Walking in the shoes of empowered Marissa del Mar
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Party-List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino is a woman whose journey from the glitz of showbiz to the corridors of power exemplifies the strength of a woman.
She never thought she would enter politics. She already felt content helping OFWs through her TV shows like Buhay-OFW and Up Close and Personal with Marissa del Mar. But it was the OFWs themselves who convinced her to run in the last elections because they saw the assistance she was providing.
Not letting her supporters down, Marissa has authored over 50 resolutions, all aimed at assisting Filipino workers abroad.
For those unfamiliar, Marissa entered the showbiz industry in the 1980s, starring in numerous films. She co-starred alongside notable actors (who also ventured into politics) like Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, Christopher de Leon, and Phillip Salvador, to name a few.
Marissa’s journey into politics wasn’t by design but by the call of duty. Her deep-rooted commitment to serving the Filipino community, nurtured during her time in the entertainment industry, found a new platform as she championed the rights and welfare of OFWs.
“I was filming in a foreign country when I witnessed the difficult conditions faced by the Filipino production crew. The harsh winter weather exacerbated their plight. I informed the producer and the director I wouldn’t film unless you treat them well. Two days later, they addressed the issue, and production resumed,” she recounted to Manila Standard Life during a candid conversation with select members of the press after a Pandesal Forum held at Wilson Lee Flores’ Kamuning Bakery on Wednesday.
“Seeing the unfavorable conditions my fellow Filipinos endured abroad ignited this advocacy within me. This is not a fleeting endeavor; it began way back in the 1980s when I was filming international movies. A lot of us don’t the stories behind their sacrifices, some people think that when you’re abroad you’re already doing well,” Marissa added.
Driven by a desire to understand the realities faced by OFW, Marissa travels to various countries. Her focus lies on vulnerable populations, specifically those who have been victims of maltreatment, human trafficking, or exploitation by syndicates. Despite the inherent risks involved in her sensitive role, Marissa expresses gratitude for the constant support and coordination provided by embassies, which allows her to safely carry out her mission.
“The embassy helps me from the time I arrive until I leave. For me, I don’t argue with the labor departments of the countries I visit. I negotiate for the respect and dignity of Filipino workers. Filipino workers are easy to talk to because of our language; they are proficient in English,” she said.
Marissa also said she is in a good position now because, at first, she used her own money to help OFWs, but now she can help more because of government assistance.
“You’re using government funds that are meant for the people. Let’s give it to them,” Marissa added.
Asked if she misses the limelight, she said she could go back anytime, but her main focus now is her responsibilities as a lawmaker. She is currently fine-tuning a bill seeking to expand the voting methods for OFWs.
“Right now, I am pushing for internet voting for OFWs. Their contribution to our economy is significant. There are circumstances where they cannot vote. Among the 1.8 million registered voters who are OFWs, only 600 thousand were able to vote in the last election because some were working and could not leave their jobs. We understand their situation abroad; it’s not easy to take time off work to vote,” explained Marissa.
The congresswoman said that she is working closely with COMELEC to select the company that can provide the service. They are meticulously checking which company has the best system to combat hacking and other attempts to rig votes.
“They presented it to the Commission on Election, and I was there, and we were able to check their system. I’m leaving that up to the COMELEC,” she said.“We’re doing this so that Filipinos abroad can exercise their right to suffrage.”
Marissa is pushing for many laws, and she doesn’t back down even though she is new to politics.
“They say that passing a law in one term is a long shot, but hopefully, I can pass two laws,” she said.
Her background as an actress has helped her in her role in Congress, according to Marissa.
“We are more confident speaking in front of many people. When I was new in Congress, people thought I was just all about looks but I immediately gave a privilege speech, and my colleagues asked, ‘Where do you get the confidence?’ I said I got it from experience, and I’m willing to share it with them,” she ended.