Doctor, engineer’s kin receive OFW award

A ship engineer and a newly retired doctor and their families were recognized as “Model OFW Family of the Year” by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) during the “7th Search for the Model OFW Family of the Year” in Central Visayas last Oct. 5.

Engr. Candido S. Caminero and his family won the “sea-based category”  while Dr.  Carlito Astillero and his family won the “land-based category.”

“We want to promote success stories of families of overseas workers.” OWWA-7 director Wilfreda Misterio said.

The 53-year-old Caminero worked as the chief engineer for Vintex Maritime Inc. for over 36 years.

A native of Lengigon, Argao City, Caminero has nine children with his 56-year-old wife Elizabeth.

Caminero said he and his wife keep in constant communication through phone calls and greeting cards while Elizabeth guides and disciplines their children.

Seven of their kids finished school where they graduated as achievers.

The family operates a corn mill and a poultry farm and they also sell sand and gravel.

Despite their success, the Caminero family continued to live a simple life by fishing, farming and going to church together as often as possible.

For his part, the 73-year-old Dr. Astillero recently retired as a microbiology specialist in Al Mishary General Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he worked for 36 years.

The doctor has five children and advocates sports and social activities.

He also received a “Most Outstanding OFW” award in Saudi Arabia in 1990 and a Bagong Bayani Award in 1992.

He sponsored scholarship programs to neighbors, relatives and friends.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who gave a message and sang two songs for the winners, said he admired the families of overseas workers for staying close together despite time and distance constraints.

“It’s not easy to decide to go abroad and leave your loved ones. I look up to OFW’s with courage, strength and humility,” Rama said.

Eight OFW families were nominated for the two categories.  The two families each received P20,000 and other minor prizes.

They will join the National Finals scheduled on Dec. 7 in Manila. /Rhea Ruth V. Rosell, Correspondent