofs, closets, or sub-divided common spaces. More alarmingly, 14% were found to have no ready access to a toilet at all, while 33% were not provided with any fan or air conditioner during the hot summer months.

The number of domestic workers in the city is expected to reach 600,000 by 2047 (an increase of more than 50% based on today’s figure), to cope with the rapidly ageing population. While Hong Kong is considered a benchmark for MDW wages and workers’ rights in the region, oversight and implementation of local laws can nonetheless present challenges.

Despite all these issues, however, for many domestic workers who have lived most of their adult lives in Hong Kong, they continue to be full of hope and motivation for the future.

In many cases hailing from less-fortunate backgrounds in their home countries, MDWs are often required to make significant sacrifices, spending months and years away from their own children and families in order to provide a better life for their loved ones.

But their resilience is admirable; despite tolerating many hardships, they still find time to care for their own well-being and the well-being of others. Over the years, hundreds of migrant community groups have been founded to offer support and knowledge to their peers. From dancing to cooking, from martial arts to writing prose, these groups serve as an outlet and a lifeline for a lot of MDWs.

Each and every one of them has a story to tell. They are not only domestic workers, but they are also wives, mothers, daughters, and sons, from a kaleidoscope of cultures and educational backgrounds, who love and live their lives the best they can. They deserve respect and dignity, like all workers do. Domestic work is real work. >

As we celebrate International Domestic Workers Day on the 16th of June, Pangyao takes a look at the contributions and challenges of Hong Kong’s migrant domestic worker community

Suci Resmiyati (Indonesia)

Suci arrived in Hong Kong in November 2008. The first family who employed her did not give her enough rest and she found herself on call 24/7. “I was often tired and did not have a lot of time to myself,” Suci tells us during our previous visit to TCK Learning Centre (TCKLC) – an all-volunteer educational charity founded by Indonesian domestic workers – where she is now an instructor. Tearing up while describing her previous hardships, she shares that she has since found a new employer she is very happy with, who treats her with respect and values the work that she does for them.

For almost four years now, every Sunday on her day off, Suci has volunteered her time and skills as a Basic English and Basic Computer Literacy instructor for TCKLC. Located in Causeway Bay and mainly catering to Indonesian students, their humble space buzzes with activity on Sundays, as MDWs from across Hong Kong get together to learn, laugh, and socialise.

But the learning never stops for Suci as she has dreams of becoming a painter: “I would really love to pursue painting and drawing. I recently joined the community group Arts in Me (AIM), and I really enjoyed creating art,” she says.

“I love learning; I will not stop learning and I encourage others to do the same. The more we learn, the more we gain confidence and grow as a person.” She adds, “It is also good that we can share our knowledge with others; that motivates me to learn even more.”

Jerick Mora (Philippines)

As a registered nurse back in the Philippines, becoming a domestic worker in Hong Kong was not the career path Jerick originally had planned for himself. However, nursing is a crowded profession in the Philippines, and having a nursing degree does not automatically guarantee employment.

Jerick’s now-retired mom had worked as an MDW in Hong Kong since 1989, allowing her to put Jerick and his sibling through school. Once they earned their degrees and started making their own money, they began visiting her here in Hong Kong. “We would visit Mama as often as we could, or whenever there was a sale on plane tickets. Having also seen Mama at her work, we have grown up knowing how much she has worked hard for us,” says Jerick.

“Some children grow up with their moms working overseas without knowing the realities of what it means to be domestic worker. They keep asking for expensive gadgets or for more money,” he shares. “We tried not to ask Mama for anything that was not important. There was even one Christmas that she asked us what we wanted, but my sibling and I had saved up enough to get what we wanted ourselves.”

As a male domestic worker, Jerick is very much in the minority in Hong Kong; of the over 400,000 MDWs working in the city, 98.5% of them are female. It is a femaledominated workforce and the need for male

Photo provided by Suci Resmiyati

Photos provided by Jerick Mora

Three migrant domestic workers from different walks of life, Suci, Jerick and Mayette share their inspirational stories of working in Hong Kong and the impact it has had on their lives

MDWs is often limited to gardening, driving, and heavier household chores.

