Ex-HK OFW is mom to a ‘Bagong Bayani’

 

Nanay Evangeline is congratulated by President Bongbong Marcos after being introduced
by DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac at the Bagong Bayani awards

Former Hong Kong domestic worker Evangeline Isla was given special mention by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in a Facebook post on Saturday, Nov. 22, after she represented her engineer-daughter at the Bagong Bayani awards in Malacanang two days earlier.

Nanay Evangeline proudly stood on the podium at Malacanang's ceremonial hall in place of her daughter, Qatar-based engineer Romaline Isla, who was named “outstanding employee.”

DETAILS HERE

Secretary Cacdac said in his post, “Maari pong sabihin na dalawang OFWs po ang pinarangalan natin sa isang tropeo at medalya.” (It could be said that we honored two OFWs with a trophy and a medal).

“Malugod po silang kinilala ng ating mahal na Pangulo sa “Palace of the People”. (Both were warmly received by our beloved President in the ‘Palace of the People.’)

Roma's poster shot during the awards rites

Nanay Evangeline told The SUN that she began her OFW journey in Saudi Arabia together with her husband Rolando where they both worked for five years, before she moved on, alone, to Hong Kong, where she continued working as a domestic helper for another 15 years.

In Hong Kong, Nanay Evangeline had some of his worst experiences as an OFW, including being shouted at and poked in the face by her female employer from the mainland.

“Mabuti na lang at mabait ang asawa niya na Australyano kaya ako nakatagal,” she told The SUN. (Luckily, her husband who is Australian, was nice, so I managed to hold on).

PINDUTIN DITO

She was also lucky in that her husband agreed to settle down in their Pangasinan hometown so he could do odd carpentry jobs while looking after their four children.

It was her children, the eldest of whom was Romaline or Roma, who kept her going, said Nanay Evangeline.

“Gusto ko silang makatapos lahat. Ayaw ko silang matulad sa akin na domestic helper,” she said, the memory still fresh in her mind. (I wanted all of them to complete their studies. I did not want any of them to become a domestic helper like me).

Basahin ang detalye!

Her effort paid off when Roma went abroad, not as a domestic helper, but as an accomplished engineer, and quickly rose through the ranks.

Recently, Roma moved on to a renowned construction firm in Doha where she was made an environmental manager, and because she could not yet go on vacation leave, asked the person who played a key part in her success - her mother - to represent her at the awards rites.

Seeing Roma so honored made Nanay Evangeline doubly proud and happy, for she not only fulfilled her wishes for her children, her daughter also showed how an OFW could shine and help uplift the country abroad.

 

‘Bagong Bayani’ awardees honored in Malacanang

President Marcos and First Lady pose with Bagong Bayani awardees and DMW officials

For the first time since 2011, the biennial Bagong Bayani awards held to honor outstanding overseas Filipino workers, was held at the Malacanang Palace on Thursday, Nov 20, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and his wife, First Lady Liza A. Marcos, leading the tribute.

In his speech, President Marcos thanked the OFW awardees, saying  “kayo ang pinakamagandang larawan ng kakayahan at kasipagan ng mga Pilipino.” (You project the best image of the competency and industriousness of the Filipino).

DETAILS HERE

Marcos promised that in turn, the government through the Department of Migrant Workers, would continue to elevate protection for OFWs, streamline its operations, “and ensure that every OFW is treated as the hero that they are.”

HK's Eva Mapa shows her trophy in photo with son Kean

The new Bagong Bayani awardees include Eva Rasgo Mapa, a domestic worker in Hong Kong, who has been using her considerable talent in massage therapy to provide relief to mobility-impaired Filipinos and her own funds to conduct free blood pressure and blood glucose test to OFWs on her days off.

Mapa, who heads the OFW group World Medical Support (Womed) Hong Kong won the community and social service award.

Basahin ang detalye!

