Did you know that there are around 2 million Filipinos working abroad as household service attendant?

But while this may be their ticket to a better life, a lot of them—particularly those in the Middle East, have to deal with vulgar and abusive employers. “They need more protection and perhaps, an even better job environment.

These issues inspired Homeking of China to embark on an endeavor that would soon enable Filipino household service attendants—who will be further trained and employed by Homeking—to have a chance to work in mainland China,” explained Mr. Seung Moo Yoo, CEO of Homeking Philippines Inc.

Indeed, with a continually improving consumption level, mainland Chinese consumers are fast becoming an attractive point for foreign household service attendants as well as top-tier household products providers that Homeking Philippines Inc. will soon over.

With mainland China’s middle class expanding at an unprecedented pace, increase in income is expected in a few years. In fact, by 2030, their consumer spending will reach a new level now seen in the European Union, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit, which cited that about 35 percent of mainland China’s population is expected to have in excess of US$10,000 of annual disposable income, a 10 percent rise of what they have today.

Upper middle-income consumers—over 109 million of them are now in mainland China—are defined as those living in China’s first and second-tier cities, with wealth of at least US$28,000 and are able to purchase cars, branded goods and properties (in comparison, high-income individuals are those who can afford financial services, overseas travel and high-end consumer goods and services).

No.1 in mainland China 

Established in 2010, Homeking is now the largest household service provider in mainland China with a customer base of over 3 million families, 30 branch companies and just last year, a revenue amounting to close to RMB 1 billion (US$150 million).

“With over 660,000 household service companies in China, what distinguish Homeking from the rest are the privileges its staff enjoy,” said Mr.Yoo. "Unlike others, a Homeking household service attendant (HSA) is an employee of the company and thus, enjoy stable salary, follow an 8-hour working day, with complete insurance protection and follow a promotion system similar to those working in white-collar jobs.

Homeking has even inaugurated 'August 9th' as HSA’s holiday in China. Now Homeking is bringing its experience to the Philippines by establishing Homeking Philippines Inc.”.
Major springboard

Homeking Philippines announced today that besides tapping premium household service market in the Philippines, it will make itself a major springboard for the mainland Chinese market will be able to have access to the best quality and dependable household service professionals. “The company strongly believes in our thrust, ‘Global Sourcing for World Services’,’’ said Mr. Yoo.

As explained by Mr. Yoo, the said thrust conveys two things: firstly, by “Global Sourcing”, Homeking will seek all the best resources from all over the world in order to provide the highest standard in domestic (household) service industry, including providing best education and training resources in house cleaning, care taking, nanny, butler, best business model, best products for household use (such as kitchen ware, toiletries and other lifestyle products).

Secondly, Homeking intends bring into the world all these top level services and products together with its mature business and management model. In an era of information, international and industrial division of labor have become more diversified since our pace of life and work is faster, and people all over the world are more and more relying on outsourcing services.

Homeking has chosen the Philippines as the 1st station of its global sourcing thrust, “Filipino household service attendants (HSAs) has been known the world over for their good character and our Chinese clients will and that they are very professional, diligent and discreet, thanks to the well-established training and certifcation system here in the Philippines. Not only are we looking forward to introducing into mainland China HSAs but also the training and certification system we will develop here,” says Mr. Yoo.

Partnerships

To take the first step, Homeking has entered into a partnership with Filhigh GNS Inc. and Ikon Solutions Asia Inc., both prominent manpower recruitment and deployment agencies based in Metro Manila. This partnership will not only include recruiting and dispatching high quality Filipino household service attendants, English teachers and care takers to mainland China in the future, but also involves establishing training camps with local educational institutions, enrolling Chinese participants in courses such as housekeeping, food & beverage service, cookery amongst others, the aim is to produce high quality domestic service professional that could better serve Chinese clients. The company also intends to tap household service markets in Hong Kong, Macao and Middle East countries—while employing Homeking’s mature business model—where these two local partners have strong connection. In the end, Homeking aims to provide an even better protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“After successful pilot run in Manila, we now look forward to establishing similar training camps in Cebu and Davao, enrolling both Chinese and Filipino nationals, and teaching them both Homeking and TESDA courses. We will be elevating their skills, foster their attitudes and at the same time protect them as they will be working under the tutelage of Homeking's full-time employment, ensuring that they get the salary their deserve and on time. At the same time, they will be able to enjoy the proper treatment from the families they will be assigned to,” said Mr. Yoo.

Homeking believed its e4orts will soon attract more Filipino domestic service professionals to consider mainland China and will think twice before going to countries in the Middle East where they are often employed by vulgar and abusive individuals and families.

It should be remembered that last year, Philippine labor secretary Silvestre Bello III revealed that (despite the ban and hefty penalties involved) up to 200,000 were already working as domestic helpers in mainland China illegally. These families from mainland China were attracted by Filipinos’ culture and their pro>ciency in English, which they believed, could help their children with their studies.

This situation will soon improve considering Chinese President Xi Jinping, during the latest 2018 National People’s Congress in China, was quoted saying: “Household service is a sunrise industry, especially considering the broad employment demand in the country, people from everywhere wants join household service whenever they come to the cities, which is just what local residents need. Service classi>cation and training will professionalize job and satisfy various demands. This work is very important, it shall create a win-win situation if we do it right."

