Participants of the Forum on Personality Development pose for a group photo with Philippine Embassy officials led by Philippine Ambassador Christopher B. Montero (3rd from left), Labor Attaché Melissa Mendizabal (3rd from right), OWWA officer Anwar Ampang (1st from right) Mr. Richard Caysao, lecturer for the “Matuto sa Manicure, Pedicure at Foot Spa” training workshop (1st from left), and Filipino Association President Malou Ramos-Wong (2nd from left).
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 22 MARCH 2020 - The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam joined the word-wide celebration of Women’s Month with a series of Gender and Development (GAD) activities held throughout the month of March.
To kick off the commemorative activities, women clients were given priority attention during the once-a-month Sunday Consular Service held on 07 March 2021. In conjunction with the event, a social media campaign was conducted to encourage women clients to wear purple and post in their Facebook or Instagram account an answer to the question “How do women make change?” Clients who wore purple-colored attires and posted answers in their social media accounts were given Women’s Month tokens.
On 14 March 2021, the Embassy held a half-day training workshop entitled “Matuto sa Manicure, Pedicure at Foot Spa” targeting mostly women OFWs. A total of forty-three (43) OFWs composed of 41 females and 2 males, participated in the workshop. Their employment profile ranged from household service workers, salon employees, technicians and some professional and skilled workers.
Mr. Richard V. Caysao, an OFW who operates and manages a salon in Bandar Seri Begawan, served as lecturer for the course, which included basic manicure and pedicure procedure, foot spa proper hygiene, and practical sessions. Each participant was provided with nail cutting and cleaning sets.
The Embassy capped its Women’s Month celebration with a “Forum on Personality Development” held at the Embassy on 21 March 2020.The Forum aimed to raise awareness of the OFWs, especially women, on the importance of self-love and self-care for their own personal growth.
Labor Attaché Melissa Mendizabal served as Resource Speaker and gave a presentation on self-awareness, confidence in one’s own identity and discovering/developing one’s skills and talents.
A total of eighty-one (81) participants, half of whom were also the participants of the training workshop “Matuto sa Manicure, Pedicure at Foot Spa” attended the Forum. They expressed appreciation to the Embassy for its continuing efforts in organizing skills enhancement courses under the government’s Reintegration Program for OFWs, noting that it helps them in their self and career development.
All participants in the commemorative activities were provided with Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on R.A. 9710 (Magna Carta on Women’s Rights) and other women empowerment pamphlets.
The Embassy, in partnership with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Office, regularly conducts GAD activities that promote gender and development issues for the benefit of Filipinos in Brunei, particularly for their empowerment and enhanced productivity. END
Ambassador Montero delivers his Inspirational Message at the Completion Ceremony of the “Matuto sa Manicure, Pedicure at Foot Spa” and “Personality Development” Forum held on 21 March 2021.
Labor Attaché Melissa Mendizabal gave a presentation on “Personality Development” for women overseas Filipino workers in Brunei Darussalam.
Graduates of the Training Course “Matuto sa Manicure, Pedicure at Foot Spa” proudly showing their Certificates of Completions pose for a group photo.
Participants of the “Matuto sa Manicure, Pedicure at Foot Spa” doing practical exercises during the half-day session. 
Women clients during the Philippine Embassy’s Sunday Consular Service pose for photos as they receive a simple Women’s Month token in celebration of Women’s Month.
