Consul General Antonio A. Morales told the latest graduates of the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship program in Hong Kong that they are good models for their fellow Filipinos because of their effort to educate themselves financially, and plan for a better future.
“You serve as an inspiration to your countrymen”, said Congen Morales in his keynote address to the graduates at ceremonies at Chinese University of Hong Kong on Sept 25.
Morales said that debt is the most common problem of Filipinos in Hong Kong, so the Philippine Consulate has been doing its best to help by supporting programs that promote financial literacy and education for members of the community.
He thanked the employers in the audience for their support to their helpers, while congratulating the graduates for making a difference by joining the LSE program. He also told them to take a step further in achieving their aspirations.
“Hindi masama ang mangarap, pero kung may pangarap ka dapat may gawin ka para matupad ang iyong pangarap,” said Morales.
A total of 83 Filipinos from both the Saturday and Sunday sessions received their certificates of completion from Ateneo School of Government representative Joselito Sescon.
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| Thew newest batch of LSE graduates ang their guests. |
Ng said the Filipino migrant workers serve as an inspiration because they take the opportunity to better themselves, challenge themselves, and equip themselves so they can do even more to contribute to their family and their community.
The program was highlighted by a speech from an employer, Wing Wing-kwen, who brought a printed logo of the business plan of his helper, whom she said was the best investment his family had ever made. Wing said he was proud of what his helper had achieved, so that even if her business plan logo may not be the best in the eyes of others, for him it was still the best.
Another employer, Stuart Gietel-Baton, said the Filipino migrant workers were already equipped with skills when they left home, such as courage, resilience, willingness to take risk and step out of their comfort zones. But after working in Hong Kong they should have developed more skills such as hard work, discipline and time management, making them great role models.
The Ateneo LSE is a collaborative effort between the Ateneo School of Government, Wimler Hong Kong Foundation and the Philippine Consulate.
