Gina Esguerra: Compass GlobalPinoy Awardee

Name: Gina Esguerra

Hometown: Pasig City

Years in Hong Kong: 4 years

Gina Esguerra was a Domestic Helper in Hong Kong. Like most OFWs, she wanted to provide a good life for her family, especially her son.

She stayed with her employer for 4 years. In year 2000, she became part of an organization established in one of the places where all Filipinos gather every Sunday. She became an active member of UNIFIL-HK. It opened her eyes to the realities of the battles of her fellow OFWs. Despite the daily struggles and problems, Gina along with many OFWs, keep on surviving.

She also became part of the Association of Concern Filipinos (HK) who gathers every Sunday to discuss with and train new Domestic Helpers and let them know of their rights. In her last year of employment, she stayed in a shelter where she assisted DHs who have filed court cases, and supported those who were abused and unlawfully terminated by their employers.

She decided to go back to the Philippines and became the Secretary General of Migrante International focusing on the Rights and Welfare of the Filipinos. She works with NGOs and continues to visit communities to assist the OFWs and their families.

“Basic ang mangarap sa lahat ng tao, na mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang pamilya at lumabas ng bansa, at sa proseso ay may pinagdadaanan na problema personal man o trabaho at sa proseso ay mga pagbabago. Pangarap na magkaroon ng bahay at iba pa. Namulat ako na kailangan makatulong sa mga kababayan dahil sa kanilang pinagdadaanan. Hindi man natupad ang pangarap ko na magkaroon ng sariling bahay ngunit hindi mapapalitanan ang saya kapag nakakatulong ka sa kapwa at maalala ka na natulungan mo sila bilang indibidwal at sa pamamagitan ng organisasyon na kinabibilangan mo. Malaking bagay saken at saya kapag may napapauwi at napapanalo na kaso.” – Ate Gina.