PURR
Model OFW Families honored
James Mendiola, director of OWWA
presents to Flordeliza Decolongon
(2nd from left) and family a check
from Globe
The distance of parents from their children may not be a hindrance for the success of each party involved. This was proven by the experiences of several families of overseas foreign workers, as presented during the Model OFW Family Award 2008 held at SM City Iloilo.
Nine OFW families were nominated for the MOFYA 2008, but only two were chosen to represent their sector in the national competition.
For the land-based category, hailed as regional awardee was the family of Flordeliza Decolongon of Dumangas, Iloilo. Decolongon worked as a domestic helper in Hongkong while her husband Percy made sure that the money she earned was put to good use – children's education, family livelihood and savings.
For the sea-based category, the regional winner was the family of Nelson Launio, a seaman. Their family was the first runner-up in last year's search. Like the Decolongons, Nelson's income from being a seaman for 10 years, was saved and invested on their children's education and future by his wife, Hilda.
Mendiola and DOLE Asst Regional
Director Crispin Danog with the Launio
family while holding their check from
Globe
For both winning couples, their children had been supportive as well by excelling in their studies.
The winners were given P20,000 cash courtesy of Globe, and plane tickets to Manila by Western Union and St. Rafael Development Corporation.
The other nominees were the Abalajon family of Oton, Pagdato family of Passi City, Demonteverde family of Dingle, Acanto family of Dumangas, Detablan family of Dumangas, Joligon family of Numancia, Aklan and Lizada family of Lambunao.
The panel of judges was composed of Rev. Fr. Enrique Evidente, Dennis Roy Tano, Ricky Espinosa and Ramonita Pico.
Mendiola, Rev Fr Enrique Evidente,
Danog, Dennis Roy Tano, Ricky Espinosa
and Ramonita Pico
This writer was moved by the experience of the Abalajon family wherein both parents were working abroad, leaving the children in the care of relatives. True, there were times when the children hoped that their parents were present during milestones in their lives like birthdays, graduations and even during their ups and downs. But somehow, their daily communication and other efforts to make up for their absence had paid off.
DOLE Assistant Director Crispin Dano said that although the social cost of having OFWs is high, there are positive results from this. He cited that family separation has strengthened families because they have learned to love their families better and have discovered new ways to connect with them amid the distance. The values of courage and sacrifice are also learned.