Model OFWs: Doing ordinary things in extraordinary situations
Seventeen overseas Filipino workers’ families have been selected models for doing ordinary things in extraordinarily odd situations.
Each of the 2007 model OFWs was able to provide for their children, keep family bonds unbroken and render outstanding community services despite great divides of time and space.
Families of two seafarers and a household service worker were proclaimed on December 6, 2007 as national winners among the 17 regional title holders of the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA).
The MOFYA is an annual event of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to honor migrant workers and their families who have demonstrated financial stability, steady and enduring family ties, and outstanding community service.
The three MOFYA national winners represent each of the countries major island groups –Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The annual awards, which began in 2005, “is OWWA’s way of instituting and emphasizing the importance of a complete family as an aspect of a success in life of OFWs," OWWA Administrator Marinito Roque said.
Selection Criteria
Nominees for the MOFYA were families with either a land-based or sea-based OFW who meet the following criteria: head of family or main provider for the family; supports the education of a child/ family member/s; known as a solid and stable family in the community; and financial stability.
The specific selection criteria for the 2007 awards are:
• Functional OFW Family
• Constancy of communication
• Sharing of responsibilities among OFW Family members
• Emotional accessibility
• Psycho-social maturity of the children
• Involvement of children in civic activities
• Civic/community involvement of OFW
• Advocacies
• Membership to civic Filipino organizations
• Successful community projects
• Special commendations
• Success in child/children’s or family member/s’ education
• Children or family member/s’ completed or continuing education
• Children or family member/s employes
• Special commendation of children/family member/s
• Success in managing family finances
• Successful business enterprise/s
• Savings and investments
2007 National award winners
Oscar Abeleda de Jesus (Luzon)
Oscar Abeleda de Jesus from Romblon, a seafarer for 21 years, is MOFYA national winner for Luzon. He and wife Novelyn have been blessed with three children.
Away from home during the crucial growing-up years of his three sons, Oscar managed to maintain communication with his family through letters – six to eight times a month.
He was able to instill in the minds of his children the value of education and the wise spending of hard-earned money.
A staunch advocate of reforestation and clean and green projects, Oscar had initiated the planting of more than 100,000 mangrove trees along the seashore of Looc.
Eugenio B. Atuel (Visayas)
MOFYA national awardee for the Visayas Eugenio B. Atuel, also a seafarer, is commonly known to kin and friends as a family-centered, industrious, and service-oriented person. He and wife Corazon have been blessed with seven children.
Based in Bohol in Central Visayas, the Atuels set aside 10 percent of their annual income for various outreach projects. The family also help poor but deserving students.
Virginita “Maizarah" Lagunsay (Mindanao)
Virginita “Maizarah" Lagunsay, MOFYA national awardee for Mindanao is from Digos, Davao del Sur.
Maizarah, was married to the late Amado, who was also OFW. The couple has been blessed with four children who are all degree holders.
Maizarah is involved in several socio-civic projects. She is president of the Indigent Women Association of Brgy. Aplaya in Digos. She also holds prominent positions. For her, community service is a personal crusade.
Regional winners
Region 1 - Ilocos Region
Romeo “Vito" V. Fortuna (Vigan City)
Fortuna, 62, has been a seafarer for 25 years, and married to an elementary school teacher Perla. They are blessed with seven children, all college graduates.
His monthly allotments as ship radio officer were not only used for his children’s needs but also for acquiring properties such as a 3-storey building and warehouse, and a one-door apartment in Sampaloc, Manila.
As radio officer, he was able to save the lives of 21 Korean seamen whose ship sank in 1985 and another 26 fishermen at sea in 1987.
Region 2 - Cagayan Valley
Ronald P. Guzman, MD (Tuguegarao City)
Doctor Guzman worked in Nigeria for two years where his competence as a doctor was enhanced further. He is married to Dr. Wilma R. Guzman. They are blessed with four children.
He established a hospital in Tuguegarao – the Holy Infant Hospital using his earning from overseas employment. He also owns the Medical Colleges for Northern Philippines and the International School for Asia and the Pacific.
Region 3 - Central Luzon
Evangelina L. Sandel (Bulacan)
Sandel finished a degree in Veterinary Medicine. She and husband Willy are blessed with two children both are graduating students.
The couple practiced their professions in California, USA. After 10 years, they went back to the Philippines and started a furniture business that has expanded to more than 20 warehouses nationwide.
Region IV-A - Southern Tagalog
Felix Blanco Ormasa (Batangas City)
Orsama has been a seafarer since 1970. He and wife Cynthia are blessed with four children. He is holding the position of master with Inter-Orient Maritime Enterprises.
While abroad, Felix made sure he knew what was happening to his family, and made the decisions. He calls his family every day. During vacations, he made sure he would have time for his children and friends.
He is active in civic and religious organizations such as the Volunteers in Prison Service, livelihood training, and other such activities.
Region V - Bicol Region
Victorino R. Callada (Daet, Camarines Norte)
Callada, 55, has been a seafarer since 1979. He and wife Belen are blessed with four children.
He maintains close ties with his family through voice tapes and later, through the Internet. His family is active in church activities. Two of his children are now gainfully employed. The other two are still studying.
The Callada family owns a 17-room hostel, named Hebris Penthaus managed by the family.
Region VI - Western Visayas
Sonie A. Aortillano (Lemery, Iloilo)
Aortillano, 54, is married to Reynante and is blessed with six daughters, who are considered as models of obedience, discipline and respect for parents.
Sonie’s husband took care of the children while she was abroad. The family had to make do with the meager income they earn. The six children graduated elementary education with top honors.
Sonie came back home after six years abroad and assumed her duties as barangay health worker and gives lectures as part of her church and community duties.
Region VIII – Eastern visayas
Joselito P. Bertulfo (Isabel, Leyte)
Bertulfo, a seafarer, is married to Deborah and is blessed with five children.
He comes home every 42 days to spend time with his family. He made sure that the children’s welfare and basic needs were well provided for.
He invests his savings in real property and farmlands.
His wife has been elected as board member of the 4th district of Leyte. She used to be vice mayor of Isabel and held other positions in the municipality.
Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula
Orlando P. Paber (Guiwan, Zamboanga City)
Paber is a medical doctor and worked in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from 1979 to 1988. He and wife Maria Lorna are blessed with five children.
The Paber family is known to be a loving, close-knit and a spiritual family. Leading by example, the Paber couple immersed their children in a life of simplicity, humility and service. As medical practitioners, they put the welfare of patients above all. To them, the practice of their profession is not an enterprise but service to others.
Region X – Northern Mindanao
Reynaldo E. Dela Cruz (Linamon, Lanao del Norte)
Dela Cruz, a seafarer since 1982, began as Mess Boy. He rose from the ranks as an Able Bodied Seaman to Chief Mate. He is married to Beverly and blessed with three children.
He constantly communicated with his family, at least monthly. He taught his children the importance education. During vacations, the family watches movies, go on picnics, and attend masses together. He also extends his financial blessings to members of extended family.
Beverly, his wife, is an accomplished member of the Apostleship of the Sea in Iligan City.
Region XII - SOCCSKSARGEN Region (formerly Central Mindanao)
Filipina Eugenio-Caballero (General Santos City)
She worked as nursing aide at the Jeddah National Hospital (1982 -89) and became a factory worker in South Korea in 1992. She is married to her late husband Hermenihildo. They were blessed with 10 children.
Since 2001, she has been a widow, but managed to keep her big family together. While abroad, her earnings were used for the education of her children.
With the support of her family, she headed the opening and construction of Minanga-Asinan Road, which helped alleviate of socio-economic conditions of the residents of the area.
CAR – Cordillera Autonomous Region
Eliza Dakiwas (Sallapadan, Abra)
She was very reluctant to leave her family behind, but poverty forced her to work as domestic helper in Hong Kong for several years. Her late husband, Bonifacio, assumed the responsibility as father and mother to their three children.
Dakiwas regularly received voice tapes, letters and telegrams from her family, and these things helped lessen her homesickness. When her husband died, her situation became doubly difficult, but she was able to overcome all the difficulties.
