A FILIPINO executive assistant, widely lauded for translating in the Philippine language the essentials of new Saudi labor laws through a newspaper column, has won the prestigious 2008 Presidential Award for Filipino individuals and overseas organizations. Alexander Edades Asuncion bagged the honor in the Banaag Award category, which is conferred on Filipinos or associations for their contributions benefitting a sector or community in the Philippines, or advances the cause of overseas Filipino communities. He was chosen from among 31Filipino expatriates and a total of 122 nominations received by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) from 29 countries. Asuncion will receive the award from President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo. A welcome dinner for all awardees hosted by the CFO awards secretariat will be held on Dec. 8 at the Pan Pacific hotel in Manila, followed by the awarding rites on Dec. 9 at the Malacanan Palace. The presidential award is a major milestone for Asuncion, making him the most decorated overseas Filipino in terms of honors and achievements. He has been confirmed with numerous awards for his outstanding service to Filipino expatriates in the Kingdom, notable of which are the Bagong Bayani (new hero) award, Bayaning Pilipino sa Taon ng Bagong Milenyo Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. (Filipino hero of the new millennium), and the Hall of Fame of OFW Achievers. Through his columns, Asuncion encourages Filipinos to enhance their relationship with their host country – Saudi Arabia. He is not a lawyer nor has a legal background but with his comprehensive knowledge of the Saudi labor and workmen laws, Asuncion gives valuable advice and support to compatriots with labor problems He is currently working for the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) in an aluminum project in the eastern region. Ma'aden has its activities focused not only on active gold mining in Mahd Ad Dahab, Al-Hajar, Sukhaybarat, Bulghah, and Al-Amar, but also on the development of its phosphate and aluminum projects in Ras Az Zawr. __
