VILLAR SIPAG’S 9TH OFW AND FAMILY SUMMIT HELPS PARTICIPANTS TO SECURE A BRIGHTER FUTURE
“Modern-day heroes” this is what we commonly describe Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have been one of the biggest contributors in the economic development of the Philippines.
During the period of April to September 2018, OFWs are estimated at 2.3 million, as per data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. Despite the large numbers, many OFWs and their families suffer from various financial problems. Some experience the fear of being chased by loan sharks, while others are neck-deep in loans. To help alleviate the financial woes that OFWs face, the Villar Social Institute for Poverty and Governance (Villar SIPAG) held the ninth OFW and Family Summit at the World Trade Center Manila in Pasay City recently. With the theme, “Kabuhayan sa Sariling Bayan,” the event focused on providing livelihood and business opportunities for OFWs and their beneficiaries.
The summit has become a place for OFWs who are looking forward to secure an abundant future for their families. Business owners, franchise holders, government and non-government organizations have set up booths to assist the participants.
With more than 7,000 OFWs and families in attendance, Sen. Cynthia Villar, director of Villar SIPAG, expressed her excitement for the participants.
“Masaya po kami dahil napakaraming kababayan na OFW at ang kanilang pamilya ang nagpunta at nagpakita ng interes sa mga livelihood or business opportunities dito sa Pilipinas na maaari nilang paglagyan ng kinita nila abroad para magkaroon ng sariling kabuhayan dito sa atin (We’re glad that a lot of our countrymen who are OFWs and their families participated and showed interest to the livelihood or business opportunities here in the Philippines. The money that they’ve
earned abroad can be used to have a stable livelihood here),” Villar said.
“Gusto talaga namin na maraming mahikayat na ang katuparan ng mga pangarap ay hindi lamang makukuha kapag tayo ay nag-abroad. Puwede din tayong
magtagumpay sa sariling bayan natin (We really want to encourage our participants that fulfilling dreams is not only possible when we go abroad. We can also succeed in our own country as well),” she added.
The event also included panel sessions for participants to have a wider understanding on financial literacy, business trends, and start-ups, and to hear success stories of OFWs turned successful entrepreneurs. The attendees also had the opportunity to converse with various government agencies including Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Department of Justice Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT).
Financial literacy, according to speakers Angat Pilipinas Coalition for Financial Literacy chairman Burn Gutierrez, Terra Verde Ecofarm, Inc. president Eric Atanacio, and Wealth Arki Consultancy president and chief financial planner Rienzie Biolena, goes beyond the understanding of finance management and investment. According to the speakers, managing personal finances effectively highly depends on the ability to make correct decisions.
The second panel session focused on the basics of business landscape start-ups. Speakers Eco Natural Integrated Farm and Learning Site farmer-owner Emma Tolentino, Grab PH acquisition executive Ace Vergel dela Cruz, and Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines, Inc. EVP Capt. Danny Ricohermoso imparted their knowledge on the country’s start-up culture, which has been recently gaining traction.
The participants were also inspired from the stories of OFWsturned-successful entrepreneurs. Big Ben’s Gourmet and Big Ben’s Kitchen CEO and founder Gene Gutierrez, Cofficina Cafe + Co-work founder Bianca Tolentino, and What’s Your Flan CEO and founder Princess San Diego imparted how returning home to the Philippines does not necessarily mean that they’ll not succeed. In fact, their lives have changed for the better.
Lastly, participants had the chance to interact with DFA-OUMWA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola, OWWA Deputy Administrator Vivian Tornea, POEA Deputy Administrator Aristodes Ruaro, and DOJ-IACAT Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar with regards to their rights and concerns as OFWs.
Summit participants also made the most out of the opportunity to win prizes, which included two motorcycles from Isuzu Cavite, appliance showcase, pangkabuhayan showcase, and a home makeover, among others. The grand prize was a house and lot from Lessandra by Camella.
A NEW BEGINNING
“Hindi po ako makapaniwala. Ang dinadasal ko minor prize lang, ito pala ang makukuha ko (I can’t believe it. I was praying to get just a minor prize, I didn’t expect that I will actually win),” said 62-year-old Elmer Fernandez, a retired seaman from Mandaluyong City, the grand raffle prize winner.
Fernandez began his journey as an OFW in 1985 as a machinist or welder of Norwegian cargo vessel Grieg Philippines. He retired after working for more than 30 years. Since then, he tried to work as an agent for an insurance company and has been recovering the title of his house that was used as a loan collateral from an Indian lender. He sought for a new beginning.
After Fernandez’s name was drawn for the grand prize, he was in the state of disbelief. As he went up the stage to claim his prize, his eyes were shining brightly, almost as if he’s thanking the heavens for this unexpected blessing.
Other winners included Sonya Vidal of Quezon City, Arnel Conde of Makati City, and Marilou Noya of Malabon City. “Iyan talaga ang isa mga pangunahing hangarin namin, ang matuto kayong mag-negosyo para magamit ninyo sa pag-asenso ang mga savings ninyo at remittances ng mga kamag-anak ninyong OFWs. Para naman hindi masayang ang sakripisyo sa pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa at malayo sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Binabati ko kayo ng advanced Merry Christmas, sana mas maganda ang Christmas ninyo ngayong taon (It is one of our primary objectives to teach you how to start your own business to increase your savings and remittances for your OFW relatives, so their sacrifices of working abroad and being far wouldn’t be put to waste. I wish you an advanced Merry Christmas, I hope your Christmas will be more festive this year),” Villar said.
According to the senator, Villar SIPAG will be holding next year’s summit at a bigger venue in Las Piñas.
To learn more about the annual OFW and Family Summit and Villar SIPAG, visit www.villarsipag.org and its official Facebook page, Villar SIPAG.
“Gusto talaga namin na maraming mahikayat na ang katuparan ng mga pangarap ay hindi lamang makukuha kapag tayo ay nag-abroad. Puwede din tayong magtagumpay sa sariling bayan natin. —— Sen. ” Cynthia Villar