The Ultra Media International Foundation (UMIF), a major organization of Filipino workers for community counseling and for imparting training, inducted its newly-elected officer bearers at a ceremony held at the local Saffron Restaurant recently.
Some plaques and certificates of commendations were distributed among distinguished UMIF volunteers, especially among its members, who have completed advanced courses in photography.
The event was attended by a number of guests and Philippine embassy's officials including Labor Attaché Albert Valenciano, who spoke highly about the foundation.
The founder of the group, Rove Rico, and members of the UMIF board of directors, were also present.
Abdul Hannan Tago, a journalist working for Arab News, was chosen as the honorary adviser of the foundation, which now seeks to boost its capacity to train more Filipino workers to acquire new skills.
Speaking on the occasion, Valenciano encouraged OFWs to register them with the foundation in order to be eligible to vote for their choice candidate in 2013 election.
The names of the new officials were also announced. The newly-elected officers are Arnold P. Jesena (President), Vice Nadzker L Sahidula (Secretary), Israel G. Ramos (Treasurer), Roel R. Genson (Auditor) and other office bearers including Donato Bartolome Sandy B. Nantes, Sgt. Eldrid B. Refil, Victoriano L. Gulla Jr. and Joseph C. De Vera.
Referring to the capability of OFWs, Valenciano said the foundation had developed the techniques “on how to trigger and stimulate the hidden talents of the Filipino people living and working in Saudi Arabia.”
“OFWs represent 11 percent of the population of 92 million Filipinos working overseas, which is really big sector, and if organized properly can even win in a senatorial race,” he explained.
Talking about the labor issues, the labor attaché said: “We must respect the laws and regulations of this country because we are guests here.”
In his presentation, Tago said the remittances sent by the OFWs globally for the first five months of the year totaled $ 9.3 billion.
Speaking on his part, UMIF Founder Rove Rico said his group is dedicated to helping Filipinos upgrade their skills to cope with advancement of new technology at workplaces.
Ultra Media, he continued, is working in areas like videography, scriptwriting, directing, seminars, lectures and filmmaking.
Founded in 2005, the foundation has now more than 200 members.
“It is essential to keep our skills and knowledge updated,” said Tago, while referring to the growth of the Philippines economy and the scope of employment in the country.
Quoting a CNN report, he said the Philippine economy grew by 6.4 during the first quarter of 2012, the fastest since 2010 and already far outpacing the International Monetary Fund's forecast growth of 3.5 percent for this year.
“The remittances sent by our overseas workers are an important component of our economy,” said Haj Narvaez, a Manila-based researcher.