After a short stint working for a purchasing company in Saudi Arabia, Jerick was offered a job in Hong Kong as a domestic worker, caring for his employer who was pregnant with twins. Being knowledgeable in first aid and triage, he was a valuable employee; when the twins arrived, the parents could rest assured in the knowledge that they had a qualified medical professional looking after them.

Although Jerick’s first employer has since left Hong Kong, before doing so they made

Mayette Cortez Telmo

“Dumating ako ng Hong Kong noong September 2005, mga 18 years na pala!” [I arrived in Hong Kong in September 2005, I’ve already been here for 18 years!] exclaims Mayette with glee. “Dito na ako tinubuan ng ugat.” [This is where I have grown my roots.]

About 1% of Hong Kong MDWs are drivers, and 90% of them are men. Before becoming a fully licensed driver, Mayette started as a domestic worker. She worked hard every single day to provide for her 5 children back in the Philippines, but still found it hard to make ends meet.

When she finished her employment contract, she was able to get an interview with her current employer, who was pregnant at the time. “Tinanong ko sya kung plano ba nilang bumili ng car in the future, sabi naman nila na oo. Kaya tinanong ko sila kung payag ba sila na paaralin ako ng driving, kahit i-salary deduction nalang nila, umoo naman sila,” [I asked them if they

sure he found a new employer who would appreciate his skills. He is currently happily employed as a domestic worker looking after a young family and their dog.

Jerick has a busy social life and his days off are often packed with meet ups, singing competitions, event hosting, pageant judging, and many other activities. He has won several singing competitions and has even modelled for local companies. He spends his personal time away from his day job enriching his life experience here in Hong Kong, making memories with the good friends he has made along the way.

were planning on getting a car in the future, they said yes. So, I asked them if they would permit me to take driving lessons, even if they had to deduct the cost from my salary, and they agreed] Mayette says.

She has been driving in Hong Kong ever since, and the additional income she has been able to earn meant she was able to make sure her children finished school. They are all now professionals and some of them have families of their own.

In 2014, Mayette joined a community group comprised of migrant drivers called Radiant Organization of Amiable Drivers and Friends (ROADHK & Friends). She is now their President, overseeing their social media alongside her fellow administrators and officers. Their main purpose is to help MDWs who are, or would like to be, drivers here in Hong Kong. They organise “learn to drive” seminars that help answer all the questions domestic workers might have about becoming drivers, giving them the opportunity to learn and earn more in the process.

Photos provided by Mayette Cortez Telmo

Photo competition winners Proud

Archie G.

MDW

1st

voucher

No matter how bad your day was... remain calm and strong. Pray for your family and for yourself. ‘Heads up!’ Yan ang Pinoy! Kakayanin kahit anong laban

2nd $200 voucher

Kahit sobrang pagod at kahit ilang oras nakatayo, kakayanin at hindi bibitaw para sa mga pangarap ng mga mahal sa buhay. Ilang oras, buwan at taon man ang lumipas, babalik at babalik pa rin sa aking lupang sinilangan na may dalang bagong pag-asa at mahagkan ang mahal sa buhay. Para sa inyo kaya lahat. Kinakaya in Jesus name

OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) bayani kung ituring pero mas maraming pasakit ang kinikimkim. Umalis ng bansa na dala-dala ang pangarap para sa kanyang pamilya pero lungkot ang kanyang nadarama. Tiniis ang hirap sa bansang banyaga pero di kayang tiisin ang lungkot na mawalay sa kanyang pamilya. Umiiyak sa gabi dahil sa pagod na nadarama pero kinabukasan patuloy na lumalaban. Mahirap man ang pinagdadaanan, patuloy nagsusumikap para sa magandang kinabukasan na kanyang pinapangarap

Pinay the Explorer

Nightbutterfly

Kunyang man ako sa inyong paningin, masaya pa rin pagka’t trabaho ko ay marangal at may kinabukasan pa rin

Runner Up!

