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Manila-based TV Channel to Rescue of Filipino Runaways in UAE

DUBAI - Wowowee, a popular entertainment programme presented by ABS-CBN television channel in Manila, will set aside nearly half-a-million pesos for the air fares of 30 stranded Filipino runaways lodged at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in the Philippine consulate-general in Dubai.

The assistance was announced recently during the visit of Wowowee’s host, Willie Revillame, together with officials of ABS-CBN, to the distressed workers stranded at the POLO in Deira for lack of funds to fly back home.

At the surprise announcement of the assistance, the distressed runaways cheered and most of them broke into tears. The visit came after a successful Wowowee show at the Dubai Festival City on Saturday, which drew more than 20,000 Filipino expatriates.

Revillame said that the families of the 69 runaways recorded at POLO as of February 1 will be given a chance to participate and win fabulous cash prizes and gifts in Wowowee in Manila upon their arrival.

“Even those residing in the Visayas and Mindanao will be transported to the Manila studio with the help of the Wowowee sponsors,” he said.

Philippine Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, who headed the welcome party at POLO, expressed gratitude for the charitable act. “It’s a great thing that Wowowee and The Filipino Channel (ABS-CBN) Dubai are here. The assistance extended is greatly appreciated,” the Ambassador said.

Labour Attaché Virginia Calvez and Asst Labour Attaché Florencia Ardivilla represented the recipients of the charity. A brief discussion on the current situation of the overseas Filipinos facing employment difficulties and suffering from the effects of the global recession was held later at POLO for the guests.

Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN president and Raffy Lopez, ABS-CBN Global COO, said this brief moment with the distressed workers in Dubai gave more meaning to their visit and heightened the overwhelming success of Wowowee in Dubai.

lily@khaleejtimes.com