MAsisipag! MAaasahan! MAdiskarte! Pero higit sa lahat, MApagmahal! This November, the Ateneo Project for Asian and International Relations or APAIR presents OFW Week: “Kabayan: Ang Pag-uwi” from November 4, 2019 to November 8, 2019. This project aims to discuss, link, and celebrate our Overseas Filipino Workers and the issues surrounding the community. This would be the second year APAIR will launch OFW Week, and this year promises to be bigger and richer in terms of the activities in store for all.
On November 4, there will be an information session with representatives from the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs and Office of Middle East and African Affairs from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The session will focus on the effects of the OFW phenomenon in the political, sociological, and economical state of the Philippines. On November 6, there will be a roundtable discussion with representatives from the Center for Migrant Advocacy and Overseas Filipino Workers from KSA, Kuwait, UAE, and Vietnam. Attendees are given a chance to converse with the OFWs on issues the community is facing, as well as exchanging stories of hope and inspiration.
For this year’s OFW Week, APAIR introduces 3 new events: Kwentong Kabayan, #BBOFW initiative, and the exciting movie screening of “Hello Love Goodbye.” Kwentong Kabayan aims to showcase the stories of different OFWs—their struggles, successes, and messages. The #BBOFW or Bring Back an OFW initiative aims to aid an OFW celebrate Christmas with their families. APAIR is working together with the Center for Migrant Advocacy in selecting a recipient of the event. Donations can be given during APAIR’s Kabayan Pledge Drive, through GCash, and through bank payments.
Last but not the least, APAIR’s culmination night would end with a special screening of “Hello Love Goodbye,” the highest grossing Filipino film. More than a love story, the film presents the struggles and daily experiences of OFWs Joy (Kathryn Bernardo) and Ethan (Alden Richards) in Hong Kong. The film screening will happen on November 7, and the ticket sales will also be added to the BBOFW initiative. Not only will you laugh, cry, and fall in love, you will also be able to help an OFW spend Christmas with those they love.
What are you waiting for? Register and sign-up for the film screening here: https://bit.ly/OFWweekSignups
Let us all celebrate and honor our modern day heroes! Mabuhay ka, kabayan!
