On its second year, the OFW and Family
Summit of the Villar Foundation and GoNegosyo once again attracted record
number of participants. Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) returnees as well as
their families once again trooped to the World
Trade Center
in Pasay City
Senator Manny Villar and Cynthia
Villar—Chairman and Managing Director, respectively, of the Villar Foundation— joined by a representative of Pasay City Mayor
Antonio Calixto, GoNegosyo’s founding trustee Joey Conception and Executive
Director Ramon Lopez led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Concepcion and Mrs. Villar led the lineup
of speakers and resource persons. The Former Las Pinas Representative
emphasized the important role and contribution of OFWs in the country in her
speech as she encouraged OFWs and their beneficiaries to handle their salaries
and the remittances they receive very well by looking for business
opportunities.
“We want to remind OFWs and help their
families understand that handling their finances or salaries well is very important, so whatever
they have worked hard for will not go to waste. It is even better if they can make
their earnings from abroad grow through proper investment such as venturing
into a business of their own” cited Mrs. Villar, now fondly called Misis Hanep
Buhay because of all the livelihood projects she started with the Villar
Foundation.
The OFWs sat down and listened attentively
to all the speakers and resource persons invited for the event, each of whom
gave not only tips and information but also encouragement and inspiration to
OFWs about starting their own businesses, overcoming challenges and even about
life in general.
“Tagumpay Forum”, which delves on the
challenges and triumphs by OFWs turned entrepreneurs, who have persevered,
passionately believing they can succeed, was among the highlights of the event.
Former OFWs Mike Casas, Annie Sitjar and
Cherry Yack shared their experiences and the challenges they faced before
becoming successful in their chosen businesses. Casas has embarked on bottled
sardines while Sitjar and Yack ventured
into a poultry business.
“Starting small, they’re now making good
money while enjoying life with their loved ones in the country. And so,
there’s no need for them to work abroad,
and this is what the Villar Foundation together with GoNegosyo have been
espousing, giving our OFWs and their families an option to earn a living,”
noted Villar.
And many more lives were changed and
blessed that Thurday with the raffle prizes that were given away. These are no
ordinary prizes, most of which are livelihood packages, so the winners can
start their own small business right away after the event. These include motorcycle
units that can be converted into tricycles from Motortrade; sari-sari stores
packages from Aling Puring of Puregold and Finds Convenience Store, Kettle Corn
franchise from RFM Corp., items from Markina Shoe Expo; SIM cards from Smart;
dealership/membership kits from Fern-C; and of course, the much-awaited brand
new house and lot from Camella Homes.
Russel Nalayog, a seaman from Greece, was
the very lucky winner of the house and lot. He could not contain his happiness
and gratitude for the Villar family for the huge blessing he received. Last
year’s winner Foresa Morada (wife of an OFW in Saudi Arabia
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