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Newly launched Filipino radio programme ‘feels like it’s home’- Joanna E. Miranda-Gaskin

- Overseas Filipino Workers radio programme launched in January
The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) radio program has been well-received. Photo: OFWO
(L-R) Pastor Ariel Serrano and DJ Alegre during the very first show of OFW on January 11, 2026. Photo: OFWO
(L-R) Pastor Ariel Serrano and DJ Alegre during the very first show of OFW on January 11, 2026. Photo: OFWO
The OFWO radio program has been described as a significant step forward in the Filipino community’s journey in the VI. Photo: OFWO
The OFWO radio program has been described as a significant step forward in the Filipino community’s journey in the VI. Photo: OFWO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Following the launch of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) radio programme in the Virgin Islands (VI), Founding President of the Overseas Filipino Workers Organisation (OFWO) Mrs Joanna E. Miranda-Gaskin has said it has been well-received.

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on February 3, 2026, Gaskin said the initiative is an extension of the OFWO’s mission- to help, empower and educate Filipinos in need. 

The OFWO was founded on October 20, 2023. The radio programme first aired on Z-Rod 103.7 FM on January 11, 2026. 

A press release following the first show said it was “a significant step forward in the Filipino community’s journey in the VI, reinforcing its commitment to cultural visibility and social harmony”.

Gaskin explained that the programme is where Filipinos in the VI are able to hear their own language on the local airwaves. 

“Feels like it's home, that’s where the entertainment [comes] in; DJ Alegre plays [all] Tagalog songs that will inspire them to keep living.”

According to Gaskin, the programme also features a spiritual aspect. 

“We also have a Pastor Ariel [Serrano], a Filipino Pastor on board, who does the spiritual segment all for the glory of God. All positive vibes.”

VIslanders appreciative of programme

Gaskin added that the programme has welcomed Dr Arliene T. Penn of WIN BVI, who shared a message on cervical cancer, as well as Bishop John I. Cline, who shared financial literacy advice. 

“The programme is to empower the whole community at large.”

According to Gaskin, one avid listener of the programme, who is a local, said it was “good since it's different, and you can really learn from it”, as we speak Tagalog and English in the station.

As of May 20, 2025, there were approximately 630 Filipinos holding work permits for the VI. This statistic was shared in July 2025 by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during a sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA). 

As to the exact number, Gaskin said she is unsure when asked, adding, “I want to know as well.”

She encouraged those who may not be assocciated to the organisation, saying, “You can reach out to us via email: ofwbvi23@gmail.com."

18 Responses to “Newly launched Filipino radio programme ‘feels like it’s home’- Joanna E. Miranda-Gaskin”

  • Wonderful (04/02/2026, 08:18) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    I love this. I love how these people stick together. I wish we BVIslanders could do the same.
  • You noticed? (04/02/2026, 08:34) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Lot of them now all over the bvi
  • ? (04/02/2026, 08:39) Like (18) Dislike (12) Reply
    Watch this space, the Filipino even have radio program, and they will not be called island people like the black Caribbean nationals are usually called, the Filipino are near Caucasian and we get validated by rubbing shoulders with Caucasians. I never see more.
    • @? (04/02/2026, 09:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It seems they gravitate more to Caucasians yes. Maybe they are more like them.
  • Citizen (04/02/2026, 08:49) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Clearly, you don't deserve our status because this article makes it now blatantly clear that you don't want to assimilate. The last to come to the BVI, and now one of the biggest groups here with over 4000+ people and now feeling comfortable enough to "Make your CULTURE More Visible"! What are we, the BVIslanders, allowing in Our Home!!! This is just PURE DISRESPECTFUL Nonsense!

