Bayaning Pilipino sa Gitnang Silangan 2000

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

Christine Gamo (Country Winner)

• Riyadh, K.S.A.
• Las Piñas Parañaque

A dedicated social Worker, who’s serving the Filipino prisoners, stranded OFW’s and also other nationalities in Riyadh. She used to visit prisons and detention centers of maltreated runaway OFWs by giving them comfort and providing them some basic necessities like food, clothing, blanket, soap, toothpaste, medicines and plane tickets for stranded workers and to those who finished their prison sentence.

Christine served as the communication link between the prisoners and their families back home since there is a restriction on out-going and incoming mails. She answers hundreds of letters from family and relatives of Filipino prisoners and other nationals. She continually provides stamps, writing pads and an envelope for letters for prisoner handed confidentially to her and has continually posted their letter at the post office since 1983 up to present of time. She also provides financial support through her donations which she hands over to the designated leader of each prison cells. This money is usually use to support prisoners financially, whose ready for deportation and have no money to pay their transportation from the airport to their respective hometown.

Upon deportation of the ex-prisoner, she made follow ups on their families to check its safety. Her dedication and passion to help out our kababayans who are in the midst of hopelessness is truly emulating.

COUNTRY FINALISTS

1. Alexander Asuncion - Al-Jubail, K.S.A.; Pasig City
2. Carlito Ragos - Kuwait; Las Piñas City
3. Faiza Fe Gumabay - Safat, Kuwait; Zamboanga City
4. Rafael David - Al-Sinaiyah, K.S.A.
5. Rizal Araneta - Abha, K.S.A.; Cebu City