Osang Fostanes, inspiration to OFWs
VERY much aware of Rose Fostanes’s story as a Filipino that has to work as a caregiver in Tel Aviv, pop singer and mentor Shiri Maimon could not have chosen a better song for the final round.Star for a moment: RoseFostanes, winner of The X FactorIsraelFrank Sinatra’s hit, “My Way,” to most Filipinos tells of one’s confidence in charting his own destiny. For Rose, the song served as a declaration of triumph over her personal struggles.Six years ago, Rose went to Israel to work as a caregiver. Being an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) for 26 years, her plight is similar to the millions of Filipinos who chose to live and work abroad to provide for their families back home. She also faced discrimination and loneliness for her family and girlfriend while she persevered in her work.As a child, Rose has always wanted to sing in front of an audience and joined local competitions. She started working as an OFW in her early ’20s so her work and responsibilities remained top priorities. At 47, Rose almost gave up on her dream to be a singer. It took
an Israeli friend to convince her and join the auditions to The X Factor.As she passed each round, Rose harbored insecurities, admitting, “I am not the whole package.” She believed her status as a foreign worker andphysical attributes lowered her chances of winning over the audience and garnering votes. However, backed by sheer determination, Rose proved her singing talent could make a difference. Winning the first ever The X Factor Israel with her powerful rendition of “My Way” that earned a standing ovation from the judges and audience, Rose now the carries the torch for OFWs who are seeking better lives while holding on to their dreams.Acknowledging her achievement, the Philippine embassy in Israel announced Rose as an Outstanding Filipino.“One thing that came out in this contest is that in Israel you can make it wherever you come from, no matter how old you are,” said Philippine Ambassador to Israel Genoroso DG Calonge.Even Philippine President Benigno Aquino III sent a congratulatory message.“We are very, very proud that [Rose] has given the Philippines pride in the showcase of her talent,” Philippines Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing. “That is a victory also of the Filipino people.” As part of her prize, Rose is entitled to a recording contract but Israeli authorities said that Rose will not be able to sing professionally as her working visa prohibits a shift in her career.This may dampen Rose’s spirit but seeing how she took on life’s challenges, this obstacle may just lead to her next winning moment.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/01/20/osang-fostanes-inspiration-to-ofws/
Juliet Van Ruyven- Former OFW,
Best Selling Author and a World Traveller
If her name is mentioned, one thing surely comes to mind of most people “Oh, she’s rich because she married a foreigner”.But Juliet succeeded because of her determination, positivity, energy and passion.Juliet was a little girl from Batangas. She’s the second eldest in a family of 12children. They were living in a 1-room nipa hut in the village. During the younger years, Juliet was helping her family by selling fruits and milk to other villages.Jhet always believes in her own potential. She finished her college education in an exclusive school for girls thru the kindness of the priest. In return, she had to clean offices and wash dishes and the laundry.She became an OFW in Yemen Arab Republic in 1984 where she had a chance to meet Mother Theresa when she was volunteering at sisters of charity in Yemen. She also meet a dutch man who became her husband later on.Juliet and her husband migrated to Canada. When she was expecting her first daughter, she computer tutorial services. She then decided to work full time when she had her second daughter. With her skills, she became the top performing sales executive and was sent to different places in the US, Canada and the Caribbean.She decided to open a digital and graphic design company where it became successful. She was named Businesswoman of the year. Her company also printed her book “The Tale of Juliet” that became the best seller in North America, The Philippines and other
countries. After reading her story, she was featured Philippine TV show’s “Rated K”, TFC and she was also invited at the Office of the President. She was named as People of the Year by People’s Asia Magazine for spreading inspiration to the world. At present, Jhet have traveled all continents of the world butAntarctica. She continues inspiring the world through her story. She always believes that all of us have a power to change our lives. She met Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen of Chicken Soup for the Soul and other inspiring and life-changing people such as Robert Kiyosoki of Rich Dad, Poor Dad.Now, Juliet owns a 4-storey house in Canada where she describes as paradise as she wakes up overlooking the White Rock beach in Beautiful British Columbia.Jhet is giving seminars to the Philippines that you or your family might want to join. She was in the Philippines in December 2013 as a speaker at Bo Sanchez’ Kerygma conference and will be back there again to inspire fellow Filipinos along with the other inspiring author and entrepeneur, Sha Nacino.
http://ofwstories.com/juliet-van-ruyven-former-ofw-best-selling-author-and-a-world-traveller/
Inspiring OFW Story:
Domestic HelperTurned Millionaire
Be inspired by the story of Dina Pela Paz-Stalder of San Pablo, Laguna who used to work as a domestic helper in London but now owns a cosmetic and soap laboratory that made her a millionaire. The story of Stalder was aired on an ABS-CBN show, "My Puhunan", wherein she narrated that she started out with almost no capital at all, only relying on her doctor friends to supply her with beauty and cosmetic products to produce and sell. The former OFW saw the potential in the cosmetics business and emphasized that she immediately found passion in selling make-up, soaps, and other beauty products. Stalder said, "Siguro ito 'yung trabaho na minahal ko at isina-puso ko. This is the kind of business or job that I really want." She also shared how she struggled to finish school because of financial difficulties. She said, " Walang baon, minsan walang shoes. Pero maganda din ang kinalabasan kasi out of that, doon ako naging inspirado na magtapos." She finished a course on medical technology, but did not practiced it immediately. She got a job as a domestic helper in London but while working, she took time to study facial
skin care procedures. In 1986, she returned to the Philippines to start a business but she did not have capital. Her passion though did not stop her from pursuing her dream. She said, "Yun and dapat gawing inspirasyon ng mga kasambahay na kagaya ko before kasi hindi habang panahon kasambahay ka," she said. Stalder is currently managing Stalder Laboratories in Laguna. The lab, which opened in 1999, is currently earning P20 million to P30 million a month and is one of the biggest skin care manufacturing companies in the country. Aside from producing 25,000 papaya soaps daily, the lab also manufactures shampoo, hand sanitizer, lotion and other beauty products. Stalder also opened the facial and skincare clinic Diana Stalder, with branches in Metro Manila, Luzon provinces and Visayas.
