Our Volunteers 我哋嘅義工: Philip Tong
Hi all, my name is Philip. I moved to Ireland from Hong Kong in 2020, and now reside in Dublin. I work as a software engineer, particularly focusing on web applications. Although my job is tech-oriented, but I have always been greatly interested in language and culture.
我係Philip，2020年搬嚟愛爾蘭，喺都柏林定居，目前從事軟件開發工作，專注於Web應用程式。雖然我嘅職業係科技相關，但我一直對語言同文化好有興趣。
Why did you decide to volunteer for CII and what do you hope to achieve?
Initially, I joined CII events to meet more Cantonese friends in Ireland. After a while however, I realised that CII isn’t only a language platform, but a flourishing community. As a volunteer, I hope I can help promote events and connect with others, so many more people – local or immigrant – can learn and appreciate Cantonese culture through CII. I especially hope that the new generation, born and raised in Ireland, are able to connect with and learn more about their culture of origin and its immense value.
一開始參加CII活動，只係想識多啲喺愛爾蘭講粵語嘅朋友。參與得耐咗，發現CII唔只係一個文化平台，仲係一個有凝聚力嘅社群。作為義工，我希望可以貢獻自己嘅能力，幫手推動活動、連結社區，令更多人——無論係本地人定新移民——都可以透過CII認識同欣賞粵語文化。尤其希望海外出生成長嘅年輕一代，都有機會接觸同認識自己根源文化入面嘅語言同價值。
Congrats on winning the volunteer award! How do you feel?
I am very surprised, and of course very honored as well. I volunteer out of passion, and have never considered that I would receive an award. This award not only validates my efforts, but also that of all the volunteers in CII. Born and raised in the Cantonese culture, I am overjoyed that I can promote my culture in Ireland.
其實真係好意外，亦都感到非常榮幸。做義工係出於熱誠，無諗過會攞獎。呢個獎唔單止係對我個人嘅肯定，更加係對一班CII義工默默付出嘅認可。作為一個土生土長講粵語嘅人，能夠喺愛爾蘭參與粵語文化推廣，我感到非常開心。
You are very involved with the Dragon Boat events here. What is your most memorable experience and would you recommend it to others?
My most memorable experience was the first time I joined the dragon boat competition. I have actually never rowed a dragon boat in Hong Kong before, so it is surprising I get to participate in Ireland. At that time, everyone was a newbie, and we had little time to prepare. However, through training together and encouraging each other, it was smooth sailing at the competition. This feeling of success is impossible to put into words. The dragon boat isn’t only a physical activity; to me, it is a symbol of the Cantonese culture and the unity of the community, as well as a validation of my identity. I 100% encourage others to join the dragon boat events here. No matter where you are from, you can experience a fervent team spirit, and find belonging in the team.
我最難忘嘅經歷係第一次參加龍舟比賽。喺香港其實未試過玩龍舟，估唔到嚟到愛爾蘭竟然有機會參與。當時大家都係新手，準備時間又好趕，但透過大家一齊練習、互相鼓勵，最後順利完成咗比賽。嗰種成功感真係難以形容。龍舟唔只係一種體育活動，對我嚟講，佢係文化象徵、社區連結，亦係一種身份認同。我絕對會推薦畀其他人參加，唔論你來自邊度，都可以喺入面搵到團隊精神同歸屬感。
What is your favorite Cantonese/HK film and why?
If I could only pick one, I would pick “Days of Being Wild”. This movie struck an emotional cord within me. The cinematic shots are poignantly beautiful, reflecting not only an era, but also a sense of restlessness and adriftness that is so deeply present in the culture of Hong Kong. Throughout the film, the main character wanders in the city, striving to discover his true self. Having lived and worked in multiple countries, I strongly resonated with being in the nomadic state of a “sparrow without feet”. It felt very endearing to me.
如果只可以揀一套，我會揀《阿飛正傳》。呢套戲之所以咁打動我，除咗畫面絕美，仲因為佢所呈現嘅唔只係一個時代，而係一種屬於香港文化嘅漂泊感。主角喺城市間流動，內心不斷追尋自我。作為一個喺幾個國家生活及工作過嘅我，好體會到「無腳嘅雀仔」呢種狀態，覺得份外親切。