For many years, since overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) started coming to Hong Kong in the 1970s, they have oftentimes found refuge and a place to hang out with their community on the streets of Central and Admiralty. Every Sunday, little cardboard abodes are set up on the sidewalks, skyways, and streets around Chater Road in Central. Here, they rest, eat, nap, spend time on their hobbies, sing karaoke, and do what they need to unwind until they have to return to their employer’s house. 

But there are times when the weather makes staying outdoors with little shelter a challenge; summers in Hong Kong can be brutal. Unbearable humidity levels (up to 100%), coupled with high temperatures (up to 35.9 degrees Celsius), can increase the risk of heat stroke and dehydration; the May to November typhoon season also accounts for 80% of annual rainfall in the territory.

Winters are surprisingly easier to manage; at least the OFWs can try to wrap up warm with layers and blankets as best as they can. “Basta hindi lang umulan, okay naman kami dito kapag winter. Nagsusuot nalang kami ng makakapal na jacket at naglalayers nalang. Minsan may konting tagay, pampainit ba,” [As long as it doesn’t rain, we are okay here in the winter. We just wear thicker jackets and put on layers of clothes. Sometimes, we have a little drink to warm ourselves up] laughs Linda (not her real name), an OFW who spends time with friends on the Central walkways during most of her Sundays.

Since 1994, a lot of migrant groups also hold events, workshops, and classes at The Hong Kong Bayanihan Kennedy Town Centre, run by the Hong Kong Bayanihan Trust, a non-profit organisation originally formed by a group of Filipino businessmen. 

The centre has many facilities, including an auditorium, classrooms, library, music room, and even a cinema. It has been – and continues to be – an integral part of the Filipino community for more than 40 years. 

“Ang pinakagusto namin sa pagamit sa Bayanihan Centre ay convenient at accessible sa mga iba’t ibang transportation. Approachable and very accommodating sina Ma’am Tess at mga volunteers,” [What we really like about using Bayanihan Centre is the convenience and how accessible it is by different modes of transport. Ma’am Tess and their volunteers are approachable and very accommodating] says Ofelia P. Baquirin, President of United Migrants Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Association (UMELA). 

“Mula 2008, sa Bayanihan Centre naming ginaganap ang aming mga workshops tulad ng meat processing, ribbon folding, bead crafting, at massage therapy,” [Since 2008, Bayanihan Centre is where we have held our workshops including meat processing, ribbon folding, bead crafting, and massage therapy] shares Ms. Ofelia.

However, with such a large migrant worker population in the city, in terms of designated places for OFWs to just sit and enjoy their rest days, the options are very limited. 

This was something that struck Overseas Workers’ Welfare Adminstration (OWWA) Admin Arnell Ignacio during his visits to Hong Kong: “Nakikita ko ang mga kababayan natin na nakaupo sa daan, masaya naman sila, pero talagang naantig ang aking puso kapag nakikita ko sila,” [I see our fellow Filipinos sat on the streets, they seem happy, but it really touches my heart when I see them] he said during his speech at the OWWA Migrant Worker’s Day on 2^nd June 2024.

There was a need for a safe, sheltered space for the community, and the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) has heeded this. In close coordination with the officials at OWWA and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), plans to open the very first government-run OFW centre in the world were set in motion, after a suitable space was identified last year on 18/F, United Centre, Admiralty (the same building as the existing PCG, OWWA and MWO offices).

“There were a lot of moving parts that had to come together perfectly before we could even dream about opening the centre,” says Welfare Officer Marilou Sumalinog, affectionately known as WelOf Malou in the Filipino community. “Talks were held with the Hong Kong government about leasing these premises to OWWA, and talks with the property landlord as well. We are so lucky to have the support of Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan,” she adds.

The cost of renovating and furnishing an office space in Hong Kong is expensive, especially somewhere as spacious as the aptly named MWO-OWWA OFW Global Centre – 1,925 square metres to be exact. Luckily, the previous tenant was a law firm who agreed to leave all their office furnishings like office chairs, desks, whiteboards, and tables, and some of their office equipment like projectors, speakers, and fire-proof, high-density mobile shelving units. 

Savings have been made through rent and government stamp duty as well. “We negotiated with the landlord and they gave us four rent-free months to allow time for clean-up and renovation works. They also gave us a sizeable deduction on the monthly rent, down from HKD 900,000 to HKD 611,000 per month. The Hong Kong government has also waived the stamp duty rates for the premises,” shares WelOf Malou. 

The successful soft opening of the MWO-OWWA OFW Global Centre took place on 24^th November 2024. The event included a blessing and dedication ceremony officiated by Fr. Jay Flandez, which an estimated 1,000 people attended. 

Senior officials from the OWWA Head Office in Manila were in attendance, including Atty. Edelyn A. Dungan-Claustro, Dir. Herminigildo D. Mendoza, and Dir. Ronald A. Mina. PCG officials, headed by Consul General Germinia A. Aguilar-Usudan, stood alongside MWO Labor Attache Atty. Melchor B. Dizon to give their blessings to the new centre and greet the attendees, who included representatives from non-governmental organisations, the business sector, and leaders from the Filipino community. 

The event showcased performances from different community groups, while visitors were treated to a lunch of Filipino food. Additionally, a completion ceremony was held for 311 individuals who successfully completed 10 OWWA Training Programs, including courses in Basic Computer Literacy, Cantonese Language, Basic Baking, Basic Manicure, Nail Art & Gel Art, Hair & Beauty Culture, Basic Massage Therapy, Barista Skills, Caring for the Elderly, Dressmaking, and Bridal Makeup & Styling.

“This centre has been a once-upon-a-time dream by OFWs, not only in Hong Kong, but all over the world. They really wanted to have a tahanan, or home, kung saan matatawag nilang sa kanila [which they can call their own],” shared WelOf Malou during the soft opening. 

A prominent feature of the space is the Migrant’s Brew, a café lounge where Filipinos can come in for free cups of coffee and a biscuit. It is a spacious, comfortable, and welcoming space where OFWs can sit and chat with friends, read a book, work on their laptops, or just take some time out for themselves to relax. The renovation is still underway, but once the centre is fully functional, it will include a wide range of facilities for OFWs: workshop rooms, medical clinic, counselling section, games area, gym, a sizeable multi-purpose hall, and even napping quarters. 

The total capacity, which includes all the amenities, will be 1,780 people, which gives an idea of the scale of the premises. The full renovation is expected to be completed throughout the course of 2025, though parts of the centre are already operational and being utilised for workshops, offices, and community events.

Although the centre has been met with criticism from some migrant groups, who cite the hefty price tag associated with improvement works and the total annual cost of running the huge space (one year of rent alone will cost the Filipino taxpayers HKD 7.5 million, or PHP55.8 million, which they believe could be better spent on other programmes that aid OFWs), the majority of OFWs in the city welcome their new tahanan, as evidenced by the attendance of hundreds of representatives from Filipino groups at the meet and greet event on 26th January, including Admin Arnell, Senator Alan Cayetano, and Senator Pia Cayetano.

“Ang tagal na nating kailangan ng ganito. Kung saan pwede kaming magrelax lang, kape-kape naman. Bukod sa emergency shelters, kailangan din namin ng recreational space. Sa 15 years ko na dito sa Hong Kong, ang swerte ko na maranasang maenjoy ng ganitong facilities,” [We have been waiting for a place like this. Where we can relax and enjoy a coffee or two. Aside from emergency shelters, the community also needs a recreational space. In my 15 years of working in Hong Kong, I feel lucky to experience and enjoy these facilities] shares Evelyn, an OFW enjoying her coffee at Migrant’s Brew lounge while the cold weather grips the city outside. Just like you would in your tahanan.