OWWA honors 2011 Model OFW Families

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has given two Cebuano families the national award in the land-based category and sea-based sector, respectively, after they were chosen from among 17 regional winners all over the country in the 2011 Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA).

The Astillero and Caminero families were honored along with two seafarers, who won the Outstanding Achievement in Community Projects and Entrepreneurship special awards in the yearly competition, according to a press release from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

First conceptualized in 2003 as a component activity of DOLE and the OWWA’s Family Welfare Program, the MOFYA gives emphasis on the exemplary performance of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who maintain strong family ties despite the difficulties of migration.

This year, the Astillero and Caminero families, both from Region VII, epitomized the said qualifications and have created positive impact in their respective communities, said OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon.

Dr Carlito Astillero, a National Awardee for the MOFYA Land-Based Category, has worked in Saudi Arabia for 24 years. He is the founder of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in Riyadh and has previously won numerous awards because of his selfless deeds. He and his wife, Elena, have five children.

With his hard-earned money, he was able to support the education of his children and invest in setting up various businesses. Having retired last January, he is currently involved in organic farming on a piece of land he bought while abroad.

“I wish to educate other farmers about farming,” he said.

Chief Engineer Candido Caminero, on the other hand, has been working for 40 years as a seaman. He is a technical adviser to the National Irrigators Association, a successful businessman, a community welfare advocate, a husband and a father to nine children.

The National Awardee for the MOFYA’s Sea-Based Category said that aside from his responsibility to his family, he also felt it his duty to help people in his community. Twelve years ago, he organized an association which addresses the concerns of members. The Association continues to exist until today.

Aside from the major awards, special citations were given in this year’s MOFYA recognizing the exceptional domestic contributions of migrant workers.

The Outstanding Achievement in Community Projects and Entrepreneurship special awards ware bestowed on Captain Celso Banag and Captain Manolo Gacutan.

Banag has been a seafarer for 21 years. He and his family were known in Ramos, Tarlac for their successful businesses—a manning agency, a metal fabrication shop, a farmland, a fitness gym, a technical school, a construction supply shop, and a water refilling station. In spite of their success, the family exudes simplicity and continues to share their blessings by helping fellow Tarlaqueṅos.

Meanwhile, Gacutan has been serving onboard commercial vessels for 16 years. He and his family operate a manpower agency which provides employment to many Filipino seafarers. The Gacutans also own a tailor shop, a commercial center, a garden resort and a real estate development company. Recognized for his Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship, Gacutan mentions that perseverance alone does not make one successful.

“It is important to save and wisely invest your hard-earned money, so that when the time of need comes, you will have something to sustain you,” he said.

With the MOFYA, OFWs and their families are given inspiration to overcome the hardships of working abroad.

“When you are an OFW, you have a closed mindset, unless, someone is going to open it. This is what MOFYA does. With MOFYA, there will be an increasing number of OFWs who will engage in entrepreneurship. There will be a good number of OFWs who will become good providers of their families and do many other things which can always improve their lives,” Astillero shared.

The 2011 MOFYA is sponsored by Globe Telecoms, Landbank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Banco De Oro, SM Supermalls, Travel Managers International and Regent Travel Corporation.

The National Awardees received a trophy and cash prize of P400,000.00, courtesy of Globe Telecom and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), plus P200,000.00, for a total cash award of P600,000.00.

Image from OWWA website.