    "Cultural visibility and social harmony"— You can't bring your culture on top of Ours! Go Jamica, St. Kitts, Antigua, Dominica and the Rest and try that Crap!!!!
    • Kingfish (04/02/2026, 09:38) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      That is what happens when you allow one group of people too many work permits instead of setting a quota. It is ridiculous the BVI as small allowed over 4000 Filipinos to settle in the country. Wake up BVI.
      • @kingfish (04/02/2026, 10:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Totally agree with you, this is the height of nonsense! Then Cline is trying to share with them financial prosperity advice.
  • ? (04/02/2026, 09:02) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Want to spread their culture, want us to learn their language in our home? What madness is this???
  • bystander (04/02/2026, 09:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great to see; the Filippinos make such a valuable contribution to the BVI; I am glad they are here and hope they stay and prosper.
    • @bystander (04/02/2026, 10:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      No way!!!! That is too many of one nationality being allowed to occupy our small home. Quiet, subtle takeover it seems to me.
  • they're coming (04/02/2026, 09:27) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    listen up my Virgin Islanders especially the indigenous people of these beautiful islands they're coming and coming in their thousands. the Philippines population is over 120 million .they have people to fill every vacancy available in the bvi. presently almost every corner you turn is a Philippino. our caribbean black brothers and sisters are not so visible anymore and thus tell a sad story. if you bvi landers think that it was your caribbean black brothers and sisters coming to take your land and jobs it is not . it is the people of Caucasian ethnicity. this is the start of a new era for the bvi and you wouldn't believe what is coming next.
    • Well (04/02/2026, 10:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I for one am not standing for it! You all others may feel comfortable allowing a takeover, but not me. A great among need to go home. Why do we need to go across the world to find employment when we have persons in the Caribbean who needs employment as well?
  • invasion (04/02/2026, 09:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a plan to replace all black caribbean nationals. it's much more visible today than it was yesterday. The black work force is being reduced, this is not a local thing either. This issue needs to be addressed immediately, thier culture is very different from other neighboring Caribbean islands. They hardly if ever patronize black businesses they do thier own thing as you can see . How is this good for the economy? im not spreading hate but judging by going into most businesses these days one can clearly see ther employee preference, which is troubling to me. Arms are too wide open
  • BVIslanded (04/02/2026, 09:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    We need to stop the migration of these people into the bvi locals that have businesses look out they undermining our businesses
  • they're coming (04/02/2026, 09:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    listen up my bvi people especially the indigenous people of these beautiful virgin Islands. they're coming and coming in droves. the Philippines population is over 120 million and growing. if you think it was your caribbean black brothers and sisters coming to take your land and jobs it isn't. its the people of Caucasian ethnicity. that you allowing to devour your land.this is just the beginning , more programs is on stream.the Philippines have someone for every vacancy here in the bvi. from moving trash to supermarket workers to permanent secretaries you name it they have someone to fill that position. the question i kept asking is who are the ones benefiting from the expansion of the bvi economy and i am not getting an answer. the bvi economy is being developed to the benefit of expatriates especially the Caucasian .we caribbean black brothers and sisters mingle with you build homes with you married your sons and daughters that you couldn't tell the difference from where we came.look at what is happening today .one supermarket owner is responsible for changing the bvi facial look and to put it mildly it is done by and expatriate one that seems to have unlimited authority on the people of the bvi every corner you turn in the bvi is not a caribbean black brother anymore. why can't the government put systems in place to protect the indigenous people of this country??why??please is beg of the the premier and his government to protect the local population at all cost even if it will cause you to give up office because sooner rather than later you are going to have to give it up .take Monaco for an eg. the indigenous people of that country is given a stipend every month to help take care of there every day needs. expatriate have outnumbered the bvi local population by far.the very voters list have more expatriate now than locals and this is bad for any small island. very bad.i thought that this premier would have come with some really good plans for his people but this is not the case. with your radical speeches and attitude before you was the premier I thought I would have seen meaningful changes in the bvi for virgin Islanders. it is not to late to stop helping to destroy the heritage of the bvi.the black fathers and mothers that fought for the virgin Islands must not be forgotten. your government need to limit the numbers coming from one particular ethnicity.
    .
  • Karnage (04/02/2026, 10:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow. Well this is it


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