During the heyday of her showbiz career in the 80s, Rep. Marissa del Mar-Magsino was the preferred leading lady of top action stars. Fast-forward to the present, she is the Philippines' own Action Woman in Congress, pushing for the welfare of overseas workers as the elected representative of the OFW Party List.

Marissa's stint in show business was relatively short, as she seemed destined for bigger things. She has worn different hats throughout her career, which she excelled in. She's a beauty queen, successful entrepreneur, realtor, and socio-civic leader. It was her stint as a producer and host of TV shows like "Up Close and Personal, "then "Buhay OFW," that propelled her into her present role as congresswoman and Assistant Minority Floor Leader in the 19th Congress.

Even though she grew up from humble beginnings, Marissa's loving parents always instilled in her the spirit of caring for others. This explains her spirit of philanthropy that later characterized her public service brand.

The calling to pay it forward inspired the nationwide Impact Awards which she initiated in 2009 through the Buhay OFW Foundation. It had the vision of recognizing exceptional groups and individuals across various sectors who work to uplift Filipino lives. Since then, these awards have honored outstanding individuals, civic groups, government institutions, and private organizations for their significant contributions to humanity and nation-building.

The Impact Awards is now in its third year since the election of Marissa as the delegate of the OFW Party List to Congress. 48 awards were handed out to the chosen luminaries last Sept. 5 in the Marriott Hotel Manila.

Some of the celebrity awardees included Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Mark Lapid,  and OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio, among others.

Receiving his award, the TIEZA COO recalled the days when his father, Lito Lapid, was the leading man of Marissa in the hit movie "Ang Alamat ni Leon Guerrero." He thanked her and commented that she remained "beautiful and ageless."

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was also honored with a Special Award for Exemplary Leadership, while Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez was given a Special Award as Woman of Influence. Speaker Romualdez's message as Guest of Honor was read by congresswoman Marissa as the Speaker was in Davao City for the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair.

The honorees - which included Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and COMELEC Chairman George Garcia - were cited for being exemplary public servants, community impact leaders, and innovators in governance for implementing effective policies.

The other awardees  were also recognized for being "collaboration champions for fostering partnerships, leaders promoting inclusivity and diversity, public policy visionaries with impactful initiatives, and environmental stewards for their commitment to sustainability."

"Our OFWs are the backbone of our economy, sustaining the nation through their relentless hard work and sacrifices. Their contributions extend beyond remittances; they embody the resilience and dedication of the Filipino spirit. The Impact Awards are not just a celebration of their achievements but a heartfelt tribute to their unwavering spirit, courage, and love for our country. Each award symbolizes our gratitude and recognition of their efforts, honoring their professional accomplishments and commitment to uplifting their families and communities,” Marissa remarked.

It is worth noting how the event raised funds for the projects of the Buhay OFW Foundation and the OFW Party List, which will be used to provide seed capital for micro-enterprises of OFW returnees. Livelihood Assistance Grants worth P20,000 each were awarded to 25 OFWs and family members.