WIMLER HK launches ALSE OF-LIFE Batch 127

May 5th, 2024, Hong Kong –  The launch and orientation of the Ateneo Leadership Social Enterprise Overseas Filipinos Leadership, Innovation, Financial Literacy, and Social Entrepreneurship (ALSE OF-LIFE Batch 127) took place today at the City University of Hong Kong, with sixty-one participants including 58 domestic helpers and four permanent residents. 

 

In 2019, the number of Filipinos living and working abroad exceeded 12 million. These overseas Filipinos collectively sent US$40 billion in remittances during 2023, twice the amount of foreign direct investments and official development aid combined. This accounted for an average of around 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) over the past ten years. Of the 359,296 domestic helpers employed in Hong Kong, a staggering 55.6% are from the Philippines. In 2023 alone, these Filipino workers sent back HK$764 million (preliminary estimate) in remittances, which was slightly higher than the previous year's total of HK$732.36 million. Unfortunately, because of Hong Kong's Basic Law, most of these migrant workers cannot secure permanent residence and must prepare for their eventual return and reintegration into society.

The ALSE OF-LIFE program, which has been operational for 16 years as an Executive Education program of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), was originally known as the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program for Overseas Filipinos and their Families (ALSE). Started in Italy in 2008, it later expanded to Hong Kong in 2012 and has since reached over 5,000 overseas Filipinos from 32 countries. One of its aims is to prepare for the sustainable return and reintegration of overseas Filipinos and Overseas Filipino Workers.

The hybrid training program will be held two Sundays every month for the next six months. It comes in 12 sessions and will culminate with a Social Enterprise Plan Presentation and graduation. A mentoring program is in place to help those who are interested in starting productive activities after the course.

Adjunct Professor Edgardo Valenzuela from Ateneo de Manila University's School of Government and co-coordinator of ALSE OF-LIFE gave a welcome address through a video message, while Prof. Mark Thompson from the City University of Hong Kong's Southeast Asia Research Center (SEARC) also welcomed participants. Anna Martinez, chairperson of WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong, also extended her welcome to the participants through a video.

Hon. Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan, Consul General at the Philippine Consulate Hong Kong, gave an inspirational talk during the event. In her touching speech, Congen Aguilar-Usudan said: 

“You have served your families well for years. You have contributed to the growth of the Phlippine economy. You have also contributed to the growth of the Hong Kong economy by allowing their women to gain and become active members of the Hong Kong workforce. It is about time that you think of yourselves, your dreams, and your comfortable retirement.”

The second part of the program was an orientation led by Katherine De Guzman, Director at WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong. She discussed the history of ALSE OF-LIFE, its aims, mission, and vision. The ALSE OF-LIFE Hong Kong secretariat provided details about the program and requirements for graduation.

The conduct of ALSE OF-LIFE in Hong Kong is made possible through the collaboration of WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong, SEARC City University of Hong Kong, Department of Migrant Workers, and Migration and Development Consortium (MDC) members including OFSPES (Overseas Filipinos' Society for the Promotion of Economic Security), SEDPI (Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc.), and Ugat Foundation.

On May 12, Leila Rispens-Noel, co-founder and director of WIMLER Foundation HK, will conduct the first session on Migration and Development with topics such as the history of Philippine international labor migration and its effects on development.

The ALSE OF-LIFE Hong Kong Secretariat Team led by Anna Martinez, will manage the course with support from twenty-eight volunteers who attended the HK Volunteers Formation Workshop on March 10th, 2024. The workshop aimed to promote camaraderie and open communication among participants while also preparing for the launch of the 2024 program.

About WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong

WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. was officially registered in 2011 as a non-profit and charitable organization whose primary aim is to support the capacity building and empowerment of migrant communities regardless of nationalities and to promote cultural diversity in Hong Kong based on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared empowerment among peoples. In 2018, WIMLER HK was awarded the Banaag Award of the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. The awards honor distinguished individuals and foreign-based organizations dedicated to advancing the interests of Filipino communities around the world.

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32 Filipino Migrants in Hong Kong Finish ALSE-OF-LIFE Course

On November 12, 2023, Dean Philip Arnold Tuano from the Ateneo School of Government presented thirty-two Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong with their ALSE OF-LIFE certificates at the City University of Hong Kong. In his speech, he reminded the graduates that despite the many hurdles they faced, through their social and financial remittances to their homeland, they were still making a difference. “The overseas Filipino workers contribute to the development not only for their country but the whole world,” says Tuano.

