6 OFWs get keys to new homes from Villar

MANILA, Philippines - The six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who received fully-furnished houses and lots from Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday shed tears of joy when they were handed the keys to their brand new homes.

Villar and his daughter Camille yesterday awarded the certificates to the OFWs and their representatives during the ABS-CBN noontime show “Wowowee” hosted by Willie Revillame.

Last July 25, they joined Wowowee’s special segment “Willie of Fortune” which chose migrant workers as contestants.

During the show, Revillame requested Villar to grant a personal favor to give each contestant a house and lot since he was known to care for the welfare of OFWs.

The recipients were Sarah Felecio of Negros Occidental, Marnelli Recabar of Iloilo, Rosemarie Jaca of Romblon, Judith Vicente representing Hazel Vicente also from Romblon, Jennifer Sonbise representing Joanne Sonbise of Parañaque, and Jolinald Chan representing Jenny Chan of Manila.

Vicente received a house and lot at Camella Seville subdivision in Caloocan City, while the other five OFWs each received a 40-square meter, two-story, two-bedroom townhouse with a market price of P1.2 milllion at Camelle Lessandra in Molino, Bacoor, Cavite.

“The OFWs are a source of inspiration to us. As breadwinners, they deny their own needs to support their families. For their devotion and sacrifice, it is but right to reward them by realizing their own dreams,” said Villar, who made a fortune out of his real estate business.

Twenty-seven-year-old winner Recabar said she took the role of provider for her siblings after their parents’ death. After graduating from high school, she started working to support her siblings while struggling to complete her two-year college course in Iloilo. She juggled three jobs: Air Transportation Office staff from Monday to Friday, SM saleslady from Saturday to Sunday, and part-time singer for hotels at night.

She left on July 7, 2004 to work as entertainer in Japan. But after six months, she returned to the country. Currently, she is working as a real estate agent.

“Our life has been so difficult. I need to work hard for my family. I want my siblings to finish their studies so they can have a good future,” she said.

Similarly, Felecio, 41, went to Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2006 as a domestic helper to feed her large family. After less than three years, she was illegally terminated by her female employer. She then returned to the country without any savings.

She joined Wowowee hoping to get some money to meet her family’s needs.