OFW model families recognized

BEING an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) - earning a living in another country for the economic wellbeing of the family - takes a lot of considerations to balance the existence of loved ones, where the upkeep of the family is assured despite the physically distance.

Stories of broken families, children into drugs, squandered remittances, among others, are the sad realities that some OFWs have suffered.

But there are exceptions.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in northern Mindanao, under the Department of Labor and Employment, on its 10th year, recognized this year the OFW families who hurdled bad and sad times and fulfilled their dreams of economically sound and harmonious living.

The Model OFW Family of the Year Award (Mofya) which recognizes the successes of OFW families that despite the distance of a parent have managed the affairs – values and strong ties – of the family that saw through children who completed their education; prudence in spending the hard earned remittances; and maintaining their good standing in the community.

Mofya has the land-based and the sea-based sectors where three nominees for each sector had been carefully selected by a committee composed of Raymundo G. Agravante, DOLE-10 regional director, as chairman; Harry B. Borres ,OWWA-10 OIC regional director as vice-chair; Oscar Baldoman of the National Commission on Indigenous People; Fritzie Estoque, director Liceo Center for Community Development; Buenaventura Barete of Surigao Education Center; Mila Pace, marketing manager Globe Telecom SM City; and Pastor Rey Cimene of Glorious Hope United Fellowship Center Inc.

The 2014 nominees in the land-based sector are the families of Wilfredo C. Ancajas of Purok Masilakan II, Poblacion, Lugait, Misamis Oriental; Architect Renato A. Castillo, of Sumpong, Malaybalay City; and Virginia D. Catacutan of Purok 2A, San Miguel, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Sea-based nominees are the families of Simplicio B. Lariosa of Purok Mauswagon, Poblacion, Lugait, Misamis Oriental ; Capt. Calvert T. Ramos of Purok 2, Mago-ong, Linamon Lanao del Norte; and Capt. Meinrado Villame of Purok Molave, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte.

The 2014 Mofya Land-based award went to Ancajas family who is married to Bernardita Densing. The couple have four children who are now professionals.

Ancajas worked for 20 years as foreman piper in four different companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In June this year, he decided to settle down with his family and forego the overseas job.

The family of Capt. Calvert T. Ramos got the Mofya sea-based sector award. He is a seaman-overseas for 16 years now being a master mariner of Britol Offshore Services Pte. Ltd. He is married to Ida Aranas, a certified public accountant.

Mrs. Aranas decided to leave her job at the then National Steel Corp., and devoted her time rearing and caring their children who are now professionals.

The Aranas family, through the years, has acquired properties, like a condominium unit and a 2-story residential house in Metro Manila and several other properties in Linamon, Lanao del Norte, notwithstanding Capt. Ramos’s investment in the stock market and an incorporator of Oceanus Maritime Crewing Services, a manpower recruitment agency.

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