3 Pinoys make it big in HK

(L-R) Michael Vincent, June Paragas and chef Ronald Bartolome

MANILA, Philippines – Three Filipinos are making it big in Hong Kong as disc jockeys and restaurant owner.

The hard work of disc jockeys Michael Vincent and June Paragas and chef Ronald Bartolome paid off. They are among the many Filipinos who have found success in Hong Kong.

“Pagdating ko dito, regular disc jockey lang talaga. Magko-compete ka ngayon with other groups. It was an uphill battle. But you know, nakapag-adjust naman ako,” said Vincent.

Vincent, who used to be one of the voices behind The Mellow Touch in the Philippines, is now a program manager of the Metro Broadcast in Hong Kong.

He is joined by Paragas who used to work as an overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia. Paragas, also known as “Tita Kerry” in his radio program, now gives advices to Filipino listeners who share their personal problems on air.

“Ang programa namin marami nang buhay na naisalba, lalo na yung magpapakamatay kasi 24/7 yung telepono namin. Kailangang may masumbungan, may mahingahan sila nung problema nila,” said Paragas.

Meanwhile, Bartolome manages the fine dining restaurant, La Cucina Italiana in the Wan Chai District.

A civil engineer, Bartolome started out as a contract worker, a janitor, and a waiter in Macau.

After 16 years of hard work and dedication, he is now a successful chef and a restaurant manager.

“We need to integrate ourselves sa kultura nila para matutunan natin,” he said. - Umagang Kay Ganda