MANILA, Philippines - An overseas Filipino worker who works as a seafarer was declared the winner of a house and lot from development firm Property Company of Friends, Inc. (PRO-FRIENDS).
Marlon Mariano, a single parent to two boys, won the prize after being nominated by his sister, Marjorie Gasmen, for the video essay contest ‘PRO-FRIENDS ka rin ba?' last February.
Mariano won a Sophie house in Lancaster New City, a PRO-FRIENDS flagship project in Cavite.
The house is a 52-square-meter single-attached house on an 80-square-meter lot. The house includes three bedrooms, two toilets and baths, living room, dining area kitchen, linear park and a car garage.
"Among the 19 entries, the video about Marlon stands out for it summarizes his story of perseverance and love for the family. Marlon solely and relentlessly perseveres to provide for his kids as well as for his sick father," PRO-FRIENDS said.
Mariano was nominated by his sister Marjorie, who also won P50,000 in cash.
"Owning a Home has always been a dream for us Filipinos. It’s important for us to be able to provide a safe environment and a vibrant community for our family.
However, there are many hardworking Filipinos who don’t own a home despite toiling for years. It is our joy to help them achieve that dream and to enable ordinary Filipinos to join us transform the lives of a deserving individual,†said Richard Tay, the company’s Vice President for Sales and Marketing.