A total of thirty-seven Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) marched with pride as they graduated from the 7-week dressmaking training organized by Pinay IKaw Na (PIN) in collaboration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Bahrain. The graduation ceremony was held on November 8, 2024 at Arman Hotel, Juffair.
As the event unfolded, Dinah Sta. Ana, president of PIN welcomed guests and participants with warm reception, ”As we look around this function room, we observe not only exquisite garments but also the passion and dedication that have gone into each stitch, each design, and each project. Each of you has embarked on a journey filled with challenges, learning, and most importantly, growth, you have transformed fabric into fashion, dreams into designs, and skills into artistry.
During the ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, Her Excellency Anne Jalando-on Louis congratulated all graduates of the 5th batch for dressmaking training for standing firm and working hard during at the course of the program.
‘’I commend you for the extraordinary level of commitment you have shown throughout these past seven weeks. It’s not easy to sustain a program like this. It requires a great level of dedication and commitment but you have chosen to invest in yourselves, to build new skills and to expand your potential and that is something truly remarkable”.
The dressmaking skills gained will not only open up new avenues for employment, but also provide opportunities for entrepreneurship, whether one can choose to start its own small business for financial security and stability and to create more jobs for others.
She acknowledged the enormous contribution given by the Migrant Workers Office Bahrain and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Bahrain, and Pinay IKaw Na in successfully implementing the latest project.
Ambassador Louis praised the indispensable role of community service and lauded the commitment of volunteer teachers who were graduates of the previous batch of trainees under trainer Epifania Fuyoc.
”This batch has truly set a remarkable standard for organization and teamwork that fosters creativity from the very beginning whom majority are housemaids they have demonstrated an impressive commitment to their craft, showing punctuality and preparedness in every session’, Ms. Fuyoc imparted.
In her speech, Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), Ms. Celia V. Cabadonga, highlighted the initiatives set forth by the newly established Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for which the MWO is its local counterpart for overseas operations.
One of the important features of MWO agenda included the Employment Protection Program and the Employment Welfare and Facilitation Program which included the Reintegration Program. This initiative aims to support returning overseas workers by aiding them with the necessary skills needed for effective reintegration in going back home.
Addressing an audience of enthusiastic students, friends, and family members, Ms. Cabadonga emphasized that the dressmaking training aligns seamlessly with the government’s efforts where the returning overseas workers are being empowered and their skill sets are further improved.
Such initiatives culminated in, the MWO officer articulated a message of hope and resilience and imparting how important skills development in bringing about sustainable futures for OFWs and their families.
Meanwhile, OWWA Welfare Officer Dr. Amelito S. Adel, who is currently out of Bahrain for a special mission, has greeted and sent words of appreciation to the graduates and the volunteer teachers who played a vital role in the dressmaking training.
The said officer has been grateful to Pinay Ikaw Na who has been instrumental in addressing the training namely meat processing, food processing and baking through active coordination with OWWA. Equally recognized were all those who continue to support the programs of OWWA that able to advance the most responsive services for Filipino welfare home and abroad.
Gina N. Langga, 54 years old, a housemaid from Tacoron, Sultan Kudarat who has been in Bahrain for 28 years expressed her gratefulness to OWWA and to the Philippine government for the opportunity given to her joining the dressmaking support program, yet she has continually strived to prove her worth and capabilities. In this project, she learned new skills but most of all she gained self-worth, which allows her to serve more valuably when she returns home. Gina exclaimed that this activity has given her a new sense of purpose-that she can do something useful that will help her family and share with the community.
Miriam Guese, an officer of PIN, further observed that the recently held training was a very interactive and collaborative process among the trainees. Organized into five groups, individuals were encouraged to work closely together, pooling their unique ideas and talents to create a cohesive presentation.
With highly choreographed song and dances reflecting their spirit and dedication, the groups not only modelled their well-created gowns but mesmerized the audience while on stage blending traditional and modern moves.
The event was graced by Philippine Embassy Cultural Attache’, Jiemarie F. Mortel- Ladrica, Owwa administrative staff, Juvilyn Gumabay, Arnel Z. Estrella and Elmer G. Temblor.