GraceBeatriz21

Kahit anong hirap, pagod at sakripisyong lumayo, baon naming at hangad ang para sa pamilya. Mauuna sa loob ng bawat karton ang pagmamahal at sa amin lagi kayo ang inuuna

Runner Up!

Ito ang lugar na tinatawag nilang Black Man sa Central. Dito makikita tuwing Linggo o public holiday ang kumpulan ng mga MDW na kagaya ko. Karamihan ay naghahanap buhay kahit ito’y araw nila dapat ng pahinga. Marami din dito ang nagsasaya, nagsasayawan at nagkakantahan. Ganito ilarawan ang mga MDW tuwing holiday. Dahil pagkatapos ng saya at pakikihalubilo sa mga kababayan natin, pagkatapos ng holiday na isang araw, babalik nanaman tayo sa pagod, lungkot at pangungulila natin sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. Laban lang lagi, kabayan!

Runner Up!

Hope is being able to see that there is light after the darkness (big inspirational meaning because that time is the COVID-19 pandemic)

Runner Up!

Levin Vidad

Jinky

Linarang (Cebuano fish stew)

Introducing Jojo

Nanay Teresita has long been Jojo’s inspiration for cooking. “Magaling talaga magluto si Nanay, siya ang naging inspirasyon ko sa pagluluto ko. Dietician din kasi siya, kaya marunong si Nanay pagdating sa pagkain,” [My mom is a really good cook, she is my inspiration for my cooking. She is also a dietician, that’s why she knows so much about food] he shares.

Jojo’s foray into the food and beverage world started when he was just 18 years old. Fifteen thousand pesos (approx. HKD 2,000) in hand, he bought some meats to grill and a few cases of beer and set to work on his little BBQ stall. It was an instant success, and the years that followed saw him open a number of popular restaurants in Cebu City. These days, Jojo works as a cook in Hong Kong, delighting customers not only with his food, but also with his many tales of adventure.

“Gusto kong i-share ang recipe ng Linarang sa inyo para representation ng pagkain naming sa Cebu,” [I wanted to share the Linarang recipe with you as a representation of Cebu cuisine] Jojo adds with a big smile.

A brief history of Linarang

Every day at 2am, Pasil market in Cebu City comes alive, bustling with the wholesale trade of thousands of kilograms of fish. From squid to sharks, shrimp to blue marlin, the volume and variety of seafood is staggering. It’s also where you’ll find the famous Cebuano dish Linarang.

Linarang is a sour fish stew made with tomatoes, bell pepper, green chilli, onion, ginger, and garlic. The soup is traditionally soured using a fruit known locally in the Visayas as iba (kamias in Tagalog, or bilimbi in English). Linarang is served hot and fresh off the fire with rice as a side dish.

[My mom is a really good cook, she is my inspiration for my cooking. She is also a dietician, that’s why she knows so much about food]

Magaling talaga magluto si Nanay, siya ang naging inspirasyon ko sa pagluluto ko. Dietician din kasi siya, kaya marunong si Nanay pagdating sa pagkain

Photos by Martin Turner

Ingredients

• 500g fresh fish

• 5 big tomatoes, quartered

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 bell pepper, diced into big squares

• 1 green chilli

• 3 bird’s eye chillies, chopped

• 4 cloves of garlic, crushed and finely chopped

• 1 thumb of ginger, peeled and chopped

• 4 stalks of green onion, chopped

• 1 small packet of Knorr sinigang mix (as substitute for iba)

• 1 tbsp cooking oil

• 500ml water

• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Lightly blanche the fish with hot water. This step aims to not only clean the fish, but also makes the Linarang soup clearer, as the blood from the fish will be cooked off by the hot water. Leave for 2 minutes then drain

2. Sauté the tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, garlic, ginger, and green chilli in cooking oil with a sprinkling of salt, over a medium heat until the onions are translucent. “Turo ng Nanay ko na asinan dapat ang ginisa para lumabas ang lasa ng sangkap,” [my mom taught me to add salt while sautéing so the flavours of the ingredients pop] Jojo says

3. Add water and let it simmer for around 10 minutes before adding the sinigang mix

4. Place the fish in the soup and cook for another 10 minutes, then add the green onions

5. Serve hot with rice

Top row: Preparing the ingredients and cooking the Linarang on the stove

Bottom-right: The finished dish

Bottom-left: Jojo cooking some marinated pork ribs on the barbeque to accompany the Linarang, because... why not?

