Generosity beyond boundaries: OFW families live a life of giving
Jollibee Family Values Awards (JFVA) OFW Family of the Year were recently given to the Duque family based in London, and the Villa-Wilcox and Gange families, both from California.
The Duque family, headed by dad Michael, established the Philippine Nurses Association of the United Kingdom (PNAUK) to address the challenges Filipino nurses there. The organization helped develop the Overseas Nursing Program (ONP), which provides Pinoy nurses with workshops and trainings that tackle immigration and fair labor practices, finance and investment issues, and employment opportunities.
Another awardee is the VillaWilcox family, who founded Project PEARLS (Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, Smiles) in 2008. Led by mom Melissa, the family provides educational, scholarship and feeding programs to underprivileged children in various areas, including Bulacan, Manila, Caloocan, Guimaras, and Zamboanga.
Receiving the award “validates our humble mission,” said Melissa. “We are a small and volunteerrun organization and with the JFVA, we have widened our reach not only in the Philippines, but worldwide.” She added that it also helped their advocacy, the resulting press coverage bringing about more inquiries on volunteering and sponsorship.” Uplifting the lives of the less fortunate through rondalla music, the Gange family established Pagyamanin Likas Musika (PLM) in 2010. They used the gift of music as a means to help victims of various calamities, serenading and entertaining residents of a nursing facility in California to raise funds. They also worked with rondalla groups in the US and the Philippines to produce a music CD, aptly titled
Pamanang Pinoy, to raise funds for beneficiaries. The recognition “made a tremendous impact on our family’s personal relationships,” said dad George Gange. “We became much closer with one another as our work with PLM got more diversified.” The family also received additional support from equally generous individuals and organizations, helping widen their reach.
For information, visit www.jollibee.com.ph/ familyvaluesawards.