By Ricky Laxa
Staff Writer
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Kuwait headed by Philippine Labor Attaché Honorable Nasser Mustafa organized and delivered “Pamaskong Handog” event for Overseas Filipino Workers in Kuwait on the 20th of December 2021. The event was attended by more than 1,800 Filipinos and invitees with a special guest from Philippines, Deputy Administrator of OWWA Arnel Ignacio.
The full day event commenced with series of informative brief seminars on the services of the Philippine Embassy delivered by Vice Consul Honorable Josel Mostajo, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) services by Rome Frias, Social Security System by Jeremy Redulla, Pag Ibig Fund by Mahmoud Khalil and Department of Social Worker and Development by Carol Mutia.
The afternoon event kicked off with the Kuwait and Philippine National Anthems followed by Islamic and Christian invocations. Assistant Labor Attaché Honorable Cathy Duladul gave brief remarks followed by Labor Attaché Nasser Mustafa and Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Mohammad Noordin Pendosina Lomondot. Hilarious yet impressive performance by the OWWA Deputy Administrator Arnel Ignacio who made the effort to come to Kuwait and greeted OFWs for the holiday season took the limelight of the occasion. Laughs filled the venue as Ignacio delivered jokes and couple of songs to the delight of the crowd. Hundreds of gifts were raffled to OFWs who came to attend the said occasion. The gifts were donated by different recruitment agencies and generous sponsors. Contestants to the solo and group singing contest each received cash prizes from Dadabhai Travel plus electronic items. Participants to Pilipino sa Kuwait Grand Finals also graced the occasion headed by its founder Eljan. The event culminated with awarding of prizes and plaques of recognition to everyone who contributed time, effort and resources to the successful event. Jollibee mascot with wife of Philippine Ambassador Hajjah Noor Lomondot and spouse of Labor Attaché Apsa Mustafa gave out packs of favorite burgers, fried chicken and pasta to the kids. Jollibee mascot also gave out a dance to the amusement of the children. Gifts were also given to the children.
“Pamaskong Handog” is an annual event organized by POLO OWWA all over the world to reach out to our OFWs and be with them physically and celebrate such joyous occasion. We sincerely hope that we were able to deliver to them the real meaning of why the event was organized. POLO and OWWA will always be here in service of our OFWs” commented Mustafa. “For 21 years I’ve been here, this has been the biggest and most remarkable event organized by POLO OWWA in Kuwait and what makes it unforgettable is because, after such long period of time COVID 19 spread its life threatening effects, we are once more physically together but again governed by health precautionary measures, we are truly thankful to POLO OWWA” commented Lourdes Camili, a household service worker.
OFWs were thankful and expressed their gratitude to POLO OWWA team for their hard work and dedication to come up with such an impressive and unforgettable occasion. The event was hosted by team of DJs from Pinoy Arabia FM headed by ABS CBN Senior News Correspondent Michelle Fe (Maxxy) Santiago. The team was commended by OFWs for making the evening truly remarkable. Filipino vloggers and members of the press were present to cover the occasion.