Other tie-ups
For the past 8 years Homeking has distinguished itself as a leader in household service industry in China. However, the challenge at the momentis how to remain a step ahead of the competition. “It is not enough to simply expand our housekeeping business, we have to upgrade our service by utilizing the increasing trust of our customers that we have accumulated over time, from housekeeping to articles sorting, to interior design, and eventually to health care of our customers’ family. These are the so called elevation stairs of customer’s demand as well as sequence of customer’s trust, and we have to climb each of these steps,” Mr. Yoo revealed.

For this end, Homeking is seeking to integrate the most-trusted household services from all over the world, besides Philippines, the company also looks to Japan and the United Kingdom as its possible next stations for article sorting, care taking of senior people and toddlers.

Besides, Homeking is seeking to introduce high quality lifestyle products from independent designers worldwide as well, another gesture to acquire more business from its existing customers. The >rst Homeking store opened in January in Xiamen City, where Homeking’s headquarters located. A total of 100 stores are to be opened in China in the coming years.

Filipino culture is richly embroidered with both Spanish and Chinese influences, with cuisine as the centerpiece attraction.
How the two cultures have blended perfectly in its host Filipino country is revealed in the names that Chinese dishes were called around the 1900s, with some names surviving through the present era.


Ever heard of Morisqueta Tostada? Pueco con Agreo Dulce? Camaron Rebosado, Amplaya con Carne? All these spanish sounding dishes are actually delicious, authentic Chinese food. Fried Rice, Sweet Sour Pork, Shrimps in Batter and Bitter Melon with Beef are what they are, respectively. And certified foodies of yester years did not go hundting for "Chinese Food" when they had food cravings or wanted to eat out with family and friends. They looked for "Comida China" (literally Chinese food in Spanish" which to old Manilans referred to that distinct style of panciteria fare in Binondo for the early 1900's to the 1970's.

Now, Panciteria San Jacinto- one of the favourite Chinese restaurants of Manilans in the pre-war and post-war era which has survived to this day- has changed its name to Comida China de Manila. Located along E. Rodriguez, Jr. Ave. (C5) in Pasig City, the present day Panciteria San Jacinto is favourite destination of Chinese food aficionados in the metro. Big Chinese families, Pinoy families on weekend feasts, regular foodies, office workers int he area and seekers of good Chinese food pay regular pilgrimages to the place to satisfy their palates. The lure of bountiful lauriats, all time Chinese favourites and the discovery of new things on the menu (like dimsum and the unique, flavourful Comida China Soup) have lured them to Panciteria San Jacinto-Pasig since it opened in 1996.


"Panciteria San Jacinto was one of the famous and favourite destinations for "comida china" since the pre-war years (it was first established in 1894), and we have been privileged to keep its legacy going through the years. We are happy to have revived the name and identity of the famous restaurant. We are also proud that we have taken its cuisine to new heights and made Panciteria San Jacinto's comida china available to younger generations, thanks to our joint venture with its original owners. "explains Benny V. Torres, President of Comida China de Manila, Inc.

But Panciteria San Jacinto is only one of several Chinese restaurants that catered to old Manilans in that bygone era, Benny says. Only few have survived to this day.In July this year, the Torres family, which runs Panciteria San Jacinto-Pasig and other restaurants like Mom and Tina's and the Rd Rickshaw Rstaurant in Pampanga, decide to change the name of Panciteria San Jacinto to Comida China de Manila.


"We want to keep history alive and get younger generations in touch with the glorious past of Chinese restaurants along T. Pinpin street in Binondo, which by the way was originally named Calle San Jacinto. We chose Comida China de Manila as our new name because it is representative of all the panciterias of that era. Besides , the restaurant has evolved into something more than a panciteria. TO begin with our Pasig branch, a full service 400-seater restaurant, is well appointed and comfortable. Oour menu remains faithful to the classic Cantonese fare served in Binondo, complemented with new disher put together by our Chief Cook who began his career in the very first Panciteria Sn Jacinto restaurant along T. Pinpin stress. The new name will also suit the vintage Manila look of our interiors, which is in the works,"Benny adds.

The Torres family chose to take a different from the old panciteria concept of the Pasig restaurant by opting for a more formal and upscale ambience,says Benny, but the food at Comida China de Manila remains affordable to its clientele. Served ind desired portions to match both pocket and appetite, old favourites and new fare are offered in poquito (half small or grazing portions), small, medium and large serving sizes.


Catering and in house feasts are all still part of the COmida China de Manila offerings.

Younger generations who may not have ever heard of the term "comida china" are suddenly discovering the charm of experiencing Chinese food with Spanish titles, observes Benny.

"It's part of our mixed culture. The food itself and the names of the dishes are all part of our history. Perhaps through our new name we will be able to make younger generations become more aware and proud of our colourful past and the interwoven influences in our history," he concludes.

For more details about Comida China de Manila, visit Comida China de Manila on facebook or call 671-59-42, 914-0832 and 914-0830.