COMMUNITY

Have Your Say – ‘Nora’ Ventero

Author/ Being Neighbourly
15 February 2025

Honorate Ventero is a 57 year old foreign domestic worker from the Philippines, who goes by the name of Nora. She is from Dumaguete, a city in Negros. When she’s not working, she likes hanging out with her friends in Tamar Park, spending time with her sister and going to Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic church.

How long have you lived where you live?

I’ve lived here in Wan Chai district for almost two years. Before this, I have lived in other parts of Hong Kong: Tai Po, in Happy Valley, Tai Koo Shing. I have only ever lived in the Philippines and Hong Kong.

Can you see yourself anywhere else?

I might move, maybe — if I finish my contract. I would move anywhere with an employer, but I might go back to the Philippines first to spend time with the family. It depends on if I get another contract… because of my age…

What’s so great about your home/neighbourhood?

Wan Chai is a convenient place to live. There’s a market — the Wan Chai wet market on Queen’s Road East and street markets, like the one off Johnston Road. I buy meat, vegetables and fruit there. It’s a bit less expensive than the supermarket.

Best little known gems?

Wan Chai is good for shopping. If someone had a day to explore, they should go to the wet market and take a tram to see the sights.

Best places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner?

Mostly I eat at home for breakfast: wholemeal sliced bread, toasted with butter and sometimes a bit of peanut butter. I don’t usually have brunch, but I might have a snack of a few biscuits. I like Philippine and Chinese food. I cook rice and steamed fish and vegetables. Quite simple food. At dinner, I eat something similar, but a smaller portion as I’m only going to sleep afterwards.

Best places to drink coffee/find a drink?

Sometimes I’ll have a coffee or tea but never at nighttime, when I’ll drink milk instead. I drink coffee at McDonald’s, a milk tea, and I’ll sometimes grab a single burger or a Big Mac when I’m there. I sometimes drink a glass of white wine if there’s a party.

Best other hangouts?

I go to the park with my friends — Tamar Park. I’ll take a tent. Or, I’ll go and see my sister. We go to Mass. It’s usually the first mass or a mass in the afternoon. I go to St. Joseph’s Church on Garden Road. It’s the blue and white one.