JEDDAH: In a fitting Christmas celebration, various community organizations in Jeddah on Thursday distributed blankets, food and other goodies to OFWs currently housed at the Philippine Consulate General’s shelter for the distressed.
A total of 69 wards of the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) received gifts from officials of the Bag-Ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah (BBSJ), the organizer for this year’s Wow Pinoy event held on Dec. 4 at the Iceland Bowling Center.
An annual event organized five years ago by Arab News and TFC correspondent Francis Salud, Wow Pinoy is a one-day bowling competition held every yearend by various organizations in Jeddah not just to bolster camaraderie in the community but also to raise gifts for particular beneficiaries.
Along with officials of the consulate and the FWRC, which is run by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Salud and BBSJ President Rudy Velez led the gift-giving ceremony that brought tears of joy to the homesick wards, mostly maids who ran away from allegedly abusive employers.
“This is our way of sharing what little we have to our unfortunate compatriots. Wow Pinoy is being held with the thought that as we enjoy and celebrate life through sports and other worthwhile activities, we should also not forget that there are those among us who are not lucky enough and need help,” said Salud, who is leaving home for good before the year ends.
Consul General Ezzedin Tago and various organizations had earlier cited Salud for his contributions to the community in Jeddah, and Philippine Nurses Association, Jeddah leader Zeny Concepcion said Salud was leaving a legacy that is worth continuing. In the Dec. 4 bowling competition, Hawak Kamay Gabay Organization emerged as the champion.
The other winners were: Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah (Astec),1st runner up; Philippine Consulate, 2nd runner up; Western Union, 3rd runner up; Men High Scratch, Voi Ycong - Western Union; Ladies High Scratch, Jojie Ramos - Friends Forever; High Series Scratch, Enard Canillas - Makati Foods; High Series Handicap, Enard Canillas - Makati Foods.
The Best in Uniform prize went to the Association of World Class Filipino Chefs (AWCFS) in Jeddah; best in costume, Yanbu Bowlers-Saudi Arabia; best muse, FAME; best mascot, Hawak Kamay.
Major prizes went to Scouts Royale Brotherhood & Western Union, Samahang Marinduqueno sa Kanlurang Saudi Arabia, Romblon Jeddah@Western Region, Melissa Trinidad, Ruby Arro, Rosalie Calagno and Shaika Padyan. All other participating groups received consolation prizes.
Spicing up the occasion were special guests Karla May Carreon, Himig Kalayaan grand champion, along with Gerry Lagrimas' FAME group and PESOS of Edgar Mendoza, which rendered entertainment numbers.
Forever Friends group was chosen by raffle as host for next year's Wow Pinoy event, with CSOSA and PICPA as alternates.
Participants in the games:
- All Filipino Tennis Players Association 1&2
- Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah
- Association of World Class Filipino Chefs -Jeddah
- Bag-Ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah
- Boholano Community in Jeddah-Ventures Coop.
- Cebuano Speaking Organization in Saudi Arabia
- Circulo Ilonggo Saudi Arabia
- Durat Al Sharq International School
- Filipino Artiste Migrant Ensemble
- Filipino Volleyball League Jeddah
- Forever Friends
- 1Ganap Guardians A.S. Chapter
- Gitnang Silangan.Com
- Guardians International, Inc. (Jeddah Legion)
- Guardians Int'l Action Force for Peace
- Guhit Pinoy Foundation
- Hawak Kamay
- Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers-WRCSA
- Institute of Overseas Filipino Architects
- Kapit Bisig OFW
- King Abdulaziz Medical City 1&2
- Kongreso ng Kapulungan ng mga Samahang Pilipino
- Makatifoods Pin Heads
- Muslim-Christian Basketball Referee Coop.
- Natasha Family
- Overseas Filipino Media Association
- Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council
- PCG Selections
- PNA-Jeddah
- Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Philippine International School in Asir
- Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Pinoy Expatriates for Social Organization & Sports.
- Pinoy Harley Owners' Group
- Radisson Blu Hotel Group
- Romblon Jeddah @ Western Region 1&2
- SAM Foundation
- Samahang Marinduqueño sa Kanlurang Saudi Arabia
- Saudia City Tennis Club
- Scouts Royale Brotherhood
- Siglakas, Society of Filipino Quantity Surveyors, Inc.
- TFC Employees - Jeddah
- United Filipino Migrant Workers Association
- Western Union Group
- Yanbu Bowlers Saudi Arabia.
