Imagine a hot summer’s morning in Hong Kong; it’s 35 degrees Celsius, peak humidity, with the blazing sun already out in force. But there’s no time to waste – thousands are depending on you and your team to ensure everything is prepared for the upcoming event. The stage, booths, catering, decorating, performers, guests… there are a myriad of plates that need to be kept spinning at all times.

This is the reality for Global Alliance Hong Kong, an umbrella organisation consisting of hundreds of Filipino community groups, every first and second week of June, as they are tasked with ensuring the smooth running of the annual Philippine Independence Day (PID) and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) Migrant’s Day celebrations on Chater Road.

One of the groups actively involved in this herculean undertaking is La Union Federation of Hong Kong (LUFOH). Founded in the year 2000 by Joey Ortega – who lived and worked in Hong Kong since the 1990s but has now moved back to the Philippines – LUFOH was established to unite the groups from the different bayans or towns comprising La Union. 

The current President of LUFOH, Virgie De Fiesta, and Chairman Julius Sarenas, have both been active members of the Filipino community for many years, with their hard work and dedication showcased during the most recent PID and Migrant’s Day celebrations this June.

There are currently twelve community groups from La Union here in Hong Kong: Agoo Migrant Workers Association, Bacnotan La Union Association, Bangar Association of Hong Kong, Baggak Global Organisation, Luna Migrant Workers Association, Luna Namacpacan Association, Pugonians HK, Naguilan La Union Association, Santol Association and Social Services, The United City of San Fernando Organisation, Timpuyog ti Bauangenians Society, and Sulong Bauang HK. Each group has their own independent charters and celebrations, but all fall under the umbrella of LUFOH, which in turn, falls under the scope of Global Alliance – one of the biggest congregations of Filipino community groups in Hong Kong, led by Chairman Leo Selomenio.

“Isa sa pinakamatagal at matatag na grupo sa Filipino community ang LUFOH dito sa Hong Kong. Magcecelebrate kami ng ika-25 na anibersaryo namin ngayong October,” [LUFOH is one of the oldest and strongest groups in the Filipino community here in Hong Kong. We will celebrate our 25th anniversary this October] says Marites Nuval, a former President of LUFOH (2010), now serving as both President of Bangar Association of Hong Kong and President of Global Alliance. “Simula sa pinakaunang anniversary ng LUFOH active member na ako – hanggang sa naging isa sa mga hiligi na din ako ng grupo.” [From the first anniversary of LUFOH, I was already an active member – until I became one of the pillars of the group.]

Aside from their well-choreographed dance groups, LUFOH is also known for its community service; organising Sportsfest, donation drives for typhoon victims back in the Philippines, raising funds for charities in La Union, helping fellow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress, running reintegration livelihood programmes, and many more. It is no surprise that people from La Union are often described as friendly, helpful, hardworking, and reliable. 

“Here in Hong Kong, we always like promoting our native products from La Union. Most famous are the inabel (a traditional handwoven fabric) from Bangar, walis tambo (a soft broom made from tiger grass flower stalks) from Burgos, and the diro (honey) from Bacnotan,” shares Marites. These native products are also often incorporated in their performances during the events they host here in Hong Kong.

“People of La Union always take care of their kailyan (kababayan, or ‘“fellow town’s person” in this context). We at LUFOH may sometimes have disagreements, as you do in most families, but we always look inwards to our core principles to preserve the integrity of the people, the leaders, and the members themselves”, Marites says.

In the middle of the burning midday sun, this community – this family – gathers to practice their dance routines and performances. Every PID and Migrant’s Day in June, they work hard to bring joy and entertainment to everyone, locals and Filipinos alike, without any expectation of reward, other than the satisfaction of a task completed and the happiness that comes with the camaraderie. 

Throughout the two and a half decades of LUFOH, the celebration and preservation of their cultural identity has played a key role in helping their members navigate the challenges that OFWs face living and working abroad. They can depend on their officers and their members; most importantly, they can depend on each other.