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| Big Stage 2026 speakers Joselyn, Lovelyn, Abbi, Marissa and Fe |
“Choose change and embrace the discomfort.”
“I let excitement cloud my
judgment.”
“Simplify to amplify.’
“Every day was like a sparring
practice.”
“My love for my child became my
shield.”
These nuggets of wisdom did not
come from any seasoned motivational speaker but from five Filipino migrant workers who took to the stage
at the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town on July 5 to speak with ease and
confidence on their life stories.
Their talks highlighted the “Big
Stage” event organized by the Pinoy Impact Community Hong Kong, an organization
that aims to empower the Hong Kong migrant community through storytelling, and
in the process inspire personal and social change.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
The five – Joselyn Bisquera,
Lovelyn Obedoza, Abbi Norada, Marissa Atleb and Fe Diza – only recently
completed intensive public speaking modules prepared under the guidance of Pinoy
Impact founders Catalina Magno and Shiela Cancino, and it showed.
All five spoke so naturally and
convincingly it was like watching several TedX talks all at once. Equally
impressive were their respective introducers Marilou Rodriguez, Mercy Permales,
Arlene Cortel, Janet Agustin and Janet Dawaten.
All told, it was something totally
different from what usually happens in a migrant workers-led event, where guest
speakers, usually from the Philippine Consulate, are the ones who take center
stage to impart well-wishes and some food-for-thought, while OFWs are relegated
to providing entertainment through dance and song.
The day’s program also featured the
unveiling of an
anthology written by migrant authors, and the group’s newest segment, a
Fireside Chat.
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| Congen Israel receives plaque from Pinoy Impact officers and event organizers |
Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. lauded the group’s effort in leading migrant workers to both speak up, and speak out.
“There is a deep yearning – a deep desire –
in each one of us to transcend our limitations and go beyond the labels that
people place on us…to be who we want to be,” he said.
But “realtalk,” he said most Filipino
workers are forced to forego their ambitions because of financial needs. They go
abroad for financial reasons, which people in government hope will no longer be
the case in future.
“The government wants Filipinos to go abroad
as an option and not as a necessity,” he said. For this to happen, there should
be an upskilling or Filipino migrant workers so they can move on to better jobs,
abroad or within the country.
Congen Israel also called on Filipinos in
Hong Kong to use the Philippine Consulate as their no 1 source of information
and services.
“Don’t think of us as a last resort,” he
said. “Don’t ever feel you are alone.”
Since its founding in 2018, Pinoy Impact has put together a number of members, leaders and coaches in a bid to provide leadership and development training for Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong.
OFWs who "have high ambitions, take pride in themselves and care about their colleagues" are encouraged to join the group so they can improve their communication and leadership skills, and eventually tell their own stories and inspire others.
For those interested in joining, click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/pinoyimpacthongkong
