This National Heroes Day, we not only celebrate the names in our history books, but also the millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who sacrifice every day to provide for their families back home and create a brighter future for themselves. 

While working overseas is a dream for many, it comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices such as not being physically present for milestones of loved ones or not being able to take full control of where the money they send really goes to. 

This is why GCash has designed its features to be accessible to Filipinos overseas. It’s hard enough to be away from home, and being able to support our families should not be any more difficult. 

Those based in the Philippines have experienced the ease and convenience GCash has to offer, and those abroad can experience the same, too. 

“I first realised I could use GCash abroad when my dad told me to download it to receive relief payments from our local government during the pandemic,” explains Kamae Magsanoc, a marketing professional based in Sydney. “While I didn’t have use for it myself, I was able to access it and send it back to my family back home, where they could put it to good use. Since then, I've explored the app and was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to use, not too dissimilar from our banking apps here in Australia,” she says. 

Filipinos abroad can easily download the app and register provided they have an active and roaming Philippine sim. According to Kamae, it was easy for her to sign up and verify her account. She has since used the app’s Money Transfer feature on several occasions. “Although I can’t be with my family right now, I was able to celebrate my recent promotion with them. I transferred some money and it went straight into their GCash accounts.” Cashing in your GCash account is easy and convenient through GCash's remittance partners in more than 31 countries around the world.

Kamae also likes to use it to send presents to her family. “I like to support small Filipino businesses. Most, if not all of them now accept GCash, so I can purchase from these small shops, send them to my family and pay directly through GCash. For example, my parents recently celebrated their anniversary and I was able to send my mum flowers from their local florist because they accept GCash. It’s really convenient,” she says. 

Joseph Azrael Daluz, a relief assistant educator also based in Australia shares that he has been using GCash for a few months now. “I use it for transferring money to my family, relatives, friends, and people in need,” he says. “I prefer GCash since it is safe and more convenient. It needs less details compared to bank transfers. I just need 3 details - full name, address, and cellphone number and can do it through my mobile phone anytime I want to,” he explains. 

According to him, GCash has made it easy for him to manage his finances, even from overseas. “I do not have to stress over asking for details for those I want to send money to for help. It is quick and easy and I can focus on more important things. I highly recommend it! There are a lot of people getting sick nowadays because of the pandemic and the consequences of being in a lockdown. GCash allows me to extend my help in an efficient way.”

Filipinos overseas also have access to GCash’s bills payment feature, where they can pay for bills such as water and electricity directly. This can eliminate the worry of whether money sent home is being used for the right purposes. 

Buhay sa Cruise Ship Facebook Group founder Rinell Banda would also recommend GCash to Filipinos overseas, especially seamen. “I have used several of the features myself, including Money Transfer, Bills Payment and GInvest. I have made a few YouTube videos about it. If it is this easy and convenient to use even for Filipinos abroad, I would happily recommend it to OFWs,” he says. 

With millions of Filipinos working overseas, sending money and providing for their families back home is one of the things that require an easy and reliable service. Filipinos abroad can trust GCash in helping care for their families in many ways, from money transfer, to bills payment and more.

Celebrate OFWs as your hero this National Heroes Day by joining the GCash MoneyGram Saludo Sayo contest. From now until August 29, those in the Philippines can win P50,000 for their OFW family and friends when they claim for their GCash remittance through Moneygram. Post a photo of your nominated OFW on Facebook and share why they are your hero and use the hashtags #OFWBayaniKo and #GCashMoneyGramSaludoSayo. Three winners will be announced via Facebook on August 30, 2021, in time for National Heroes Day.

For more information, visit GCash.com.