It's been six years since I left the streets of Manila for the vibrant city of Hong Kong, and looking back, I can’t help but marvel at how far I’ve come. I remember arriving here in 2016, driven by the promise of better wages and opportunities for my children and me. My decision to settle in Hong Kong was heavily influenced by friends and acquaintances who had already made this city their home.
Before I made the move here, I had a brief job in Beijing, China. I was teaching English to a young girl, and even though my work didn’t require me to speak Mandarin, just living there and navigating daily life taught me bits of the language. But then visa issues forced me to return to the Philippines after two years. I got to spend some precious time with my children, which was a comfort, but I quickly realized I needed more than the factory work I had back home.
After a six-month wait, I made my way back to Hong Kong. My journey here has been a rollercoaster. I’ve worked for three very different families. My first job ended when my employers decided to return to the UK after the pandemic threw everything into disarray. Then, I worked for a French family who, after a divorce, faced financial difficulties and had to let me go. Now, I’m with a Spanish family in Sham Shui Po who’ve been incredibly supportive. They give me the freedom to pursue my own interests and manage my personal affairs, which has been a breath of fresh air.
Life in Hong Kong is good, but it’s not without its challenges. I left my daughter when she was just four years old, and now she’s almost nineteen. The distance between us is hard, and she often expresses how much she misses me, more than the money I send home. I try to explain that I have to work hard because she’s in university now and needs extra support. I do hope, though, that she and my other children can share everything with me and be open about their lives—school, relationships, and all.
I’m cautious not to spoil them, rewarding them with money only when they’re doing well academically. I check in on their financial situation regularly and am really proud of how well my daughter has managed her money since she was twelve. She’s now studying business management in college, and it’s amazing to see her grow.
Sometimes, I think about the education I missed out on because I had to drop out of school at sixteen due to financial struggles. I started working early and hoped to ease my family’s burdens and find a better life abroad. Hong Kong has turned out to be the place of opportunity I was looking for. I’m determined to keep working hard, not just for my future but for my children’s as well. Every step I take in this bustling city feels like a step toward something better, and I’m grateful for the chance to build a new life here.
- Jacquilin
Hong Kong
Interviewer: William Chen
Editor: Flora
Translator: Ginny
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