Ex-HK OFWs shine in DMW’s tribute to women

 

A standee honoring Rodelia is among those displayed at the Women's Bazaar

Three former domestic workers in Hong Kong are sharing the spotlight in the ongoing Women’s Bazaar launched by the Department of Migrant Workers on Mar 3 in celebration of National Women’s Month.

Two of them were chosen to be among a group of former overseas Filipino workers turned entrepreneurs who showed off their products at the bazaar, while one, Rodelia Pedro, was honored for the extraordinary contribution to the migrants community in Hong Kong.

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Rodelia was the founder of the Domestic Workers Corner in Hong Kong, which pioneered a structured and immediate relief channel for Filipino migrant workers facing challenges in their work, from learning how to cook Cantonese cuisine, to linking up abused workers with rescue workers.

For her exemplary work in helping her fellow migrants, Rodelia was named Bagong Bayani for community and sociala service in 2021, and honored as an outstanding OFW in this year’s celebration of Women’s Month.

Secretary Cacdac inspects native outfits made by OFWs from the Cordilleras

She was lauded along with 2021 Natatanging Bagong Bayani Awardee Nurse Divina Digap and fellow Bagong Bayani Awardee Regina Vallejo; as well as Marine Captain Jasmine Lavarda, teachers Grace Valencia and Cherry Dangan and entrepreneur Matilda Leo.

Meanwhile, two other former HK OFWs who have successfully launched their own businesses  after going home for good were among 18 women entrepreneurs from the “Buy Local, By OFW” program of DMW who were featured in the bazaar.

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They are Cristina Cayat and Irene Balanoy, both from Baguio City, who have teamed up to showcase the best products from the Cordilleras, from bottled jams and coffee to modern-day Igorot outfits.

Cris poses by the booth she shared with Irene at the Panagbenga festival

Cristina and Irene have partnered in a number of ventures lately, including their highly successful participation in the famous Panagbenga festival of Baguio City this year. Currently, they are also takig part in another bazaar at Camp John Hay in the city.

Cristina decided to return home last year, after a spike in demand for the Igorot costumes and accessories she designed and executed in her spare time in Hong Kong, where she had worked for three decades.

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Irene, on the other hand, is a single mother who decided to go back home during the pandemic to look after her three children.

They are among OFW entrepreneurs included in the BLBO program which is part of DMW’s reintegration efforts with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other government and non-government agencies.

The Women’s Bazaar will run until Mar 31 at the DMW building in Mandaluyong City.

 

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