"To Be Here, It's Good" Your best cheerleaders featuring Roy and Emma

“To Be Here, It’s Good” is a brand new interview series brought to you by the Youth Development Commission, in connection with the “Youth Development Blueprint” of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau. The series not only depicts the appearance of Hong Kong as a city but also reveals the stories of the non-locally born citizens who have already regarded Hong Kong as their “home away from home”. Starting from “852”, the international area code of Hong Kong, the series invites foreigners who have been living in Hong Kong for various durations to share their stories. Each of them came to Hong Kong for a different reason. How did they adapt to Hong Kong and, deal with the difficulties? What does Hong Kong look like in their eyes? And how did they discover the uniqueness of Hong Kong? Often times, we would be inspired by others’ stories. And sometimes we would even uncover something that has been forgotten or ignored. This series of little-known, genuine yet extraordinary "852" stories highlight that Hong Kong is multi-cultural, highly inclusive, full of opportunities and potentials. The public is welcome to watch the related interview videos or articles. Let’s rediscover Hong Kong and explore the infinite possibilities of “852” together.

Your best cheerleaders featuring Roy and Emma

Roy, "I am Roy. I came to Hong Kong in 2002."

Emma, "Hello, my name is Emma. I came to Hong Kong when I was 17 years old. We were both born in the Philippines. We get married in Hong Kong. I used to work as the floor and bar manager."

Roy, "And I used to work as a chef. Now we own our 42nd Davis Bar and Restaurant."

Emma, "Before we opened our own restaurant, me and Roy worked somewhere else."

Roy, "We were working in a company that we had been working for a long time. So we think that we can open our restaurant to have a better life, and we can have our own time together. Before, it was really really difficult to… when we opened our restaurant. There was no customer, there was no people, and just passing by."

Emma, "But me and Roy, we're not losing hope. We're still thinking that we're here already, why not go for it? But back then, we tried calling customers outside, tried some promotion for food, like buy-one-get-one-free and free drinks. Our goal was to let customers try our food and then they spread the news. They kept inviting their friends and family to eat together. Starting from then, we build some customers, and they keep coming back. Local customers, for me at first, I thought they are difficult people. But somehow when you try to interact with them, talk to them, and give your heart to them, they will feel that you do everything with heart, and they will come back to you. ‘cause this is just like their canteen."

Roy, "One of our missions when we started our restaurant is to help and support younger students. To be able to build their foundation, motivate them how to start their life and, finish their studies."

Emma, "When I was young, I was only focusing on making money and not thinking about my own future. With limited education, I had to work two jobs, three jobs just to support and to earn the money that I wanted to. It was hard for me to pursue my dreams. That's why I think education is very important. Helping these students to work with me, I always encourage them after your graduation, you can go ahead and pursue your dreams, whatever you want it to be. This is just your stepping stone. In the future, if you're coming here one day wearing your suit, it's my big achievement."

Roy, "Some people are thinking that we are just wasting our time teaching and training all the students and younger people. From our perspective, younger people are always our future. They are the ones who are going to build Hong Kong again, so we try our best to give them a foundation and confidence."

Emma, "I treat everyone like my children. Even my children are working with me, helping me with the business. For everyone, I'm like their big mom. To bond with them, work with them, teach them how to be a better person."

Roy, "It's good to be here, to be a big supporter of young people. Hong Kong is already our home. We consider ourselves as locals and we don't have any plans to leave Hong Kong."

Emma, "I want everyone to know that Hong Kong is a big hope and a good opportunity for the young generation."

Youth Development Commission "To Be Here, It's Good" Campaign webpage : www.ydc.gov.hk/852 IG : www.instagram.com/youthdevelopmentcommission/ Facebook : www.facebook.com/YDCgovhk