Gina has been working in Singapore for 18 years. On her day off, she loves to go to church and take baking and cooking classes. She is also a volunteer and serves other Filipinos in the church. Gina has been working in Singapore for 18 years. On her day off, she loves to go to church and take baking and cooking classes. She is also a volunteer and serves other Filipinos in the church.
Circle of life
My paintings and flowers have symbolized my life since I was a kid, and now I am old enough.
My life is so hard and so young. When I was young, I was still in my dreams.
It is necessary to work hard to help my parents as well as myself.
I have to cry because of sadness, and even when my heart is wounded,
I continue to dream that I am not alone.
The guard above me, so I believe and grow stronger.
I am far from my family because I have always been a working student,
and I have learned to stand on my feet again and again through the hardships of life.
The family because I was sacrificing to help the family..
I was pregnant without a father, and I didn't recognize the father because I didn't want to add to the problem.
My Lord Savior, because he is the guardian of my FHOEBE, and because I am far from him.
I am grateful to my parents because my parents are alive and healthy.
I continue to dream of being an instrumentalist like VIOLIN, Guitar and piano, and other skills that Phoebe shares I share at the day.
I will shed tears in my eyes as I remember the hard work and patience of life.
Nelie Bautista is from Bontoc Southern Leyte, Philippines. She’s an uplift mentor volunteer for Uplifters, a non-profit organization empowering underprivileged communities with online education and peer coaching for all foreign domestic workers. She is a volunteer member of the migrant writers group in Singapore. She loves to write, and one of her poems titled “A Worker’s Life” was published in multilingual translation migration, “Spring Water” in Tiger Moth Review, “Hardship” was published in the Anthology Book of Adversity in Poet Magazine, My Daily life, and Rain on “Be literate” and other social platforms.
The Village Mountain
My village is near the mountains, where the water runs fast and very clear. The beautiful clouds float so low and near, and their stunning beauty is so refreshing. From the wildflowers, plants, and trees, the windy breeze delivers a wonderful aroma. While I sit here for a while, I enjoy the scenery—the mountains’ beauty and the nature they hold. I think maybe this is a lot like heaven.
Charo Sidon, 36, is from the Philippines and has been working as a Migrant Domestic Worker in Singapore for 13 years. She is passionate about volunteering and is a Volunteer and Awardee of different Non-governmental Organizations, such as Migrant Writers of Singapore, Centre for Domestic Employees, and Uplifters: Online courses for Migrant Domestic Workers International. Aside from being a domestic worker, she is also a storyteller, poet, and writer.
PAGMAMANO
As Filipinos, pagmamano is one of many ways to show respect to our elders. God bless all!
Ayu comes from Indonesia. She has been working in Singapore for 16 years. She is a learner, a listener, and has a passion for guiding people. She learns to be wise for herself and the people around her. She learns and listens to nature to guide her to be a better person. She uses her free time to learn and develop herself and some volunteers offline and online for the Migrant community.
My name is Russell, and I am from the Philippines. I have been working as a domestic helper in Singapore for ten years. I like painting, and if I have a lot of time, I write too. I love to paint some interesting ideas that can relate to me, especially when I see something that will amaze me, especially flowers. I believe that if you follow your passion, it will lead to your success. Mostly, I value my family because they are the most important in my life. Without them, I'm nothing.; nothing is impossible with my determination.
Hope
Hope brings life to dreams.
One should never give up and not stop dreaming.
Avoid the people who make you down and get up.
Trust yourself and start working.
You think you're alone And lost in your process.
Reduce your negative thoughts.
You'll get success.
Jenelyn Leyble is 33 years old and hails from Tapaz, Capiz, Philippines. She has been working in Singapore for 7 years. She is one of the active volunteer members of the Migrant Writers of Singapore,a team leader at Uplifters, and a Volunteer of C.D.E. She is recognized in various poetry groups and a contributor to a few international books and magazines. She recently won the 2nd prize winner of the Singapore Migrant Workers Poetry Competition. Her poem was in the top 10 winners in "The Journey by Lorry online art competition for locals and migrants. She is also one of the winners of the Singapore Red Cross x MWS poem competition with the theme "Resilience in 2022. She is also a contributor to "Hiraeth" magazine, which is a collaboration of Dunman High School and Migrant Writers of Singapore. She performed in various literary events in Singapore, like the Singapore Writers Festival and Esplanade.
Jenelyn Leyble is 33 years old and hails from Tapaz, Capiz, Philippines. She has been working in Singapore for 7 years. She is one of the active volunteer members of the Migrant Writers of Singapore,a team leader at Uplifters, and a Volunteer of C.D.E. She is recognized in various poetry groups and a contributor to a few international books and magazines. She recently won the 2nd prize winner of the Singapore Migrant Workers Poetry Competition. Her poem was in the top 10 winners in "The Journey by Lorry online art competition for locals and migrants. She is also one of the winners of the Singapore Red Cross x MWS poem competition with the theme "Resilience in 2022. She is also a contributor to "Hiraeth" magazine, which is a collaboration of Dunman High School and Migrant Writers of Singapore. She performed in various literary events in Singapore, like the Singapore Writers Festival and Esplanade.
Sirinadya Festival
It's the most awaited occasion
Where family gather and prepare for the procession
The happiest day in town
Where you can see glamorous gowns
Everyone is dressed up; the Nino is about to come.
Kids are excited to play at the pirya(carnival)
Regardless of chaos and the hot sun
The Ferris wheel is inviting
Experience the ride. That’s so exciting
Different presentations from a different tribe
To showcase their talents and pride
There are different street foods around
Popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream are on the line
Kids eyes are sparkling and shine
seeing those air balloons and slimes
It was the happiest day of their lives
Playing, eating, and enjoying the rides
One of the oldest traditions in the country
That has been celebrated for decades already
It is a trademark, I must say
No money can ever pay.
"Viva Sr sto Nino
Naway pagpalain mo kami"
Colour Your World
What color stands for your personality?
Red? being brave and fierce
Green?Calm and earthy
Yellow? For hope and a new beginning
Pink for beauty?
Or Rainbow coz your life is colorful and meaningful?
Life is beautiful therefore it should be colorful
Don’t let the darkness swallow the brightness of your future
Don’t let the whip of time hinder you from continuing to living
Sometimes, drought will come
Persist, persevere, and overcome
Don’t be withered. Even the tiny plants in the desert survive
Waiting for the raindrops to quench their thirst
Your time will come, and when it happens
Bloom, bloom in time!
Even with the strongest typhoon trying to uproot you, you remain rooted, sway your branches, and go with the flow; don’t fight. Remember, those who succeed will fall first before they can rise!
Bloom, bloom in time!
