Friend. Mentor. Director. Artist. Civic Leader, and yes, an OFW — a number of roles that contribute to complete his essence of being a true man of his time.  
 
But there’s really more to it than meet the eye in describing Rodel Menda, the OFW!    
 

‘Del’, as called by his friends, grew up in Samar and Manila. He succumbed to ‘economic  invitation’ to join the exodus of Filipinos seeking for greener pasture, let alone explore a totally different professional battlefield as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia during the late part of the 90’s.  He landed with a job as ‘paralegal’ in a well-known and number one law firm in Riyadh.  Del said, “Climbing up the rank requires dedication, determination and loyalty.  And it is quite wonderful to work with such diverse of people in that capacity.” As Del puts it, working as part of the management team (and being an IT professional/computer developer and web designer) in handling and contributing to the firm’s operations is a lot of work, and sometime, a number of late nights. Del is a licensed instructor of the Computer Society of Filipinos International Inc., the Philippine 2010 Presidential Banaag Awardee.


 
According to Del, he always had this mindset and belief system that: “The true meaning of leadership is Service.”  His civic works and artistic inclinations piqued his interest in ‘social volunteerism’ and spurred him to continue not just his management leadership in corporate business, but his artistic and civic leadership as well. And despite of his busy office activities  and, since working for the common good is nothing new to Del, especially if it is for the benefits of ‘Kapuwa Pinoy”, thus, Del still coped to lead and serve as President & Chief Executive Officer the Pinoy Sining Group (The Filipinos for Arts & Culture) in Riyadh, a non-profit Filipino organization, registered and accredited partner of the Embassy of the Philippines in Saudi Arabia, which carries the ultimate purpose of promoting the beauty of the Philippine culture and arts, and likewise, assist in various forms their Kababayang Pinoy especially the  distressed Overseas Filipinos.  


 




 
So far, a number of events and programs were undertaken and will be piloted by Pinoy Sining under Del’s leadership:  Gawad Pasasalamat sa mga Natatanging Guro at Gawad Pasasalamat sa mga Ulirang Magsasaka in Samar and Bulacan (2012); Mukha ng Pinoy 2011 Search Para Kalendaryong Filipino; 2011 Kampeon Laban sa Kampeon 1^st Kingdomwide Singing & Dancing Competition; Raffle for a Cause for the benefit of an OFW Cancer Patient in 2011; Creative Writing Workshop and Filmmaking Techniques 2011 (shown in Balitang Middle East); Dental and Medical Mission, 2011 Central Region Got Talent Top 5 Grand Finalists (all are talents of Pinoy Sining) and an independent film production in collaboration with a number of independent Filipino artists.  Moreover, Del has also previously served as President two non-profit organizations in the Philippines: the Association of Concerned Students (Eastern Visayas Region) and Bliss Youth Community Club.  Del is also a recipient of Presidential Undertaking of Leadership and Alliance Award because of his utmost dignity and professionalism in upholding its unique mission and vision.
 


 
But of all the work he has done and still doing, this Overseas Filipino is still eyeing to live and continue his artistic passion in the Philippines, the only place he said “he belongs” while savoring the rewards of more than 15 years of hardwork, loyalty and dedication with his one and only company in Saudi Arabia.   For more information about Pinoy Sining, please visit their official website at www.pinoysining.com. - (J. Nava Cruz, an OFW, is a freelance writer/author/documentarist.  E-mail at bashamel007@yahoo.com).

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine