Nominees of the Gawad Kasambahay awards are interviewed by judges on April 1, 2023. EXPAT MEDIA

Search for UAE’s best Filipino household workers begins

The search for the UAE’s best Filipino household workers began on Saturday (April 1), as hundreds of nominees in the Gawad Kasambahay awards underwent initial interview to make it to the shortlist. Nominees had a one-on-one session with judges on Saturday to determine whether or not they will make it to the first round of shortlist. Successful nominees will then move on to a second elimination round on April 15 to determine who will make it to the awards. There will be 12 awards up for grabs, including the Loyalty Award and the Household Manager of the Year for the best household service worker who has been working for a minimum of 10 years. 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. “As working professionals, we are supported in our everyday lives by hardworking domestic nannies and house managers. Let's keep praising them, lifting their spirits, and fostering development,” Gawad Kasambahay organizer Michelle Quinto Guinto of CMG Cargo tells Expatmedia.net. “Gawad Kasambahay was conceptualized for every kasambahay in the UAE as a venue for recognizing the dedication and commitment. In the long run, the event will be a beacon of hope to encourage more employers to treat and welcome their household workers as member of the family,” Guinto added.

Here are the 19 judges

Dr. Aileen Mariategue Villanueva, Chairman of Shades of Pink Society-Abu Dhabi Ace Lester Quijada, Manager of Nexus Insurance Brokers Cathy Ordonez-Rivera, Head of Group HR & Admin of RIME Group of Companies Felicito Hernandez, President of Filipino Human Resources Practitioners’ Association Frando Sarmiento, Managing Partner of Luxurion Gabriel John Rimando, Founder & President of Filipino Institute and The Global Filipino Magazine Prof. Gau Raganit, Founder and CEO of Synergy Consultancy Group Gilbert Espiritu, Executive Vice President, HR & Admin of Orient Insurance Joseph Arnie Garcia, Managing Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa of ABS-CBN Josh Vasquez, Area Manager of Philippine Airlines Lyndon Magsino, Founder and Chairman of the Philippine Institute of CPAs-Dubai and Doha Malou Prado, CEO & Founder of MPQ Travel & Tourism Mars De Los Santos, owner and CEO of Expat Media and Expat Media Group Marian Carella, Chair Emeritus of Philippine Business Council-DNE Dr. Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi, Group CEO of Prime Group of Companies Mylene De Guzman, Head of Broadcast Media Rights, Middle East and North Africa Dr. Niño Miranda Decenorio, Senior Vice-President of Bath Spa University-UAE Ronin Ronald Endozo, General Manager of Citadines by The Ascott Limited Susan Manalaysay, Senior Consultant and Investment Adviser
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