Kicker: 5th Smart Pinoy Grand Salubong Stars welcome OFWs home

CEBU, Philippines - A beauty queen, a singing prodigy and a billiard champ, all of whom have brought immense pride to our country, took time out of their schedules to warmly welcome home returning Cebuano overseas Filipino workers at the Mactan -Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Miss Universe 1999 first runner-up Miriam Quiambao, two-time world pool champion Efren “Bata” Reyes and Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World/Junior Grand Champion Solo Vocalist of the World Rhap Salazar were the celebrities invited this year by Smart Communications, Inc. for the Cebu leg of “Smart Pinoy Grand Salubong 2011” held last December 8.

Now on its fifth consecutive year, this activity is the network provider’s way of paying tribute to our hardworking and selfless OFWs. “Like the guests we invited today who gave honor to our country, our OFWs also bring pride to our country through the skills they show abroad,” remarked SMART Manager for International Services Alebeth Gozon during a brief program held at the airport’s arrival extension area.

SMART officials expressed that they have for the longest time been with Filipinos at their loneliest abroad, when they help bridge the distance between them and their families with “convenient, reliable and affordable Smart Pinoy products and services.” In the same way, SMART wanted to be with them at their happiest, when they are reunited with loved ones in their native soil, especially this holiday season. The grand salubong served as their contribution to a happy homecoming and their simple way of recognizing the sacrifice that OFWs make to provide a better life for themselves and their families.

Over the years, SMART has been continuously supporting OFWs and their families with its tried-and-tested communication methods, including a pre-activated roaming SIM with zero maintaining balance.

Quiambao, for her part, expressed how she knew too well the feeling of missing home and being away from loved ones because she had to be in another country.

“They go abroad with little knowledge about the country they’re going to, only the aspiration of helping uplift the lives of their families. They really show steadfastness in spite of adversity. I felt the very same way when I lived in Italy for a time when I was married. The first Christmas that I spent there was a bit lonely since it’s just a one-day affair for them, unlike here where we celebrate the season lengthily,” said the beauty queen-turned-actress, who can currently be seen in the TV5 weekend sitcom “The Jose and Wally Show Starring Vic Sotto” and has a Metro Manila Film Festival appearance via the Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo family flick “My Househusband.”

She shared to coping with homesickness by looking for fellow Filipinos to bond with and turning to her faith. “But nothing really beats how we Filipinos celebrate Christmas, so I can just imagine the excitement of the OFWs we’re welcoming today.”

Arriving OFW passengers, though a bit shy with the media pack that unexpectedly greeted them, were genuinely grateful and starstruck as the three celebrities took turns in shaking their hands and welcoming them back home.

On-hand during the event were Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Regional Center for Visayas Officer-in-Charge Evella Durato, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete and Mrs. Arlene Yrap, the wife of SMART Pinoy Grand Salubong 2010 winner of Isuzu Crosswind.

In addition to the star welcome, Filipino passengers arriving at MCIA were also approached by SMART representatives for a chance to pick instant prizes and receive premium items from designated Smart booths.

Plus, any of them who availed of Smart Pinoy services and products from the SMART booths qualified for a chance to win a brand new Isuzu Crosswind during the Grand Raffle draw. Open to all arriving Filipino passengers (balikbayans, dual citizens and all Filipinos holding Philippine passports), a raffle coupon will be given for every purchase of SMART products and services.

The deadline of raffle entries is on January 14, 2012 at 11:59 pm, while the grand raffle draw is scheduled on Jan. 31, 2012 at SMART Tower, under the supervision of a DTI representative. Winners will be notified via registered mail and by a call from SMART. All winners, whether prepaid or postpaid, must have their winning raffle stub and SIM postpaid account active upon draw and during claiming of the prizes.