A Romblomanon and a working expat in Qatar, received a prestigious ‘Bagong Bayani Award 2016’ given by Bagong Bayani Foundation Inc. (BBFI), a non-stock, non-profit organization conceived to uphold the new heroes of our time, the overseas Filipino workers. Escurel received his award during a ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila on June 7.
Let’s know more about Mr. Fidel M. Escurel
(From his profile portfolio)
Mr. Fidel M. Escurel was born and raised from a simple family in the province of Romblon, Romblon, Philippines despite of hardship in life, Mr. Escurel did not give up his ambition to finish college education, inspired by his elementary school teacher mother, he study and strive hard, and on 1987 he graduated from EARIST (Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology.) with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering (BSECE) awarded as “Student Leader of the Year” in the School of Engineering and Architecture and Fine Arts.
Mr. ESCUREL has demonstrated his professional and unwavering commitment both as public servant and overseas faithful workers. His record of achievements as one of the pioneer and a key staff in one of the world’s leading Oil and Gas Marketing Company is very much inspiring dedicated and trustworthy.
An lT Professional and a marketing expert and employed as Telecom / Web Coordinator of Qatar international Petroleum Marketing Company (Tasweeq).
Mr. Fidel Escurel was all over the place and recognized as a respected Filipino community leader in the Middle East and Africa, inspired everyone and making sure that the officers, resource speakers and volunteers have what they need to treat the huge number of participants properly, and at the same time also doing his share of lesson learned to the learner. Mr. Escurel started working as an OFW in 1988 as Computer Engineer in Qatar. In his 6 years in Qatar, he started organizing Filipino Community and leads various activities that helped fellow OFW, and upon establishment of Philippine Embassy in Doha, Qatar in 1991, Fidel involved and help organized the yearly celebration of the “Philippine Independence Day” since 1992 to the present year.
In 1994, Fidel transferred to Yemen for brighter future in Canadian Occidental Petroleum (CanOxy) as System Analyst but stayed only for 1 year due to social unrest and coordinator with the Filipino emergency evacuation during the civil war in Yemen. He return to Qatar and got an opportunity to worked with Occidental Petroleum – OXY (mother company of CanOxy) as a Senior System Analyst from 1995 and in 1997 he transferred to OXY main office in Bakersfield, California, USA, but later he decided to go back to Qatar OXY project and worked up to 2000, then he transferred to Qatar Petroleum (QP) as a Senior Administrator and Marketing Information Officer from 2001 to December 2007 and then Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Co. Tasweeq from January 2008 up to the present, Fidel received numerous awards in many capacities started from college, employment (past and present) and social responsibilities as OFW.
Mr. Fidel M. Escurel has been chosen for the “2016 BAGONG BAYANI AWARDEE” in recognition of his being “COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICE & PHILANTHROPIST” and outstanding leadership of various organizations especially in the Middle East and African Network for Filipinos in the Diaspora known as MEANFID.
Major Achievements, Awards and Recognition
1. Exemplary Leadership in Areas of Civic Participation And Social Empowerment Awards. “The first Filipino Community Leader received a Certificate of Recognition from Ambassador H.E Wilfredo C. Santos for “Invaluable Service in Advancing the Interest of the Filipino Community in Qatar and for his Exemplary Leadership in the Areas of Civic Participation and Social Empowerment”.
2. 3rd Global Summit of Filipino in the Diaspora last February 26-28, 2015 in Manila Hotel, Philippines “The sole representative from the Middle East and Africa, one of the main Plenary Speakers and most contributor to the workshop fighting for the human rights and welfare of the OFW in the Middle East and Africa.
3. Regional Summit of the Middle East and African Network of Filipino Diaspora – last February 27, 2016 in City Seasons – Dubai, United Arab Emirates UAE. The Summit was devoted to innovative and interesting subjects relevant to Overseas Filipinos and focused on the following:
- OFs as Proactive Advocates against Human Trafficking
- Responding to the Psycho-Social Challenges of Migration in the Middle East and Africa
- Building Capacities of Migrants, their Families and their Communities
- Investment, Business and Livelihood Opportunities
- Return and Reintegration of Overseas Filipinos
4. Philippine Independence Day Organizing Committee 2012 (Pinoc 2012). Overall Chairman, Fidel Escurel with his leadership have organized a one whole day event. The activities shared the joy of the festivities with other Filipinos. Independence Day celebration has always been the biggest gathering among Filipinos in Qatar every year and it has been a tradition to celebrate. Around 13,000 not only Filipinos but also other nationalities have attended in the event. Being the Overall Chairperson of the event Mr. Escurel leads the generously projects given to various beneficiaries like funds donation to the ongoing construction of the new community Philippine School Doha / GMA “Wish Ko Lang” with a cancer patient, and more monetary assistance.
5. Mr. Escurel, recognized by the Commission On Filipinos Overseas (CFO-Manila), being head of a dynamic international networking association called as MIDDLE EAST & AFRICAN NETWORK OF FILIPINOS DIASPORA (MEANFID), that passionately promulgate the nationalistic sense of Filipino nationhood away from home, inculcate a strong sense of shared destiny and aspirations, and act as a catalyst in promoting resolutions to various issues and arising problems among Overseas Filipinos in the Middle East and Africa. Through leadership of Mr. Escurel, MEANFID became famous in the Middle East especially in the UAE / Qatar / KSA / Jordan / Lebanon/ Libya / Ethiopia / KSA / Kuwait etc., the group serves as bridge for our Filipino Kababayan’s in the Middle East and Africa; helping to advocate for their needs and supporting them on their personal journey to empowerment.
Mr. Escurel organized a series of financial literacy to our fellow kababayans and maintained the highest standards in the service of human rights, gender equality, health-care access and opportunity for low-income becoming a potential and active contributor to the development of the inherent home (Philippines) and host countries. The CFO-Manila main office: appreciated Mr. Escurel for being Philanthropist supporting of the following CFO-Projects.
1. Personally contributed for the Scholarship / Educational Assistance for the victim of Human Trafficking Survivor (Ms. Misty Baclohan) through Commission on Filipinos Overseas- CFO- LINGKOD KAPWA PILIPINO (LINKAPIL) projects.
2. Personally contirbuted monetary fund for the REBUILD: CONVERGENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROJECT Assistance under the “BANGON WESTERN VISAYAS” Project, through Commission on Filipinos Overseas- CFO- LINGKOD KAPWA PILIPINO (LINKAPIL)
Mr. Escurel clearly exemplifies the virtue of good citizenship and has gone over and above simply volunteering his time with a charitable organization. He has shown exemplary initiative and leadership skills by founding a group within his community bringing together Filipinos who live and work abroad and awareness and organizing numerous fundraising activities and events in the past and to the presents. His dedication and achievement has been impressive and ongoing (for over 27 years).
Because of these efforts, Mr. Escurel has earned not only the award for “Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year 2015” at the Sangguniang Masang Pilipino International Inc. (SMPII) , but also the respect and gratitude of those for whom and with whom he serves, his church family, his neighborhood residents, and his fellow community leaders around the Middle East and Africa. As one of those peers whom Mr. Escurel has inspired and motivated to service. In Summary Mr. Fidel Escurel achievement and love for his fellow countrymen, demonstrated the ideal spirit of heroism “To go for an extra mile” therefore he has been recognized as one of the Philippine search for the country’s outstanding and exemplary Overseas Filipino: “BAGONG BAYANI AWARDEE 2016”.
