Cuanang family awarded ‘Model OFW Family of the Year’ in Malacañang

MANILA – Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) honored Domingo Cuanang and family the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) Sea-based Category on Wednesday, December 5.

Cuanang family are residents of Brgy. 8 San Rufino. Domingo was a master mariner while his wife, Aida is a retired educator. They have three children who are now working in their chosen careers – Domingo III, a doctor of Medicine; Aida Sabigna, also a doctor of Medicine; and Aida Modesta, a nurse.

Married for more than 30 years, Domingo and Aida persevered to cultivate wholesome family values, improved and enhanced family life and dignity of labor, helped the marginalized town folks and sustain organizations and institutions most specially their church where they belong.

Aida Cuanang said they were very glad to be given the chance to represent their town, province and region. “It was a showcase of many aspects of life, but what is important is….the OFW who is mostly away from family members have shown family solidarity, perseverance and trust all the time. We are thankful to God for we have overcome all the challenges that make our life worthy and blessed,” Cuanang told in an online conversation.

“We thank most especially our siblings, who despite of the ups and downs of a single parent, most of the time, they are wonderfully working with us to attain our dreams as a family. To be a model family in the entire nation is a meritorious title to be achieved by a San Nicoleño,” she added.

President Rodrigo Duterte graced the awarding ceremony. In his speech, Duterte told the OFW families that he appreciates all their hardships, “you have my assurance that the protection and promotion of your welfare, and well-being will remain as one of this administration’s top priorities.”

“This nation will always recognize your invaluable contribution to nation-building and this administration will continue to crack policies and implement programs that will respond to your needs and protect your rights. All I ask of you, OFWs [is] to remain committed to your families as we work towards a more equitably progressive future for our country,” he added.

MOFYA is an institutionalized search of OWWA, giving honor and recognition to outstanding OFW families who have displayed exceptional achievements and an example of success in all aspects of living: family solidarity, financial stewardship, civic community involvement and entrepreneurship. – Rod Jerick R. Ribao