The workday ends, but the responsibility does not. For Jun Thaddaeus Balenton, the hours after the factory shift are often when the real labor begins—fielding messages, clarifying rules, steadying nerves across time zones and uncertainty.
Balenton, an overseas Filipino worker based in South Korea for eight years, has built a parallel life beyond his role as a factory worker. Within the Filipino community, he is known less by title than by function: someone people turn to when work-related problems arise and answers are hard to find. “Im OFW and at the same time i am Organization Leaders who help my co OFW from thier problems specifically work related,” he says, a matter-of-fact line that reflects how closely leadership and labor overlap in his daily life.
Leadership that grew from necessity
His involvement deepened during the pandemic, when borders closed and uncertainty stretched for months. As thousands of EPS workers were stranded in the Philippines, information became fragmented and anxiety widespread. “During Pandemic i am one of the OFW working hardly to give an update regarding on how we get back to south korea to work again,” he recalls. Together with his organization, Samahan ng Manggagawang Pilipino sa South Korea Inc., he helped maintain a clear line of communication when clarity was scarce.
Bridging workers and institutions
Between 2021 and 2022, Balenton and fellow leaders engaged repeatedly with the Department of Migrant Workers, then known as POEA, to explore pathways for workers’ return. “That why i and my organization talk with the DMW… several times to make a plan,” he explains. When South Korea eventually released health and return guidelines, his role shifted again—from advocacy to dissemination. “All stranded OFW always ask me to give them update,” he says, underscoring the trust placed in him.
Service without conditions
What continues to define his influence is a simple principle: “Help without asking anything in return.” It is a philosophy that has guided his work long after travel restrictions eased, as he continues to assist OFWs navigating employer disputes and workplace concerns. Recognized as an organization leader and a LIKHA GLOBAL 2025 finalist, Balenton’s impact is rooted in consistency rather than visibility—a quiet, sustained presence that reflects why his work resonates, and why it now earns recognition on a larger stage.
