Taipei’s Dignified Filipina Cleaner Who Need Not Even Work

With kids already professionals and a husband who earns well, Hilaria Sta Marina Tan continues her part time cleaning job in Taiwan with much pride.

Each day, HILARIA STA MARINA TAN or Hillary takes the bus or metro rapid transit to different homes in Taipei to do general housework from 9am to 5pm. It is literally a dirty job cleaning up every household’s mess and the physical strain from this work can naturally take its toll on Hillary with age. But from the time she left the Philippines in 1998 to join her Filipino-Chinese husband in Taiwan, Hillary found fulfillment doing general household work for Taiwanese and Filipino families who engage her. 

Hillary with her husband Willam Tan

Hillary is 60 but looks young and strong for her age. Married to William Tan, the couple earned their endearing nicknames “Hillary and Bill” from family and friends. While William holds a supervisory job in an electronics firm in Taiwan, Hillary admits her earnings as part time cleaner helped William build a dream house in Gerona, Tarlac (Hillary’s hometown) and contributed to the upbringing and education of their three children who grew up in the Philippines: Alvin Tan, 40 yrs old, Elizabeth Tan-Dullate, 37 yrs old, and Jun Tan, 34 yrs old. 

Elizabeth Tan-Dullate

Alvin Tan, Hillary & Bill’s eldest, with his family

Jun Tan

Since Hillary’s children are self-sufficient, why does she still work so hard as a humble home cleaner in Taipei? “I continue because of my kind employers. They do not treat me as a worker but as a friend. I am grateful for the trust and warmth my bosses give me each day I go to work. I am blessed to have such great employers. If I can only stay here (in Taiwan) forever, I will. I am glad my husband chose to work in Taiwan; it is so safe and convenient. I can come home whatever time I like, and the most important thing is, I get paid well!”

With less financial burden at this stage in her life, Hillary uses her income to shop for herself and her grandchildren. And then she pauses in retrospect and shares what she would advise her young self. “Have faith in yourself and never stop praying. Being prayerful will help you live this beautiful life.” Simple wisdom from someone reaping the rewards of her labor done with admirable humility and dignity.