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Friday, March 29, 2024

A heartwarming tribute to OFWs

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Overseas Filipino workers who went home for Christmas last year were treated to plenty of surprises, giveaways, and raffle prizes. 

A heartwarming tribute to OFWs
Piolo Pascual takes a ‘groufie’ with balikbayans during the recent Pamaskong Handog event of BDO and SM.

SM and BDO continued their commitment to pay tribute to balikbayans through their “Pamaskong Handog” event held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. 

The event, specially dedicated for the overseas Filipinos and their families, is now on its seventh year and is said to be SM and BDO’s biggest, most heartwarming Christmas celebration ever since 2012. 

The event brought to the stage Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Moira Dela Torre, Tawag ng Tanghalan finalists TNT Boys, Anton Antenor Cruz and Jenny Gabriel, comedian Donita Nose, and hosts MC and Lassie. 

Pamaskong Handog also featured BDO’s social media personality dubbed as Boss Teteng whose Facebook videos garnered millions of views for his funny and entertaining tips for Filipinos overseas as well as SM’s cheerful elevator girl Cheridel.

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Amid the challenges of working abroad, some balikbayans shared that providing for their children’s education is their primary reason in choosing to work abroad, and will continue to do so for their families’ future. 

For Evangeline Buno, who works in Macau for almost 30 years, “Motivation ko ang apo at mga anak ko. With BDO, parang katabi mo lang ang pamilya mo, Hangga’t kaya ko magpadala, gagawin ko (My children and grandchildren are my motivation. With BDO, it feels like your family is always beside you. As long as I can provide for them, I will).” 

Violeta Suyong, who recently retired after working for 31 years in France, was able to send her three children to good universities. “More than 20 years na ako sa BDO. Yung retirement ko natatanggap ko ngayon sa aking (I receive my retirement through my) BDO account.”

Susana Batalla, who’s based in Italy, was also proud to share about BDO Remit’s quality service and her family’s fondness of SM saying, “Lahat sa pamilya ko, pinag-open ko ng Kabayan Savings. Ang aking pamilya ay napagsisilbihan ninyo. Maganda ang asikaso ng BDO sa akin sa Italy, lalo na ang service ng mga staff. Lahat rin kami ay suki ng SM. Walking distance lang sa amin (I asked all my family members to open Kabayan Savings. BDO serves my family well. It has great service in Italy, the staff is especially helpful. We all patronize SM, especially since it’s just walking distance from our home).”

“Christmas is the time when overseas Filipinos are excited to spend Christmas with their families. This is why Pamaskong Handog has become our annual tribute to our kababayans as we would like them to feel welcome and honored while they are here,” said BDO Remittance senior vice president and head Genie Gloria.

Gloria added, “We also make sure that our products and services, as well as the other efforts of the bank such as special events, are anchored on their needs, not to mention our international offices’ active participation in Filipino community events overseas. This year’s Pamaskong Handog event was also held in time for the International Migrants Day.” 

On behalf of SM, senior vice president for SM Supermalls Joaquin San Agustin said, “SM shares the same mission of giving honor, gratitude, and joy to the overseas Filipinos in return for their hard work and sacrifice. The goal is to make them feel special and let them experience once again how Filipinos celebrate Christmas.”

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