The inspirational, untold stories of OFWs

Nikki Natividad

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The inspirational, untold stories of OFWs
Western Union’s campaign is all about putting the spotlight on the modern day Filipino hero

(Editor’s Note: The following is a press release from Western Union)

MANILA, Philippines — With a population of over 100 million, the Philippines is a country bursting at the seams with ordinary, everyday superheroes. There are stories of honest taxi drivers returning huge sums of money and important belongings to passengers, and tales of privileged, teenage kids teaching and reading to the less fortunate. But while we hear about these stories every now and then, there is one narrative of courage that we don’t tire of hearing over and over again.  

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have long been the model of heroism for the middle-class. Packing up and bounding for another far-off, foreign land is no easy feat. As the people who stayed behind, we regard OFWs as heroes in order to acknowledge both the struggle of leaving as well as their hopes of creating a better way of life for their loved ones and their communities back home.  

In order to take one step beyond acknowledgement, Western Union launched their campaign “Heroes for Better”. It’s an initiative to show that their stories are not just fables; there is a great, palpable value to their sacrifice.  

There are incredible acts like that of Eddie Vega, otherwise known as “The Barefoot Bandito”. He got his name for setting the world record for most marathons run on bare feet as a way to raise awareness and funds for over 300 million children worldwide who don’t have the luxury of shoes — including those in the Philippines. You can check out more of his story here 

The Barefoot Bandito is just one of the countless stories of inspirational, game changing OFWs around the world. The goal of Western Union’s campaign is to put others in the spotlight for their vision and contribution as well.  

The campaign will eventually culminate with a presentation of 25 inspiring individuals, whose personal brand of heroism will be introduced to a wider audience, in the hopes of bringing the kind of attention and awareness they deserve.  

“They say a hero is ‘someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself,’ and if that’s the standard by which we put our heroes on, then no one more than this country’s migrant heroes deserve the recognition”, Riingen remarks.

— Rappler.com 

Get to know more of these ordinary people with extraordinary stories. Visit http://www.wuheroesforbetter.org/the-heroes/ 

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