Most people, women to be precise, who are planning to work overseas chose Hongkong as it is the most convenient, safest, nearest and high paying place of work. Although not only Filipinos come into this place, a huge number of migrants are indeed Filipinos.

Aiming for a better, more stable, and high paying job, packed with hopes and dreams, moving to Hongkong is a big sacrifice, a decision that involves a lot of adjustments. So even if I expected it,culture shock certainly had me affected at some point, especially during my first time.

On my arrival to Hongkong as a newcomer, I felt excitement, everything was so different, it looked fun but it's not as easy as I thought to be. As I started the new chapter of my life as a migrant worker, I have experienced the feeling that life back home is going without me, I was being left out and missed out on important milestones of my family, particularly my growing children.  It was truly a challenge, a test of whether or not I can overcome the struggles of being away. My patience was tested and I gave in for all the adjustments I must take to cope with my everyday life as a servant to other people.

There are lucky people to have found their kind employers who treat them as family but also there are unlucky ones being placed in a household that treat them as slaves. Some unfortunate workers are even fired unreasonably, and I was one of them. I was unable to finish my first contract and failed to have a good record which I could use for future employers. Others got dismissed and were unable to find new jobs but chose to overstay than going back home empty handed with their dreams unfulfilled and debts unpaid. All these situations might bring us to unhappiness, self-pity, go through emotional stages and the worst, depression. So I guess, taking it easy and staying strong are my best weapons to overcome the situation I had. Being optimistic helps, anticipating for better days is healing.

Some migrant workers have settled quickly and easily, others are having a hard time and still finding ways to adjust. Most experienced the ups and downs of serving different kind of people, they have learned where to place themselves along the way, they can be passive but resilient, can control situations to their advantage.

As Filipino people say "chicken" which means easy. Just like what I do now, nobody can predict how I am feeling at one moment because I already know how to control. I can even throw jokes and laugh about many things which for others are somewhat serious and needs attention or situations others found hard to handle.

I got stronger as time passes by, experience-wise. Like when our family ask for money so frequently as if it is very easy to provide, we usually say, "anong akala niyo samin dito namumulot ng pera na kada hiling nio mayron kaming maipapadala! (you think we are here just picking money around so we can  send you anytime you ask!).

Realizing how I am realistic about all that I'm saying now, it absolutely draw a smile on my face cause I know I have these kind of experiences since I decided to become one of the migrant workers in Hongkong.

As a person who moves from a place to another especially in order to find work or better living conditions, I must say, it all started with a dream. A dream most probably for our FAMILY, the very reason why we strive so hard each day. We maybe successful or not, still we persist, who knows what lies ahead.  There are migrants who are so willing to do everything in a short span of time.

That's where we see workers who are doing extra jobs; works part time, do online and street selling. Instead of enjoying the only rest day in a week, they would rather do extra work for extra income and to say the least, some are resorting to easy money scheme. You may say I am blunt, but I tell you, I have seen some who tried finding prospects with thick wallets, so if they succeed, their lives will become better instantly.

Migrants who solely take the enormous responsibility of being the only provider to their family absorb all the pressures, the stress, the feeling of being forgotten (only remembered for money), and being treated irrelevant. They have to cope with all the negative feelings they may get being away which for some people is stressful and depressing. The weight of the responsibility can be suffocating. Many of us wander through life, thinking we know what other person is going through but the fact is we don't. Unless we live by their shoe. For us migrants, all we have is burden of trying to provide everything our family ask for. We are away but we seem like SUPERMAN. We deal with all the problems our family has back home at the same time deal with all the things placed upon us in our work as much as we could.

As one of the migrant workers here I have seen and met many kinds of people. I experienced a lot of things, and learned some lessons the hard way. I struggled so much and thought of giving up but as time flew by, I got stronger and wiser through life's battles and of course with the guidance of the Lord I was able to survive. Life here is challenging, you will meet people of every kind, make friends and meet enemies. Not everyone who befriends you is real, some will just use you and  take advantage of you.

The use of social media has become a necessary daily activity today. It is typically used for social interaction, access to news, information, and the best way of communication. This is where I realized I was not the only one victimized by my fellow migrant in terms of trust and cash. A big percentage of migrants experienced this kind of fraud, lending their hard earned money or letting their names be used for borrowing money from money lenders.

Most offenders are their friends and to some which makes it worst, are their own relatives who asked for help and anything they can get and ran away with it in the end. So the victims were left with all the debts just because they were too kind to refuse or just selfless. Some migrants are drowning in debts because of gambling, some are extravagant spenders who mismanage hard-earned money, workers engaging in immoral issues, women fighting over men and vice-versa. These are issues, hearsays, stories, gossips circulating the social media.

Beneficiaries of migrants, know how to empathize with the one doing things for your sake, for the betterment of your whole family. Know their situations and learn to understand, communicate often and show appreciation for all they have done. People often think that migrants of Hongkong are kind of nice, easy go lucky, fun, based on pictures posted on their social media accounts. They look pretty with nice clothes on plus the accessories and all. But that's not the story you should see. Look beyond; if you really look into social media you can see how other migrants spend their non-working days. Not everyone takes day off on the streets or amusement parks.

Many spend their Sunday serving at churches, stay at boarding houses with relatives and friends and pay  for rent. Some are patiently queuing at remittance centers to send money to their family, picnic at parks or beaches or go see other attractions, go mountain climbing, nature trekking, sports, bar hopping and sometimes get together parties.

But I guess these are supposed to be our rewards for the 6days of hard work and not a thing to be condemned. We are human beings too, we have the right to do whatever we wanted especially when these things can give us a moment to happiness. We just have to do it right, and believe it, we are doing alright.