Also among the awardees was Camille Jesalva-Junio, a former caregiver in Israel whose courage and presence of mind during a Hamas invasion in October 2023, made her the first-ever recipient of the Susan “Toots” V. Ople award.

Camille also won recognition from the Israeli government for saving the life of her 95-year-old female ward and herself, by offering her US$370 savings and mobile phone to militants who entered their house in Kibbutz Nirim in October last year.

The Marcos couple paid special attention to Camille during a brief chat with the awardees after they were each handed a trophy and a medal. A misty-eyed First Lady told Camille, “You made me cry,” referring to the bravery the OFW had shown during the Hamas raid.

Camille proudly shows off her trophy

During their short encounter, Mrs Marcos took note of the heavily pregnant Camille and jokingly said, “What are you going to call you baby, Martyr? To which the OFW quickly replied, “Hero.”

The only awardee who was unable to attend the ceremonies was “best employee” Romaline Dizon Isla, an engineer based in Qatar. Her mother Evangeline who received the award in her behalf, said Romaline or Roma, had just started working for a new company and could not yet take time off.

Evangeline, who revealed having been an OFW herself, said she decided  to work as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong so she could send her four children to college. “I did not want them to become domestic helper and experience the same hardships that I had to go through,” she said.

The other awardees were Michael Palic Conjusta for culture and the arts,  Capt. Rolly Tenorio Lapinig and the 18 Filipino crew of MV MSC Aube F for heroic art(Heroic Act), and successful reintegration awardees Elaine Vianca G. Figueroa, Ruellyn S. Ribon, and Alexander Inday Sebastian. Capt. Gaudencio C. Morales who received the Capt.Gregorio S. Oca Achievement Award, gave the response on behalf of all the awardees.

The 24-hour tribute to the new Bagong Bayani group started with a dinner with DMW officials at the Mall of Asia on Thursday, followed by the breakfast reception at Malacanang, lunch in Intramuros, and the unveiling of the marker with their names at the Wall of Honor (Bantayog ng mga Bagong Bayani) on the DMW grounds.

Awardees pose by the Wall of Honor where their names are permanently etched

On top of their trophies, medals and names on a plaque in the Wall of Honour, each awardee was also handed a token financial reward from the DMW.  Most importantly, they were attentively served by DMW staff, from getting to and from the events venues to ensuring they had enough to eat throughout the day.

The Bagong Bayani Awards which was created in line with a presidential decree issued in 1983 by the late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., has honored more than 1,700 OFWs since 1989.

 

Womed’s Eva Mapa is HK’s Bagong Bayani 2025

 

Eva at the Philippine Consulate, where her group regularly offers health check-ups to OFWs

She has experienced many hardships in the 23 years that she has been an overseas Filipino worker, from being fed only once a day in Lebanon, to being forced to change religions in Dubai, then being advised to go for a long vacation after contracting typhoid fever.

But through it all, 45-year-old Eva Rasgo Mapa remained steadfast and focused, determined to endure the hardship for her family’s sake. She quit school at 22 so she could help provide for her big family, and continued taking on the role of breadwinner after getting married and having her own child.

Her arrival in Hong Kong in 2012 opened new doors for her as a community volunteer, doing mostly massage therapy and reflexology on fellow OFWs who do back-breaking works for the most part of the week.

Basahin ang detalye!

Two years later she was named president of World Medical Support (Womed) Hong Kong, taking over the work done by the group’s founder Josephine Cajada, of providing free blood pressure and glucose tests to OFWs who visit the Philippine Consulate General on Sundays.

Week after week her team continued the free service, even at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and even took on the extra task of directing OFWs on where to go for the services they need from the consulate and its attached agencies.

Eva provides healing touch to an OFW hurt during taekwondo practice

She did all these almost as fervently as she performed the duties of a faithful member of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of God), a religion she embraced soon after she arrived in Hong Kong, and which provided her with the initial training to help heal people with her touch.

Now, after more than two decades of being an exemplary OFW, Eva has been given due recognition by the Philippine government, which conferred on her this year’s Bagong Bayani for Community and Social Service, the only one from Hong Kong to have been accorded the rare honor.

