Helen Adducul wins the Household Manager of the Year award. EXPAT MEIDA

Helen Adducul bested 34 finalists to win the Household Manager of the Year award at the Gawad Kasambahay 2023 on Saturday (June 3). Adducul’s employer and employer’s daughter accompanied her on stage to cheer her on as she received her trophy. “She’s an amazing person. I can only say two words: Salamat po (thank you),” her employer said. The Filipina household service worker dedicated her award to her employer, and especially to her seven children, calling them her “greatest achievement”. Adducul proudly told the crowd that her children are now professionals in their own fields: law, music, art, engineering, civil engineering and agriculture. The Filipina said working to support her employer's family with household management in the UAE has allowed her to provide for her family in the Philippines and send her children to college. Adducul will receive prizes include a business class ticket from Philippine Airlines, hotel stays at J&V Resort and Avenue Hotel, Dh1,000 from Jules Tourism and gifts from 6Skins, Expert Ions and Darcy Flowers, among others.

5 Filipina household workers win Loyalty Award

Meanwhile, five Filipina household workers were given the Loyalty Award for having been in service for at least ten years. The awardees were Estrella Magnifico, Adora Ruado, Elvira Tabaranza, Michelle Racote Sorongon and Liezel Pedregoza. The awards were handed out by Expat Media Group's CEO Mars Yabut De los Santos. Special awards were also given out. Marissa Postre, a 66-year-old nanny, won Ambassador of the Year. Postre has gained popularity for creating gowns made of recycled items, such as plastic water bottles. May Jane Flores was named Kasambahay Achiever of the Year and Maricris Virtudazo was given the K! Idol award. Since its launch in 2019, the Gawad Kasambahay “aims to honor inspiring Filipino household workers in the UAE” and award them for their loyalty and dedication. Organised by Michelle Quinto Guinto of CMG Cargo, the awards returned this year after a lull following the pandemic. ICA/Expat Media
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