January 25, 2023 | 4:40pm

MANILA, Philippines — Out of all of the Philippine holidays in a 12 months, Christmas is little question probably the most significant and joyful for all Filipinos. So having been away from their households for probably the most a part of the 12 months—or years even—abroad Filipino staff (OFWs) make sure that they will lastly go residence. All they need for Christmas is to spend time collectively and share unforgettable recollections till they go away as soon as extra.

BDO understands this greatest and for greater than a decade, celebrated our OFWs’ homecoming with its annual Pamaskong Handog—even when it was held on-line on the onset of the pandemic. The Christmas occasion has grow to be a heartwarming gathering and has not stopped making Christmas additional particular for the abroad Filipino market since 2012.  

This 12 months, Pamaskong Handog has lastly returned to SM Supermalls and acknowledged three exemplary abroad Filipinos: Melanie Calumpong, Pierre Alfonso and Philline Bliss Dunque—all long-time BDO Remit purchasers—and made the vacations even brighter and happier for them and their households.

BDO: OFW accomplice for all times

Piolo Pasccual with Melanie Calumpong, a counter employees in Kuwait for 17 years and has been a BDO Remit consumer since 2005.

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For these inspirational Filipinos, BDO has been instrumental to their desires and successes, even amid the pandemic; BDO maintained a remittance service that’s quick and dependable as it’s the solely financial institution with 24/7 remittance customer support.

This can’t be more true for Melanie Calumpong who has been working as a counter employees in Kuwait for 17 years and has been a BDO Remit consumer since 2005.

“As a sole supplier for my three youngsters all these 17 years, BDO Remit performed a giant position. It by no means failed me after I ship cash for his or her month-to-month finances, tuition and even throughout emergencies,” Calumpong shared.

“I entrust BDO with my financial savings and remittances. Now my youngsters are all diploma holders with one even pursuing a Grasp’s Diploma. After being away for thus lengthy, I’m now planning to come back residence and begin my very own enterprise,” she added.

In the meantime, seafarer and ship captain of 30 years, Pierre Alfonso and his spouse Maria Ruzalhe Alfonso have put their belief in BDO for greater than 20 years.

“I began as deck cadet final 1992. By way of arduous work, persistence and dedication I used to be in a position to attain this place. We have been in a position to ship our youngsters to personal faculties, construct our dream home, purchase new automobiles and plenty,” he mentioned.

“BDO was in a position to assist in reaching a few of our targets as a result of it was my first allotment financial institution. I used to be in a position to purchase a automobile mortgage. Remittance is quick and with greater trade charge, accessible ATMs and extra branches nationwide,” he added.

Lastly, single working mother Philline Bliss Dunque shares what she’s been via and the way BDO has helped her all this time.

“I’ve been via rather a lot in my life and have been a single mother for 9 years now. Working overseas is actually arduous particularly being away from my son for 13 years,” she mentioned.

“Having my BDO account for a very long time helps me rather a lot to attach with my son. It is only one click on away, a very simple step to ship cash to my son. BDO makes my life method simpler and having an account with BDO I by no means encountered difficulties in accessing my account, particularly on-line banking,” she added.

Welcome, balikbayans!

Piolo Pascual poses for a snapshot with Pierre Alfonso, seafarer and ship captain of 30 years, collectively together with his spouse Maria Ruzalhe Alfonso

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Placing a highlight on balikbayans and their beneficiaries, BDO, in partnership with SM and its remittance companions Western Union and WorldRemit, introduced again Pamaskong Handog to the SM Supermalls final December. 

Themed “Kita-kits na muli sa SM,” the Eleventh Pamaskong Handog felt like a grand reunion held in three completely different SM Supermalls nationwide: SM Santa Rosa final December 3, SM Metropolis IloIlo final December 10 and SM CDO Downtown Premier final December 17.

Aside from the enjoyable bingo video games, leisure and beloved celebrities Piolo Pascual & comedians MC & Lassy, the occasions have been made extra thrilling by BDO companions Western Union and WorldRemit, whose representatives carried out particular video games, gave away presents and raffle prizes.

Distinctive, particular treats for OFWs

Piolo Pascual serenading OFW single mother Philline Bliss Dunque

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Yearly since 2012, it has been BDO and SM’s mission to uplift abroad Filipinos with cheer each vacation season via the Pamaskong Handog. The BDO-SM synergy has given delivery to extra particular treats for OFWs, all geared toward giving again & making them really feel particular throughout probably the most great time of the 12 months.

Kabayan Financial savings account holders acquired to take pleasure in unique perks from SM associates all through completely different days of December: P300 low cost from Miniso on Mondays, P500 off by way of SM Retailer Private Shopper on Tuesdays, which has now been prolonged till January 31; 10% off at Surplus Store on Wednesdays, free cheeseballs from SM Markets on Thursdays and P500 off low cost from the Child Firm.

BDO & SM have been working collectively in delivering particular treats for OFWs, bringing Filipino households nearer to take pleasure in their particular time collectively inside SM Supermalls—not simply each Christmas however year-round.

To observe and relive the most effective moments of this 12 months’s Pamaskong Handog, merely go to the BDO Kabayan Fb web page to look at the recorded livestreams.

For extra particulars on Pamaskong Handog occasions and the newest OFW promos, ideas and occasions, go to the BDO Kabayan Fb web page.