‘Never too late’: Filipino domestic helpers pursue degree dreams they put on hold
When Dyan Agonoy left the Philippines to work as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, she had to leave her family behind. “I’ve missed a lot of my kids’ milestones, our special occasions. I’m always the only one missing from the pictures,” she said. Agonoy left university, married young and started a family. Without the bachelor’s degree required for many jobs, she took up domestic work abroad.…
Dyan Agonoy and Gelanie Aguilario, two Filipino domestic helpers working in Hong Kong, are pursuing their degree dreams after putting them on hold. Agonoy left university, got married young and started a family, missing out on the bachelor's degree required for many jobs. Aguilario also tried to earn a bachelor's degree but had to stop due to pregnancy and family obligations.
Both women now face the challenges of supporting their families financially while working long hours. In 2024, they discovered FullPhils, a nonprofit organization that helps overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong earn bachelor's degrees online at a subsidized cost. Founded by Emilio Baja in 2022, FullPhils partners with Philippine universities to offer fully online, asynchronous courses.
The organization subsidizes 80% of the cost, leaving students to pay around HK$600 (US$76) per term. Aguilario and Agonoy spent a year studying while maintaining their full-time jobs, relying on time management, support from friends, family, and employers. Both women graduated in February, with Aguilario crying tears of joy at her ceremony, while Agonoy attended virtually.
Their graduation marks a turning point, as they plan to open a cafe and pastry shop back home. Aguilario hopes other domestic helpers will follow their example and earn degrees, while Agonoy aims to become a teacher in the Philippines or abroad. FullPhils, founded by Baja at 14, has granted about 30 scholarships so far and plans to expand.
Baja hopes that one day, organizations like FullPhils will be unnecessary, as systemic solutions will provide education to Filipinos in the Philippines, eliminating the need for them to leave their families behind.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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