WESTERN VISAYAS model family who belongs to Indigenous People (IP) community bagged a national award. in Antique Province is this year’s 1st Runner-up in the National Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya. The Calipusan family, headed by Raymundo and Teresa, who belong to the ITCA (Igdalaguit-Tribal Council Association), was first runner-up in the Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya.
They received a check amounting to P 25,000 and a plaque during the National Family Day on October 4, 2015 at Ultra Gym in Manila. The couple was also accompanied by their four children including the 13-year old boy who is under their care.
The couple, who hails from Tobias Fornier in Antique, has children namely Jaylord, 18; Gaylord, Grade 7; and Mary Lordelyn, Grade 8. Despite poverty, however, the family has opened their door and assumed the responsibility of taking care of two less fortunate children.
One of whom is Richard C. Abuloc, 20, Raymundo’s nephew from Agusan, whose parents could not afford to send him to school. Raymundo fetched Richard in Bohol and brought him to Antique after knowing that the latter is not in school for more than two years after graduating from high school. Richard is now taking up Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) along with Raymundo’s eldest son, he is now a third year college student taking up BSMT at the University of Antique.
The other one is Arnel Gonce, 13, who was abandoned by his parents and was seen wandering around the public plaza of Tobias Fornier in Antique last year. Arnel is now a Grade 5 at the Cato-ogan Elementary School. The couple believes that helping other people is their way to pay back all the goodness and blessings that God has given to them.
They are also thankful that the two children were welcomed by their children and considered them as part of the family. The Calipusan family believes that a family that stays together has a “forever.” For them, the family that prays and works together, indulges in love, respect, unity, forgiveness and understanding towards each other will smoothly overcome all the challenges that come their way.
The family is very thankful to avail of the conditional cash grant through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. But more than the cash grant, their being a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya empowered them and helped raise their level of well-being as it gave them the opportunity to access other social services.
Three of their children are covered by Pantawid Pamilya. Gaylord and Mary Lordelyn are assured of finishing K to 12 because of the expansion of the age (15-18 year- old) coverage of Pantawid Pamilya children-beneficiaries. Knowing that education and good health are the keys to overcome poverty, the Calipusan couple encourages their children to stay healthy and value the education particularly their scholarship grants by taking their studies seriously.
REGIONAL AWARDING
The Calipusan family together with seven other families from different provinces regionwide were also recognized by the DSWD-6 in an awarding ceremony on October 8 at MO2 Westown Hotel, Iloilo City.
Other winners were families of Jesusa and Sanny Dela Pieza of Panitan, Capiz, 1st Runner-up; Ronilyn and Rupely Panganonong of Balete, Aklan, 2nd Runner-up. Also, other regional finalists were families of Jocelyn Baylon of San Rafael, Iloilo; Noel and Ederlina De La Cruz of Arevalo, Iloilo; Rodney and Perla Remada of Bacolod City; Racel and Arnel Arquiola of Buenavista, Guimaras; and Adrian and Junila Arabelo of Cauayan, Negros Occidental.
Calipusan family personally received their cash prize amounting to P 11,000 with plaque while the first runner-up and second runner-up received P9,000 and P6,000 respectively. The rest of the finalists received P3,000 each.
Assistant Regional Director for Administration Evangeline B. Felecio said, “The family is the smallest unit in the society wherein any behavior of the children is first developed and acquired.” Felecio commended the families for being models to their respective municipality and province.
She said that the department hopes that the these winning families will inspire other beneficiaries to do their best inspite of poverty and challenges in life./dswd6/Montesa G. Caoyonan
PHOTO CAPTION
WV BAGS NATIONAL AWARD. The Calipusan family from Tobias Fornier, Antique bags the first runner-up spot in this year’s Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya. Photo shows the Teresa Calipusan receiving their award in a recent regional awarding ceremony from DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Administration Evangeline Felecio. Also in photo are (front, left to right) Philippines News Agency Bureau Chief Annabel Petinglay, the children Gaylord, Lordelyn, their father Raymundo, Arnel, Mayor Jose Maria Fornier, Antique Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Lazaro Petinglay, (back row, from left) Ted Aldwin Ong of Iloilo Code-NGO, Rey Salutin of PhilHealth, Haidee Sune of DSWD, Dr. Mlechor Kim Kwan of DepEd and Christian Baldonasa of Antique Provincial Operations Office-Pantawid Pamilya.