It was the fruit of the labor of love.

The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) reaped the fruits of their hard labor when they won 2nd place for their performance entry “Labor of Love,” at the DOLE SayAwit Competition held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The DOLE Sayawit Competition is part of the DOLE 79th Anniversary celebrations which consists of a song and dance competition participated in by employees of DOLE attached agencies, bureaus, services and selected regional offices. This year’s anniversary was on the theme “79 Taon ng Matapat na Serbisyo, Hatid sa Bawat Pilipino.”

“During this Christmas season, it is only apt to celebrate the “Labor of Love” of our employees for our workers and their families as well. In sync with the anniversary theme, we wanted to highlight the efforts of DOLE employees for the millions of workers we serve, both here and abroad, and their families specially during this Christmas season,” said Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz of the Institute for Labor Studies.

To help in the concept development and training of the performers for the competition, the Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA), the country’s premier theatre group, was tapped to develop the performance concept, provide voice training and dance choreography based on the competition’s theme. This year’s Sayawit theme was on Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs.

“As part of our efforts to make the DOLE anniversary a success, we strive to bring meaningful but fun performances that bring the best out of our employees and provide quality entertainment with a message that resonates with our target audience,” said Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz of the Institute for Labor Studies.

The performance, which drew several and loud applauses from the crowd, was a simple but feel-good song-and-dance presentation depicting the Filipino spirit of hard work and self-initiative.

The presentation aptly entitled “Labor of Love” paid tribute to the average Filipino workers through the songs it played such as the APO Hiking Society’s timeless “Blue Jeans”, VST & Company’s classic “Tayo’y Magsayawan”, the 70s band Cinderella’s giggly “TL Ako Sa’Yo”, the pop band Aegis’ “Christmas Bonus”, the immortal Filipino Christmas song “Kay Sigla ng Gabi” and Ms. Lea Salonga’s emotionally arousing “Tagumpay Nating Lahat.”

“We are happy to join the 79th anniversary of the Department through the artistic performances of our employees. It is always a joy to be working with other DOLE offices and our friends from the theater for this celebration,” said Cruz.

Each member of the ILS-NWPC-PRC team, wore costumes representing the everyday Filipino worker. In particular, the ILS-NWPC-PRC group gave honor and recognition to workers like public school teachers, caregivers, seamen, architects, firemen, soldiers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, flight stewardesses, journalists, security guards, chefs, farmers and informal sector workers.

Winning first place were the DOLE Regional Offices (NCR, Region III, IV-A) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration who won 3rd place.

“We are looking forward to the celebration of our 80th anniversary, which we are sure will just be as festive and meaningful. Rest assured next year, we will be giving our best once again for this occasion,” said Cruz.

In 2011, the Institute for Labor Studies with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board and the Maritime Training Center won 2nd place for its entry “Lady Manggagawa.”

The ILS is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment.
(For more information on this press release please contact Mr. Bryan Balco, Labor & Employment Officer III, Advocacy & Publications Division, Institute for Labor Studies, Telephone Nos.: 5273490 / 5273447)