“PANGARAP KO LANG na hindi na kailangan ng Hong Kong ang Bethune House o ng iba pang shelter,” [My dream is that Hong Kong doesn’t need Bethune House or other shelters like us] says Edwina Antonio-Santoyo, executive director of Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge.

Bethune House first opened in 1986 and has provided shelter for migrant worker women ever since. Almost all the women that approach the refuge have had their employment contracts terminated and have been told to leave their employer’s home immediately, leaving them to fend for themselves out in the streets, carrying all their belongings along with them. Bethune House supports these women by fulfilling their most basic need and human right to shelter.

In her role as executive director, Edwina, who has worked at the shelter since its inception, has been outspoken about the plight of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Hong Kong. In her three decades of listening to their stories and caring for their mental and physical well-being, she has witnessed a wide range of cases and outcomes.

Some cases, although heart breaking, have ended on a hopeful note; some women leave without the justice they deserve; and some leave with enduring trauma as a result of their ordeal.

“We not only provide shelter and legal support, but we also offer a holistic approach. Mayroon kaming first-aid training, cooking and sewing lessons, computer literacy classes, at iba pang mga workshops na nagbibigay ng skills at kaalaman na madadala nila kapag mag-for good na sila,” [We offer first-aid training, cooking and sewing lessons, computer literacy classes, and many other workshops that give them skills and knowledge that they can use when they go back home for good] Edwina says.

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, the occupancy at Bethune House rose to three times their capacity. It was a dire situation; many MDWs who tested positive for COVID were left with nowhere to go, after being instantly terminated by their employers and forced to leave with immediate effect.

As part of the MDW coalition – a group of around 14 different NGOs and migrantfocused organisations formed to tackle this issue – Bethune House, alongside several other NGOs, mobilised all their available resources to help these women.

“There were only three of us working at the shelter and we took very careful steps to make sure we were protected at all times as we couldn’t afford for any of us to get sick at that time,” Edwina shares of the experience.

For almost four decades, Bethune House has been a trusted safe haven for migrant domestic workers in need shelter and support

By Aileen Alonzo-Hayward

“We put on our PPE (personal protective equipment), diligently sanitised surfaces, and handed food to our COVID-positive guests through the windows of the shelter. It was a trying time, but I’m glad we made it through.”

Edwina says they were also inundated with donations of supplies and goods from the community and other supportive locals: “We would just post on our network that we needed more masks, or maybe more canned goods, and we would receive the help we needed swiftly. If it were not for the help of the community and a lot of support from good-hearted people, we would not have survived for 37 years.”

Bridging the cultural gap and appreciating the contribution of domestic workers in Hong Kong society are the first steps towards a more harmonious relationship between workers and their employers. “For employers to recognise and respect the role that domestic workers play would help improve the relationship between them,” says Edwina, “and would help not only us at Bethune House, but also a lot of other shelters around Hong Kong, to cease being a necessity.”

If it were not for the help of the community and a lot of support from good-hearted people, [Bethune House] would not have survived for 37 years

- Edwina Antonio-Santoyo, Executive Director of Bethune House

THE KAPANGYAWAN FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL

(KFF) is an eagerly anticipated activity by the Filipino community in Hong Kong and held every June to celebrate the Anniversary of Philippine Independence. The KFF is jointly organised by the Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong, Global Alliance, Philippine Alliance, and the Federation of Luzon Active Groups.

The name of the festival, Kapangyawan, was derived from the Cantonese word for ‘friend,’ and, as the word implies, the KFF is an event open to the Filipino community in Hong Kong and friends from all nationalities.

This year’s Kapangyawan Friendship Festival will be celebrated on 11th June 2023, Sunday, at Chater Road in Central. The KFF will begin with a traditional Catholic mass as well as Interfaith Program, followed by a parade of all KFF partner organisations and performers.

Live performances serve as the highlight of the KFF. Various Filipino community groups will perform a street dance with a modern take on Philippine festivals. On the other hand, cultural performers will weave together a traditional arrangement showcasing the Filipino community’s talents. Lastly, line dance from groups from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will feature over five hundred performers in celebration of Philippine Independence.

For several years, the celebration of the KFF has been mostly online due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While talented performers have graced the festivities and the community lent their support to the festival, previous iterations of the KFF avoided public gatherings to ensure the safety and security of all. Particularly for the migrant worker community in Hong Kong, the KFF is an eagerly awaited opportunity to celebrate friendship and camaraderie in person.

You can see the energy of the Filipino community in action as they prepare for the festivities. During the months preceding the KFF, groups big and small rehearse their performances during their days off. Community leaders shepherd the performers and lead practices, while members painstakingly memorise the careful choreography of their dances. Organisations, associations, and groups all come together to plan out their activity, encourage each other to perform their very best, and enjoy each other’s company at the end of a long day’s practice.

The KFF is an encapsulation of the Filipino community’s desire to showcase the very best of the Philippines to the Hong Kong people. From the traditional to the modern, with song, dance, and other performances, and for Filipinos from all walks of life, we invite everyone to join the festivities and celebrate Philippine Independence with us.

Turn the page to find out more!

PHLinHK hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph

A CELEBRATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

IKA-12 NG Hunyo, 1898 sa Kawit, Cavite, idineklara ni Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo ang Kalayaan ng Pilipinas. Ito ay bunga ng Rebolusyong Pilipino na nagsimula noong 1896 laban sa mga Kastila na mahigit 300-anyos na sinakop ang Pilipinas.

Ang umpisa ng Rebolusyong Pilipino ay ang pagbitay noong 1872 sa tatlong paring kilala sa daglat na GOMBURZA. Ang pangyayaring ito ay nag-iwan ng mapait na damdamin sa maraming Pilipino, lalo na sa ating pambansang bayani na si Dr. Jose Rizal.

Ang kaganapang ito ay siya ring naging inspirasyon nya sa kanyang mga nobelang Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo, pati na rin sa pagbuo niya ng mapayapang samahan na tinawag na La Liga Filipina. Nang hinuli at ipinatapon (exiled) siya ng mga Kastila, noon naman nagsimula ang pagtatag ng grupong Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) o mga Katipunero.

Nasa likod ng pagtaguyod nito sina Deodato Arellano, Andrés Bonifacio, Valentin Diaz, Ladislao Diwa, José Dizon, at Teodoro Plata.

Taong 1897 nang nagkaroon ng kasunduan sa Biak-na-Bato ang mga mananakop na Kastila na noon ay pinamumunuan ni Governor-General Fernando Primo de Vera at ang pinuno ng mga rebolusyonaryo na si Emilio Aguinaldo. Ayon sa kasunduang ito, bibigyan ng amnestiya ang mga rebolusyonaryo kung papayag na ipatapon (exile) si Heneral Aguinaldo kasama ang 25 pa na mga katipunero patungong Hong Kong. Sa tulong ng Estados Unidos noong 1898, bumalik ang mga lider ng Rebolusyong Pilipino sa Pilipinas kung saan naganap ang Labanan sa Look ng Maynila na syang naging pagtatapos ng pamumuno ng Kastila sa Pilipinas.

Ika-125 na ngayon ang taon na ito ng ating pagiging malaya, kaya sama sama tayong mga Pilipino na ipagdiwang ito!

