Leuterio vows to inspire OFWs to exploit local opportunities

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebuano entrepreneur Anthony Gerard O. Leuterio vowed to inspire more Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to exploit the opportunities in the Philippines--pursue their passion, and be successful in business.

Leuterio made this commitment following his recognition as a lone Cebuano to be awarded for this year’s “Kabayan 2022” during the celebration of Go Negosyo’s 17th anniversary held on Saturday, December 3, 2022.

In an interview, Leuterio who is the founder of Filipino Homes said that as a former OFW, his vision is to help Filipinos working abroad to make use of their hard-earned money to invest in good investment channels, like properties or become entrepreneurs, saying “there are so many opportunities in the Philippines.”

Leuterio pledged that Filipino Homes will mount more programs and activities to inspire OFWs to take the entrepreneurship route, starting off with providing educational campaigns to help OFWs invest their money in the right channels, or start a business in the Philippines to provide more jobs to Filipinos.

Leuterio emerged as one of the nine “inspiring overseas Filipino workers and entrepreneurs’ commended for their “passion and determination to become better in their respective fields of business.

Prior to starting the Filipino Homes business in the Philippines, Leuterio led a global organization for a well-known multi-level marketing multinational company, which exposed him to global marketing dynamics. He was leading organizations in the United States, the Middle East, and Asia, apart from the Philippines.

 Leuterio was joined by eight other awardees, namely Arvin Esperida of Bodega ni Tatay; Angelito Castro of Angel Castro Aqua Ventures; Elpidia Abel, Inspiring OFW awardee; Jeffrey Guansing, YouTube influencer and founder of Team Harabas; Malou Prado, owner of MPQ Travel & Tourism; Mardel delos Santos of Ledam’s Collections Company; Mark Durotan of Diko’s Food Processing & Diko’s Integrated Farm; and Marvin Intal of Intal Garments.

"We are so happy that our efforts in Filipino Homes are recognized by Go Negosyo and by President [Ferdinand] Marcos himself,” said Leuterio, adding that because of this recognition the Filipino Homes Group is all the more determined to reach out to more OFWs and encourage them to venture into businesses which they are passionate about.

Go Negosyo chose to put the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs and the OFWs as the center for this year's anniversary celebration.

 According to Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, the Go Negosyo team chose the theme "Kabuhayan, Kinabukasan at Kaagapay ng Pamilyang OFW” to highlight how central the family is in every migrant worker’s story.

Concepcion explained that beyond just being a venue for OFWs and their families to begin their journey toward entrepreneurship, Kabayan 2022 recognizes the importance of digital technology and how it can be leveraged to the advantage of many MSMEs (micro, small and medium entrepreneurs) in developing their businesses.

Leuterio, who founded Filipino Homes has been promoting real estate properties in the Philippines to OFWs and foreign buyers abroad—Singapore, the US, and the Middle East, among others. The company has been helping OFWs and their families realize their dreams of owning their dream houses. It also provides opportunities to Filipinos here and abroad to explore the limitless opportunities in the real estate industry.

Being recognized as one of the entrepreneurs who have contributed to the country’s economic prosperity by helping OFWs invest in real estate and encouraging them to consider real estate marketing as a career when they come home, is considered a victory not only for him from for all Filipino Homes’ partners who also made their own success stories and help inspire OFWs to start their own business.

During the recognition day, President Ferdinand "Bongbong” Marcos Jr. awarded a bonus of P200,000 to the Kabayan 2022 awardees. This was announced by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, who attended the event on behalf of her husband.

In his Facebook page post, Leuterio announced that the P200 thousand bonus from the President will be given to less fortunate communities.

"In the spirit of the holiday season, I have decided to add this cash bonus to our Christmas community outreach fund that Filipino Homes and Accredited Real Estate Salespersons in the Philippines will execute in the coming days. This series of public gift-giving activities will begin with a children’s event this Thursday, Dec. 8,” he promised.