OFW - Overseas Filipino News

Even overseas Filipinos in Europe can feel the effects of the worsening food and oil crisis in the Philippines.

Though their salaries did not increase, OFWs said they need to augment or even double their remittances to their dependents because of the economic crunch back home.

They added that they too are affected by the current world recession, which has resulted in the fluctuating exchange rate.

Daisy Picar has been in Italy for more than 20 years. She has two jobs to make sure the daily needs of her children and grandchildren back home are sustained.

Picar works as a maid in the morning and tends to an old Italian couple at night.

Meanwhile, Lourdes Borja is almost 70 years old and is principally relying on the social benefits she gets from the British government.

Despite her age, Borja could not go back to the Philippines because she has three children to support.

She gets a monthly pension that is equivalent to almost P60,000.

As of June, the Philippine central bank reported that money sent home by Filipinos abroad rose to 30 percent from a year earlier, which is equivalent to $1.5 billion.

The central bank added that it expects OFW remittances to hit a record $15.9 billion this year, up 10 percent from 2007.

More and more Filipinos continue to bring honor to the Philippines by being recognized around the world for exceptional achievements they have shown in their chosen fields.

These Filipinos could be the next recipients of the “3rd BPInoy Awards” to be granted by the Bank of the Philippine Islands as its way of acknowledging contributions by these oustanding Filipinos.

“BPI is privileged to share and celebrate the success achieved by Overseas Filipinos who have truly demonstrated inherent Pinoy values. The same values that catapulted them to world renown bringing honor and recognition to our country,” said Aurelio Montinola III, President and CEO of BPI.

Now on its third year, the BPInoy Awards aims to communicate BPI’s commitment to excellence and encourage nationalism among Filipinos abroad.

Its past awardees include the world-renowned musical theater artist Lea Salonga, US-based technology entrepreneur Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, internationally-known fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, and famour heart surgeon Dr. George Garcia of the Asian Hospital & Medical Center.

Nominations now open

Individuals of Filipino heritage, regardless of current citizenship, and of good moral character may be nominated for their outstanding achievements as long as they have lived and or worked overseas.

Nominees will be evaluated by the BPInoy Awards Steering Committee based on criteria that include top-of-mind awareness and societal impact of achievements, among others.

Two awardees will be chosen among the nominees; an expert from the arts, media or sports arena; and, another for business, science and technology.

The awardees’ chosen local charities will also get a donation of P50,000 each from BPI.

Any Filipino individual or organization based here or abroad can send in their nominees by providing the name or the person, profession, location, contact details and a short summary of his achievements. Contact details of nominators are also required.

Nomination may be sent via email to bpinoyawards@bpi.com.ph or via post to Athena Balleza, Marketing Department, Overseas Customers Segment, Bank of the Philippine Islands, 6/F BPI Family Savings Bank Center, Paseo de Roxas cor. Dela Rosa St., Makati City 1226, Metro Manila.

The BPI launches its third BPInoy Awards amidst its own achievement in the remittance industry as Top Commercial Bank for Overseas Filipino Remittances for the third straight year, and first bank to be conferred with the BSP Hall of Fame Award in this business.

BPI will accept public nominations for the BPInoy Awards up to Sept. 8, 2008. Awarding ceremonies will be held on Oct. 8, 2008. The awarding will coincide with BPI’s “BPInoy Week” celebration in October.