A Certified Professional in Patient Safety and Nursing Excellence Director working in Saudi Arabia has been named the recipient of the Most Outstanding OFW Award, a distinction that marks his first recognition in Jeddah outside the walls of his own hospital.
Erwin G. Bolante, MAN, CHRMO, CHQO, CPPS, received the honor at an event hosted by the OFW Council of Leaders on August 28, 2026. He had arrived aware only that his name had been put forward for consideration, treating the nomination alone as a sufficient tribute. The announcement naming him as the winner caught him off guard, and he was moved to tears as he made his way to the stage.
The award singles out Filipinos in Saudi Arabia whose careers, service, and influence bring credit to the wider community. In Bolante’s case, the selection pointed to his advocacy for patient safety, his push to develop the next generation of nurses, and his role in raising the standard of healthcare quality—work that organizers said proves Filipino professionals are capable of leading at the highest tiers of their fields.
Reflecting on the meaning of the recognition, Bolante framed it as a shared achievement rather than an individual one. “The Most Outstanding OFW Award is more than a personal achievement. It represents the sacrifices, courage, resilience, and determination of every Filipino working far from home. It reminds me that every challenge has a purpose and that excellence knows no nationality or boundaries.”
He extended his thanks to Mar Par for the nomination, and to the OFW Council of Leaders and its Director General, Mofiedah Daknash, for spotlighting the contributions of overseas workers. He also credited God for the unexpected blessing and dedicated the honor to his family, mentors, and supporters.
The evening carried added weight for Bolante because he shared it with officials from the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, including Consul General Rommel Romato, who was among those who handed out the award. Bolante closed his remarks by widening the dedication beyond himself: “This award is not mine alone—it belongs to every Filipino who continues to dream, persevere, and bring honour to our country wherever they may be. Mabuhay ang mga OFW! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!”
The Council that conferred the recognition operates as a Jeddah-based network of Filipino community leaders working to unify organizations and back Overseas Filipino Workers across the Kingdom. Under the banner “Bridging the Gap Among Filipino Communities,” the group coordinates with the Philippine Consulate General, the Migrant Workers Office, the Department of Migrant Workers, and other agencies, running outreach efforts, service caravans, and volunteer projects. Earlier this year, it entered into a partnership with the Social Security System aimed at expanding social protection for Filipinos abroad and their dependents.
