OFW wins 1 million BDO Rewards Points in BDO raffle

MANILA — A 62-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) based in Saudi Arabia has won 1 million rewards points in a holiday raffle organized by BDO Unibank, turning decades of disciplined saving into an unexpected windfall.

Benedicto Marra, a mechanic and heavy equipment technician who has worked abroad for more than 20 years, emerged as the grand draw winner of the bank’s Save Your Way to a Million Rewards Holiday Raffle Promo.

Marra, who opened his BDO Kabayan Savings account in 2003, said he initially went overseas out of necessity to provide for his family.

“Ginusto kong mag-abroad kasi kailangan. Mahirap ang buhay,” (“I chose to work abroad because it was necessary. Life was hard,”), he said, recalling the challenges he faced, including a serious workplace accident. “Number one d’yan yung pagkalayo sa pamilya. Yun ang di nababayaran ng salapi.” (“The hardest part is being far from family. That’s something money can’t pay for.”)

He said his goal in saving was simple: to secure a home for his family. “Kahit papaano may masilungan,”(“At least we have a place to shelter in,”) he said. 

During his years abroad, Marra said he relied on the convenience of online banking, real-time remittance crediting, competitive exchange rates and transparent fees, which proved especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-branch transactions were limited.

“Anytime, anywhere… basta may signal, nagagamit talaga,” (“Anytime, anywhere… as long as there’s signal, it can really be used,”) he said.

Marra qualified for the raffle after opening a new account with a minimum deposit of 50,000 pesos during the promo period and signing up for BDO Pay for an additional raffle entry.

The bank said the promo forms part of its broader push to promote responsible saving habits while recognizing the perseverance of its overseas clients.

“Our overseas Filipino clients play a vital role in their families’ financial security,” said Senior Vice President and Head of Remittance Genie T. Gloria of BDO. “Through Kabayan Savings and other bank services, we aim to provide secure, convenient and accessible tools that support their long-term goals, wherever they may be.”

Now preparing for retirement and spending more time at home, Marra plans to open a small business related to his trade and build a more comfortable future for his children and grandchildren.

His advice to fellow OFWs: “Kung kailangan mo mag-save ng salapi, gumamit ka ng bangko. Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot.” (“If you need to save money, use a bank. If you put something away, you’ll have something to withdraw.”)

Through initiatives like the Save Your Way to a Million Rewards Holiday Raffle Promo, BDO said it continues to reward the steady discipline of everyday savers, many of whom spend years working far from home to secure their families’ futures.