'Your ego cannot feed your hungry stomach': Filipino uni grad, 26, comes to S'pore to work as helper, hopes to open cafe one day

While studying for her degree in hospitality management, 26-year-old Clergg Lee Sarancial dreamt of working on a cruise line.

She finally graduated after four years, and got a job in an office.

But despite her degree, she only earned about S$300 a month — not enough to pay her bills.

Finally, the Filipino woman decided to come to Singapore as a foreign domestic worker.

In an interview with Yes933, Clergg Lee spoke how she feels about her life here in Singapore, and how she still hopes to make her dreams come true one day.

"It wasn’t an easy decision because I knew I would be far from my family and working in a different field from what I studied. But I saw it as a stepping stone towards my dreams. The journey has been challenging, but it has also taught me to be stronger, more independent, and grateful for every opportunity." she told Mothership.

Big dreams

Clergg Lee remembers how back in the Philippines, she faced her first crushing blow when she was rejected from the cruise line due to her height.

She also did not have enough money for the required paperwork.

"That time I [was] very sad, like why I cannot have that job, it is my dream job," she said.

She managed to find an office job instead, but the S$300 it paid was insufficient even for her bills.

She tried to apply for other jobs in the big city, such as for a call centre agent role, but without success.

"I cannot count how many companies rejected me. That time I was very sad and very [devastated]... I keep blaming myself," she said.

"Then I realised, if I cannot make my dream here, why not in other country?"

Coming to Singapore

Clergg Lee decided to apply for work as a foreign domestic worker in Singapore because it was "very easy to go in here," and did not require much upfront payment.

Her family was initially worried as they had seen stories online about foreign domestic workers being abused.

But she said her employers are very nice and treat her like family. "They're very supportive of me," she told Mothership.

Despite their kindness, Clergg Lee admitted that she missed her family and home during her first three months in Singapore, and she would cry.

"I keep asking myself, why I study so hard just to become a helper like this?"

Salary

While initially disillusioned, she's now come to terms with her new work.

As a domestic worker, she earns over double her office salary back in the Philippines.

She sends about half of it back home to her family, and keeps the rest for herself.

Clergg Lee explained that she likes to "treat herself", and uses her salary to buy concert tickets and go watch Formula 1.

She is also saving up for her future.

"I eventually realised that it is okay, as long as they pay me more, and as long as I can save for my dreams and sustain my family," she said.

"Because I realised something: Your ego cannot feed your hungry stomach."

The daily grind

Clergg Lee said she wakes up every day at 6:30am to shower before cooking breakfast for her employers and their three-year-old child.

Once the child is awake, she feeds them and dresses them for school.

While the toddler is in school, Clergg Lee cleans the house and looks after the family's two dogs.

Online, she posts about her life in Singapore: going out for meals, attending concerts.

But most of her friends don't know about her job.

"They will keep [asking] me, 'what is your work there?', 'can I apply there?'... Then I cannot reply because I'm very shy. Because I graduated [with a] degree, and then I just work as helper," she confessed.

Future dreams

But she still has her dreams.

One day, Clergg Lee hopes to work in a restaurant or a hotel; or to take up a course here, and pursue further studies.

She also hopes to open her own coffee shop, whether back in the Philippines or here in Singapore.

"To anyone back home, don't think your degrees mean nothing. We are still building our dreams," she said.

"I am still going to make it. My ways, my dreams... no height requirements."

And to those who may judge her for her occupation, Clergg Lee said, "Every job is honourable, and everyone has their own journey."