Please share your name.

Lovely Monteagudo Erezo.

Where are you from (city/town, country)?

Boac, Marinduque, Philippines.

How long have you lived in Hong Kong?

7 years.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your interests?

I am a wife and a mother of two. I have been working in Hong Kong for more than seven years under one employer. I am taking care of two boys, one who is eleven years old and the other turning two.

I like being engaged in the MDW community and knowing about the different social issues that we are facing.

Do you have any hobbies or activities you like to do in your free time?

During my day off I volunteer with different NGOs. Right now, I am an active ambassador for Pathfinders

I also swim every Sunday. I am fortunate to be one of the students at Splash Foundation, which is an NGO that empowers the MDW community through swimming. I also vlog for my YouTube channel.

If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be and why?

I think the power to turn back time to the past. 😉

I would correct every mistake that I made and realign the path towards the person that I wanted to be, while also valuing and appreciating everything that we had before this pandemic happened.

This year, we are running a campaign around the theme of care. What does “care” mean to you?

Care is something that we can express to somebody even if they are strangers to us. When somebody cares for you, you feel important and protected. There is a sense of security.

When was the last time you experienced care?

A few months ago, I met a five-year-old girl on YouTube. She is very smart, jolly and full of life. However, behind her sweet and innocent look, she is battling seven medical conditions – and one of them is a lifetime condition. I cried a lot when I found out. It affected me though I didn't know her personally. As a mom of two girls, I don't know if I would have the same courage to handle the condition the way they do. I really want to help but I know that I am not able in terms of financial means. The least I can do is to pray for her and let her know that I truly care. I keep in touch with her regularly.

What’s one action all people can take to show more care in our day?

An act of kindness – IT'S FREE. 😊 My friend always mentions this, because everyone can afford to do it. Kindness can be expressed in so many ways. Hopefully, people are kind without hidden agendas or personal intentions. To be kind without expecting something in return shows real care.

If there’s one action you believe employers can do to improve the domestic worker experience in Hong Kong what would that be and why?

In fairness and with respect to the Hong Kong Government, MDWs are protected under the employment ordinance. We have our rights and protection, but not all can exercise it. Either the workers are not aware, or employers avoid or ignore it. But sometimes even if the workers know their rights, they don't have the courage to speak up and employers take advantage of that.

Employers should have the empathy to understand that employers and workers have the same basic needs to live, the same emotions and feelings. Domestic workers are human too and deserve to be treated fairly and justly. When this happens, no more MDWs will experience being in undesirable conditions.