The Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA) recently proclaimed the families from Davao del Sur and Palawan as national winners for the 10th Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA)

In the honor rites held January 26 in Blue Leaf Filipinas, Parañaque City, the family of Fe S. Lao of Bansalan, Davao del Sur was declared  the 2015 Model OFW Family of the Year for the land based category. While the family of Bartolome C. Cadavero of Puerto Princesa, Palawan  in the sea-based category after a year-long search conducted in 2014.

After 33 years of overseas employment, sea-based winner Captain Cadavero acquired farm lands, real estate properties, and a plantation of exotic, high value trees like rubber and gemelina while land-based winner Fe S. Lao’s toils abroad was put into good use by her husband whose expertise in agriculture resulted in a multi-million integrated, organic farm enterprise with supplemental by-products.

As grand prize winners, Cadavero and Lao received trophies, cash prize of P500,000 and appliances.

Meanwhile, special awards, Best in Community Projects and Best in Entrepreneurship were bestowed on the families of Engr. Isidro M. Cabantac of Region 1 and Capt. Juan M. Cope of Region V. The Cabantacs received numerous awards from various organizations in public and private sectors for their agricultural projects benefiting the community while the Copeses translated their advocacies in advancing health and wellness and education into a school and a hospital. Special awards winners were given plaques of recognition and P100,000 each.

MOFYA is an annual, nationwide search of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to honor and recognize outstanding families of Filipino migrant workers who have shown exemplary example of family solidarity, financial stewardship, civic/community involvement, and entrepreneurship.

Major sponsors for the 10th MOFYA are Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Banco de Oro (BDO). Insular Life and Duty Free Philippines provided additional logistical support.

OWWA