BAGUIO CITY (PIA) –Overseas Filipino Worker families from Apayao and Mountain Province are this year’s regional winners of the Model OFW Family Award (MOFYA).
Winning the 2023 MOFYA Land-based Category is Nancy Brual and family of Sta. Marcela, Apayao while the Sea- based Category winner is Anthony Lalwet and family of Sagada, Mountain Province.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration – Cordillera headed by Regional Director Martel Dasayon feted the winners in an awarding ceremony at the Ritz Legarda Hotel, Baguio City on December 14.
Nancy Bruel is a compassionate domestic helper working overseas (Hongkong, Lebanon and Morocco) from 1991 up to the present. Nancy’s husband, Teodulfo, is also a former OFW. The couple is blessed with two children who are both college graduates and now gainfully employed. Lourdina is a police officer while Marck Kirby is a branch manager of Palawan Express in Sta. Marcela, Apayao.
Mr. Lalwet worked as a seafarer for 24 years (1996 to 2020) taking various engineering positions in an oil company based in United Kingdom, and in shipping companies in Norway and Greece.
Joe is married to Dr. Claire Alangui-Lalwet. The couple has two children who are both in college.
The Lalwet family currently manages six businesses that include an inn, Sagada Tours and Travel, a technical – vocational training school and assessment center, a driving school, a medical clinic, and a Korean store.
Joe also established three OFW organizations in Sagada, namely: the Sagada Mariners Club, the ULNOS OFW Association and Kentigan Association for land – based OFWs.
The two families will represent the Cordillera region in the national tilt.
Seafarer Joe Anthony Lalwet with wife Claire receive the plaque of recognition and cash prize as the winner of the 2023 MOFYA Sea – based Category. (CCD/PIA CAR)
The OWWA also gave plaque of recognition to the other 2023 MOFYA finalists, namely: the Alipio Family of Luna, Apayao and the Tundagui Family of Banaue, Ifugao for the sea – based category; and the Dela Cruz Family of La Trinidad, Benguet, the Joseph Family of Manabo, Abra, and the Verbo Family of Pinukpuk, Kalinga for the land – based category.
The MOFYA is an annual search spearheaded by OWWA that recognizes the achievements of OFWs and their families despite the distance and challenges. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