ARMM – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Michael Rasul Abubakar (Jolo, Sulu)
Michael, an engineer, was an OFW for 25 years in Saudi Arabia. He and wife Dr. Onnong have been blessed with five children. The couple has an adopted daughter.
While in Saudi, he constantly communicated with his family. His vacations were spent for family bonding through outing and sharing of experiences.
His earning was not enough to live a comfortable life, so he decided to put up a construction company in Jolo, Sulu, using his experiences abroad. He now owns the First Sulu Estate Subdivision in Patickul.
Caraga Region
Roderico B. Cane (Butuan City)
Cane worked as shift supervisor at the Nestle in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1992 to 1995. He is married to Elizabeth.
In 1995 he went home for good and “invented" the Joy Table Sauce, which is now reckoned with by some multi-national companies in the country that manufacture catsup.
In 2005, he was adjudged by the Caraga Business Council as the “Best Performing SME of the Year."
Prizes
The MOFYA national awardees each received prizes from OWWA’s corporate partners: Toyota Avanza, Nokia 5070 and trophies from Globe Telecom, cash prizes and plaques from Western Union, AIG “Money Tree" Investment Package from PhilAmlife, free airline tickets to any destination in the Philippines from Cebu Pacific and gift checks from Banco De Oro.
Past winners
The MOFYA was conceptualized in 2003, but the first awards was held only on 11 November 2005. Seventeen regional awardees were chosen all over the country. The national winners were: NCR Regional Winner OFW Rogelio Eleazar San Andres, Region Winner OFW VI awardee Jesus Vagilidad Cepeda and RWO IX awardee Anicia Abrera Alvarez.
In the second staging of MOFYA, aside from the usual 17 regional awardees, the national winners were increased to three, representing the major island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The national winners for MOFYA 2006 are OFW Myrna Sevilla-Punay of Region IV-A for Luzon, OFW Melchor Jarena Caayon of Region VI for Visayas and OFW Kagim Halim Jajurie of Region IX for Mindanao. - Luis Gorgonio, GMANews.TV
Each of the 2007 model OFWs was able to provide for their children, keep family bonds unbroken and render outstanding community services despite great divides of time and space.
Families of two seafarers and a household service worker were proclaimed on December 6, 2007 as national winners among the 17 regional title holders of the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA).
The MOFYA is an annual event of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to honor migrant workers and their families who have demonstrated financial stability, steady and enduring family ties, and outstanding community service.
The three MOFYA national winners represent each of the countries major island groups –Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The annual awards, which began in 2005, “is OWWA’s way of instituting and emphasizing the importance of a complete family as an aspect of a success in life of OFWs," OWWA Administrator Marinito Roque said.
Selection Criteria
Nominees for the MOFYA were families with either a land-based or sea-based OFW who meet the following criteria: head of family or main provider for the family; supports the education of a child/ family member/s; known as a solid and stable family in the community; and financial stability.
The specific selection criteria for the 2007 awards are:
• Functional OFW Family
• Constancy of communication
• Sharing of responsibilities among OFW Family members
• Emotional accessibility
• Psycho-social maturity of the children
• Involvement of children in civic activities
• Civic/community involvement of OFW
• Advocacies
• Membership to civic Filipino organizations
• Successful community projects
• Special commendations
• Success in child/children’s or family member/s’ education
• Children or family member/s’ completed or continuing education
• Children or family member/s employes
• Special commendation of children/family member/s
• Success in managing family finances
• Successful business enterprise/s
• Savings and investments
2007 National award winners
Oscar Abeleda de Jesus (Luzon)
Oscar Abeleda de Jesus from Romblon, a seafarer for 21 years, is MOFYA national winner for Luzon. He and wife Novelyn have been blessed with three children.
Away from home during the crucial growing-up years of his three sons, Oscar managed to maintain communication with his family through letters – six to eight times a month.
He was able to instill in the minds of his children the value of education and the wise spending of hard-earned money.
