'Your ego cannot feed your hungry stomach': Filipino uni grad, 26, comes to S'pore to work as helper, hopes to open cafe one day

Clergg Lee Sarancial, a 26-year-old Filipino university graduate, moved to Singapore to work as a domestic helper in pursuit of her dreams. After graduating with a degree in hospitality management, she struggled to find employment that paid enough to cover her bills, earning only about S$300 a month. Despite her initial disappointment, Clergg Lee decided to move to Singapore, where she found work as a foreign domestic worker.

She admits that the decision was not easy, as it meant being far from her family and switching to a different career path than her studies. However, Clergg Lee sees her new role as a stepping stone towards her dreams. She admits that the journey has been challenging but has also taught her to be stronger, more independent, and grateful for every opportunity.

Clergg Lee recalls her first rejection when she was denied a job at a cruise line due to her height. She also struggled to afford the necessary paperwork, which caused her to feel sad and devastated. Eventually, Clergg Lee found an office job, but the salary was insufficient to cover her bills. She tried to apply for other roles, such as a call center agent position, but was unsuccessful.

After realizing that her dreams might not come true in her home country, Clergg Lee decided to move to Singapore, where she found her current job. Her current employer is supportive and treats her like family, but Clergg Lee still misses her family and home. She wakes up every day at 6:30am to prepare breakfast for her employers and their three-year-old child, clean the house, and look after their two dogs.

Clergg Lee sends half of her salary back home to her family and keeps the rest for herself. She uses her earnings to buy concert tickets, watch Formula 1, and save up for her future. Clergg Lee acknowledges that her ego cannot feed her hungry stomach, but she is determined to make her dreams come true. She hopes to work in a restaurant or hotel or pursue further studies in the future, and even dreams of opening her own coffee shop in either the Philippines or Singapore.