Filipino NGOs in Hong Kong

According to the Hong Kong 2006 Population By-census, among the 5% of non-Chinese population in Hong Kong, 41.4% of them are Filipinos,^[1] comprising a population of 140,000. Many Filipinos in Hong Kong are often associated with domestic work, which renders their community and recreational life invisible.

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Social justice NGOs play a significant role in fighting for the rights of Filipinos living in Hong Kong as a minority population. They serve to provide humanitarian aid to the migrant Filipinos.

The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK)

An alliance group helping overseas Filipino migrants, the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK) was established on 12 May 1985.^[2] It acts as a platform for migrant Filipinos in Hong Kong to unite and to raise their awareness on social migrant problems. It also puts much effort on fund-raising campaigns so as to help people who live in devastated regions in the Philippines, such as Marikina City and Laguna province.^[3] The organisation emphasises the importance of co-operation with different local and international Filipino NGOs, such as The Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers (HK) Society (MFMW), the Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge (BH), and the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant Filipinos (APMMF). Through interaction and negotiation with other NGOs, it can organise large campaigns related to different social issues.

The Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers (MFMW)

The Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers (MFMW), established on 3 March 1981,^[4] is a significant institution that assists Filipinos in Hong Kong in striving toward their social welfare. It was founded by the National Council of Churches in the Philippines(NCCP) and several religious groups in Hong Kong. Its funding sources are usually from local and foreign donations, as well as yearly fund-raising campaigns. The main objective of the MFMW is to assist Filipinos in Hong Kong, especially those who work as domestic workers, in striving for rights in social justice affairs by intervention and prevention. For instance, it showed its discontent towards a decision on cutting the wages of foreign domestic workers by Hong Kong government in 2003.^[5] Thus, it described itself as empowerment-oriented and migrant-based.^[6]

This is a local NGO that provides service and assistance by setting up ministry that helps ethnic minority groups, especially Filipinos in Hong Kong. International Social Service Hong Kong Branch, established in January 1972, is a division from worldwide departments.^[7] Its major aim is to help workers of ethnic minority groups and their families to adapt their lives in Hong Kong. The branch held a memorial ceremony in Wan Chai after the 2010 "Manila Incident" involving Hong Kong tourists held hostage and killed in Manila. The memorial ceremony helped Filipinos living in Hong Kong to grieve for the victims.^[8]

Filipinos migrants in Hong Kong are often associated with domestic work, but in fact, there are vibrant recreational activities engaged by the Filipino migrants.

Hong Kong Musicians Union

In 1948, with the growing numbers of Filipino musicians in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Musicians Union (HKMU) was established.^[9] It was founded by British musician Pete O’Neil, then followed by Filipino musician Andy Hidalgo and this has been the norm ever since. The musicians rented flats in Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, for musical jam sessions to explore and improve their music skills until they were able to purchase a Union House in Mirador Mansion in 1957. They would meet at the Filipino Club in Tsim Sha Tsui for general assemblies. HKMU, in co-ordination with the Philippine Consulate General and the Government of Hong Kong, has been co-organizing an annual Concert in the Park,^[10] to celebrate their love for music and promote the city’s vibrant music scene. The event was held in Kowloon Park during its inaugural years, but has since moved to the Piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Hong Kong Philippine Kali Association

Founded in 1998 by Fong Wing Hong, Hong Kong Philippine Kali Association is aimed at promoting the traditional Filipino martial arts, which are fighting with sticks, blades, and improvised weapons. In addition, the association provides adolescents with training courses, helping them to learn self-defense, self-confidence, self-discipline, respect for others, and to serve the community.^[11]

There are a number of Filipino NGOs in Hong Kong founded by both Filipinos and non-Filipinos on their religious background, such as Catholic, Christian, and Muslim associations that serve the Filipinos' religious interests.

The Filipino Catholic Association (FCA)

Among the religious NGOs that are founded by Filipinos, the Filipino Catholic Association (FCA) which is located at the Kowloon Rosary Church has the longest history. It was established on 8 April 1958, appointed by Lawrence Bianchi, Bishop of Hong Kong at the time. All Filipino Catholics are welcome to join the FCA. Its objective is to preserve faiths of members and to encourage them to share their blessings with others by charity and mercy works. Monthly meetings, celebrations, choir, and visits to sick members are regularly held by the FCA. The FCA also requests its members to attend obsequies for the deceased.^[12]

Jesus Is Lord Church (JIL Church)

Jesus Is Lord Church (JIL Church) is a Christian organisation that originates in the Philippines. In Hong Kong, there are nine JIL Churches located at Sham Shui Po, Wan Chai, Central, North Point, Discovery Bay, Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan, Sai Kung and Stanley respectively.^[13]

Muslim Filipino Association (MUSFILA)

Muslim Filipino Association (MUSFILA) engages in numbers of political movements, for example the organisation participated in a march to the US Consulate to protest against war in Gaza in 2008.^[14]

Some religious organisations in Hong Kong also set up Filipino ministries to serve Filipinos in Hong Kong particularly, for example the International Christian Assembly (ICA) Hong Kong.^[15] St Anne’s Church has a division named the St. Anne’s Filipino Catholic Group in Hong Kong. The Group organises activities like prayer group, choir, home visitations, retreat, and pilgrimage for believers. It also joined the "Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart, Door to Door" program to collect donations, clothes, stationeries, toys and canned food for the needy in the Philippines in 2009.^[16]

Philippine Association of Hong Kong

Established in 1961, the organisation is run by officials of different nationalities.^[17] People with business and social interests are its main target members. On one hand, it emphasises on charity involvement. On the other hand, it devotes itself to promotion of Philippine trade and investment. Thus, it serves as a multi-purpose NGO with officials from multiple countries.