Adjunct Professor Edgardo Valenzuela, co-coordinator of the ALSE OF-LIFE program at Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Government, addressed the graduates in his opening speech. He welcomed them to the global community of people dedicated to doing more and becoming more men and women for others. 

“With new knowledge, additional skills, and a changed mindset, they join the global community of like-minded people contributing positively to the changing times,” says Valenzuela.

Prof. Mark Richard Thompson of the Southeast Asia Research Center (SEARC) of the City University of Hong Kong gave an inspiring solidarity message to the graduates. His message was much appreciated by directors of WIMLER Foundation HK, graduates, staff, and volunteers since the City University of Hong Kong hosted the classes for six months. SEARC of the City University of Hong Kong contributed to the success of the program. A proper classroom with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, and internet connection, provided the students with a conducive learning environment.

In his inspiring talk, Venecio Legaspi, Assistant Secretary of Reintegration of the Department of Migrant Workers, emphasized the crucial need for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to adequately prepare for a successful return and reintegration. He mentioned the efforts of the government to provide support to OFWs for their reintegration in collaboration with other stakeholders.

Vice Consul Allan Revote of the Philippine Consulate of Hong Kong, Welfare Officer of OWWA HK Marilou Sumulong, and some directors of WIMLER Hong Kong also graced the event.

The attendees of the event were particularly moved by the accounts of two employers. It was a moving experience to hear them speak about their helpers and thank them for supporting their families and caring for their children. These testimonials highlighted the event in a special way.

More about ALSE OF-LIFE 

ALSE OF-LIFE envisions “Filipino migrants and their families united towards supporting each other in becoming empowered and highly respected members of society, consciously contributing to nation-building.”

The ALSE OF-LIFE program began in 2008 in Rome. In 2012, the WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong brought the program to Hong Kong. Fifty students graduated from the course, the first time the course was conducted outside of Italy. In its ninth year in Hong Kong, the program aims to “empower overseas Filipino workers and overseas Filipinos to become agents of change in both the Philippines and their host countries”. 

To further involve the families of migrant workers that are left behind, the ALSE OF-LIFE program was also conducted in the Philippines for them to be part of the preparation for eventual return and reintegration.

This year, the hybrid program combined face-to-face classes and online modules delivered simultaneously with other countries/cities in Asia, such as South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Macau, and the Philippines.  

The program was also delivered in other locations in Europe (Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Russia), the Middle East (Egypt, Oman, the UAE, Qatar), North America (USA and Canada), the Caribbean, Central and Latin America (Guatemala, The Bahamas, The British Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines). As of 2022, the ALSE OF-Life Program has been delivered in 26 countries with 127 batches and a total of 4,388 graduates. Hong Kong accounts for 480 graduates from 2012 to 2019.

In Hong Kong, the program has been ongoing every year since 2012, with a three-year hiatus during the pandemic. During this time, the ALSE OF-LIFE program developed into a completely online course, which enabled it to achieve substantial growth in its global student base.  

The program includes three modules: Leadership, Financial Literacy, and Social Innovation/Social Entrepreneurship, each with four modules. Classes are held twice a month over a period of six months.  

Aside from these modules, a key component of the course is a Social Innovation or Social Enterprise Business Plan that the students must prepare and defend before a panel of judges. Finally, students must write a personal essay about their Ateneo LSE Journey. Upon satisfactory completion of these requirements, students are given an Executive Education Certificate by the Ateneo School of Government.

 

Wimler Foundation Hong Kong is supported by a core group of volunteers - ALSE alumni themselves - who were instrumental in the conduct of the program. These volunteers showed the core value of the Ateneo - being men and women for others “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (for the greater glory of God).

About WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong

WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Ltd. was officially registered in 2011 as a non-profit and charitable organization whose primary objective is to support the capacity building and empowerment of migrant communities regardless of nationalities and to promote cultural diversity in Hong Kong based on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared empowerment among peoples. In 2018, WIMLER HK was awarded the Banaag Award of the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. The awards honor distinguished individuals and foreign-based organizations dedicated to advancing the interests of Filipino communities around the world.

The Tale of the 10,000 Coin Purses

    

I had been wishing for something to boost the morale of our Bagobo-Tagabawa weavers during this difficult time. I never expected that it would happen at the end of August. Louise Vas, PrimeCredit’s head of the OSW Marketing, informed me she wanted to buy items for promotional use in Hong Kong.

This was an incredible breakthrough after a long period of difficulties. I knew that the order not only would help the weavers and sewers financially, but it would also give them hope—hope that they can keep doing what they are passionate about and make a decent living. Since the pandemic struck, life has been a struggle; this order meant that they could continue weaving while earning a decent income.