The Womed HK team provides free glucose and blood pressure checkups to OFWs on Sundays

According to organizers Bagong Bayani Foundation, Inc. (BBFI), DMW and OWWA, the award is conferred on the country’s outstanding OFWs “who have made significant efforts in fostering goodwill among peoples of the world, enhancing the image of the Filipino as a competent, responsible worker and dignified worker, contributing to the socio-economic development of their communities and the country as a whole.”

Eva is rightfully honored by the recognition. “Talagang na overwhelmed ako at grateful na na appreciate naman at na-acknowledge yung contribution ko sa community,” she said. (I was truly overwhelmed and grateful that my contribution to the community was appreciated and acknowledged).

Although she is very excited about going home next month to receive the award from no less than President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., she has no illusions that it will help her to finally achieve financial freedom, as she has yet to finish building her “dream house” in her Aklan hometown.

“Noong mag OFW ako, hinanda ko na ang sarili ko na tiisin ang lahat para makatulong sa pamilya ko,” Eva says. And that includes not just putting the final touches to three-million-peso home, but also providing a secure future for her son, who is now in college.

But if her decades of perseverance, dedication to work and reputation for having a healing touch are anything to go by, Eva will not only survive, but thrive, long after she goes home for good.

 

Free health & wellness checks for OFWs on Oct 5 and 29

Flyer for the Sandigan Eagles' free health tests

Two medical missions aimed at providing health and wellness checks to overseas Filipino workers will be held by separate groups on Oct 5 and 29.

The first includes free tests for blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure, uric acid levels; as well as naturopathic eye examination to be held on Oct 5, 1-5pm at the OWWA OFW Global Centre in Admiralty on a first-come, first-served basis.

Basahin ang detalye!

The services are offered free by the Bagong Bayani Hong Kong Sandigan Eagles Club, which says healthcare professionals, volunteers and community leaders will conduct the wellness screenings.

The group says it aims to provide essential health care services to OFWs, as part of its commitment to help improve the lives of Filipinos in Hong Kong.

Those interested to avail of any of the services may go to the OFW Global Centre before between 1-5pm, or earlier, to register.

The La Salle group will have medical professionals from among its alumni to conduct the tests

Separately, Forza La Salle will provide a wider range of health checks, including blood pressure, eye and HPV (for cervical cancer detection), and fat analysis on Oct 20, 1:30-4:30pm at the Lasallian Youth Centre, Kam Tsin Village, Sheung Shui.

All health checks will be conducted by La Salle medical alumni.

The event called “Tagpuan 9.0” will start with a Holy Mass at 9am, followed by a lecture by Louis Vas on the basics of yoga at 11am. The free health checks will start after the lunch break.

The event is free of charge but only a maximum of 100 participants will be admitted. Prior registration is required. For details, contact Dennis Magbanua at 6730 2214.

The project is joinly organized by the De La Salle Alumni Association Hong Kong and the De La Salle Brothers in Hong Kong.

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.

\

PRESS THIS FOR DETAILS

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.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

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.

Basahin ang detalye!

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.

 

PRESS FOR DETAILS

'Bayle sa Kalye’: showcase of the Philippines’ rich and vibrant culture

The country's incomparable mangoes take centerstage in this colorful dance number

 It may have lasted an hour and a half, but those who watched the colorful and vibrant dancing by various groups of overseas Filipino workers at the “Bayle sa Kalye” segment of the Kapangyawan Festival on June 9 hardly felt the passing of time.

As before, OFW-driver Lee Ann E. Mas did not disappoint with her on-point choreography, conceptualization and direction of the segment that featured the country’s various native dances performed at a fast but fun pace.

PINDUTIN DITO

The near-flawless performance of OFWs belonging to FLAG (Federation of Luzon Active Groups) and Philippine Alliance of Hong Kong made this part easily the most-admired  during the day-long program held to celebrate the 126^th Philippine Independence Day.

