A retired seaman won this year’s grand raffle prize of house and lot at the 9th OFW and Family Summit, sponsored by the Villar Family, through its foundation- the Villar SIPAG.
The name of Elmer Fernandez, 62, of Mandaluyong City, was drawn by former Senate President Manny Villar who was assisted by his wife, Senator Cynthia Villar, in front of over 7,000 summit attendees of overseas Filipino workers and their families.
Fernandez said he can’t believe he would go home with the grand prize. He was just praying for a minor prize.
He worked as a machinist/welder of Norwegian cargo vessel Grieg Philippines since 1985. He retired last year and since then tried working as an agent for an insurance company.
He said that the Lessandra house and lot unit will be a big help since he is also trying to recover the title of his house in Mandaluyong, which was used as a loan collateral from an Indian lender.
Also among the big winners during the OFW summit were Sonya Vidal of Novaliches, Quezon City, who won P100,000 worth of Home Makeover from All Home; and Arnel Conde of Makati City and Marilou Noya of Malabon who each won a motorcycle unit from Isuzu Cavite.
The senator thanked the participants in the summit, especially those who have been attending the annual gathering, being held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
In sponsoring the summit, Villar said they want migrant workers to make wise investments of their hard-earned money—their savings and remittances.
The senator also said they want OFWs to learn to engage in a business so they would have a fall back in case they decide to quit their job abroad and stay in the country for good.
