The Philippine Embassy of Brunei Darussalam through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) has reiterated the announcement for the on-going search for 2011 Bagong Bayani Awards.

The Bagong Bayani Foundation, Inc. (BBFI), in coordination with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the private sector, announces that the search for the 2011 Bagong Bayani Awardees has been extended until 31 July 2011 ( the original deadline was 31 May 2011.)

The Bagong Bayani Awards (BBA) pay tribute to the country's outstanding Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as the new heroes of our time. It gives due recognition to their significant efforts in fostering goodwill among peoples of the world, enhancing the image of the Filipino as a competent and responsible worker and contributing to the nation's foreign exchange earnings.

The general pre-qualifying criteria for the nomination of any Filipino working overseas, land-based or sea-based, are as follows:

·Must be or has been an OFW for at least two (2) years;

·Has no past or present criminal or derogatory record;

·Must be of good moral standing or has received recognition from past or present employer for exemplary behavior or outstanding service; and

·The employment contract must have been processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

For 2011, the following are the awards categories:

1. Bagong Bayani Award for Outstanding Employee

2. Bagong Bayani Award for Community and Social Service

3. Bagong Bayani Award for Culture and Arts

4. Capt. Gregorio S. Oca Award

5. Blas F. Ople Award para sa Natatanging Bagong Bayani

In 2009, Brunei-based OFW Antonio Q. Alabastro, sub-editor of Borneo Bulletin was among the three (3) recipients of the Most Outstanding Employee Award. OFW Alabastro was given recognition for his assistance in putting up the first English daily newspaper in Brunei 19 years ago.

This year, the Philippine Embassy is encouraging members of the Filipino community, including organizations in Brunei, to take part in the search for this year's nominees.

Details on the documents required and other information can be downloaded from the POEA website (www.poea.gov.ph ).

The nomination, with supporting documents may be submitted to:

BAGONG BAYANI FOUNDATION, INC. (BBFI) SECRETARIAT

Ground Floor Blas F. Ople Bldg., Ortigas Ave.,cor EDSA Mandaluyong City 1501 Philippines

Telephone Nos. (632) 722-1165; 722-11173

Fax No. (632) 724-3646

Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Interested parties may also inquire with the Embassy's Philippine Overseas Labor Office through office telephone no. 673-2237052, fax no. 673-2236980.

                                                                                                  

  In 2009, Brunei-based OFW Antonio Q. Alabastro, sub-editor of Borneo Bulletin was among the three (3) recipients of the Most Outstanding Employee Award.