OFW
Marilag Awards 2019:
epitomizing hard
work, discipline and
achievement
2019 Marilag Awardees
with Secretary of Labor
Silvestre Bello III and
OWWA Chief Hans Leo
J. Cacdac and OWWA
Officials
By: Nil Garces Belar
Photo by: Philip Ortaleza
T
Credit: Philip Ortaleza
en (10) outstanding women beneficiaries of DOLE-
OWWA’s Reintegration Programs were honored
today, 29 March 2019, at the Ayutamiento de Manila
in Intramuros Manila.
Dubbed as Marilag Awards 2019, this event aims
to highlight and recognize the success stories of
OFWs and their families who availed themselves of
various DOLE-OWWA Reintegration Programs such
as the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) program, business
loan program, the Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBP) and Sa
‘Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS).The award also aptly took its
name from the Pilipino word Marilag, which connotes magnificent,
beautiful, and splendid, all epitomized by the winners themselves
who were extraordinary models of hard work, discipline, moral
integrity, social responsibility and achievement, especially among
female OFWs.
Hanapbuhay Program beneficiary, namely Marites Lambino Benito
from Benguet, Felipa Cortes Maldora from Bohol, and Cyntehia
Racaza Labor from Bukidnon. Two winners reaped the most
outstanding OWWA business loan beneficiary, namely Antuza
Wanason Refalda of Kalinga and Gina Balagot Nesperos of Sultan
Kudarat. There were also three others who garnered the Sa Pinas
Ikaw ang Ma’am/Sir (SPIMS): Veronica Nicolas De Vera of Nueva
Vizcaya, Melinda Godinez Lapingcao of Lapu-Lapu City, and
Madelyn Bahala De Guzman of Davao City. Not to be outdone were
Mirasol Sta. Maria Baquiran of Isabela and Rosalie Robles Espino of
Koronadal City, winners for the most outstanding Balik Pinay Balik
Hanapbuhay beneficiary.
“I am proud to say that through the Marilag Awards, in a way, we
are breeding another batch of outstanding Filipinas. Your successes
validate that our programs and services truly change lives. Let your
story echo and resonate not only in this amazing hall but also in the
entire country, as well as to other countries where there are OFWs
showcasing the economic opportunities in our country and keeping
our family members together,” summed up OWWA Administrator
Cacdac, who personally awarded the winners. https://owwa.gov.ph/
OWWA Adminis-
trator Hans Leo J.
Cacdac delivering
a very inspiring
message
Credit: Philip Ortaleza
Nominees for the awards were carefully screened based on
the following criteria: sustainability of their enterprise, impact to
the community, skills application and innovation. For the SPIMS
beneficiaries, they were selected based on their contribution in the
area of public school education in their respective districts.
Three bagged the most outstanding Balik Pinas Balik
32
Credit: Philip Ortaleza
With OWWA Chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac (2nd from Left) are officials of
OWWA (left) is Director Dominique Tutay, (extreme right) is Director Ann
Gregorio and (2nd from right) former Secretary of Labor Marianito Roque
(Guest) during the Marilag Awards