BDO once again showcased its commitment to making Christmas memorable for overseas Filipino families through its annual Pamaskong Handog tradition. Now in its 12th year, the event themed “Happiest ang Pasko with SM at BDO,” brought joy and surprises to families, thanks in part to BDO’s international remittance partner, Remitly.
Among the honored guests were two remarkable balikbayans, with Jackylou Taboada from Dubai taking center stage. Taboada, a 42-year-old single parent and cancer survivor, has spent 12 years working as a learning assistant in Dubai. Her life was dramatically altered in 2016 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, a challenge that strained her finances and forced her daughter to pause her education.
Overcoming adversity, Taboada’s primary wish is for her family’s health and to reunite with her daughter in Dubai to continue her studies. To support her dreams, she opened a BDO Kabayan Savings account, aimed at managing remittances, savings, and other financial goals. During the Pamaskong Handog event, held at SM City Cebu, BDO celebrated Taboada’s resilience with a serenade from Piolo Pascual and gifted her daughter a one-way ticket to Dubai, a new laptop, and a P10,000 shopping spree, marking a fresh start for the family.
The event also recognized Maria Theresa Yasuki from Japan, who has relied on BDO for 22 years and was the first to register with BDO Remit Japan in 2016. After facing job loss during the pandemic, Yasuki’s savings with BDO supported her and allowed her to continue helping fellow Filipinos in Japan. BDO and SM made her dream come true by arranging a surprise reunion with her family during the Pamaskong Handog at SM City Fairview, marking her first Christmas in the Philippines in 22 years.