HAARLEM, THE NETHERLANDS – Two Filipina migrants here lived through the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown by helping their undocumented and vulnerable compatriots who do not enjoy the safety nets given by the Dutch government. Bing Molabin is herself undocumented but vows to keep on fighting for the undocumented and domestic workers’ rights in Europe. (Photo courtesy of Bing Molabin) “ Ayaw ko nang i-blur ang mukha ko or walang pangalan ” (I don’t want my face blurred or unnamed). This was Bing Molabin’s request when I asked about her experience as an undocumented migrant worker in The Netherlands. She is one of the estimated 30,000 Filipinos “without papers,” according to Migrante-Netherlands. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced many countries into lockdown, Bing is among the most affected. “It is difficult. Having an irregular status means you have no protection against the crisis. While all groups of workers have social security under the Dutch labor law, undocu...
Welcome to my site. A bit about myself. I’m a professional journalist, academic researcher, and editor with more than two decades of experience in multimedia work. I'm also a serious photography hobbyist whose interests range from travel to portrait images. I hope you enjoy reading my stories and looking at the photos I have taken while jogging, walking around cities and villages or just when I'm gardening. :)