Greetings to our beloved kababayan here in Hong Kong.

The sweltering heat and unpredictable showers of summer have passed and we now welcome the steady and calm period of autumn. The gradual changes frame our daily lives here in Hong Kong and emphasize the constants of our migrant workers – family and friends, community, and the indomitable Filipino spirit.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a challenge for the migrant worker community in Hong Kong. To adapt to the times and to ensure the safety of our kababayan, your Consulate has held virtual celebrations of significant events, such as Philippine Independence Day in June and the Buwan ng Wika in August. 

The penchant for festivities and camaraderie remains ever strong in the Filipino community. Especially for us with loved ones in the Philippines, physical distance no longer separates us, as our family and friends are only a call or message away.

Similarly, through inclement weather and the challenges of the pandemic, the hardworking men and women of the Consulate are available 24/7 to serve the Filipino community in Hong Kong. We continue to work to improve our outreach and channels to ensure that your Consulate is always accessible.

I want to thank Pangyao magazine for their continued support to the Consulate’s mission and for the important role that they play in providing a space for the migrant communities in this region. The magazine is a reference for the oft-understated lives of our migrant workers and is an important stepping stone in improving Filipino visibility in Hong Kong.

I am sure that our resilient Filipino community flourishes even during the difficulties of the pandemic. Our kababayan have resolutely carved their paths in faraway lands and striven to provide better lives for their families in the Philippines. The trials and tribulations of the present are only temporary and can be overcome through the sheer force that is the Filipino.

Maraming salamat po!