MODEL OFW. Helen Balerite from Leyte province, a retired nurse in Dubai, is named as one of this year's regional winners for the Model Overseas Filipino Workers Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA). MOFYA is an annual search that showcases the best practices on how to nurture an OFW family despite the distance and challenges. (Photo courtesy of Helen Balerite)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Office of Workers Welfare Administration in Eastern Visayas has awarded the regional winners for the Model Overseas Filipino Workers Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) in a simple awarding ceremony on Wednesday.
Helen Balerite from Leyte province was chosen as the regional winner for the land-based category and Rufo Demiao Jr. of Southern Leyte for the sea-based category.
The two will represent the region in the national search which will be held next year.
Balerite worked as a nurse in Dubai, then later on became a food safety quality manager at Marriot Hotel and Intercontinental Hotel, after completing her food safety management studies.
This has allowed her to save more, which she invested in different businesses that her family had put up not only in the country but also in Dubai.
“We need to learn how to save and spend on what is essential and needed by our family,” Balerite shares when asked for her advice to fellow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“No matter how high your salary is, if you don’t know how to manage your finances, you will end up with nothing,” Balerite added, sharing that she taught this mindset to her children.
Demiao, for his part, underscored the importance of having constant communication with the family to ensure a stronger relationship despite the distance.
“Giving time to communicate and talk with your family is one of the most important aspects of keeping your family relations strong. This builds trust despite the distance that separates you from each other,” Demiao said.
He worked as a captain on a cruise ship for over 30 years, allowing him to support the education and the needs of his family.
“Our hope is that these two MOFYA regional winners will inspire other overseas workers who are struggling in their job to provide support to their families,” said OWWA Eastern Visayas regional director Mary Catherine Pastor.
The region has already one MOFYA national winner – ship captain Manuel Gabornes of Lawaan, Eastern Samar – who won the competition in 2012.
MOFYA is an annual search that showcases the best practices on how to nurture an OFW family despite the challenges, and how their success resonates not only in their community but in the rest of society. (PNA)
