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| Melita Garibay, who has worked for the same employer for 44 years, receives her plaque from Consul General Romulo Israel |
More than 200 people turned out at one of the biggest Filipino community events of the year, the “Gawad Parangal 2025” organized by the Philippine Alliance Hong Kong to honor Filipino domestic workers who have served in the city for no less than 12 years.
A total of 154 FDWs were feted at the event that
lasted for more than six hours, and was attended by Philippine consulate
officials led by Consul General Romulo M. Israel and representatives of various
corporate donors.
Top officials of Cebu Pacific Air led by its
president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao, also came to award return
air tickets to any international destination to five top awardees.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Philippine-based broadcaster Ben Tulfo, who narrowly
missed winning a Senate seat in the national election last month, was supposed
to be a special guest, but was instead represented at the last minute by his
son, Carl.
Feted for being not only the longest-serving FDW but
also the most loyal, having worked for only one employer in the past 44 years,
was 71-year-old Melita Garibay, who was nominated by the group Social Justice
for Migrant Workers.
Garibay who is single and has been in the employ of
an octogenarian Chinese couple, said that if her employers decide not to renew
her contract anymore, she will settle back in the house that she has built in
her Pangasinan hometown.
Cebu Pacific handed her its “service award,” for
having toiled for nearly two-thirds of her life in Hong Kong.
The other recipients of the free return air tickets
were Edna B. Fontanilla and Rita C. Blanchard, who have both worked in Hong Kong
for a total of 43 years, Vilma Manganaan who has worked for the same employer
for 41 years, and PA chairman Dante Berido, who was cited for his leadership.
In his speech, Congen Israel noted that the event
was also billed as “Kalayaan Ball 2025,” which meant it was also held to
celebrate the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine
Independence.
He reminded the audience to remember the sacrifices
of the country’s heroes, particularly Dr. Jose P. Rizal who also lived and
worked in Hong Kong, so Filipinos can have the freedom that they now enjoy.
“We are doing this commemoration to keep their
memories alive,” said Congen Israel.
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| Congen offers toast to Philippine Independence |
He also took the opportunity to greet Happy Father’s
Day to all the fathers in the audience, as well as to the many FDW mothers who
have been standing in place of their absent partners in raising their children.
PA president Leilani Campos said her group first decided
to pay tribute to long-service FDWs in 2019, but only among members of their
affiliate organizations.
Campos said the initial tribute was called “Dakilang Ina,” in honor of FDW mothers who
have worked away from their family for years, in hopes of providing a better future
for their children.
“Naisip naming
parangalan sila dahil nakikita naming na matatagal na sila dito sa Hong Kong,
at gusto naming silang pasalamatan sa mga sakripisyo nila para sa kanilang
pamilya,” said Campos.
(We thought of honoring them because we noticed that
they had long served in Hong Kong and we wanted to thank them for their sacrifices
for their families).
Campos recalled the tribute pleased many in the
audience, including then Consul General Antonio Morales who was asked to hand
out the awards.
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| Campos (middle, in orange) leads PA officers in dance number |
The coronavirus pandemic halted all Filcom
activities until 2023, when PA decided to restage the handing out of awards to
long-staying FDWs.
“This time,
open na sa lahat pero dapat may mag nominate sa kanila (na organisasyon) at ang
title ay Gawad Parangal OFW Bayani Ka,” hanggang nagtuloy-tuloy na,”said
Campos.
(This time, it was open to all but the participants
should be nominated by an organization and the event was titled “Gawad
Parangal, OFW Bayani Ka,” and it continued to this day).
Through social posts, especially from winners who
proudly announced their awards, the PA’s annual tribute gained traction so that
this year, a total of 47 organizations have taken part, either as endorsers of
candidates, or as participants in the Kalayaan Ball.
Even sponsors like Cebu Pacific have been so
impressed with the unique event that they doled out more than they
promised, and have indicated a willingness to continue their support each year.
