Justine To is a deserving candidate for the Exemplary Capstone Award, reflecting her dedication and innovation in social research. As a meticulous and self-aware researcher, Justine has remarkably contributed to our understanding of the Filipino domestic helper minority group in Hong Kong. Utilizing both advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, her study delves into the intricate relationship between space, language, and identity among these domestic helpers. Her work is not only original but also pioneering in its approach to exploring the diasporic identity of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) through physical spaces, particularly in the bustling urban landscape of WorldWide Plaza in Hong Kong. Her study methodically illuminates the linguistic landscape and identity construction of FDWs, challenging the reductive stereotypes often associated with this group. By collecting and analyzing signs in the WWP area and conducting in-depth interviews, she reveals the prevalent use of English and Tagalog over Chinese and captures the divergent perceptions of Hongkongers and FDWs towards these linguistic representations. This study not only adds depth to our understanding of FDWs but also opens avenues for further research on marginalized communities. Justine’s commitment to transforming this capstone into a scholarly manuscript with her supervisor demonstrates her potential for significant future contributions to academic discourse and social awareness.

With a population of 190,000, Filipina domestic workers (FDWs) play a crucial role in supporting Hong Kong families by managing household chores and caregiving. However, their identity is often reduced to their occupation, overlooking their complex experiences and contributions. Therefore, this study explores the construction of FDWs’ diasporic identity through the examination of the linguistic landscape (LL) as represented by the language patterns and prominent languages of 305 bottom-up signs displayed in World-Wide Plaza (WWP). More importantly, this research challenges the reductionist narrative surrounding FDWs’ identities. The study goes beyond FDWs’ perspectives by incorporating the views of local Hongkongers who reported a sense of “foreignness” when seeing signs with Tagalog, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between physical spaces and identity construction. Ultimately, the findings contribute to a more inclusive societal approach that connects the cultural representations, social opportunities, and practical functions of a place in the construction of FDW diasporic identity, promoting a deeper understanding of their experiences in Hong Kong.

Like many others, when I was prompted to pick a subject and research it for a semester and then create a real product from it, I was very unsure. Much of my time as a student was spent deciphering theories with little effort in comprehending the practicality and applications of these concepts. I, too, questioned the relevance of my learning. The power of this capstone journey for me was that chance to synthesize the information from the program with my personal experience and perspectives. It provided me the opportunity to take an observation that has been in my mind for a long time and expand it into a fully realized conceptual modelthrough a structured process that kept me both accountable and motivated.

My sincere and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Prof. Gonzales as a wonderful supervisor for providing me with the guidance and counsel I need to succeed in my capstone project. He has been a great mentor in mapping the journey, advising on a research topic, being available and responding to my emails and questions. Prof. Gonzales’ wealth of experience in my area of research interest has been the main driver of this project. Working under his supervision has been very enjoyable and I have valuable lessons that I will carry with me as I transition into a professional career.