MALAYSIA is home to nearly 1 million Filipinos, and most of them are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who make daily sacrifices for the loved ones they left behind in the Philippines to provide them with a comfortable life.
Many OFWs here are household service workers or domestic helpers.
While other Filipinos in Malaysia are construction workers, factory workers, engineers, i.t. professionals, teachers, medical and healthcare professionals, sales and retail, among others.
Like many OFWs around the world, and aside from the use of gadgets to reach fellow OFWs online, the Filipino community in Malaysia usually holds a gathering as a way to connect and ease their longingness for their families.
This is why SMNI and The Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy continue to organize gatherings not only for KJC members but also for all Filipinos currently in Malaysia.
And this year, many Filipinos took part in the seventh youth and adult camp held in Malaysia’s Capital, Kuala Lumpur.
More people participated in the young and adult camp this year of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and SMNI in Malaysia.
According to organizers, more than 2,000 OFWs coming from various areas or states participated in the event.
The sun has yet to rise, but many delegates of the 7th youth and adult camp are already in United Sports Arena, Kuala Lumpur.
Buses carrying a huge delegation coming from various places in Malaysia arrived to take part in the annual gathering.
Many of them traveled up to 60 hours just to participate in this one-day event meant for them.
The event started with a parade of teams coming from, Melaka, East Johor Bahru, Northwest Kuala Lumpur, North Penang, West Johor Bahru, South Penang, Perak, Southeast Kuala Lumpur, and Cyberjaya.
OFW Party-list Representative Marissa del Mar Magsino and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Arnel Ignacio, were among the guests of this joyous event.
Representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, and leaders of various Filipino communities were also present.
KJC leaders from Singapore and Thailand also graced the gathering.
In his speech, congresswoman Magsino recognized and lauded OFWs for their sacrifices and hard work.
Magsino also extended her gratitude to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, SMni, and Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy for creating this history of what is now known as the largest gathering of Filipinos in Malaysia.
Magsino also invited OFWs to watch SMNI’s OFW, Ikaw ang Bida, a program dedicated to all Filipino workers across the world.
Various teams first showcased their dancing skills in the power dance competition.
North Penang Team was hailed as the competition’s 3rd runner up, South Penang team won 2nd runner up, and the 1st runner up was the team of Northwest Kuala Lumpur.
And the Melaka Team was crowned as the champion in the power dance competition.
After dancing, the teams also showed their talent in singing through the choir competition.
OWWA administrator Arnel Ignacio first gave a speech after arriving at the venue.
Ignacio also thanked The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, SMNI, and Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, for organizing the event.
The OWWA administrator also interacted with OFWs and took selfies with them.
In the end, Team Perak was crowned the champion of the choir competition.
In the afternoon, OFWs took part in the men’s basketball competition,
The volleyball competition for the male and female categories was also conducted at the same time.
In the end, Team Cyberjaya won the men’s volleyball competition, while Team West Johor Baru won the female volleyball competition.
West Johor Baru, meanwhile, championed the men’s basketball competition.
After the fun and energy-filled competitions, the team of West Johor Baru was declared the overall grand champion of this year’s Seventh Youth and Adult Camp in Malaysia.
But in the end, win or lose, the Filipino community in Malaysia is very grateful to Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy for organizing such an annual event meant for them.
And while this year is so far the largest gathering of OFWs in Malaysia, next year is expected to be grander with many more competitions and Filipinos participating in this annual event.
