the Timbang

"Mae"; one of the former helpers in the Duma

the timabng is an illongo term for a house helper, most of these house helpers start at an early age, as low as 14 years old. depending on her age,work experiences, an illongo house helper can perform duty and tasks as instructed; most timbangs are hired to help with laundry and housekeeping, especially in keeping a house clean. but other timbangs especially those with more experience can go to cooking and even babysitting. the term "maid" is used by folks in the bacolod middle and high class.


a timbang or house helper may be a very aspiring, industrious and responsible young girl from the towns and barrios outside Bacolod City. she may come from very poor families she may be the breadwinner or the most responsible sibling among them. she either has finished elementary, high school or a certified undergrad, some house helpers are even college graduates... but because of the scenario of poverty in the barrios and towns in the provinces, most of them are forced or even have no choice but to help earn money for their family, 


what do they have in common??

"Rosslyn" texting her boyfriend

coming from really poor families inside and outside bacold, house helpers keep up with their daily housework and routine, most of their free time they would usually do the following stuff:

- Sleep after work

- eat

- chat around with their comrade-in-arms

- work even more

- manicure

- tend to their personal needs

- text! text! text! text! X 1000!

- call call call

- call their boyfriends (if any)

- read pocket books

- watch tv (if the house has)

-  listen to radio

- nap
during their day-offs(if given by their in-house), house helpers spend their allowances for their personal necessities like clothes, underwears, cosmetics, cellphone load, etc.


how to choose the right house helper here in Bacolod:
this for our foreign friends who are especially interested in settling down here in Bacolod and get a house helper,  usually there is no strict criteria in selecting  among almost all households around town, usually a house helper/timbang must be:
1. hard working
2. knows how to do laundry
3. if she knows how to cook she will have better opportunity
4. she is tidy in all her work
usually if all 4 criterias are met, she can start working for the first day she arrives.
most girls are hired thru speaking of words among them from the towns and or opportunities which a friend who also works as a helper in bacolod, will say her neighbor is finding a helper for their house.


for people who can't  be sure about their helper they hired its better to do the following:


1. get a background info about her, if she has a work experience around the neigborhood, better ask her co-workers who know her about any events or any records she has from he former employers


2. check for her legal documents. usually her school transcripts; especially helpers who graduated elementary and high school has these, 


remember guys, there is a bill passed by the Philippine congress called "Batas Kasambahay" or Magana Carta of Household Helpers; below is the following are a few articles:

Employment of Househelpers

Art. 141. Coverage. This Chapter shall apply to all persons rendering services in households for compensation.

“Domestic or household service” shall mean service in the employer's home which is usually necessary or desirable for the maintenance and enjoyment thereof and includes ministering to the personal comfort and convenience of the members of the employer's household, including services of family drivers.

Art. 142. Contract of domestic service. The original contract of domestic service shall not last for more than two (2) years but it may be renewed for such periods as may be agreed upon by the parties.

Art. 143. Minimum wage.

Househelpers shall be paid the following minimum wage rates:

Eight hundred pesos (P800.00) a month for househelpers in Manila, Quezon, Pasay, and Caloocan cities and municipalities of Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Malabon, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Pasig, Marikina, Valenzuela, Taguig and Pateros in Metro Manila and in highly urbanized cities;

Six hundred fifty pesos (P650.00) a month for those in other chartered cities and first-class municipalities; and

Five hundred fifty pesos (P550.00) a month for those in other municipalities.

Provided, That the employers shall review the employment contracts of their househelpers every three (3) years with the end in view of improving the terms and conditions thereof.


read more here