Three children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were honored on June 7 in Quezon City for their winning entries in a poster-making contest celebrating the strength and sacrifice of Filipino migrant workers.
The awarding took place at the OSHC Compound during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Central Office and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).
With the theme “Bayan, Bayani, Bayanihan,” the contest encouraged young OFW children to reflect on their personal experiences and express them through art. The winners included 12-year-old Princess LJ Reeder, daughter of a truck driver in Poland; 15-year-old Jesse Michiko Cotelo, daughter of a skills assessor in Ethiopia; and 16-year-old Rya Brythm Morada, daughter of a bartender in Japan.
Morada, who delivered an emotional message during the ceremony, described OFWs as pillars of strength. “Napaisip po talaga ako na sobrang tatag ng mga OFW dahil pinipilit po nila na tumayo at mapagpatuloy kung ano ang reason po nila kung bakit po sila nandoon,” she said. “They are all incredible people na hindi po namin inaasahan na ganun na pala ang impact nila sa aming buhay.”
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, who led the awarding, emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to support OFW families. “We continuously recognize the creativity ng mga batang OFWs. Gusto naming mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon na maipakita ang kanilang galing at ma-inspire na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pangarap,” she said.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac also participated in the event, highlighting the agency’s commitment to expanding reintegration programs for OFWs through the National Reintegration Network (NRN).
The awarding was part of the celebration of the 30th National Migrant Workers’ Day, which honors the vital contributions of OFWs to their families and to the nation.
