CEBU, Philippines – A chef and his family from Kangkaibe, Bantayan Island was one of the recipients of the Model OFW Family of the Year Award.
Mr. Timoteo Jadulco and his family won the sea-based category of the search conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The award for the land-based category, meanwhile, went to Engr. Silverio Saceda Jr. and family from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
There were 14 nominees, which were narrowed down to three finalists each for the land-based and sea-based category.
The two winners will be sent to Manila on Dec. 7 for the national competition.
Jadulco is the chief cook of the SDV Maritime Corporation. He is active in community services by supporting a feeding program, the campaign against tuberculosis in children, as well as an outreach program for detainees.
They also raised and donated money for the construction of their church.
Saceda, meanwhile, has held engineering jobs in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Iran from 1986 to 1996.
He is honored for instilling the value of trust in his family especially his three children.
Dole 7 Assistant Director Exequiel Sarcauga said that since 2005, OWWA embarked on the search for model OFW families to highlight their achievement within their communities.
The Parangal sa Matatag na Pamilyang OFW winners received a G-cash prize worth P20,000 and trophy from Globe Telecom, a BDO savings of P10,000 and P15, 000 from PhilAm Life.
Mae Codilla, OWWA 7 officer-in-charge, stated that they chose the winners based on their active participation in the community and their success in handling their family matters like education and finances.
The awarding was held at a conference hall in SM City Cebu yesterday afternoon.
Bantayan Vice-Mayor Geralyn Cañares stressed the importance of valuing every centavo that an OFW has sent because it's not easy working abroad.
She considers it "heart-warming" that OFWs, while away from their families, are able to send their children to school and at the same time instill discipline among their children. (FREEMAN)