By Jeanie Carambas
(Last June 15, Philippine Alliance Hong Kong celebrated the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence by having a party and honoring long-serving migrant workers and their employers through 'Gawad Parangal 2025.' Among those who received special awards were Mr and Ms Lawrence Webb and their employee of 36 years, Blandy Menchie Guillermo; Phyllis McKenna and employee of 30 years, Vilma Gonzales; Ho Pui Ching Michelle and employee for 20 years Lory P. Pama; and Andrew and Aimee Eldon and their employee for 16 years, Jeanie Castillo Carambas. Among the worker-awardees, Jeanie spoke most eloquently of how it was like working for a couple that treats her like family, and how she responds to this by being appreciative, working well and trying to remain positive even when she is tired or feeling low - Ed).
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| Jeanie gets a tight hug from employer Aimee Eldon while her husband happily Andrew looks on |
First of all, thank
you for this opportunity to thank my employers because I have always felt that
I never thank them enough. I didn't tell them about this because I knew they
would just say, “Oh Jeanie, we are just here to support you.”
I started working for
the Eldons in 2009. I had three interview appointments that day and they were
my second. The first offer was tempting as the employer in Stanley offered a
salary that was much more than the minimum.
But during my
interview with Aimee she did not ask me questions that I was expecting, like,
whether I could cook Western food, or do specific chores. Instead she asked how
my family was, and whether it was okay to work far from them. That touched me
deeply because I was then upset because I could not attend my eldest son’s graduation.
My previous employer decided to pay seven days of my annual leave despite me
asking if I could fly even the night before graduation.
Aimee asked me what
she could do so I can go home for the event, and I said she could probably
write a letter to Immigration. She did this readily, which I truly appreciated
even if Immigration did not grant the request because of the date of my release
letter from my previous employer.
They treated me as family from the very start. Other helpers would often ask, “Is that your boss?
You talk to her like that? You talk like you're just friends.” This is probably the
reason I have stayed with them until this time. They are very supportive in
everything I do.
Aimee raised her
daughters with this house rule: “When we are out, Jeanie is the adult here. She
is in charge.” Then Aimee would tell me, “If they ask for something, don't give
it to them if they didn't say please and thank you.”
We have this no-mixed
messages rule in their household. You can't imagine how polite, sweet, loving
and caring our girls (my employers want me to treat their daughters as it they were
mine) are to me.
One summer, Aimee's
mum asked me how many years have I not spent Christmas with my family. I said
over five years. She was so upset. "Go home this Christmas. You have to be
with your family." After over a year working for them, five years of
working here in Hong Kong, I spent Christmas with my family for the first time
in 2010.
The whole family came
to my ALSE (Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship program) graduation, then
took my bags so I could celebrate with my friends. I don't know how many
employers would do that.
When we moved to
Clearwater Bay, Aimee would tell me, after doing dinner, “Go out and talk with
your friends. We are big enough to feed ourselves.” But I would reply that even
if I could go out my friends were all busy in the kitchen.
But that was before we
had a dog. Now I take the dog out while Aimee does their dinner.
You might find this
funny, but they’re the type of employers who wake up earlier than their helper.
When I wake up in the morning, the lunch boxes are ready. I would just do the
girls' water bottles and steam some broccoli for Andrew if he needs his lunch. But
sometimes, Aimee does everything and I would just do the girls' water bottles.
In 2016 when they went
away for Christmas they asked me, instead of going home, would I want my
children to come to Hong Kong? I immediately said yes, as that would be a dream
come true for me.
What I did not expect
was their remark when I said thank you. They said they were happy to do it for
me because the last time I came back from home, I looked so miserable. I was
going through a family problem that time that led to me becoming a solo parent.
They always know what
happens in my life because I tell them. Not because I want sympathy but just a
heads-up in case the situation would affect my job. That happened a few times,
and I am thankful that I never heard them complain. Instead, they would comfort
me.
To make the story
short, all my four children came to Hong Kong, their return tickets paid by my
employers. My children stayed in comfort because we had the whole house to
ourselves. That was my best Christmas ever! More such visits followed, when my
employers would give extra money for our expenses.
I told them I love to
have my children come over because I can have all their time unlike when we are
in the Philippines, where they have friends. Here, they don't know where to go
so they always have to take their mother with them. The couple laughed at this.
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| Jeanie with employers Andrew and Aimee get their awards from Vice Consul Alan Revote |
I celebrated my 50th
birthday during the pandemic. I wanted to spend it with my family in the
Philippines but I couldn’t because of the strict travel restrictions. But this
resulted in something good because my employers paid for all the days that I
was stuck at their home. I used that to start building a small house for me and
my children.
Days before my birthday,
Andrew asked me how much more I needed to finish the house. I didn't know the
answer but after calculations gave him a random amount. I did not expect that
he would give the exact amount I mentioned as present for my birthday.