PrimeCredit had earlier purchased products made in Bansalan. In 2017, they ordered 20,000 bars of natural soap with four natural extracts—raw honey, moringa, cucumber, and carrots mixed with fresh goat’s milk. The following year, they ordered 20,000 ID holders made of inabal, the Bagobo-Tagabawa traditional handwoven cloth. In 2019, we shipped 20,000 passport covers crafted out of the same material. We were all grateful for the opportunity.

The four consecutive large orders had a huge positive impact on our local community. Creating these items was an exceptional experience for them. The most important thing was they showed their capacity to meet bulk orders despite the challenging environment.

We had just shipped 20,000 passport covers to Hong Kong in 2019 when a series of devastating earthquakes shook Bansalan. Many homes of the Bagobo-Tagabawa weavers were destroyed. For over twelve months, they lived in overcrowded evacuation centers. All weaving activities were put on hold.

When the aftershocks subsided and the government assured them it was safe to go back home, we decided to carry on with our projects. But before we had a moment to act on our plans, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Because of lockdowns, the Bagobo-Tagabawa weavers had ample time to weave. Sadly, they had woven a considerable amount of inabal but had little prospects of being able to sell them off. Who would buy the Bagobo-Tagabawa products during such trying times?

WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong and WIMLER Philippines provided them with food support, but it was not enough. Because of the pandemic, PrimeCredit suspended giving gifts to their clients. We had no hope of an order from them. To help the weavers, I decided to buy inabal without knowing what I will do with them.

Finally, PrimeCredit confirmed their order for 10,000 purses made of inabal fabric on August 21st to be shipped at the end of October. I was hesitant at first because of the short production period. Could we make it? 

    

The key problem was the Bagobo-Tagabawa weavers only weave when they receive orders. They don’t keep stocks. They could not supply the inabal requirements within a reasonable timeframe if they still have to weave them. To meet the deadline, I decided to ask for help from the Tboli weavers in Lake Sebu. 

Next, I contacted sewers who were also looking for work after uncertainties caused by the pandemic. I asked them if they would take the order. With such a large order coming in, they mobilized more seamstresses. Stockpiling inabal during the pandemic turned out to be a blessing in disguise. My large stash enabled the sewers to start production right away while the women started weaving.

The weavers and sewers were not my sole concern. We needed reliable suppliers who can deliver accessories on time. I needed 10,000 pieces of tiny D-rings, hooks, and zipper sliders. In addition, I also needed zippers and meters of black cloth for lining, several rolls of colorful straps, and threads. I found a supplier in Digos City. However, since I needed large quantities, the items had to be ordered in Manila. They promised the items would arrive in four days and I was surprised they did! The logistics have improved a lot compared to a few years ago.

I cannot overemphasize the amount of work we put into this project. The abaca had to undergo multiple processes before it can be used for weaving. We needed people to cut and extract abaca fibers and separate the skins of abaca and transform them into fibers; the process is called hag-ot. Once stripped, the weavers pound the abaca fiber, a process known as doro in Bagobo-Tagabawa, within a day or two to prevent brittleness. The next step is to choose fibers and connect them end to end with a special knot and trim the excess with a small, curved knife.

Then they connect individual fibers again, fiber by fiber, to form a very long and fine thread and roll the fibers into a ball. The fibers are dyed into different colors depending on the chosen design. The Bagobo-Tagabawa inabal (ikat-dyed woven abaca cloth) is known for its colorful combination. Many individuals, including husbands and other family members, are involved in the processing of abaca, but the weaving is done by women. A single roll measuring four meters lengthwise and eighteen inches wide takes them two weeks to finish. Skilled weavers could finish a roll in one week

To sew 10,000 purses, a team of around ten people was contracted. This group of sewers lived in separate villages but stayed connected through text messages sent by the main cutter and sewer, an ex-OFW couple living in a remote area. All the handiwork such as cutting the inabal cloth, attaching linings, and adding straps and zippers was done by hand.

To produce the 10,000 purses, we needed 271 meters of inabal and 276 meters of t’nalak. In addition, we bought 10,000 zippers, sliders, D-ring, and hooks. We printed stickers, labels, and bought small brown paper bags. So, this project affected not only the weavers, sewers, and packers but also our local economy.

The last stage of production was inserting labels in every purse and placing them inside the brown paper bags and sealing them. I had three adults and four youths who helped to insert the labels. We were fortunate to have a group of students from the UM Bansalan College, led by their teacher, who came to help.

The production was far from flawless. Some accessories were broken and needed replacements right away, but the items were only available in Manila. It posed a bigger challenge to buy smaller quantities rather than bulk orders, especially with the tight deadline.

