Matteo Guidicelli, Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales join first leg in Dubai

A nurse, a makeup artist, a doctor, IT professionals, and educators—seven overseas Filipinos who overcame various difficulties and triumphed in their respective careers while helping their kababayans were recognized for upholding the bayanihan spirit in “Global Pinoy Idol” launched this year by DZMM TeleRadyo, ABS-CBN News, and The Filipino Channel (TFC).

From left: Dr. Joey Villanueva, Fortunato Esguerra, Leo Barrameda, Rene Tillaman Ali, Sherwin ZuÃ±iga (representative for Veronic Saha), Dr. Rommel Sergio, and Florante Catanus (representative for Andrew Santos)

Entrepreneurs Rene Tillaman Ali, a hair and makeup artist who built a successful enterprise despite adversity, and Leo Barrameda, a travel manager and entrepreneur who began his career on a servants visa, eventually “adopting” whole school in North Cotobato, use their successful business ventures to educate, employ, and help fellow Filipinos build their own businesses.

Meanwhile, medical professionals Veronica Saha, a nurse, volunteer educator and the first woman president of the Philippine Professional Organization and Dr. Joel Villanueva, a doctor, help their kababayans despite rigorous work as medical professionals. Veronica provides aspiring nurses and caregivers with free classes and academic assistance, while Dr. Joel provides free medical service and assistance to Filipinos in need.

Dr. Joey Villanueva, Fortunato Esguerra, Leo Barrameda, Rene Tillaman Ali, Sherwin ZuÃ±iga (representative for Veronic Saha), Dr. Rommel Sergio, and Florante Catanus (representative for Andrew Santos)

On the other hand, Fortunato Esguerra and Andrew Santos, IT professionals in Dubai, conduct free financial and computer literacy programs for OFWs and help provide medical services for those in need.

Finally, multi-awarded human resources professional and psychologist Dr. Rommel Sergio advocates for mental health, provides free counselling for Filipinos and their families, and also built a foundation that provides scholarships to students in the Philippines.

The seven honorees based in the Middle East where recognized in a ceremony in Dubai on September 7, kicking off the first leg of “Global Pinoy Idol.” The event is part of an ongoing global campaign led by DzMM and TFC to share and promote inspiring stories of overseas Filipinos who help other Filipinos abroad. The campaign aims to further promote trust, cooperation, and bayanihan among Filipinos.

Aside from the recognition ceremony, Filipinos in attendance were treated to a full-day event that included seminars on career, personal finance, legal matters, marriage, and family, public service booths with one-on-one consultation and services from SSS and Pag-Ibig from the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, and a bazaar. ABS-CBN News anchor Zen Hernandez, DZMM anchor Ahwel Paz, and Kapamilya stars Matteo Guidicelli, Enchong Dee, and Erich Gonzales joined the festivities as hosts and performers.

The next batch of honorees will be recognized in the next leg of “Global Pinoy Idol” this November in London, England.

Viewers can watch the inspiring stories of Global Pinoy Idols locally on DZMM TeleRadyo’s flagship noontime news broadcast “Headline Pilipinas,” which airs Monday to Friday at 12:30, and on “Balitang Global” on TFC. For news, follow @DZMMTeleRadyo on Facebook and Twitter or visit news.abs-cbn.com/dzmm. For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abscbnpr.com.

For updates about upcoming TFC events, visit emea.kapamilya.com or facebook.com/TFCEurope. Connect with fellow global Kapamilyas and follow @KapamilyaTFC and KapamilyaGlobalPR on Twitter and Instagram.

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