Click here for the Tagalog version of this page.

 
About This Book

The Household Companion meets the need for a concise “Best practice” guide for running a western style household using Filipino domestic helpers at home or abroad who are often too shy to ask for guidance. Cultural misunderstandings abound. Yet, while complaints (from both sides) are many, we have noticed that there is a dearth of practical advice to be found. We aim to correct this.

This book will be invaluable both to expatriate families seeking to make a success of their posting in the Philippines - or elsewhere in Asia— as well as to those charged with helping manage the household. More broadly it will provide a reference guide for any household that employs Filipina household help or caregivers.

Above all it is a practical book written from experience that will make it a valuable reference to those on their first assignment in Asia as well as those experienced in managing households but who may need an insightful reference guide to help them through some of the finer points of household management and business entertaining.

It also contains additional advice for Filipinas seeking to work as domestic helpers overseas by offering step by step guidance and instructions as to the various facets involved in applying for a job overseas and in running a western household. The book is organized into twelve easy to read sections containing all the “need to know” essentials:

MCA is a company dedicated to providing sound business advice – in all its aspects. Our Household Companion is written from this perspective. While directed primarily at providing advice for Filipino employees, it is also intended to provide a reference point for employers. If this guidebook contributes to better understanding between employer and employee, we will have fulfilled our objective.

We are writing from the perspective of the Philippines – our main theme focuses on managing and running western-style households in Manila. Yet we are well aware that there are many more Filipinas working as housekeepers and caregivers overseas – 80,000 in Hong Kong alone and more than 20,000 in the U.K. As the guidebook progresses we will be including sub-sections specifically directed at the overseas Filipina housekeeper and – of course – advice for the people that employ them.

This guidebook is currently under construction, You can click here to view the table of contents.

 
About the Authors 

 John Harman

 John is an ex-Royal Marine who served for eight years abroad the royal Yacht Britannia before leaving the military life. After his discharge he worked for a number of years as a Butler and House manager in London and the Counties and supervised kitchen and domestic staff, including many recruited from the Philippines and who he had to train in the ways of the English household. John is a trained chef who also ran a catering business in London before coming to the Philippines.    

 Michael Clancy

 Michael served for 15 years in the Australian diplomatic service including senior postings in Hong Kong and in Seoul where he was the Political Council and Deputy Head of Mission for four years. He is now resident in the Philippines and is the Chairman and CEO of the MCA Group of Companies. He too has had experience of employing Filipina domestic helpers around Asia (including Taipei, Hong-Kong, and now in Manila). 

This guidebook consolidates the practical experience of both of the authors.