As Christian devotees, her parents named her “Christine” which means a follower of Christ. She is the unica hija among the six siblings but despite of being the only daughter, she grew up in military way.
You know why? Because both her parents are retired police inspectors who taught them to be a good individual with faith in God.
Her upbringing makes Christine Marie Libunao, a consistent honor student during her elementary years in Ungka II Elementary School, Pavia, Iloilo. She was an active student and awarded as Singer of the Year and Best in Religion.
After graduating from elementary, she enrolled in Iloilo National High School where she experienced selling candies to her classmates so she could have ‘baon’ for that day. She did not attend any Christmas parties from first year to third year because the venue is outside the school campus which her parents do not allow.
Christine’s life basically revolved in school, house, and church. She has no social life like most teens do. Nevertheless, she never complained and she grew up a refine and conservative lady.
In 2006, Christine together with her four other siblings are all enrolled to college. The eldest son took up Nautical course while Christine took up Nursing. Their 3rd child took up Radiology, followed by the 4th and 5th children who took up Accountancy and also a Nautical, respectively. The youngest child is still in high school.
It was a hard time for the family. So much more when their father retired from the police service where all his retirement pays went to their school fees. Their financial struggle has taught the siblings the value in handling money, needs over wants, and live a simple life.
That time, Christine was enrolled at the Iloilo Doctor’s College in Iloilo City. In spite the pressure of taking a degree in Nursing, she strived hard because she was closely monitored by her parents and wanted them to be proud of her. By the time she will about to review for the board, she broke up with her boyfriend to focus more on the upcoming examination.
After the board examination and while waiting the result, she worked as a Korean tutor in a private company and was paid P9,000 a month for nine students. Every pay day, Christine gave half of her salary to her parents. Her kindness and perseverance paid off when she passed the Nursing Board Exam with a rating of 80.60 percent.
CHALLENGES
Christine accepted the job offered to her to work as nurse in one of the private hospitals in Iloilo City just to practice her profession.
Unfortunately, her first job is not that easy because of underpaid job, sleepless nights, overwork, and pressured by some arrogant doctors. Special occasions like Christmas, New Year, birthdays and holidays are missed but, it was an overwhelming experience for Christine whenever she encountered a very ill patient from the time of his admission until the moment he is fully recovered and allowed to be discharged. She felt very effective and fulfilled.
In 2012, her contract with the hospital has ended. She did not renew her because her family find her exhausted. She decided to take on new ventures and so applied at the Department of Social Welfare and Development 6. She was hired as Social Welfare Assistant (SWA) and assigned at the Municipality of Tigbauan in Iloilo.
Being a SWA is also challenging but more motivating. She was able to reach out to the poorest of the poor communities, interact with the most vulnerable, and have realizations beyond her norms. It’s not only that beneficiaries learn from her but she also learns from them. Christine works hard to take a big part in achieving the goal of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for a Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay.
Like Christ whose ministry was filled with service, Christine opens her eyes and heart to the needs of others along her way and give meaningful service each day. She believes that each time we reach out to another in love, we reflect Christ’s love.
AWARD
The qualities that Christine possesses made her stronger each day and the person she is always wanted to be. This is the basis where she was nominated as H.E.R.O (Has Exceptionally Rendered Oneself) staff in SWA category and later, took the highest award as Winner among the five other nominees regionwide.
Christine enumerates the top 3 qualities the Pantawid Field Staff should possess are empathetic, hardworking and with integrity.
- EMPATHETIC – because having the ability to understand and share the feelings of another is the beginning of caring. When we care, we get involved. When we get involved, we serve. When we serve, we help uplift the well-being of our beneficiaries. When we help uplift their well-being, we make a change.
- HARDWORKING – because when we put effort into doing and completing tasks we become efficient workers. Now a day’s more people complain before doing their work. We need to stop complaining and love our job because with our hard work we become a hero to our beneficiaries.
- INTEGRITY – because in this generation the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles have become scarce. We need workers in the field who are honest with their working hours even without supervision. We need workers whose works are credible. We need workers who stick with their principles even in the midst of temptations.
These things she said a hero does not need super powers, capes and fame. A hero may be in her simplest clothes helping the most vulnerable. But, if it’s how you describe a person who is willing to go the farthermost barangays, who is enthusiastic in speaking during meetings and Family Development Session (FDS), who eagerly welcomes and assists beneficiaries, and loves her being a SWA even when a registered nurse, then she is gratefully honored to be called a HERO.
“I help save lives through caring for patients as a nurse, and I save lives by educating Pantawid beneficiaries as a SWA. My job as a SWA makes me a Pantawid Pamilya Hero because I CARE. You see there’s a difference between working for money and working because you care. Because I care, I have empathy, I maintain integrity, I work hard, I deliver result, I make a change, I AM A HERO”, she elaborated. //dswd6//Montesa Grino-Caoyonan and Joanna Rose Jabonete.