28 March 2023, Seoul - More than 1,000 Filipinos in South Korea were treated to a highly exciting and entertaining show featuring standout performances by homegrown artists and fresh-faced talents, brought together under the “Balik Saya: Handog ng DMW-OWWA” program, on 26 March 2023 at the Dongseung High School Auditorium in Seoul.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) launched its first salvo of Balik Saya in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, the Migrant Workers Office – OWWA, and the Seoul Filipino Catholic Community (SFCC), with support from the various Filipino community organizations in South Korea.
In her opening message, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon De Vega lauded the DMW and OWWA for making South Korea as its first stop for its 2023 Balik Saya project. “Today’s activities provided important OWWA-related information, consultation, and a welfare caravan for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families, while the special entertainment segment fostered a closer bond among overseas Filipinos and assuaged the homesickness of many OFWs”. She thanked OWWA Administrator Arnaldo ‘Arnell’ Ignacio, the Board of Trustees and his team for resuming the Balik Saya project especially for Filipinos abroad who have experienced years of travel and health restrictions due to COVID.
For his part Administrator Ignacio assured the Filipino workers in Korea that OWWA would strengthen its existing programs and strive to provide services to benefit overseas Filipino workers and their families. He likewise lauded the sacrifices and the world-class skills of our workers in Korea.
The event featured the OFW Got Talent contest where the top ten (10) OFWs/groups showcased outstanding prowess in singing, dancing, original song compositions, and extraordinary talents. Mr. Dexter Patente, an EPS worker in a plastic molding company who arrived in Korea four (4) months ago won the Grand Prize for his impressive Beatbox performance. The Legitimate Dancers, a group of six (6) Sincere EPS workers, and Haneson Darryl Turno, an EPS worker for five (5) years, won 2nd and 3rd prize, respectively.
Filipinos from all over South Korea enjoyed the performances of singer-comedienne Boobay and GMA7’s 2020 The Clash Grand Prize Winner Jessica Villarubin who belted out her winning numbers. Administrator Ignacio also shared the stage with the performers in surprise numbers to the delight of the OFWs. Lucky draw winners and the biggest FilCom delegation also took home special prizes.
Balik Saya commenced with a thanksgiving mass presided by Rev. Fr. Jason Antiquera, SSC and arranged by the SFCC. As part of the opening program, the team of Promoting Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness for Overseas Filipinos in South Korea (or PEAK-Pinoy), which is the flagship project of the Philippine Embassy in support of the Philippine National Reintegration Program signed the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding, while the Philippine Tourism Office (PDOT) in Seoul launched the “Bisita: Be My Guest” (BBMG) program. -END-
