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| Congen Israel receives a plaque from Social Justice officers led by Marites Palma (in plain black) |
If you are going through difficulties, do not feel you are alone because we have a government that cares for you.
This was what Consul General Romulo Israel,
Jr. said in his message at the 6th anniversary celebration of Social Justice for Migrant Workers, held at the OFW Global Centre in
Admiralty yesterday, July 13.
Congen Israel spoke after hearing the contestants in
a storytelling competition speak of the many struggles they had to face to
ensure they kept their jobs and continue providing for
their family back home, ensuring in particular that their children finished
school.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
He said the Philippine government strives to ensure
the wellbeing of some 10 million Filipinos abroad, about a tenth of the country’s
total population. He said the task has not been easy, but the government has “come
a long way” since Filipinos started emigrating in the ‘70s.
Israel said that the stories shared by the contestants showed the immense pain they had to bear when they left the country and their families behind so they could give them a better life.
“You did not let that pain undermine your determination to achieve your goal,” he said. “Nangingibabaw ang pagmamahal ninyo sa inyong pamilya.” (Your love for your family is overwhelming).
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| Winners in the Storytelling contests pose with their awards and Social Justice officers, along with Attache Rem Marcelino |
Though the stories shared by the OFW-contestants
were replete with heartaches, mostly brought about by harsh work conditions to serious
health problems and being scammed of their hard-earned money, they all ended on
an upbeat mode, with their children obtaining college degrees, many with
honors.
Another speaker, The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap, paid
tribute to Social Justice for actively helping their fellow migrant workers in
need, particularly when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, barely a year after
the group was founded by longtime OFW Marites Palma.
“Born just before Covid, but you were fast to
respond to the crisis,” said Mandap. She recalled how the group provided “ayuda”
or food and other provisions for migrant workers in quarantine, and helped look
for shelter for those who were thrown out of their employers’ house after they
tested positive for the virus.
Mandap also recalled how the various “admins” or officers
of Social Justice took on a number of tasks in a bid to help the community ride
out the crisis, from rescuing MDWs sacked unceremoniously by their employers amid
the pandemic, to ensuring those seriously ill and wanted to go home were looked
after until they reached their destination.
She, however, reminded the group that their being “mabuting tao” (good people) should
extend first to their family members. They should keep their eye on saving up and
focusing on their goals so they could reunite with their families the soonest
time possible.
Chosen by the three-member panel of judges as Best in Storytelling was Venus Marasigan, who also received the Most Imaginative Story Award.
Apart from Mandap, the other judges were Shiela Cancino and Laila
V. Tungcab from Pinoy Impact HK.
The other contestants were also among those who
received awards in pre-selected categories: Merlyn Tayona, “Most Hearfelt,” Mary Ann Inovejas, “Best Story of Resilience,”
Mhel Larios, “Best Message of Hope,”; Yrine Monforte, “Best Being Migrant
Worker,”; Jocelyn A. Manzano, “Most Inspiring Work-Life Balance”; Naty Manalo, “The Journey to the Future.” and
Jocelyn A. Manzano, “People’s Choice Award.”
Among the other guests at the event were OWWA Welfare Officer Marilou Sumalinog, Social
Welfare Attache Rem Marcelino, Dr Zoe Cheng, Serena Clarke from the Cervical
Screening Team, and Dr. Brenda Alegre and Edgardo Ranosa, Social Justice
advisers.
