JEDDAH: A self-made car mechanic, a 71-year-old carpenter and a model domestic helper were among the winners in the first Gawad Dangal awards given out to Filipino workers in western Saudi Arabia.

The awardees were Larry Magos, a self-made car mechanic; Jerry Manalili, salesman; Sylvestre Afante, carpenter; household service workers Lilian Dalida, Rosell Maniego and Delia Bernaldez; Teofilo B. Hugo Jr. a maintenance coordinator; John Pamintuan, an aircon technician and photographer; and Ace Acibo, a caregiver and nursing aide.

Special awards were also given to Joey Villanueva, a financial manager who was recognized for winning in the Toastmasters International Speech Competition; Sylvia Delos Santos, director of the prestigious Jeddah-based Serenata Choir Group, which won last year’s Linkapil presidential awards; and Cris Gentica, an artist who had earlier topped the International Cosplay and Gown Competition.

The winners were chosen from dozens of nominees to the 2015 Search for Gawad Dangal (Pride of the Philippines), launched last October by the Philippine Consulate in cooperation with the OFW Cooperative Council (OFWCC), the Kabalikat Civicom and TSFJ groups.

The awardees won prizes donated by NCB’s Quickpay, Oman Air, Sky Freight Forwarders, TFSJ, Astig, Frontrow and Kabalikat Civicom.

Organizers said the ten awardees were selected from among nominees who have passed the criteria for good moral character and have been previously recognized for exemplary behavior or outstanding service, competence, manifestation of love for work, concern for the company and co-workers, good deeds done to fellow OFWs, and history of heroic acts or deed.

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Citations for the winners read out during the award ceremonies were in Filipino. An abridged English translation follows:

• Larry Magos, a self-made car mechanic who is not only trusted by his Saudi sponsor and partner to run their business but also known for being helpful to fellow Filipinos who are in a tight fix, especially the sick.

• Jerry Manalili, who serves as an inspiration to fellow OFWs for being able to give his children decent education while struggling to support his wife in her bout with cancer, despite his modest income as a salesman. At work, he has proven his trustworthiness not only to his employer but to customers as well.

• Sylvestre Afante, a carpenter who continues to be trusted by his employer of 34 years and despite his senior age of 71, all because of his loyalty and professionalism at work. As a family man, he dedicated his whole life helping his children and grandchildren establish their own lives.

• Lilian Dalida, a domestic helper who has become a model for Filipino household services workers for her diligence and admirable character at work. Because of her track record, Saudi employers who have come to know her by word of mouth ask her to scout for housemaids of her caliber. As a mother, she has been able to send her children to college despite her meager income and she dedicates her spare time helping other compatriots.

• Rosell Maniego, a household service worker, has helped many low-paid Filipino workers in Jeddah in uplifting themselves by sharing with them her talents in livelihood activities. As a worker, her dedication and loyalty has earned her sponsors trust such that she and her husband have been placed in charge of the employer’s business. As a family person, she had been able to build her own house in the Philippines and currently supporting her children in school.

• Delia Bernaldez, another household service worker, had been able to build her own house and lot in the Philippines and send her children to college through sheer hard work. For her dedication at work, her employer had made her a caretaker of her building, including management of maintenance work that are normally assigned only to men. She had also become a community leader in her own right,

becoming a go-to person for low-income OFWs in need of help in solving their problems.

• Teofilo B. Hugo Jr. has rendered service beyond his responsibilities as a maintenance coordinator of a company to help compatriots facing difficulties in life, including those who are in trouble over hospital expenses or in processing papers for those who have lost their loved ones in the kingdom. In a supreme sacrifice, he has opted to defer going into married like to help his relatives obtain college education.

• Junel M. Turrida, a restaurant waiter, is no stranger to winning awards. He had been named “Employee of the Year” and “Model Employee” by his company.  He is also a dedicated family man and helps fellow Filipinos without much fanfare.

• John Pamintuan, an aircon technician, had been performing community service for many organizations in Jeddah in the past two decades as a part-time photographer. Many of his photos have ben published in Arab News. As a family man, he was able to send his daughter to college despite his meager pay. At work, his employer continues to put his trust in him because of his dedication and loyalty.

• Ace Acibo started as a laborer in Jeddah but managed to upgrade his skills as a certified caregiver and nursing aide and become a part-time businessman. During his spare time, he volunteers as a caregiver for the sick and serves as volunteer trainer in massage therapy to fellow OFWs, enabling them to get better jobs in hospitals. And through sheer hard work, he was able to put up his own pharmacy in the Philippines.