Honest OFW receives Ulirang Bagong Pilipino Award from Bro. Eddie Villanueva

Honest OFW receives Ulirang Bagong Pilipino Award from Bro. Eddie Villanueva

Movement for good governance Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Pilipino Movement today honored Overseas Filipino Worker Mildred Perez, who returned P2.1-million she found in a trash bin in Hongkong, calling her as the face of the true Filipino.
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Representatives of the zero-corruption movement led by Bro. Eddie Villanueva conferred Perez the Ulirang Bagong Pilipino Award in a simple ceremony held at the Legend Villas in Mandaluyong.



“Her inspiring story has captured the imagination of a generation that is seemingly getting used to the marketing pitch that living a good life simply means seeking personal aggrandizement and serving self-vested interests,” Villanueva said in a short speech prior to the awarding ceremony.



Citing that Perez’s “one act of honesty amidst adversity has not only wowed the world, but it has also validated the innate nobility of Filipinos,” Villanueva issued a strong challenge to the government to do whatever it takes to help Perez win her pending case in Hongkong.



“Mildred’s heartbreaking story must serve as an eye opener for Malacanang! Our Philippine embassies must be serious in doing their job of protecting and promoting the welfare of our abused OFWs worldwide,” he stressed this while explaining that the 38-year-old OFW set an “exemplary example of how we have in our being, as our glorious heritage, the capacity to become pili (chosen) and, pino, (refined) people. Pili-pino tayo. ..Marangal. May dangal. May dignidad.”



Perez, a mother of two, returned a bag containing HK$350,545 or about P2.1-million to its owner despite being jobless and facing financial difficulties at that time. She was scrounging for recyclable materials to sell to support herself while awaiting the resolution of a labor case she filed against her former employer. Under Hongkong laws, foreigners are prevented from seeking employment while they have pending cases in court.



Perez is a member of the BPBPM-Hong Kong and the Jesus Is Lord Church-Hong Kong. She lived at the JIL half-way house in Hongkong when she was still jobless.



“As her family, we at Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Pilipino Movement are very proud of Mildred for what she did. But we are more proud because she gives face to the new Filipino – ang Bagong Pilipino – trustworthy and honest,” Villanueva said.