On October 30th, a van dispatched by Afreight, a forwarding company which has a branch in Hong Kong, collected 34 boxes to be shipped to Hong Kong. We made it a day before the agreed date.

 Our task was done. I thanked everyone involved in the production and could feel their appreciation. I was happy, too, and grateful to PrimeCredit for their efforts to support local businesses that empower local communities through skills sharing and cultural advancement. Thanks to them, we achieved some success.

As the weavers and sewers celebrated their recent success, the reality of the situation set in. They knew the PrimeCredit order was just a temporary solution to their continuing struggle to make a decent living. While it provided a much-needed boost, sustaining success was not assured.

We know we must strengthen and sustain the link to the market for their products. We must ensure we will continue receiving orders and making a steady income for our local community to rise from poverty. But the problem remained insurmountable. Linking local produce to the market is a perennial issue, as persistent and unyielding as grass.

 How often do local producers get such opportunities as they just had?

Author:

LEILA RISPENS-NOEL is a social entrepreneur and a development worker. Leila is co-founder of the WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong and WIMLER Philippines. She founded Xabukid, a social enterprise, to help the indigenous weavers promote their traditional products.

WIMLER HK organizes a Cocktail Party for a Cause

FOR HONG FRIENDS!


It’s time to raise the glass, have  fun, and make a difference!

The WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong organizes a Cocktail for a Cause for the benefit of Send a Child to School program. 

The program has already helped the education of over 5,000 poor children in the Philippines, even during the time of the pandemic. We would like to continue with this program so no child is left behind. he Cocktail for a Cause will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at THE WANCH, 1/F Henan Building, 90-92 Jaffe Road, WANCHAI.

We have interesting raffle prizes for this event. 

Heliservices will sponsor Helicopter Ferry Flight from Peninsula Hotel to their Helibase at Sek Kong which seats a maximum of six people worth HK$7,000. Our team is working hard to offer the most exciting raffle prizes.

We thank all our sponsors for this event:

Heliservices

Prime Credit

AyalaLand International

The Wanch

Thia Wellness

Elavelle Company

Chadivan Hideaway

For reservation, please contact:

Luz Tan - 96309311

Manuela D. Lo - 97713655

Myrna Pama Hill - 98038049

WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Signs Partnership Agreement with the Department of Migrant Workers

 The WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong has just forged an agreement with the Philippine government to support its full-cycle reintegration program. WIMLER signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Migrant Workers to co-organize return and reintegration-related activities.

These activities, says founder and WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong Director Leila Rispens-Noel, will target overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong and with families in the Philippines.

Since 2012, WIMLER in Hong Kong has been co-organizing virtual and face-to-face course on leadership, financial education, innovation, and social entrepreneurship for Hong Kong-based Filipinos in collaboration with the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (ALSE) program. 

It also conducts other seminars like effective communication, Doing Business in the Philippines and Entrepreneurial Mindset in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry Region XI, Managing Fears and Worries During the Pandemic, and Stress Management Seminar. Since 2012, at least 5,000 OFWs in Hong Kong benefitted from WIMLER's various activities.

The agreement with DMW specifically aims to:

1) Tap and mobilize Hong Kong-based resource persons who can provide voluntary services to lecture on relevant topics.

2) Establish a partnership with the City University of Hong Kong and other future potential partners in Hong Kong to provide institutional support for trainings and mentoring of OFWs.

3) Form a pool of qualified individuals in Hong Kong who can do mentoring.

4) Conduct research and publish studies on topics/issues related to return and reintegration in the Hong Kong – Philippine corridor.

5) Assist DMW in studying the viability of tres por uno program (Mexican migrants model). 

On behalf of WIMLER Hong Kong, Rispens-Noel signed the agreement with DMW Secretary Maria Susana Ople last June 7 at DMW's headquarters in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.

Partners launch Bagobo-Tagabawa Literacy Program : 48 Pupils and Adults Graduate from the First Batch

The Bansalan Municipal Tribal Council, JCI Central Davao, University of Mindanao Bansalan, WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong, and WIMLER Philippines launched the Bagobo-Tagabawa Literacy Program. Five classes will be conducted in four barangays in 2023. Nineteen barangays in Bansalan are covered in this program. The project aims to teach Bagobo-Tagabawa children and adults to learn their indigenous language. The project aims to conduct 10 sessions, two Saturdays per month.

