Hong Kong’s domestic helpers fight through Covid-19 travel restrictions, hectic work hours and substance abuse
- Filipino fighters outline sources of motivation after successful Boxing Day tournament at Muay Thai Station, Wan Chai
- ‘What do you want to do? To be drunk like this every day? Or to go to the gym and run?’ asks domestic helper and Muay Thai practitioner Felipe
Some of Hong Kong’s boldest domestic helpers slugged it out at the Muay Thai Fighters Club One-Day Tournament on Sunday, in a showcase empowering one of the city’s most overlooked communities.
There was no more suitable time than Boxing Day for the dozens of Filipino, local and other entrants at a rapturous Muay Thai Station in Wan Chai.
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“Actually I’m not always [training] because I’m very busy as a domestic helper,” said Charles Manuel P. Felipe, who won his bout via decision.
“Sometimes it’s too late to go when you finish your job at 9 or 10pm. I usually use this time to run or exercise for an hour, or do some shadowboxing.”
It is no exaggeration to say that picking up martial arts has changed the 42-year-old Felipe’s life. Once known for his excessive drinking habits, he has since channelled the stresses into something rewarding.
“I started this to find more friends, not only to fight or for self-defence. I don’t use this knowledge in the outside world,” said Felipe, who has been in Hong Kong for 16 years.