Dubai: The next time you read about a promotional offer, think twice before just dismissing it. At least that is what scores of Filipinos are saying after winning their children’s school fees and other cash prizes under a back-to-school promotion launched by a money transfer company in the UAE.
While anyone who remitted money to the Philippines through Xpress Money between March 23 and May 6 became eligible for the promotion, 90 of them who were recently announced winners, can’t believe their luck. Ten of them were awarded 75,000 pesos (Dh5,920) each to cover the school fees of their children while 80 others bagged cash prizes worth 5,000 (Dh400) pesos each.
Lest the money meant for school fees was used elsewhere, Xpress Money officials visited the schools of the eligible candidates last month to make the payment. In most cases, the money was enough to cover two-three years’ fees.
At ease
Ashwin Gedam, vice-president, global marketing, Xpress Money, said: “The thought of having the school fees taken care of and ensuring a bright future for the children put our customers at ease. I cannot express in words the happiness that we saw on our customers’ faces while we handed over the fees to the schools. Being a customer-centric brand, we will continue conceiving such promotions and initiatives that are not purely restricted to monetary rewards for our customers.”
He said millions of Filipinos leave their home country and move to the UAE and other GCC countries for better employment opportunities. A sizeable number of these Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are parents with priorities such as building a house, advancing their family lifestyles, and most importantly, enrolling their children in good schools. “Most OFW parents are tirelessly working towards saving for their children’s education; they sometimes sacrifice on going home during Christmas or delay a family holiday to ensure that they don’t fall short on funds for school fees. Recognising these big sacrifices, Xpress Money decided to help out by offering to pay for the school fees of the children through our ‘Back to School’ promotion.”The winners are over the moon.
Laarni Lorenzana from Salawagan Malaybalay Bukidnon, who works as a sales executive in Dubai, said, “I am so happy. I have a five-year-old daughter Athena who was studying in a public school. But Xpress Money has now helped her to get admission to a private school and the fees have been paid for three years. Not just that, the 75,000 pesos I won has also benefitted my nephew Raymond to go the same private school with two years of his fees being fully paid.” Another winner, housemaid Gelli Bangay, a single parent from Davao Del Sur, said the 75,000 pesos would take care of her daughter Kristel’s fees for the next three years. “It’s a huge burden off my mind and I am very thankful.” There were others who said they could now save their earnings for other purposes since their educational expenses had been covered.
