Thursday, November 15, 2018

Wimler Foundation Hong Kong Wins Prestigious Philippine Presidential Award



Hong Kong-based non-profit honored for its work benefiting migrant communities

Hong Kong, 16 November 2018 — The Wimler Foundation, a Hong Kong-based Filipino non-profit organization dedicated to empowering migrant and ethnic communities, today announces that it has been awarded the Banaag Award of the 2018 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.

The award recognizes Filipino individuals or organizations for contributions that have significantly benefited and advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities.

WIMLER Foundation Co-Founder Leila Rispens-Noel said: “We are deeply honored to receive this award, and it will serve as a beacon for us to deepen our commitment in building socially and economically empowered migrant communities. Our migrant communities go through great lengths to seek financial security so that their families can live in dignity. By providing them with the tools to develop their full potential, we hope to harness migration to build a better quality of life for present and future generations.”

Overseen by the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the Presidential Awards are a biennial search for individuals and organizations overseas that have dedicated their work in the service of Filipinos either by supporting relief, rehabilitation and development programs back home or by having excelled in their profession or field of expertise overseas.

This year’s recipients were selected from 96 nominations from around the world through a four-stage process involving representatives from various sectors. The 25 awardees will honored by Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte on 5 December 2018 at Malacanang Palace in Manila.

Founded in 2011, WIMLER Foundation has championed capacity building and empowerment of migrant communities and the promotion of cultural diversity in Hong Kong. Among its notable projects is the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (ALSE) program in Hong Kong in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University, Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security, Social Enterprises Development Partnerships and Ugat Foundation, and in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate, the Philippine Overseas Labor Officer and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Since the LSE program began in 2012, 892 Filipino migrant workers and some residents in Hong Kong have graduated, and several alumni have started their own businesses back home. It is also conduct other seminars to enhance the capacities of migrant workers in Hong Kong. The foundation also supports indigenous communities in the Philippines through livelihood projects such as traditional weaving, as well as provides educational scholarships for children from low-income families.

Wimler Foundation Chairman Ferdinand Ng said: “We see this award as a testament of the power of cross-border, cross-cultural collaboration and partnership, in particular the vital contributions of our partner organizations, donors and volunteers who continue to believe and work with us to fulfil our mission.”

Aside from Wimler Foundation, Saturnino H. Tiamson, a Filipino musician based in Hong Kong, will also be honored at the ceremony with the Pamana ng Filipino award, which recognizes overseas Filipinos for their excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work and profession.




For information:

Contact: Katherine de Guzman
Email: kathdg19@yahoo.com
Mobile: +852 95024402

For more information on Wimler Foundation HK, visit wimler.org