Cash prizes, TV sets, gift bags greet vacationing OFWs

A P50,000 cash prize was not what some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were expecting waiting for them upon their return to the Philippines for the holidays.
But three OFWs lucked out in the raffle during the traditional OFW Salubong at NAIA Terminal 1 on Wednesday.
During the event, dubbed New Year's OFW Salubong, over a thousand Filipino workers were given a surprise welcome and tokens of appreciation by the government upon their arrival at the airport.
OFWs coming from Taipei, Qatar, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait were greeted with gift bags and prizes.
Aside from the P50,000 cash prize, 32-inch television sets were claimed by another set of winners, while 40 other OFWs were given gift baskets.
Rafael Dela Cruz Marasigan, who works as a cashier in Abu Dhabi, said he was surprised and grateful for the cash prize he received.
"Napakasaya, hindi ko akalain... sa Abu Dhabi sabi nila ako ang napili pero hindi nila sinabi kung ano ang mangyayari dito," he told GMA News Online.
Marasigan is back in the country for an emergency vacation after his mother passed away.

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

OFWs were given a warm welcome by OWWA and DOLE at the NAIA Terminal 1 on Wednesday.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello handed gift bags to the OFWs who just arrived.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

A child accepts a gift bag from Bello
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

The OFWs were pleasantly surprised by the surprise greeting and gifts.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

They accepted the gift bags with wide smiles.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

The OWWA welcoming committee enthusiastically greeted the OFWs.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

OFWs thanked and shook the hands of OWWA and DOLE officials.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

1,500 gift bags were given away to OFWs who arrived from five different countries.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

A band serenaded the OFWs who have returned to the Philippines.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

Dirty ice cream also awaited passengers who just arrived in the country.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, along with Bello, was part of the welcome committee.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

Bello personally greeted the winners of OWWA's raffle.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

The six winners of the major raffle prizes
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

Three OFWs won P50,000 in cash, while another three won television sets.
Jessica Bartolome

OFWs treated to a surprise welcome by OWWA, DOLE

40 OFWs also won gift baskets.
Jessica Bartolome
The event was hosted by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to express their appreciation for the hard work of OFWs.
"Sabay sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon, salubong din sa ating nanunumbalik na mahal na OFWs," said OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac. "Para mahandugan ng mga tokens of appreciation, gestures of appreciation 'yung mga nanunumbalik na OFWs."
This year's theme was special because rather than the traditional Christmas "salubong," OWWA chose to set it before the New Year.
"Imbis na usual pamaskong salubong ay gagawin nating New Year... Paparamdaman talaga natin with a bang yung ating malasakit at pagsasaalang-alang sa kapakanan ng ating mahal na OFWs," Cacdac said.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello was present to personally greet the OFWs and award them the prizes.
OWWA said it started to meet and greet returning OFWs as early as December 19.  —KBK, GMA News

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