The Gawad Kasambahay awards.

Nominations are now open for Gawad Kasambahay 2024, the annual awards to recognize the best Filipino household worker in the UAE while also honoring exemplary employers. This year's edition of the awards, presented by BalikBayayan Store and Event Partner FilVision, was recently launched at the B-Hub in BurJuman Mall. "This initiative is our way of recognizing and appreciating the invaluable contributions of our kasambahays (household workers). Their dedication and hard work often go unnoticed, and through this platform, we aim to give them the recognition they truly deserve. We also want to highlight the importance of supportive employers who treat their household workers as family," said Michelle Guinto, founder of Gawad Kasambahay. The awards feature several categories to celebrate outstanding individuals, including Household Manager of the Year, Kasambahay Achiever of the Year, and Nanny of the Year, among others. Nominees must be female Filipino citizens with a minimum of three consecutive years of service in the UAE as of July 2024, holding a valid UAE visa and ready to provide proof of employment history. The awards will also recognize employers and former household service workers through the Exemplary Employer of the Year category and Kasambahay Idol of the Year. There is also the Loyalty Award of the Year for household workers who have served a minimum of 10 years under a single employer. Winners of Gawad Kasambahay 2024 will receive a variety of awards and prizes, including business class tickets to the Philippines and cash. The nomination and application period runs until September 15. Interested individuals can nominate themselves or others through the official Gawad Kasambahay website. Shortlisted nominees will undergo interviews and career development programs, culminating in a gala night on October 26, 2024, to announce and celebrate the winners. To nominate yourself, click this link To nominate someone else, click this link Leo Barrameda, a core team member, emphasized the initiative's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aspect in reshaping stereotypes associated with the industry, while Vhie Laurilla, Managing Director of FilVision Middle East, highlighted the role of social media influencers in supporting and promoting the campaign. Past recipients of Gawad Kasambahay include Rose Bella, recognized as Household Manager of the Year in 2019, and Marissa Postre, who received the Loyalty Award for her 38 years of service. The program has garnered significant participation, with over 2,000 applications received across the UAE in 2023. ICA/Expat Media
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