Mas joins finale with the Filipinos' favorite mascot, Jollibee

In introducing “Balye sa Kalye”, Mas said the segment was also a tribute to the Philippines’  unsung heroes who continue to make the country proud. Here is what she had written to introduce the show: 

“Bayle sa Kalye showcases our rich and vibrant culture…ang ganda ng Pinas at ang tapang at lakas ng bawat Pilipino. (the beauty of the Philippines and the bravery and strength of every Filipino).

The country's everyday heroes are featured in the giant billboards paraded to start the segment

“Ang Bayle sa Kalye ay nagbibigay-pugay din sa mga Bagong Bayani sa makabagong panahon.

“Ngayon, sana ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na mayakap at makilala ang mukha ng mga bayani…

TAWAG NA!

“Mukha na hindi man napatayuan ng bantayog, o kinailangang mag-alay ng buhay… pero patuloy na nagpapakita ng kanilang lakas, tapang at ganda hindi lang sa bansang sinilangan kundi maging sa buong mundo.

“Minsan nababago na ang mga idolo at (kinikilalang) bayani ng mga kabataan ngayon…pero sana ang prinsipyo ng mga bagong mukha ng bayani na lumalaban sa buhay ay mabigyan din ng pagkakataon…

The iconic 'sorbetero' delights the crowd

“Sana hindi maiwan sa dilim ang ipinaglalaban nilang mithiin..dahil sila ang lumalaban para sa kalayaan, karapatan at pagpapahalaga sa lupang tinubuan.

“Sama-sama nating salubungin ang magandang bukas…sabay-sabay na abutin ang tagumpay..dahil tiwala sa Diyos ang ating sandata’s gabay.”

(The full video of “Bayle sa Kalye” can be found here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=7FYyBoHBS36aIHvO&v=NzZc3lnEa50&feature=youtu.be 

Pindutin dito para sa iha pang mga detalye

Call us!

Filipinos urged to preserve freedom as country marks 126th Independence Day

Consulate officers in photo session with Filcom guests

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. called on all Filipinos to continue protecting their freedoms as the country marked the 126^th anniversary of its independence today,  June 12.

A video recording of his message was read out as the Philippine Consulate officials hosted the traditional breakfast gathering of Filipino community leaders.

“Bilang tagapagmana ng kalayaan na tinatamasa natin ngayon, tungkulin ng bawat isa sa atin na pangalagaan ito, at tiyakin na hindi na tayo kailan man magpapatinag sa anumang banta ng pananakop, pananakot at pang-aapi…” Marcos said.

TAWAG NA!

(“As those who inherited the freedom that we enjoy today, it is our duty to protect it and ensure that we will never succumb to threats, invasion and oppression).

“Tayo ang mukha ng bagong Pilipinas,” Marcos added. “ Sa sarili nating pamamaraan maari tayong maging bagong bayani ng ating makabagong panahon.”

(We are the face of the new Philippines… “Let us be heroes in our modern times, in our own way).

Officers lead the pledge of patriotism to the Philippines

The breakfast gathering at the Consulate which focused on this year’s theme of “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan (Freedom. Future. History),” was the first, and likely the last, to be hosted by Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, who is set to end her tour of duty at the end of the year.

Congen Usudan thanked the Filipino community leaders for honouring the simple gathering by their presence, and dressing in their best native attires.

She called on everyone to remember how the country  struggled to attain independence.

“Balikan natin ang nakaraan ng pasasalamat, at tanawin natin ang bukas ng buong tapang at pag-asa,” she said.

(Let us look back on the past with gratitude, and look ahead with full courage and hope).

Congen Usudan graciously welcomes Filcom guests to the event

Messages from other top government officials were also read out during the gathering, including one from Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, who paid special tribute to the country’s overseas Filipino workers, who he said, blazed the trail for building a bright future for their families, communities, and the country.

