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Familiar stranger: Life of Miguel

Miguel's parent decided move to Macao, looking for opportunities during the 1980s. After years of hard work in Macao, the financial situation of Miguel's family became stable, Miguel was born in 1993 and thus obtained a Macao citizenship.

Miguel's father, unfortunately, passed away when he was nine, his family lost a major source of income, his mother had to move back to the Philippines with him and his two siblings. Miguel continued his studies in the Philippines, because of the family's situation, and the lack of government care for single-parent families, Miguel grew more mature and easier to adapt to unfamiliar and dismal environments.

When Miguel finished his bachelor's degree, he came to Macao to search for a job opportunity. This was a very important life decision that affected his future career. The moment Miguel arrived in Macao, he found that the environment went beyond his expectation. He visited different places in the first few days of his return. He first went to Coloane, which had been his favorite place for a long time. His father took him to Coloane in weekends. Miguel is fond of the natural environment, listening to the sound of waves brings him to the old Macao.

The biggest difference from Miguel's memory of old Macao is in Taipa. Taipa's economy developed rapidly in the past decade. Many world-renowned casinos and resorts have sprung up in Taipa. The brilliance of the casinos illuminates the night of Macao. Miguel thought he was well suited to the economic environment in Macao at that time. He knew that his decision to return to work in Macao would lead to a better life for his family in the Philippines.

Back to the first time, Miguel applied for a job which was a front desk worker in a hotel. He got a chance for an interview. As soon as he entered the room, the manager asked him directly without greeting and introduction, "Lei sik nge sik gong gong dung wa? (Can you speak Cantonese?)" Miguel was confused, "Excuse me?" At that moment, he knew that the language became a barrier for him to reach a career.

"I have seen the difference between organizations with or without international staff, Macao is a place attracting different guests from everywhere, it is a win-win situation both for the organizations and the staff if companies accept a multicultural working environment."

"This is a weird feeling that I was born in Macao, I have the sense of belonging in Macao, others still treat me like a foreigner." Miguel understood that he also needed to make an effort to integrate into the environment. Afterwards, Miguel was studying Cantonese while working. He found one-to-one Cantonese classes, constantly imitated the tone of the teacher, transcribed conversations that may be used in work and practiced them over and over again.

Miguel was also positively supported by his colleagues. "Some people have their own perceptions and opinions on foreign faces and we shouldn't be affected or offended by them. I don't pay much attention to those negative things and comments." Miguel believed that this kind of prejudice only appeared from a merely small number of people.

"In fact, many people feel that Macao people are indifferent to Filipinos, but as long as we are willing to take the first step to integrate in Macao people's life, learn their language and accept their views and values, they should know me as Miguel, an individual, not only as Filipino."

Miguel is still exploring more possibilities and facing more challenges in the future, but he believes he can break through all the obstacles through his efforts, just as his father did everything he could to protect his family. "Life is not all beer and skittles," Miguel's favorite motto.