Alam nyo ba na ang mangga, tinikling, kalabaw, anahaw at kahit si Dr. Jose Rizal ay walang batas na nagsasaad na sila ay mga pambasang sagisag? Narito ang pito (ayon sa opisyal na website ng National Centre for Culture and Arts) na opisyal na sagisag ng Pilipinas na naisabatas na:

Pambansang watawat

Ang kasalukuyang desenyo ng watawat ng Pilipinas ay mula kay Heneral Aguinaldo, at itinahi nina Doña Marcela Marino Agoncillo, ang anak ni Doña Marcela na si Lorenza, at ng pamangkin ni Dr. Jose Rizal na si Josefina Herbosa Natividad.

Ang asul ay nasa itaas ng watawat tuwing panahon ng kapayapaan. Sa panahon naman ng digmaan, ang pula ang nasa itaas

Pambansang awit

Ang Lupang Hinirang ay komposisyon ni Julian Felipe at ang kasalukuyang anyo ng awit ay mula sa Espanyol na tula ni Jose Palma na pinamagatang Filipinas noong 1899 na isinalin sa Tagalog.

Ang tamang paggalang habang pinapatugtog ang Lupang Hinirang ay tuwid na tindig (maliban sa may mga kapansanan), at ang kanang kamay ay nasa kaliwang dibdib. Ang mga kawal ng Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas o Philippine Army ay maaring magbigay pugay

Pambansang laro at pananandata

Ang arnis ay kilala sa maraming pangalan, eskrima, kali, garrote at iba pa. Ito ay isang katutubong uri ng sandatahan na nailalarawan sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng indayog at umiikot na paggalaw, na sinasabayan ng paghampas, pagtarak at pagsalag na mga pamamaraan para sa depensa at opensa. Kadalasan ay gamit ang isa o dalawang patpat

Pambansang punong kahoy

Ang narra ay isang matatag at maganda na puno. Nangagnanib ang bilang ng mga puno ng narra dahil maramin ang naitumba at sa sobrang bagal ng pagtubo nito. Ngayon, ipinagbabawal na ang pagputol sa punong ito

Pambansang hiyas

Pinakamarangya sa lahat ng mga perlas, ang perlas ng silanganan o south sea pearl ay kailangan ng mula 2 hanggang 3 taon para mabuo sa loob ng talaba

Pambansang ibon

Pambansang bulaklak

Isa sa mga ala-ala natin sa sampaguita ay ang mga nagbebenta labas ng simbahan tuwing Linggo. Ito ay isinasabit sa mga santo upang magpakita na pananampalataya. Ang halimuyak ng bulaklak ng sampaguita ay maamoy lalo na tuwing gabi, kung saan bumubukas ang mga talulot nito

Ang haribon o Philippine Eagle ay isa sa pinakamalaking agila sa mundo. Nasa 86 hanggang 102 cm ang tangkad at nasa 4 hanggang 8 kg ang bigat. Dahil sa nanganganib na bilang ng mga haribon, may pataw na parusang hanggang 12 na taon ang pagpaslang ng agilang ito

Mimpiku

Semuanya sudah berkumpul dan akad nikah akan segera dimulai jam 11 pagi. Tapi, dia belum datang. Yang aku ingat hanya ucapanmu waktu itu “Aku akan datang menepati janjiku: ijab kabul, janji suci di hadapan Allah SWT.”

By Artiningsih

Mereka berbisik sambil melihat ke arahku dengan raut muka yang tidak bisa aku jelaskan. Aku mencoba berpikir baik dan percaya Allah akan selalu menjaga dia dan memberikan kebahagiaan untuk kami berdua.

Kuambil HP-ku, mencoba menghubunginya. Pesan yang kukirim belum dibaca juga - udah telat 10 menit.“Mungkin jalanan macet, jadi dia telat datang.” Tiba-tiba teringat dia yang sangat sederhana, jauh dari kata romantis. Dia sangat memuliakan ibunya, orang yang begitu sayang serta bertanggung jawab dengan orangtua dan keluarganya. Itulah kenapa aku menerima lamarannya, walaupun hanya sebulan mengenalnya.

Saudara dan tetangga yang membantu semua sibuk melayani tamu undangan. Mereka terlihat bahagia, begitu pun yang aku rasakan, “Alhamdulillah, hari ini cuaca cerah.” Setelah beberapa hari hujan di kotaku, seakan alam semesta ikut merasakan kebahagiaanku.

