OWWA, Partners Fete 2014 Model OFW Family of the Year Awardees
VOL. XVIII NO. 4 (Nov 1-7, 2014)
BAGUIO CITY – The families of two overseas workers from Ifugao and Baguio are this year’s regional winners in the 2014 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA).
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Cordillera Regional Welfare Office (OWWA-CAR) headed by Regional Director Manuela Peña gave recognition to Joel Gabayan and family of Alfonso Lista,Ifugao and Inocencio Mayos and family of Barangay Gibraltar, Baguio City in an awarding ceremony at the SM City Atrium here on Tuesday.
MOFYA which started in 2005, is an annual OWWA event which aims to give proper recognition to OFWs and their families, both from sea-based and land-based sector, who gain success, despite the social cost of migration and to emulate their best practices towards optimizing the gains of overseas employment.
Gabayan, who won for the sea-based category, is an OFW for 20 years. He presently works as 2nd engineer at Oriented Ship Management Services Worldwide, rising from the ranks through hard work and perseverance.
Joel is married to Dr. Melchora Buminaang Gabayan and they are blessed with two children: Gillian Dorothy – 14 years old and at 9th grade; and Maverick, 11, and grade 6.
For land-based winner Inocencio Mayos, he has been an OFW since 2007. He worked as electrical engineer at Parceltica Holdings in Qatar from 2007-2009; as a Site Electrical Engineer at Qatari Diar Vinci Construction also in Qatar from August 2009- August 2014; and he is now an MEP site coordinator in the same company.
Inocencio is married to Grace Remendio Mayos, a barangay kagawad. Tthey are blessed with three daughters- Jhugrae, – a Certified Public Accountant and works as Internal Auditor at Philippine Red Cross National Headquarters in Manila; GJ Christia, a registered nurse and is currently working at Notre Dame de Charters Hospital, and Graeceinn, a BS information Technology graduate at the University of the Cordilleras and a violin teacher at Music World, here.
For this year’s regional MOFYA search, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Assistant Regional Director Atty. Erwin Aquino chaired the Regional Screening and Selection Committee (RSSC).
Members are Fe Ernestina Geronimo, Acting Regional Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs – Baguio Consular Office; Helen Tibaldo, PIA – CAR Regional Director; Fe Damaguen of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Central Philippines ; Marlene De Castro, Executive Director of Baguio Center for Young Adults; Cathy Ann Biswelan, President of Cordillera Association of Licensed Manpower Agencies; Erlinda Tindo of the Catholic Diocese of Baguio City, and Flora Malasig, a former MOFYA regional winner.
The RSSC screened the MOFYA nominees based on the criteria: Wholesome OFW Family Relation and Solidarity (50%); Civic/community involvement of OFW and family (20%); Success of OFW and/or family member in education or profession (20%); and Success in managing family finances (10%).
The Gabayan and Mayos families received cash and non-cash prizes from OWWA and partners such as Land Bank of the Philippines, Bank of Philippine Islands, NIIT Baguio, Data Center and SM City Baguio. They y will also represent Cordillera in the 2014 National MOFYA search. (JDP/CCD – PIA CAR)