Aimee was so thoughtful
she surprised me with a birthday cake that time. She turned on the aircon in
the study the whole night so she could hide it there, and surprise me.
I told them afterwards
that as long as our house is standing, it will always remind me of that time. I was so emotional. I have good memories of
the pandemic because of them.
They support even my
goal of traveling abroad on my own even if that means them doing the household
chores while I'm having my holiday.
When I tried to visit
Italy my visa application was denied because I was not traveling with my
employers. To make me feel better they gave me back all the money I spent for
the visa application. They were as upset as I was that I wasn't able to go.
I finally succeeded in
getting a visa to travel alone to Japan, and they gave me all the support I
needed. They told me I deserved it and that they were happy for me. They were
so proud of me when I made it to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka on my own. When I sent
them photos they asked what else they could do to help. I know not many helpers
are blessed with such employers.
When I told them that
I would attend the Kalayaan Ball because I was going to be awarded for working for
them for over 16 years, they became emotional, and said I deserved it. I knew
why they reacted that way, it was because it meant I was away from my family
for that long.
While I was choosing to
buy a Filipiniana outfit online, Aimee said, "Find a nice dress. I will
pay for it." She was so excited. When I asked if they could come with me,
they said yes immediately.
After the event Aimee
kept asking me for the cost of the dress I bought online, but I did not want to
tell her. For me, $499 for a dress was a bit expensive. I told her to just pay
for the bolero top which was cheaper but she insisted on paying for the dress.
When I checked my phone,
I saw that Aimee had transferred to my bank account the exact amount I paid for
the dress. She joked, “I told you that if you won’t tell me the price, then I
would go and find it out myself.”
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| Jeanie in the dress Aimee insisted on paying for |
I can probably write a
book about the many good things that my employers have done for me for more
than 16 years now, but it will not be complete without my side of the story,
and why we have maintained respect and good relationships in the house.
I am a helper who
doesn't complain about work. You might not believe me, but I have my reason. I
have to look after myself above all. I don't like stress. I need to be healthy
to do this job. And for me, complaining doesn't make things better or easier.
It would just make things more difficult yet, I don't have a choice but to do
the job. I don't want to go to bed and end my day with a heavy heart and
troubled mind.
You might say I am
lucky to have employers like them but they also say, they are lucky to have me.
Perhaps it is a joint effort, as we try to maintain a harmonious workplace. On
my part, I can say that my performance since I started working for them has not
changed much. It has probably even improved, unlike others who have slackened
after working for years for their employers.
I want to keep the
respect that we had from the start. They treat me family, but for me, I know I
am still their helper. I do the job that I am paid to do, and it paid off. The
more I give, the more I get.
My boss indirectly
taught me to walk the extra mile. He used to go to work on Saturdays without
pay even if he was the Head or COO. I took that as an example. If my boss can
do that, why can't I? At times I would work during my holidays even if they tell
me not to. I just try to help, especially during their super busy days. They
would try to stop me but I tell them, I have a holiday, you don't. I want to
give them back the kindness and favor that they give me and my family. They
appreciate that.
I have this little
trick when I get annoyed or overwhelmed. I am not a superwoman, after all. I
get tired too. I have to find ways to comfort myself and make my day better. I
tell myself while tidying up, “They pay you one hundred dollars to do this. In
the Philippines, if someone pays you 100 pesos to do the same job you would do
it in an instant." That makes me smile. Then my work becomes easier.
But I am not also a
helper who tries to impress employers by working nonstop when they are
around. I get some rest when I need to. It’s part of looking after my health. I also try to be upbeat all the time, and not complain.
When they got a dog, I
never said anything. They never said anything. It was an additional job and I
was not happy at first. But instead of being unhappy, I tried to find ways to
enjoy looking after the dog. I didn't want to wake up not wanting to see the
dog. I thought to myself, why not go to the beach with the dog and swim
together? Now, I love all the time I am out with the dog. We go swimming. We go
hiking. I never complained about the added responsibility because I can see
that the dog gives them a lot of happiness, so I try to be happy for them, too.
So now, I see my time
with the dog as an opportunity to get some exercise, which is good for me. And
again, all that paid off come Christmas time. They gave me extra pay since we
had the dog, then doubled that amount on top of my bonus.
Honestly, I asked
myself that time, if getting a dog was their way of testing if I would complain.
But I have always believed in good karma, and of not asking for favors unless I
really need to.
Thank you for choosing
me and my employers. I think this is a very good initiative to inspire not just
helpers but also employers like them. I found a home away from home. I found a
second family here in Hong Kong, and employers who support me to be empowered.
(I
saw how my boss got emotional while I was saying all these things. Aimee told
me, she was on the phone with her mum all the way home and her mum was crying. I
thank God that I listened to my heart. Theirs was the lowest salary offer that
time, 16 years ago, but I chose them. It was because Aimee was the only one who
showed concern for my family and that meant a lot. Money is not everything.
Because of them I have never missed an important family event again).
