Cebuano overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who won awards in the 2017 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) tell tales of their experiences in sustaining their relationships with their families back home.
Captain Emerico Gepilano said that every OFW family has a story tell which might be even more compelling than his own. He imparted in his message that dreams and aspirations of OFWs who brave loneliness abroad bind a family despite the odds.
Gepilano, from Cebu City,won the 2017 regional MOFYA in the sea-based category. He narrated his story before the estimated 2,000 OFWs and their families during the OFW Family Day held at the SM Seaside City Cebu, reported SunStar Cebu.
To give back to the community after working as a seafarer for 25 years, he established a center that helps educate aspiring OFWs, in particular, seafarers.
He and another OFW, Gerry Paglinawan of Mabolo, Cebu City, share this year’s regional awards in the land-based category.
Meanwhile, Dole 7 Acting Assistant Director Lilia A. Estillore lauded all the winners as well as all other OFWs. She said, “Despite some not-so-pleasant facts of an OFW life, it is important to note that indeed, there exist OFWs and families who have remained strong, solid, and stable.”
