KUWAIT: Philippine Vice Consul to Kuwait Attorney Shiena Tesorero (center) receives the ‘Media Transparency Award’ given to her by Filipino journalists in Kuwait.

KUWAIT: For her admirable integrity, steadfast commitment to government transparency, openness to the media, upholding the tenets of good governance and above all, being a trustworthy partner of the media in the promotion of welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers in Kuwait, Philippine Vice Consul to Kuwait Attorney Shiena Tesorero has received the 'Media Transparency Awards' organized by Pinoy local media and Filipino community in Kuwait. The event held Wednesday evening at Radisson Blu Hotel saw various recognitions/gratitude directed to Vice Consul Sheina Tesorero mostly are from various Filipino community organizations/members who were all witness to her admirable 2-year short stint as Vice Consul to Kuwait and head of the 'Assistance to Nationals Unit'.

"Her openness and her commitment/dedication to public service are really indisputable on her persona. Her heart is really into public service and very straight-forward person, no non-sense talk; she wants it done quickly/accurately and with a heart. Hope she stayed longer but she already has the order to transfer to other post so we respect that decision by DFA," said Hermy Gernale, General Manager of Pinoy Arabia FM and publisher of The Filipino Magazine.

Among the signatories of the media transparency awards are media personalities led by Michelle Fe 'Maxxy' Santiago Senior Correspondent/Consultant ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau Reporter/Arab Times Program Director/Pinoy Arabia Ricky Laxa News Correspondent/GMA-7 The Times/Senior Reporter Producer/Director/The Morning Talk Ben Garcia Senior Reporter/Kuwait Times Editor/Filipino Panorama News & Current Affairs Director/Pinoy Arabia, Randy Mendoza General Manager Pinoy Arabia FM.

Also the Alliance of Filipino Organizations in Kuwait comprises of more than 20 organizations also handed out plaque of recognition to Atty Sheina. Sandigan led by Anne Abunda, Makulay Arts Group of Romano Roman, IWOK of Farida Al-Halimi and Aim Global-BCO Rose Ortiz also recognizes Atty Sheina contribution to the community with plaque of recognitions/appreciations. In a short message at the event, Atty Sheina Tesorero thanked all the organizations in Kuwait for being the partner of the embassy in delivering better services to Filipinos in Kuwait.

"I really admire the community here in Kuwait; we can never be successful in all our work if we do not have a vibrant community of Filipinos in this beautiful country, Kuwait. The spirit of 'bayanihan' (shoulder to shoulder) is really alive here. I salute all your tireless effort to lending your helping hand to less fortunate and needy Filipinos. So, I do believe that even if there is no officials/officers at the embassy, I know this community will always succeed, survive and thrive naturally," she mentioned.

Ana del Mundo, founder and chairman of the Philippine Society of Marketing Specialist in Kuwait (Philsoc) also thanked Attorney Sheina for the job well done and for upholding the truth and justice necessary especially for the runaway housemaids. Anne Abunda of Sandigan (an advocacy group helping abused OFWs) shed tears for a hard-working Vice Consul Tesorero who she described as true leader filled with lots of positivity and openness. "I will really miss her not just as embassy official but as real friend and a person with big heart to OFWs," she mentioned. "We worked together as a team and we see in your eyes the burning desire to help and dispense necessary held to every Pinoys in Kuwait seeking your assistance; I thank you for the lesson learned and shared with us," she said. IWOK President Farida Al-Halimi, Rosita Ortiz of Aim Global-Kuwait and Romano Roman of Makulay Arts group, Nelson Fenandez, Philsoc President echoed the same sentiments about Atty Sheina. "We are caught red-handed when we heard you're leaving Kuwait; you are the best that happen with our community here, a real public servant, we all wish you best and pray for your future endeavor," Fernadez noted.

By Ben Garcia