6 OFWs get keys to their dream houses given by Villar

Six breadwinner overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were overjoyed upon receiving the keys to their own houses and lots from Nacionalista Party (NP) President Manny Villar in the noontime show "Wowowee" hosted by Willie Revillame.

The recipients were Sarah Felecio of Negros Occidental, Marnelli Recabar of Iloilo, Rosemarie Jaca of Romblon, Judith Vicente representing Hazel Vicente also from Romblon, Jennifer Sonbise representing Joanne Sonbise of Parañaque, and Jolinald Chan representing Jenny Chan of Manila.

The OFWs each received a 40-sq.m. fully furnished two-storey, two-bedroom townhouse with a market price of P1.2 milllion. Vicente received a house and lot at Camella Seville subdivision in Caloocan, while the other five OFWs at Camelle Lessandra in Molino, Bacoor, Cavite.

On July 25, the homeowners joined as contestants in Wowowee's special "Willie of Fortune" segment dedicated to breadwinner migrant workers. While watching the program with his daughter Camille, Villar was requested by Revillame to grant him a personal favor, which was to give each contestant a house and lot since the former is known to care for the welfare of OFWs. The breadwinners cried and hugged the NP president when he agreed.

"The OFWs are a source of inspiration to us. As breadwinners, they deny themselves their own needs to support their families. For their devotion and sacrifice, it is but right to reward them by realizing their own dreams," said Villar.

Recabar, 27, took the role of provider to her siblings after their parents' death. After graduating from high school, she started working to support her remaining family while struggling to complete her two-year college course in Iloilo. To add income, she even managed at one time to juggle three jobs: Air Transportation Office staff from Monday to Friday, SM saleslady from Saturday to Sunday, and part-time singer for hotels at night.

Burdened with making ends meet, the breadwinner left on July 7, 2004 for Japan, where she worked as entertainer. After six months, she returned to the country and engaged in several businesses. Currently, she is working as a real estate agent.

"Napakahirap po ng aming buhay. Kailangan ko pong kumayod para sa pamilya ko. Gusto ko rin po kasing makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang mga kapatid ko para magkaroon sila ng magandang kinabukasan. Kaya kahit mahirap, kinakaya ko," said the breadwinner OFW.

Similarly, Felecio, 41, went to Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2006 as domestic helper to feed her large family. After less than three years of work, she was illegally terminated by her female employer upon discovering her employer's husband's illicit affair with another woman. She then returned to the country penniless.

With her family in mind, she joined Wowowee to secure money for their needs. While she did not win, she was more than happy when she realized that she was a recipient of a house and lot from Villar.

"Matagal ko na talagang pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling bahay. Ngayon, hindi na kami mangungupahan pa," said the new homeowner.