Domestic bliss

Their hours are long, their finances limited and they get just one day off a week - so you might think foreign domestic helpers have few options for enjoying themselves. But while most gather in parks and other public spaces on Sundays for a natter and to tuck into home-cooked meals, many helpers enjoy far richer and more vibrant lives outside.

The bustle at the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town shows how colourful their lives can be. Activities such as current affairs quiz shows and newscaster imitation contests help keep them entertained and up to date.

A competition held on a recent Sunday afternoon, however, was more unusual. Eleven good-looking participants swaggered across the stage, displaying masculine confidence and dazzling smiles that had the women spectators cheering. But the twist in what was apparently a male beauty pageant was revealed when the contestants walked out in sexy outfits that revealed 'their original beauty as women'. They were a group of lesbians dressed up as men.

The contest, now in its second year, aims not only to entertain and inspire but also to help a good cause. 'It's to raise awareness about a charity project helping typhoon and flood victims back home,' says Wilma Padura, president of the Passi City (Iloilo) Association, who organised the first show.

At the same time, 'it showcases the talent of our lesbian compatriots who in their special way have contributed a lot to the community and to society as a whole', she says.

'Here they can be proudly open about their sexuality, while some have to suppress it and dress like regular women because their employers don't like it. They can totally enjoy themselves here.'