PRESS RELEASE no. 02-2016
05 January 2016 – Various Filipino organizations, in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, successfully celebrated the 2015 International Migrants Day and December as Month of Overseas Filipinos.
The event kicked off with the conduct of a whole-day Mini-Sportsfest for the OFWs on 11 December 2015 held at the PCG premises. The Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC) spearheaded the activity in cooperation with the POLO/OWWA Jeddah and sponsored by the OFW Council of Leaders (OCL) and Jeddah Pongers. Consul Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan, designated as Acting Head of Post, together with other Consulate officials and staff, officially opened the event by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was followed with various activities such as dental mission conducted by Andalusia Dental, medical mission given by Jef-Filcom and Kapit-Bisig, indoor games such as bunong braso, dart, scrabble, table tennis tournament which was headed by 1 Ganap Guardians, outdoor games and raffle draws conducted by Astig, and the Karaoke Challenge headed by Kabalikat Civicom. At the PCG parking area, sixteen (16) booths were housed by Filipino organizations that provided fun games, food and gift items to the delight of the attendees. There were also entertainments provided by various Filcom organizations.
Later in the evening, OFWCC in cooperation of the Kabalikat Civicom and TFSJ held the awarding for the search for the 2015 Gawad Dangal OFW-Western Region. Among dozens of nominees, ten (10) outstanding and exemplary OFWs were chosen by reputable community leaders in Jeddah. The awardees include Larry Magos (a self-made mechanic); Jerry Manalili (salesman); Sylvestre Afante (carpenter); Lilian Dalida, Rosell Maniego and Delia Bernaldez (household service workers); Toefilo B. Hugo, Jr. (hospital maintenance coordinator); Junel M. Turrida (restaurant waiter); John Pamintuan (aircon technician) and Ace Acido (laborer). They were chosen because of their exemplary behavior, outstanding services, admirable characters at work, loyalty and professionalism.
Ms. Delia Bernaldez and Mr. Sylvestre Afante tied up as grand winners who received prizes. Special awards were also given to Joey Villanueva, a financial manager who was recognized for winning on the Toastmasters International Speech Competition; Sylvia Delos Santos, director of the prestigious Jeddah-based Serenata Choir Group and Orchestra, which won the Linkapil presidential awards in 2014; and Cris Gentica, an artist who had earlier topped the International Cosplay and Gown Competition. During the awarding ceremony, Vice Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague delivered an inspirational message while Vice Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo gave the closing remarks. The POLO-OWWA officers and Consulate personnel also joined in the celebration. The Filipino Stars of Jeddah (TFSJ) Champions, Serenata Orchestra and Cosplayers provided entertainment for the event.
On 18 December 2015, more than a hundred distressed OFWs from the wards at the Consulate’s Migrant Workers and Other Filipino Resource Center became recipient of Gawad Pasasalamat organized by “Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW” in cooperation with the OFWCC.
The International Migrants Day celebration was divided into 3 parts. Bunches of gifts donated by kind hearted individuals were distributed during the first part of the program which includes parlor games and raffle draws. Twenty-one (21) wards marched during the second part of the program on the “Graduation and Awarding of Handicraft Training” held for the last 3 consecutive weeks which were conducted by the OFWCC. Medals and surprise gifts were given to the best students. The activity is part of the POLO-OWWA reintegration program which aims to empower the wards for a better future. In return, the graduates together with the other wards offered a dance number as a way of thanksgiving.
The last part of the program was the “Gawad Pasasalamat” to all the supporters of Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW in recognition of their unwavering support to the advocacy of the group. Seventy (70) individuals and 16 community leaders and supporters received certificates and plaques of appreciation respectively. To spice up the program, Serenata Orchestra serenaded the audience with its beautiful music which was followed by a parade of Filipina gown created by Gawad Dangal Awardee Crisostomo Gentica and song number from The Filipino Stars of Jeddah and HNL Band.
Philippine Consul General to Jeddah Imelda M. Panolong, in her inspirational remarks, expressed her sincerest thanks to Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW for holding the whole day event and also thanked OFWCC for kicking off the festivities a week earlier with the Gawad Dangal Para sa OFWs. She said that what better way to commemorate the OFW Month, than to recognize members of the Filipino community, who have, in one way or the other, contributed significantly to the advancement of the welfare and protection of the rights of the overseas Filipino workers in their individual, group or corporate capacities.
Consul General Panolong also underscored the importance of commemorating the International Migrants Day to recognize the efforts, contributions and rights of migrant workers worldwide. To add to the significance of this year’s International Migrants Day, and in solidarity with the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Global Candlelight Vigil, Consul General Panolong led in the candle lighting to pay tribute to the migrants who lost their lives at sea and in the deserts and silent prayer for the 257 fellow Filipinos in Jeddah and the western region of Saudi Arabia who passed away in 2015. END.
PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE COMMEMORATION OF THE
MONTH OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY
Philippine Consulate General, Jeddah
(Photos courtesy of MAGZ Project, Jeddah)
