Robin Padilla joined in the special recognition of twelve Overseas Filipino Workers and their respective families at the second annual MoneyGram Idol Awards at the Solaire Resort and Casino on June 19.
First held in May 2017, Robin spearheaded the whole project, wanting to shed more attention to the Filipinos struggling outside the country.
For its second edition, the action star was present with MoneyGram’s key regional leaders in giving out awards to the lucky winners and their families. Robin gave high praises for the heroes at sea who got separated by continents from their loved ones in hopes of providing them a better future.
“Kaya po kayo, mga mahal kong kababayan, na binibigyan ng parangal ng MoneyGram sa ‘pagkat naniniwala po kami talaga, hindi po kami nambobola – na kayo po ay totoong mga bayani,” Robin addressed the crowd.
Robin also compared the Filipino workers with soldiers, fighting not a ‘military’ war but an economic one, US dollars used as weapons instead of guns. “At ang mga sundalo po natin ay ang mga OFWs kaya ang Pilipinas ay nakatindig sa ngayon dahil sa mga asawa ninyo, kapatid ninyo, kamag-anak ninyo na nagtatrabaho sa abroad. Ganon po kahalaga ang OFWs sa bayang Pilipinas.”
The actor underscored the OFWs’ hardships throughout his speech, giving out the reasons why these Filipino workers deserved the proper recognition not only for working hard for their own families but also for the country as well, and the MoneyGram Idol Awards is just another token of gratitude.
“Ito pong araw na to ay araw po ninyo. Araw ng pasasalamat namin sa inyo. Pero, bilang panghuling salita, hindi po ibig sabihin na natutuwa na malayo ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Ang MoneyGram ay nandito upang ilapit kayo sa kanila,” Robin said in his speech.
Robin further said that he wants the special project to continue, serving many OFWs and giving them the rightful recognition they deserve for being the Philippines’ unsung heroes of today.
