More than two decades of hard work overseas—and a lifelong habit of disciplined saving—came full circle for Benedicto Marra, 62, an overseas Filipino worker based in Saudi Arabia, after he emerged as the grand draw winner of 1 Million BDO Rewards Points under BDO Unibank’s Save Your Way to a Million Rewards Holiday Raffle Promo.
A mechanic and heavy equipment technician for over 20 years, Marra left home out of necessity, driven by the responsibility of providing for his family. “Ginusto kong mag-abroad kasi kailangan. Mahirap ang buhay,” he shared, recalling the many challenges he faced—including a serious work accident—while continuing to persevere for his loved ones. “Number one d’yan yung pagkalayo sa pamilya. Yun ang di nababayaran ng salapi.”
Since opening his BDO Kabayan Savings account in 2003, Marra has viewed banking not just as a place to store money, but as a tool to build long-term stability. His primary goal was simple yet deeply meaningful: To secure a home for his family. “Kahit papaano may masilungan,” he said, underscoring how saving with purpose guided his financial decisions through the years.
While working abroad, Marra found reassurance in having reliable access to his finances through his Kabayan Savings account. He cited the convenience of online banking, real-time remittance crediting, competitive exchange rates, and transparent charges—features that proved especially valuable during the pandemic, when in-branch transactions were difficult. “Anytime, anywhere… basta may signal, nagagamit talaga,” he shared.
By opening a new account with a minimum deposit of ₱50,000 during the promo period and signing up for BDO Pay for an additional raffle entry, Marra qualified for the holiday raffle—an initiative that turns everyday saving into opportunities for meaningful rewards.
BDO said the promo reflects its broader commitment to encouraging responsible saving habits while recognizing the perseverance of its Kabayan clients.
“Our overseas Filipino clients play a vital role in their families’ financial security,” said BDO Senior Vice President and Head of Remittance Genie T. Gloria. “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 spending more time at home and preparing for retirement, Marra hopes 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 is grounded in experience: “Kung kailangan mo mag-save ng salapi, gumamit ka ng bangko. Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot.”
Through initiatives like the Save Your Way to a Million Rewards Holiday Raffle Promo, BDO continues to recognize the quiet discipline of everyday savers—transforming years of sacrifice into moments worth celebrating. END
About BDO BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) is a full-service universal bank which provides a wide range of corporate and retail banking services. Its services include traditional loan and deposit products, as well as treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, rural banking and microfinance, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance brokerage, cash cards, credit cards, and online and traditional stock brokerage services complemented by digital banking solutions to make banking easier, faster, and more secure for our clients. BDO has one of the largest distribution networks, with more than 1,800 operating branches and 5,900 teller machines nationwide. It also has branches in Hong Kong and Singapore as well as 14 other international offices in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits, and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of September 30, 2025. For concerns, please visit any BDO branch near you or reach us through any of the channels listed in the Consumer Assistance page of our website: https://www.bdo.com.ph/consumer-assistance. For more information, please visit http://www.bdo.com.ph.
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