(A formal image of Laconsay. Photo by Charlene Yang & Lele Zhang)
Audio Storytelling:
https://soundcloud.com/lin-yang-631982793/im-not-a-hero-i-believe-in-collective-energy
Twenty-six years ago, Alberto Laconsay decided to leave the Philippines and came to Hong Kong to become a domestic helper. Before coming to Hong Kong, he was a designer. Although he enjoyed the job, the low salaries and the two children’s studying expenses forced him to leave.
With the help of his mother, who was also a domestic helper in Hong Kong, Laconsay’s first job was to take care of a Chinese old man. After the old man died, he found another one as a gardener and worked on it until now.
During his time in Hong Kong, Laconsay is one of the founders of Filipino Migrant Workers’ Union. He said many Filipinos are the victims of discriminatory abuse and gets lower salaries with long hours of work. The union that he organized is just like a caring center to help migrants and against the government to bring their rights back.
Now, this 59-year-old man is living with his new family and still prepares to stay in Hong Kong around six to eight years to help the Filipinos more.
Charlene Yang 