Filinvest rolls out red carpet for homecoming Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - Filinvest Land, Inc., one of the country’s biggest and most diverse property developers, has rolled out the red carpet for more than 100,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and balikbayans expected to come home for Christmas.

The company recently launched a red-carpet welcome program dubbed “Handog ng Filinvest sa Iyong Pagbabalik” to pay tribute to OFWs who play a vital role in the country’s economic development through their remittances projected to reach $17.1 billion by end-2009. Despite the heavy blow dealt by the global economic crunch, Filipinos overseas continue to send money home, particularly to come to the aid of their families and relatives affected by the recent typhoons.

“It is only fitting that we acknowledge their hard work and show them that they are important and that Filinvest – as the builder of the Filipino dream to own a home – cares,” said Joseph M. Yap, president and chief executive of Filinvest Land.

Through the red-carpet welcome program, all OFWs and homecoming Filipinos arriving from November to December 31, 2009 will be given a specially designed Filinvest Perks Card for free when they visit the Filinvest booth at Duty Free Philippines. The privilege card entitles cardholders to discounts in participating merchant stores inside Festival Mall in Alabang. Cardholders will also get the chance to win as much as P1 million by playing bingo games at the Bingo Bonanza in Festival Mall and SM Megamall on December 15, as well as exciting cash prizes in the exclusive raffle.

This year’s homecoming welcome is expected to be more meaningful as Filinvest also lined up fun-filled events in some of its developments for OFWs, balikbayans and their families. This includes an evening of Christmas carols at the Paskong Harana sa One Oasis in One Oasis, Ortigas, Pasig City on Nov. 20; and similar events in the following areas: Havila, Taytay, Rizal on Nov. 28-29; BaIi Oasis, Marcos Highway near LRT Station on Dec.12; Nusa Dua, Tanza, Cavite on Dec. 13 and 20; and Claremont in Pampanga.

There will also be a touring exhibit on Nov. 13 at SM North Edsa, Dec. 3 at SM Megamall, and Dec. 12 at Festival Supermall. Through the exhibit, homecoming Pinoys and their families will be able to see all Filinvest projects and choose their dream homes.

To cap the special tribute, a “Day of Fun” for the families of balikbayans and OFWs will be held on December 18 at the Pasko sa Mall event in Festival Supermall, Alabang. The one-day event will be an occasion for holders of the Filinvest Perks Card to receive loot bags from participating store merchants, discounts at the Pixie Forest kiddie theme park, free parking, concert, discounted cinema tickets, and get to enjoy several activities lined up for children.

“Handog ng Filinvest sa Iyong Pagbabalik” is made all the more meaningful as it coincides with the celebration of the Yuletide season in the Philippines, known as the longest celebration in the world and a time for family bonding and giving.