Beyond providing for their families, what lies at the hearts of overseas Filipina workers? For three Filipinas in Hong Kong, that dream is a vision of themselves in a toga, holding a diploma — a powerful symbol of reclaiming their personal goals beyond their roles as providers.

While long celebrated as the backbone of the economy, these women are redefining what it means to be a hero on their own terms. They are transitioning from being seen solely as workers to becoming learners, driven to unlock their potential as college graduates for their personal development while securing a future for their families back in the Philippines.

In celebration of International Women’s Month, we put the spotlight on these three women — Filipina scholars Rebecca Norada, Ludeliet Gimongala and Rosabel Alday — who choose to regain their right to dream for themselves despite their circumstances. Despite the demands of working abroad, they are asserting their right to brighter futures with scholarships brought about by the non-government organization Full Phils, bolstered by the support of the One Meralco Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation and Metro Pacific Investments Foundation.

‘A photo of myself wearing a graduation gown’

Before moving to Hong Kong, Rebecca Norada, 45, was a stay-at-home mother of two. She sought work abroad to secure her family’s future, but throughout two decades of service, her own aspirations never dimmed.

“I’ve always dreamed of having a photo of myself wearing a graduation gown, holding a diploma in my hand. Maybe it’s that vision that keeps pushing me to pursue my goals, even if it means juggling the challenges of work and study.”

Despite having the grueling schedule of a domestic helper while studying remotely for her BA in English Language, Norada often find herself battling isolation and demotivation. Yet she persevered, shifting her perceptions about herself and discovering what else she can do to rise above her circumstances.

“I used to avoid speaking up in public because I feared stumbling over my words. But one day, I pushed myself to lead and surprisingly, I did well. The feedback I got was positive, and I realized I wasn’t as bad at public speaking as I thought. That experience showed me I could grow with practice,” she shared.

‘The thought of being called a psychologist’

Ludeliet Gimongala has always wanted to study psychology and understand childhood behavior. Haunted by the challenges she faced as a child and wanting to know how to heal from it, she developed an interest in how a child grows up, develops, and eventually succeeds in life. Without yet the means to study psychology, she became passionate about volunteering for the youth while in the Philippines.