The tribal councils feared that the Bagobo-Tagabawa language as a cultural heritage will vanish if no intervention is done to preserve it. The council estimates that only 25-50% of the young Bagobo-Tagabawa could speak the Bagobo language. Among the reasons are inter-marriages and the dominance of the Cebuano language in the area. Bagobo-Tagabawa language is not being taught in schools.

Barangay Altavista conducted their recognition day on May 6. Forty-eight children and a few adults finished the course. Representatives of the partner organizations attended the recognition day. 

Also present during the recognition day were:

SP Rey Ayo, 1st District Davao del Sur

Vice Mayor Samuel Gadingan 

Municipal Councilor Atty. Kirby Villaraiz

Municipal Councilor Pablito Ladeza

Bae Berna Malang, Municipal Tribal Chieftain

Punong Barangay Altavista Randy Navarro

Bae Mila Bruno, Barangay Altavista Tribal Chieftain

Engr. Diomedes Mirafuents, NCIP Focal person- FPIC Process, Community Head for Bansalan and Matanao

Lito Bangcas - AA-1, NCIP

Barangay Chieftain Sibayan , Matanam Samuel Lanzo 

Barangay Chieftain Tubod- Matanam Cornelio Ampo

James Linao, University of Mindanao Bansalan

Joe Mari Tan, JCI Central Davao

Leila Rispens-Noel, WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong/Philippines

Matanam Emiliano Undaniel, teacher of the Bagobo-Literacy classes, informed that they have started the second batch in barangay Kinuskusan two weeks ago. They have to conduct morning and afternoon classes to accommodate around 110 students.

ALSE OF-LIFE Conducts Second Session on Appreciative Inquiry: Seeing the Future through a Different Lens

 

The second session of the six-month course was attended by 35 ALSE OF LIFE Batch 117 participants at the City University of Hong Kong on May 14, 2023. The topic was Appreciative Inquiry (AI).

Anna Martinez, director of WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong, led the session. She is an experienced trainer, facilitator, coach, and people manager. Her expertise has been honed at HSBC, where she performed a variety of roles in a career that spanned 29 years.

In the session, Anna introduced the participants to the basic principles of Appreciative Inquiry. She explained AI is a strengths-based approach to change that focuses on identifying and building on what works well in the person, community, and society.  

Appreciative inquiry (AI) is a positive approach to leadership development and organizational change. It is a way of being and seeing things using a different perspective. AI is both a worldview and a process of generating positive change in human systems. It benefits individuals, organizations, and communities.

AI focuses on an Affirmative Topic, in this session: Living Resiliently in a Changing World. As the world slowly emerges from the pandemic, we see the need to examine how we can become more adaptive to the “new normal”; how we can use the strengths that enabled us to cope with the challenges of a global health challenge so that we can be more agile, more ready for the future.

AI helps review experiences when people are working at their best to achieve success. It draws from these examples of the positive core; the best of what people can imagine. It replaces the way people look at problems by seeing them as opportunities instead and applying what they are good at, leading to change and innovation.

The participants were invited to share their stories, discuss their dreams of a future of their choice and collaborated to design structures and plans on how to achieve these dreams.

The participants in the session found it to be informative and helpful. They appreciated learning AI and discussed how they could use the tool to improve themselves, their families, and communities.

The following are some feedbacks that the participants provided:

a) I can apply my learnings to improve myself by persevering in achieving my goal in life and in my workplace. To be more positive in every situation or circumstances and in my community by sharing what I have learned in this session.

b) I can apply these learnings by not limiting my dreams. Always aim high and aim to achieve it. Be flexible always and we just ride the wave in the changing world.

c) Resilience- able to (stay) afloat in any situation in life.

d) Collaboration- being able to work with others, know what I want, and listen to what others want, and what help I could offer to others.

e) Words can change the world, being able to change life using positive words for others.

f) Appreciative inquiry, individual reflections, living resiliently in the changing world. It’s important to me because I dream of becoming a successful businesswoman when I retire as a domestic helper. I can apply this learning also to my future and to my children later. If I had enough funds, I would like to construct a park for older people in my community.

ALSE OF-LIFE is one of the Executive Programs of the Ateneo School of Government and carries with it a holistic, excellent, and value-driven brand of education. The ALSE OF-LIFE is a collaboration of the Migration and Development Consortium (MDC) Members composed of OFSPES (Overseas Filipinos’ Society for the Promotion of Economic Security), SEDPI (Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc.), and Ugat Foundation.

In Hong Kong, ALSE OF-LIFE is organized by WIMLER Foundation HK and ALSE OF-LIFE HK Alumni Association with support from Southeast Asia Research Center of the City University of Hong Kong.

Some Pictures during the session: