Mission for Migrant Workers honors founder Cynthia Tellez on 45th year

 

Cynthia has been at the helm of MFMW since it was set up 45 years ago

(Story is from Migrant Focus, an online publication by the Mission for Migrant Workers)

This year, as we mark the 45th anniversary of our migrant workers serving institution, we also celebrate the enduring leadership that has shaped this mission.

For almost half a century, the work has stood on a simple premise: every migrant worker deserves respect, dignity, and access to resources that empower them to thrive.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Since its inception, the mission has grown from a humble walk-in centre and temporary shelter into a lifeline for tens of thousands of migrant workers in Hong Kong.

The organization now reaches more than 380,000 people, with women comprising the vast majority of those served. It offers information, case support, shelter, rescue, and emergency assistance, all anchored by a core belief: you are not turned away.

The journey has not been easy, but the purpose remains clear: to stand in solidarity with those who arrive seeking opportunity and safety.

Cynthia Tellez: Four Decades of Leadership

A young Cynthia spent a year helping set up MFMW in 1981

This milestone also honors our General Manager, Cynthia Tellez, whose 45 years of service as a founder and leader inspire us all. She began in 1981, a year before the Mission was officially established, with a small team and a “grand dream.” What started as a walk-in centre and a temporary shelter evolved into a beacon of support for migrant workers.

“I didn’t realise that 45 years had passed,” she reflects, almost astonished by the longevity of a calling she thought would last just a few years.

She has witnessed thousands of faces from many backgrounds—Filipino, Indonesian, Thai, Sri Lankan, Nepali—who arrive in Hong Kong seeking work and find themselves navigating exploitation, underpayment, or confinement.

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In her mind, she often asks, “Am I going to reveal myself to these people I’ve never met? But where else do I go?” That question—where else do I go?—is the Mission’s reason for being.

Lessons from a Long Journey

 

A Know Your Rights seminar early in 2026 is a core project of the MFMW

After 45 years, the work remains demanding, even exhausting. Yet there are moments that illuminate the path: a newcomer who is offered a meal before she asks for help, or the office filled with laughter as colleagues lighten the mood with a shared joke about the pantry.

“Already that,” she says, “makes our heart feel happy.” The resilience of the community and the team’s willingness to improve together keep the spirit alive.

Cynthia’s perspective on misconceptions about migrant workers is powerful. “Migrant workers are undeniably part of Hong Kong society,” she says, noting that while cultures and faiths differ, they “breathe the same air, and walk the same ground.” Her message is a call to see beyond differences and recognize shared humanity in every person who seeks a better life.

Chinese New Year fellowship among MFMW clients, staff and volunteers

(Looking Ahead: A Series of Celebrations:As we honor this 45-year milestone, we are excited to announce a series of anniversary events. The first act of celebration was singing a song at the Sunday service, a simple homage to the church and its supporters who have sustained us. For future events, we invite everyone to join and support our mission. Your involvement—whether through volunteering, donations, or participation in programs—will help ensure that this work endures for generations to come. We welcome all to stand with us as we continue to serve, uplift, and empower migrant workers across our community.)

 

PAL's new safety video filmed telenovela style draws raves

 

Still from an iconic scene in the video

Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country’s flagship carrier, is receiving widespread accolades for its new safety video written and filmed in telenovela format, and showcasing some of the Philippines’ top tourist attractions.

View the much talked-about promotional video dubbed #PALSafetynovela here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UkTBuEx-ek

The video uses the Filipinos’ penchant for warching telenovelas to make instructions for in-flight safety procedures more entertaining and riveting to its passengers.

DETAILS HERE

The video which is set in some of the breathtaking places in the Philippines such as the perfectly-shaped Mayon Volcano, the chocolate hills of Bohol, white-sand beaches and lush farmlands, is now showing onboard PAL’s first A350-1000 and will be played soon in all its aircraft within the month.

Since it was uploaded on YouTube on Dec 31, 2025, the video has garnered nearly 2 million views, more than 20,000 likes and over 1,500 comments which have been nearly all favorable.

Here are some of the comments:

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“Passengers usually ignore inflight safety videos but this will really get eyes glued on screen because of how original the concept is for safety videos. Clever way to educate passengers!”

“PAL should seriously consider a 10-year series where, every year, people will surely choose.”

“(Heart emoji) Philippine Airlines just to see what will happen in the next episode.”

“The fact that there is such a dramatic scene but everyone is wearing life vests is hysterical.”

“I love how this safety novela unapologetically leans into one aspect of Filipino culture - DRAMA! Good job! It's unique, definitely, and well produced.”

“This was soooo good because it wasn't too artsy (not that it needed) or anything fancy. The fact that they even fitted the exact plane seats in an old house (instead of people imagining it) adds more fun to it. THE LIFEVEST TEAR WAS THE BIG WINNER. Kudos to everyone! I wish they would refresh this with more sequel of these more frequently - but I do know this takes time and money so I'm still a happy one.”

“PAL is doing better at showcasing our country’s culture and tourist attractions than our Department of Tourism (laughing emojis).

 

Two main protagonists confront each other with Mayon Volcano as backdrop

“Whoever proposed and wrote this definitely DESERVES A RAISE! Absolute Cinema (handclapping emoji)

“It's so clever that when the flight attendant tells the audience "please ask a cabin crew member for assistance" the actress behind her interrupts her and asks for assistance”

“This might well be the best safety video I've ever seen in my life! Well done Philippines from Turkey!”

“The oxygen scene is precious. No safety briefing has more twists than this!!! This is as unique as it gets! Filipino humor has no comparison. And the music, the music! I bet no safety video has shed more tears and stomach pain from laughing at the same time!”

“Tawang tawa ako nung umilaw yung light nung life vest nung nabasa ng mga luha ni Diego” laughing emojis. (I laughed so much when the life vest lit up when it got wet by Diego’s tears).

 “PAL THIS IS ABSOLUTE CINEMA”

 “As a Filipino, this catches attention, shows the latest safety, and shows how beautiful our country is. I really thought that an airline won't include or mention the powerbank and loosening of seatbelt, but here we are. Proud na proud ako sa aking bansa! :) (I am so proud of my country)”

What do you think?

 

 

 

Maryan to be buried on Christmas eve

 

Maryan had planned to marry this December to her OFW partner, Tintin

The sole Filipino fatality in the tragic Tai Po fire last month, Maryan P. Esteban, 39 years old, will be buried on December 24 in her hometown of Jones, Isabela.

This is according to Maryan’s partner, Tintin, who is already in Isabela for the final funeral rites. She will be joined by Maryan’s 10-year-old son, her parents and other relatives.

Maryan’s remains arrived in Manila on Saturday, but could only be flown on to Tuguegarao, Cagayan the next day, and by land, to Jones.

DETAILS HERE

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head PY Caunan ang Agimat Party List Rep. Bryan Revilla were at the airport in Manila to pay respect to Maryan and to ensure her family would get all the assistance they needed.

Secretary Cacdac called Maryan a “heroine” in his Facebook post on the arrival of the OFW’s remains.

Basahin ang detalye!

“We received her at the airport and offered her our prayers and respect as a slain OFW heroine,” said Cacdac.

Tintin said Administrator Caunan would be joining Maryan’s family Monday night for the second day of the wake, to again extend the government’s condolences and offer help.

Caunan, Cacdac and Revilla (middle 3) pay respects to Maryan in Manila

Tintin said Maryan’s family decided to move the burial forward to prevent the further decomposition of her body.

Maryan died along with five-year-old ward Hannah, whom she had looked after since she was a baby, in the fire that broke out at Wang Fung Court in Tai Po on Nov 26. Their bodies were found separately two days later.

Ten migrant domestic workers died in the tragedy, with Maryan the only Filipino. The rest were all Indonesians.

Tintin said she and Maryan had agreed to go home together just before Christmas so they could marry before a Christian pastor in Manila, with the blessing of the late OFW’s family.

Despite Maryan’s death, Tintin said she will abide by her promise to marry her in a ceremony to be held early on Tuesday.

Only this time, Tintin will be the only one reciting her marriage vows before the pastor, and beside Maryan’s lifeless body.

 

Filipino fire victims get windfall cash aid, but still reel from trauma

By Daisy CL Mandap

Hong Kong's deadliest fire in 7 decades killed at least 159 people

Filipino migrant workers who were among those who survived the tragic fire in Tai Po that killed 159 people have received a cash bonanza, mainly from the Philippine government, of at least Php70,000.

Of this, Php50,000 came from the Aksyon Fund (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan), a program by the Department of Migrant Workers that provide crucial legal, medical, financial and repatriation aid to distressed overseas Filipino workers.

The remaining Php20,000 was handed out to them last Sunday, December 6, at the OFW Global Centre by Rep. Bryan Revilla, who heads the House of Representatives’ Committee on Migrant Workers.

DETAILS HERE

Separately, the Hong Kong government has pledged to give HK$20,000 (Php151,000) financial assistance to each foreign domestic worker affected by the fire in Wang Fuk estate, apart from $2,000 (Php15,100) in Octopus card credit which they can use for transportation and emergency expenses.

Those injured will get HK$100,000 (Php755,000) if they are hospitalized for at least a week, and HK$50,000 (Php377,500) if they are confined for up to six days. Families of those who died are assured of getting a total financial assistance package of about HK$800,000 (Php6 million).

Survivors of the tragedy have been receiving material and psycho-social counselling
from NGOs like the Mission for Migrant Workers and Bethune House shelter

The affected but not injured Filipino workers who number about 30, have also been receiving a lot of donations in kind, mainly from non-government organizations like the Mission for Migrant Workers and the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge.

Last Sunday, they again received care packs from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, then later at the Mission, where they were also provided medical and psycho-social counseling by the Hong Kong Red Cross and volunteer social workers.

Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio said, “You’d be surprised at the various kinds of pain they complain about as a result of the fire. Some have stiff back, stiff legs – aches that they did not initially experience as they tried to escape the fire.”

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But more than the physical pain it is the trauma that the workers are having difficulty coping with, she said.

“One told me of her recurring nightmare of being trapped in the fire,” said Antonio. “This is true for most of them. You can just imagine the fear they had to endure which they are now just beginning to process.”

From the lengthy talks they have had with the victims since they set up a help desk right at Wang Fuk Court the day after the Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in 70 years broke out, Antonio said it was clear how traumatized the migrant workers were.

“Many spoke of how shocked they were on seeing their buildings ablaze since they never saw this from inside their flats. All their windows had been boarded up because of the repair work that had been going on in the estate for months.”

No fire alarms sounded despite the rapidly spreading fire, and many were alerted to the raging flames outside only by their employers who were mostly at work, and had called them on the phone to tell them to evacuate immediately.

Many are still in deep shock imagining what could have been. A number of those who were given counseling at the Mission said they managed to get onto the lifts with their elderly employers and young wards, just before they stopped running.

Mercy and Annabelle recall moments after they were told to leave their Wang Fuk flats

“Nakasakay kami ng lola sa last trip ng lift, (My popo and I were in the lift’s last trip down),” recalled Mercy Martinez, who said she did not immediately realize the big danger they were facing until they got to the ground floor.

After being led to safety, she saw fiery debris slamming onto the building they had just left, sparking the inferno that consumed the structure within only a few minutes.

She still shudders at the thought of what could have happened to them had they been unable to take the lift down from their upper-floor flat.

“Hindi ko kakayaning buhatin si popo pababa. (I would not have been able to carry popo down the stairs).

Adding to the pain was the seeming lack of sympathy or understanding of what they had to endure, from people close to them.

Mercy rued that her teenage son never once asked how she was feeling after her close brush with death, and learning of how a number of her friends had perished in the tragedy, including a sweet Indonesian migrant worker who lived in a nearby building. 

Edwina Antonio (leftmost) with volunteers at the MFMW Help Desk in Tai Po

Antonio also shared the story of another Filipina who was left in tears when the elderly woman she was looking after showed far more concern toward the turtle and cat they had left behind in their flat than she did for her.

Meanwhile, another OFW victim, Annabelle, still lives in a government-provided shelter, sharing a tiny room with her employer's three family members, including a child who is on the autism spectrum. 

She was in a way spared of some of the trauma because she was in the market when the fire struck, while her disabled ward was in school and his elderly grandmother was out on an errand. Her employer called her and told her not to go back to their flat as it was burning.

Still, the terror of that day continues to haunt her. "Hindi na siguro ako titira ulit doon kung sakali" (I don't think I'd ever want to live there again), she said with a shudder.

The emotional scars caused by the tragedy would take a long time to heal, said Antonio. For this reason, the Mission and Bethune House plan to continue providing them with all the support they need until they recover.

This Sunday, the Mission will hold its periodic Care to Caregivers program at the St John’s Cathedral grounds, while a second round of session with the Red Cross will be held on Dec. 21, exclusively for the fire victims.

2 Philippine choirs bring Christmas cheer to HK Pinoys

 

The Tieza Chorale at St Joseph's Church

Two Philippines-based choral groups visited Hong Kong over the weekend to perform for the Filipino community at two separate venues, the St Joseph’s church in Central and the OFW Global Centre in Admiralty.

DETAILS HERE

The performances were markedly muted as Hong Kong continues to mourn the deaths of 158 people killed in the Tai Po fire last month, including one Filipino domestic worker.

The Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra at the OFW Global Centre

Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr who graced both performances said at the start of the concert of the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra at the OFW Global Centre on Saturday said it was “with sadness” that he welcomed the visit of the renowned chorale.

The PSYO is composed of young Filipino musicians trained under the world-famous Suzuki Method, which emphasizes learning music with the same natural ease as language.

DETAILS HERE

Their concert was attended by a delegation from the Philippine Congress, led by Rep. Bryan Revilla, who heads the House Committee on Migrant Workers.

Later the same day, the Tieza Chorale (formerly known as Philippine Tourism Chorale) , made up of staff of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprize Zone Authority, held a full-length concert at St Joseph’s Church under the sponsorship of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Hong Kong Chapter.

UPAA HK members and Congen Romulo (middle) pose with Tieza Choir after their concert

The choir regaled the audience with a rendition of several Filipino pop favorites such as “Kung Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko” and “Umagang Kay Ganda” in the first part and in the second, a string of popular Christmas songs, both in English and Tagalog.

Guest performers were UPAA HK president Catherine Marsden and Hong Kong-based Filipino singer and composer, William Elvin Manzano, who sang an original composition for his upcoming stage play, “Job.”

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On Sunday, the Tieza Chorale brought Christmas joy to overseas Filipino workers when they sang at the OFW Global Centre. Among those in the audience were the Filipino survivors of the Tai Po fire, who received cash assistance from Rep. Revilla.

The Tieza choir performance was held for the benefit of Bantu, a charity group that provides support for street children in the Philippines.

 

 

Death toll in Tai Po fire rises to 44; 279 remain missing

 

The fire was put under control this morning (HK Free Press photo)

A full-blown investigation has been launched into the worst fire to have hit Hong Kong in modern times, after the death toll in the tragedy rose to 44 as of 7am today, November 27.

At least 279 others are missing and 45 of those admitted in hospitals are in serious condition.

Around 900 people have sought refuge in shelters set up to accommodate survivors of the deadly fire that engulfed seven of the eight buildings in Wang Fuk estate, but is now mostly under control.

DETAILS HERE

The death toll has made this the worst fire in Hong Kong’s modern history, surpassing the 41 deaths that occurred in the fire that struck the Garley office building in Jordan on Nov. 20, 1996, about 29 years ago to date.

Among the dead was Ho Wai-ho, a veteran firefighter who was sent to the scene shortly after the fire broke out. He died of injuries at the Prince of Wales Hospital.

Chief Executive John Lee has described the fire as a “massive tragedy” and vowed a full investigation.

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Authorities said that three executives of the construction company that has been carrying out renovation works – two are directors and one a consultant - at the buildings have been arrested for gross negligence, and could be charged with manslaughter.

The estate has been undergoing renovation since July last year, and the buildings have been surrounded with bamboo scaffoldings, with plastic green nets as protection against falling debris.

Investigations revealed that another highly flammable material, styrofoam, had been used to seal  windows during the construction, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire.

900 fire survivors sought refuge at the Tai Po community center (AFP photo)

Officials at the Philippine Consulate remain under alert for any news about Filipinos living in the estate, many of them foreign domestic workers.

This was after reporting that a Filipina worker who arrived in Hong Kong only the day before the fire, had been declared safe along with her employer and a baby she was looking after.

The OFW, Rhodora Alcaraz Tunacao, had sent out a video appeal for help at the height of the fire, saying she was trapped with the baby and her employer in their flat.

One of her sisters, Abby, said they had been told that Rhodora had been taken to a hospital and is safe, but they have yet to hear from her directly.

The fire was first reported at 2:51pm on Wednesday, and quickly spread due to the plastic net and the bamboo scaffolding being used for the renovation work.

From being classified initially to a No 1 alarm fire it was quickly raised by 3:34pm to No 4, and to the highest level No 5 at 6:22 pm. It was the first time that the maximum fire alert level was raised in Hong Kong in 17 years.

The fire raged for more than 10 hours, making rescue work difficult.

 

Filipino held for allegedly luring 5 men to scam hubs

 

The 5 victims were told they would fly to HK en route to their jobs in Vietnam (file)

Five Filipinos about to be sent to scam hubs in Cambodia were rescued by combined forces of the Bureau of Immigration, NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking, and the National Bureau of Investigation earlier this month.

Arrested for large-scale illegal recruitment was Arturo G. Zoilo, Jr. who allegedly promised to secure jobs for the victims in Vietnam, but told them they would have to go through Hong Kong first.

DETAILS HERE

The would-be overseas Filipino workers were promised jobs as customer service representative or sales marketing officer, for which they would be paid between Php30,000 and Php40,000 each month.

In truth, the five rescued Filipinos were meant to work in an online fraud operation in  Cambodia.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac talks to Myanmar scam victims

Just a fortnight ago, a total of 346 Filipinos were rescued from scam hubs in Myanmar and brought home. The workers said they were promised high-paying jobs and forced to engage in online fraud for fear of punishment. They are currently undergoing psychosocial counseling, medical check-up and legal interviews.

The press statement about the rescue was posted on the Facebook page of the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program, but the details of the arrest were not disclosed.

Basahin ang detalye!

The statement also said investigations had shown that Zoilo used to work in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator or POGO. His previous employer, an Indonesian who went by the alias “Sate”, had reportedly told him to recruit workers for Cambodia, and help work on their papers.

Zoilo now faces charges of large-scale illegal recruitment and qualified human trafficking,which are both non-bailable, and carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Authorities say they are still on the lookout for a key participant in the illegal recruitment, and are investigating the extent of their network.

They are calling on all those who have  been victimized  by Zoilo or Sate to immediately contact the Migrant Workers Bureau of the DMW through the  MWPB Facebook page https://web.facebook.com/dmwairtip

 

Ancient Egyptian treasures on display in HK from tomorrow

 

This huge statue of the pharaoh Tutankhamun is the centerpiece of the exhibit

An extraordinary collection of 250 precious artefacts from Egypt, including statues of pharaohs and deities, gold ornaments, large coffins and animal mummies, will go on display in Hong Kong starting tomorrow, Nov 20, at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

The exhibit, Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums features the largest, most comprehensive and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong.

DETAILS HERE

Its centerpiece is a towering statue of Tutankhamun, the 13^th pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, who became famous in modern times after his nearly intact tomb containing an extraordinary collection of over 5,000 artifacts including his mummy and funeral mask, was discovered in 2022.

The exhibition opening is a prelude to the 70^th anniversary next year of the start of diplomatic ties between China and Egypt.

Mummified animals are part of the exhibit

The objects on display come from seven prominent museums in Egypt, including the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art, as well as recent archaeological discoveries from Saqqara.

All artefacts are displayed in Hong Kong for the first time, and many are exhibited outside Egypt for the first time, making the exhibition especially significant.

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As part of the unveiling of the exhibition, the Hong Kong Palace Museum will host a special Egyptian dance performance on Nov. 22, as part of the HKPM Showtime!

The museum will also support the 8^th Hong Kong International Egyptian Dance Festival, which will also feature dance workshops, performances, competitions and presentations on global dance research.

A regular adult ticket to the Ancient Egypt exhibit costs $190 each and concessions at $95 each.

Below are the details of the exhibition, including dates and times:

Exhibition Date

20 November 2025 – 31 August 2026

Opening hours:

10am to 6pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday;
10am to 8pm, Friday, Saturday & Public Holiday;
Closed on Tuesday (except public holiday) and the first two days of the Lunar New Year

Venue: Gallery 9, Hong Kong Palace Museum at West Kowloon Cultural District

Enquiry:  +852 2200 0217

Website: www.hkpm.org.hk/en/exhibition/ancient-egypt-unveiled-treasures-from-egyptian-museums