ShareThisRecognizing the importance of media in promoting the interests and advocating the cause of Filipino migrants worldwide, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) honored 11 outstanding media works from six countries during the 3rd Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards Ceremonies held at the SSS Ramon Magsaysay Hall on December 18, 2012, the International Migrants Day.
Conceived in 2011 by the CFO, the MAM Awards aim to recognize the significant role of the media in raising public awareness on issues related to Filipino migration, the challenges of migration and development, and advocate the cause and promote a positive image of Filipinos overseas.
The Awards were conferred by CFO Secretary Imelda Nicolas, CFO Executive Director Mary Grace Tirona and PMRW President Carmelita Nuqui to Atty. Rodel Rodis (represented by Liza Soriano) for his Philippine Daily Inquirer news article “MAID IN HONG KONG, MADE FOR DISCRIMINATION”; Millie Marcial-Phillips, publisher of the monthly newspaper “KALATAS AUSTRALIA”; Raquel Delfin Padilla and Jovelyn Bayubay Revilla (represented by Joyce Faulmino) for their book “SINDI NG LAMPARA (OFW STORIES); Ambassador Joselito Jimeno for his art book “ART AS REALITY: THE TRANSITION OF FILIPINO MIGRANT CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE EAST”; Atty. Rhoda Yabes Alvarez and Allan Alvarez for their radio show “THE LEGAL PINOY”; Atty. Lourdes Santos Tancinco for her TV show “GMA PINOY TV’S PUSONG PINOY SA AMERIKA”; Maki Pulido for her documentary “GMA TV’S REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: PAGLALAYAG SA SABAH, BACKDOOR AT HALAU”; Director Anthony Chen (represented by Pauline Javier) for his critically acclaimed film “ILO-ILO”; Cathy Rose Garcia, editor of the “ABS-CBNNEWS.COM (GLOBAL FILIPINO)”; James dela Cruz for his personal blog “OFW SA DISYERTO”; and Chester Fabian for his ABS-CBN TFC Advertisement “ISANG KATUPARAN NG PANGARAP”.
The panel of judges for the MAM Awards was headed by the CFO with members from the different migration and media institutions, which include Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Information Agency, National Press Club of the Philippines, International Association of Business Communicators, and UP College of Mass Communication.
Given another year of success for this pioneering initiative to recognize mass media advocates who give flesh and blood to Filipino migrants worldwide – the CFO will continue to conduct this annual event to motivate more writers, publishers, radio commentators, bloggers, producers and directors who serve as important allies in promoting the welfare and interests of the hard?working Philippine diaspora.
BaLinkBayan Launching
The CFO also formally launched BaLinkBayan – Overseas Filipinos’ One Stop Online Portal for Diaspora Engagement, which could now be accessed by more than 10 million Filipinos in the diaspora. A quip on the Filipino words balikbayan (a returning overseas Filipino), BaLinkBayan is a means to connect Filipino individuals and communities to the Philippines and their hometowns through the Diaspora to Development (D2D) program of the CFO.
Mr. Raul Alcantara of the CFO gave an overview of the BaLinkBayan, highlighting that the program promotes and supports diaspora-driven initiatives such as investment, philanthropy, and technology and skills transfer. During the launching, freebies such as BaLinkBayan USBs, ballpens, keychains, and notepads, were given to lucky participants who liked the BaLinkBayan Facebook page.
The portal is an inter-agency undertaking with partners from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Interior and Local Government, Nation Competitive Council, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Professional Regulation Commission, Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, City Government of Naga and others. With the yearly downpour of billions of remittances which form an integral part of our economy, this web-based portal seeks to reroute this remittances and donations, for the inclusive and sustainable growth that can serve as catalysts to fuel Philippine economic development.
National Forum on Migration
Prior the Awarding Ceremony and BaLinkBayan Launching, the Inter-Agency Committee on the Celebration of the MOF chaired by the PMRW and co-chaired by the CFO, conducted a National Forum on Migration with a theme “Reintegration and Development: Partnerships and Challenges”. Administrator Hans Cacdac of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration gave the keynote address during the Forum. Afterwards, the participants were treated to a Christmas raffle and spectacular dance and cultural show sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The December 18 activities are the culmination of the Month of Overseas Filipinos, celebrated every month of December by the government and civil society. Other IAC members which supported the event include the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, Presidential Communications Operations Office, National Reintegration Center for OFWs, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Security System, Migrant Forum in Asia, and Philippine Migrants Research Network.