A staunch advocate of reforestation and clean and green projects, Oscar had initiated the planting of more than 100,000 mangrove trees along the seashore of Looc.
Eugenio B. Atuel (Visayas)
MOFYA national awardee for the Visayas Eugenio B. Atuel, also a seafarer, is commonly known to kin and friends as a family-centered, industrious, and service-oriented person. He and wife Corazon have been blessed with seven children.
Based in Bohol in Central Visayas, the Atuels set aside 10 percent of their annual income for various outreach projects. The family also help poor but deserving students.
Virginita “Maizarah" Lagunsay (Mindanao)
Virginita “Maizarah" Lagunsay, MOFYA national awardee for Mindanao is from Digos, Davao del Sur.
Maizarah, was married to the late Amado, who was also OFW. The couple has been blessed with four children who are all degree holders.
Maizarah is involved in several socio-civic projects. She is president of the Indigent Women Association of Brgy. Aplaya in Digos. She also holds prominent positions. For her, community service is a personal crusade.
Regional winners
Region 1 - Ilocos Region
Romeo “Vito" V. Fortuna (Vigan City)
Fortuna, 62, has been a seafarer for 25 years, and married to an elementary school teacher Perla. They are blessed with seven children, all college graduates.
His monthly allotments as ship radio officer were not only used for his children’s needs but also for acquiring properties such as a 3-storey building and warehouse, and a one-door apartment in Sampaloc, Manila.
As radio officer, he was able to save the lives of 21 Korean seamen whose ship sank in 1985 and another 26 fishermen at sea in 1987.
Region 2 - Cagayan Valley
Ronald P. Guzman, MD (Tuguegarao City)
Doctor Guzman worked in Nigeria for two years where his competence as a doctor was enhanced further. He is married to Dr. Wilma R. Guzman. They are blessed with four children.
He established a hospital in Tuguegarao – the Holy Infant Hospital using his earning from overseas employment. He also owns the Medical Colleges for Northern Philippines and the International School for Asia and the Pacific.
Region 3 - Central Luzon
Evangelina L. Sandel (Bulacan)
Sandel finished a degree in Veterinary Medicine. She and husband Willy are blessed with two children both are graduating students.
The couple practiced their professions in California, USA. After 10 years, they went back to the Philippines and started a furniture business that has expanded to more than 20 warehouses nationwide.
Region IV-A - Southern Tagalog
Felix Blanco Ormasa (Batangas City)
Orsama has been a seafarer since 1970. He and wife Cynthia are blessed with four children. He is holding the position of master with Inter-Orient Maritime Enterprises.
While abroad, Felix made sure he knew what was happening to his family, and made the decisions. He calls his family every day. During vacations, he made sure he would have time for his children and friends.
He is active in civic and religious organizations such as the Volunteers in Prison Service, livelihood training, and other such activities.
Region V - Bicol Region
Victorino R. Callada (Daet, Camarines Norte)
Callada, 55, has been a seafarer since 1979. He and wife Belen are blessed with four children.
He maintains close ties with his family through voice tapes and later, through the Internet. His family is active in church activities. Two of his children are now gainfully employed. The other two are still studying.
The Callada family owns a 17-room hostel, named Hebris Penthaus managed by the family.
Region VI - Western Visayas
Sonie A. Aortillano (Lemery, Iloilo)
Aortillano, 54, is married to Reynante and is blessed with six daughters, who are considered as models of obedience, discipline and respect for parents.
Sonie’s husband took care of the children while she was abroad. The family had to make do with the meager income they earn. The six children graduated elementary education with top honors.
Sonie came back home after six years abroad and assumed her duties as barangay health worker and gives lectures as part of her church and community duties.
Region VIII – Eastern visayas
Joselito P. Bertulfo (Isabel, Leyte)
Bertulfo, a seafarer, is married to Deborah and is blessed with five children.
He comes home every 42 days to spend time with his family. He made sure that the children’s welfare and basic needs were well provided for.
He invests his savings in real property and farmlands.
His wife has been elected as board member of the 4th district of Leyte. She used to be vice mayor of Isabel and held other positions in the municipality.
Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula
Orlando P. Paber (Guiwan, Zamboanga City)
Paber is a medical doctor and worked in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from 1979 to 1988. He and wife Maria Lorna are blessed with five children.
The Paber family is known to be a loving, close-knit and a spiritual family. Leading by example, the Paber couple immersed their children in a life of simplicity, humility and service. As medical practitioners, they put the welfare of patients above all. To them, the practice of their profession is not an enterprise but service to others.
Region X – Northern Mindanao
Reynaldo E. Dela Cruz (Linamon, Lanao del Norte)
Dela Cruz, a seafarer since 1982, began as Mess Boy. He rose from the ranks as an Able Bodied Seaman to Chief Mate. He is married to Beverly and blessed with three children.
He constantly communicated with his family, at least monthly. He taught his children the importance education. During vacations, the family watches movies, go on picnics, and attend masses together. He also extends his financial blessings to members of extended family.
Beverly, his wife, is an accomplished member of the Apostleship of the Sea in Iligan City.
Region XII - SOCCSKSARGEN Region (formerly Central Mindanao)
Filipina Eugenio-Caballero (General Santos City)
She worked as nursing aide at the Jeddah National Hospital (1982 -89) and became a factory worker in South Korea in 1992. She is married to her late husband Hermenihildo. They were blessed with 10 children.
Since 2001, she has been a widow, but managed to keep her big family together. While abroad, her earnings were used for the education of her children.
With the support of her family, she headed the opening and construction of Minanga-Asinan Road, which helped alleviate of socio-economic conditions of the residents of the area.
CAR – Cordillera Autonomous Region
Eliza Dakiwas (Sallapadan, Abra)
She was very reluctant to leave her family behind, but poverty forced her to work as domestic helper in Hong Kong for several years. Her late husband, Bonifacio, assumed the responsibility as father and mother to their three children.
Dakiwas regularly received voice tapes, letters and telegrams from her family, and these things helped lessen her homesickness. When her husband died, her situation became doubly difficult, but she was able to overcome all the difficulties.
ARMM – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Michael Rasul Abubakar (Jolo, Sulu)
Michael, an engineer, was an OFW for 25 years in Saudi Arabia. He and wife Dr. Onnong have been blessed with five children. The couple has an adopted daughter.
While in Saudi, he constantly communicated with his family. His vacations were spent for family bonding through outing and sharing of experiences.
His earning was not enough to live a comfortable life, so he decided to put up a construction company in Jolo, Sulu, using his experiences abroad. He now owns the First Sulu Estate Subdivision in Patickul.
Caraga Region
Roderico B. Cane (Butuan City)
Cane worked as shift supervisor at the Nestle in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1992 to 1995. He is married to Elizabeth.
In 1995 he went home for good and “invented" the Joy Table Sauce, which is now reckoned with by some multi-national companies in the country that manufacture catsup.
In 2005, he was adjudged by the Caraga Business Council as the “Best Performing SME of the Year."
Prizes
The MOFYA national awardees each received prizes from OWWA’s corporate partners: Toyota Avanza, Nokia 5070 and trophies from Globe Telecom, cash prizes and plaques from Western Union, AIG “Money Tree" Investment Package from PhilAmlife, free airline tickets to any destination in the Philippines from Cebu Pacific and gift checks from Banco De Oro.
Past winners
The MOFYA was conceptualized in 2003, but the first awards was held only on 11 November 2005. Seventeen regional awardees were chosen all over the country. The national winners were: NCR Regional Winner OFW Rogelio Eleazar San Andres, Region Winner OFW VI awardee Jesus Vagilidad Cepeda and RWO IX awardee Anicia Abrera Alvarez.
In the second staging of MOFYA, aside from the usual 17 regional awardees, the national winners were increased to three, representing the major island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The national winners for MOFYA 2006 are OFW Myrna Sevilla-Punay of Region IV-A for Luzon, OFW Melchor Jarena Caayon of Region VI for Visayas and OFW Kagim Halim Jajurie of Region IX for Mindanao. - Luis Gorgonio, GMANews.TV
Comments