“As our modern-day heroes, you brave new cultures, overcome challenges and diligently contribute to the economies of your host countries. Through your hard work and resilience, you uplift your families and showcase Philippine excellence on the global stage,” Cacdac said in his message read out by Labor Attache Mel Dizon.

Cacdac pledged the DMW’s commitment to providing OFWs the protection, support and services (they) deserve.

“ We strive to ensure your well-being, protect your rights, and empower you to reach your full potential as equal partners in national economic development,” he said.

Some of the 100-odd Filcom leaders pay homage to the flag and the country

A video message from Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo was also played, in which he called on Filipinos to dwell on this year’s theme for the celebration, and remember the sacrifices made by the country’s forebears to help achieve independence for the country.

Manalo said that while Philippine revolutionaries managed to attain freedom through weapons and an “extraordinary amount of grit,” modern-day Filipinos must continue the task of nation-building through innovation, ingenuity and perseverance.

Call us!

ATIS marks 31st anniversary with pomp and fervor

 

Organizers are joined by guests and the audience in the community dance

Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society (ATIS), recognized as one of the outstanding community organizations in Hong Kong, celebrated its 31^st anniversary on Sunday (March 10) with an afternoon show of native culture, beauty and vigilance for reforms in the country.

The celebration, held at Eaton Hotel in Jordan, Kowloon, featured a competition of cultural presentations by towns in Abra, as well as the selection of Miss ATIS 2024 from among representatives of participating towns.

The competitions were intended to raise funds for ATIS projects to benefit its members and their families.

How? Pindutin ito.

The event was also an opportunity to look back at ATIS efforts to fight unjust Philippine policies, such as mandatory fees and government exactions which now cost every OFW about PhP24,000 every year.

In his keynote speech, Eman Villanueva, chairman of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Hong Kong-Macau, paid tribute to ATIS as the biggest mobilizer when OFW support was needed, not just in protests but also in projects for the Filipino community, especially during the pandemic.

He attributed these to years of leadership focused on helping not only its members but also their families back in the Philippines. For these efforts, its former president, Caring Bachiller, was declared Bagong Bayani for Asia-Pacific Region in 2023.  ATIS was also declared the most outstanding community organization in Hong Kong by The SUN in 2015.

TAWAG NA!

Villanueva noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, when uncertainty reigned over job security among OFWs, “we were abandoned by our own government” and the Hong Kong government gave aid to residents but none to OFWs.

“ATIS was one of those who helped, along with the Mission for Migrant Workers, Unifil and others to gather facemasks, sanitizers, medicines, food and so on,” he said. “They delivered care packs to those who had Covid.”

He added that they helped everyone, regardless of political color.

PINDUTIN DITO

For her part, ATIS President Ludy Guinaban thanked those present for their show of solidarity. 

“OFWs are called present day heroes but we are always at the bottom of the list in receiving aid,” she said.

She recalled that during pandemic days, “we experienced discrimination in Hong Kong and even in our own country.  We were not included in the relief aid of both governments.”

But this did not faze ATIS.

In the 2022 earthquake that hit the country, and which left the most damage in Abra, OFW families were excluded from government relief distribution. A protest by ATIS which became viral reversed this policy.

“When Covid hit, we were also among the first to send assistance back home,” she said.

Declared winners in Cultural Presentation were Licuan-Baay, first place; Tayum, second and Malibcong, third.

In the beauty pageant, the winners were Miss ATIS Jovelyn Galarde of Tayum, First Runner-up Ma. Rhodora Casay of Maliobcong, second Runner-up Desiree Joy Barcena of Abra Migrant Workers Welare Association and Third Runner-up Karen Joy Lunes of Licuan-Baay.

Other winners were Miss Photogenic Ginayn Martinez of La Paz, Miss Collective Sharon de Jose of Tubo Maeng Tribe Associatiom, and Best Production as well as Best in Ethnic Gown, Gretchel Bolanos of Lagangilang.

PADALA NA!

CALL US!

Call us!