By John Paul S. Nistal
DOLE - Bohol
A Seafarer’s family from Ubay, Bohol was all smiles and tears when they were proclaimed the winner for the regional search of the 2007 Model Overseas Filipino Worker of the Year Award ( MOFYA ) last November 09, 2007 at SM City Cebu. Members of 55- year old Eugenio Boiser Atuel Jr.’s family received a gold medal, a trophy, and P25,000 cash prize during the awarding ceremonies at SM City Cebu.
Now on its third year, the search is focused on family relationships that are successful, stable, and intact even if one member is working outside the country. After the contest was launched in October, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ( OWWA ) received 18 nominations from Central Visayas. Thirteen of these are from Cebu Province, three fro Bohol and two from Oriental Negros. OWWA Regional Director Wilfreda Misterio said the search has been recognizing the achievements of OFWs and their families in managing the impact of overseas employment on family life.
Atuel and his family scored 91.5 percent to earn the right to represent Central Visayas in the National MOFYA. The winner in this regional search will compete with the other winners from regions belonging to the same island cluster. Atuel, who will represent Central Visayas, will compete with Region 6 and 8. One winner each for Luzon. Visayas and Mindanao will be announced in the first week of December in Manila. These national champions will receive P200, 000.vacation trip packages, laptop computers and other prizes from Globe Telecom.
But for the Atuel family, being one of the five nominees for Central Visayas is already an honor. The local government unit of Ubay, Bohol, nominated them for the search. Eugenio Atuel has been working overseas as a seaman and has climbed the ranks in his job for the past 31 years. He and his wife Corazon, 47, have been married for 25 years and bore seven children, each successful in their chosen fields. Aside from being a family man and breadwinner, Eugenio is also a family life apostolate member, organizer of a trisikad organization called Tapalodo, and sponsor of micro livelihood programs in his hometown. Eugenio, however, was not able to join the awarding because he is working overseas. His wife spoke on his behalf, saying that she and her husband continually strives to make their home a paradise for their growing family because they both recognized the importance of family.
Other nominees include the families of Domingo Torrilla Tome and Edwin Fortaliza Cañete both from Talisay City, Miximino Cabudoy Bia and Charlie Lao Garcia both from Cebu City.
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Topic: Bol-anon Family Wins Model OFW Family Award (Read 937 times)