Sedikit lega aku lihat ada tamu datang, “Arief, adik bungsunya datang…” gumamku. Aku lihat dia berbicara dengan adik alhmarhumah nenek. Sekilas kulihat wajah nenek tampak sedikit panik, dan kerabat menghampiri nenek sambil memberikan air minum. Aku yang penasaran bertanya pada kerabat yang lewat, tapi mereka tidak menghiraukanku.

Aku bertanya dalam hati kenapa tiba-tiba semua diam. Hening. Sedikit berteriak, aku pun bertanya, “Ada apa, Nek?!” Adik nenekku menoleh ke arahku tanpa menjawab pertanyaanku. Aku tak tahu apa yang mereka bicarakan, mereka berbisik seolah takut kalau aku mendengarnya.

Tetapi ketika Arief mulai menghampiriku, jantungku berdetak sangat cepat; bayangan wajahnya menyelimuti pikiranku.

Arief menghampiriku sambil menunduk dia mengucapkan “Mbak, maafkan aku.

Kakak tidak datang karena mengalami kecelakaan dalam perjalanan menuju ke sini. Dia meninggal di tempat. Yang tabah, Mbak. Ini semua sudah takdirNya, ihklaskan.” Kata-kata itu tidak lebih dari sambaran petir di siang hari. Mataku berkaca menahan sesak yang kurasakan. Ada yang sakit di ulu hatiku seperti tidak bisa bernafas, tak sepatah kata pun keluar dari mulutku. “Mbak harus melanjutkan hidup… Jangan meratapinya, semua hanya titipan di dunia yang fana ini.”

“Ya Gusti, aku harus bagaimana?” Baru 10 menit yang lalu tempat ini begitu ramai; semua tertawa penuh kebahagiaan. Sekarang semuanya diam dan sunyi. Semua orang pergi satu per satu. Kulihat Arief berpamitan pergi sambil bersalaman dengan nenek dan kerabat yang lainnya.

Sendiri masih duduk di tempat yang sama di mana aku menunggunya dari pagi, adik almarhumah nenek menghampiriku, “Bangunlah, Nduk. Apa kamu tidak ingin melihatnya untuk terakhir kali?

Menangislah, Nduk- jangan diam seperti ini…” Aku hanya menatapnya tanpa menjawab pertanyaannya.

Inginku menangis dan berteriak, tapi tak bisa - aku hanya diam mencoba memahami apa yang terjadi.

Semua ini sudah tertulis di Lauhul Mahfudz, ketika kita harus ditemukan

kemudian dipisahkan oleh maut. Seluruh catatan Allah SWT mengenai takdir dan kejadian yang terjadi di dunia, kita tidak bisa mengubahnya.

Semua orang pergi menjauh. Aku sendiri tertunduk lesu dan diam memikirkan bagaimana aku bisa jalani hari-hariku tanpamu. Aku sudah bahagia membayangkan kita menuju bahtera rumah tangga yang sakinah mawadah warahmah, di mana setiap pagiku yang kulihat hanya kamu, bagaimana kau membelai rambut dan memelukku.

Apa aku boleh marah ya Allah. Karena ENGKAU mengambil sosok pemimpin dalam hidupku, semua yang kau uji dan kau hadapkan kepadaku saat ini pada akhirnya akan meningkatkan ketaqwaanku untuk menjadi hambaMu.

Aku tau semua orang pada akhirnya pasti akan dipanggil. Mungkin Allah terlalu sayang dia. Ya Allah, berikanlah hambaMu ini ketabahan dan berikanlah tempat terindah untuknya di surgaMu.

Sampai malam tiba aku masih duduk di sini, di lantai tanah rumahku yang kosong seperti hatiku. Tangisku pecah sampai tak bisa bersuara “Ya Gusti, ampunilah aku.”

“Walau pun aku tak bisa memiliki ragamu, tapi aku bisa memiliki hatimu.”

(mimpi yang aku ingat selalu)

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