ZAMBOANGA CITY, JAN. 24 – To recognize and appreciate the essential role of household workers in society, the Labor Department in Zamboanga Peninsula celebrated “Araw ng Kasambahay” on January 22, 2022 at the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University, Zamboanga City with 251 kasambahays joining the festive activity.

During this event, regional director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe shared his remarks, “We are paying tribute to Kasambahays today, applauding their invaluable contributions to Filipino families. They have enabled households to flourish by providing support that allows everyone in the family to live a more harmonious and productive life.”

Kick Starting the event was a skills demonstration with TESDA 9 instructors. Participants learned techniques on making embotido (meat loaf), bagoong (shrimp paste) and siomai (steamed Chinese dumplings).

After the demo, contestants to the Kusina ni K cooking competition demonstrated their skills as they cooked specialty dishes. Emerging as the winners were the women of Ariva Areno Blanco Kasambahay Association, followed soon after by Paso de Pasonanca Kasambahay Association and La Hermosa Criada de Tumaga Kasambahay Association at 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

Simultaneously, guests were treated to a talent showdown through the KasamBEST dance showdown where 5 groups. Winning the competition were the dancers of Fly High Ladies Kasambesh of Brgy. Talon-Talon. Bagging 2nd place was Momerific Kasambeshie de Bunguiao while Angel de Patalon came in 3rd.

Winners of both contests received cash prizes of 3,000-4,000 pesos, trophies and goodies from partners.

Throughout the day, raffle prizes such as cash, grocery packages, appliances, cellphone load cards and sacks of rice were given away to lucky winners.

The celebration of Kasambahay Day was made possible with the support of the following partners: Office of Congressman Khymer Olaso, ZAMPEN Association of Kasambahays, Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance Inc. (ZABIDA), Liga ng mga Barangay – Zamboanga City, LGU-Zamboanga City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and TESDA 9.

Sarah Mae Abdurajik, a domestic worker from Arena Blanco, whose group was hailed as the winner in Kusina ni K said, “Maraming salamat po sa inyo dahil nabigyan niyo po kami ng kaunting pahinga. Naipakita namin sa inyo ang aming kakayahan bilang kasambahay. Hindi po lahat ng mga kasambahay ay nabibigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon. (Thank you very much for giving us a little break. We have shown you our skills as housekeepers. Not all domestic workers are given this opportunity.”

January 18 of every year is declared as Araw ng mga Kasambahay pursuant to House Bill 6285 which is a special non-working holiday for domestic workers. END