Hong Kong’s domestic helpers could teach city a thing or two about unity and tolerance

Hundreds of domestic workers congregate to create a striking yet temporary transformation of Central every Sunday, with a variety of activities and exchanges on their weekly day off. This well-known spectacle, with the colours and cheer reminiscent of the Philippines, is often acknowledged as Hong Kong’s “Little Manila”.

However, such a temporary but regular gathering is sometimes seen through discriminatory lenses, as an invasion of the systematic order of the central business district by messy crowds.

But the helpers are only trying to fit into Hong Kong as their second home. Although they all understand the cruel reality that they will never truly and completely belong here, they are still showing their individual tenaciousness and national cohesion in this small community.