It has always been said that a parent’s love is always greater than any force known to mankind. Through whatever, and no matter how hard the situation is, the father and the mother will do anything for their offspring. Lucky are those endowed with a comfortable life because they can easily provide for their family’s needs, but for those whose economic status lies on the poverty line, it’s a totally different story.

Giving off tons of sweat, breaking bones and even sacrificing blood – these are what a parent, who never had the chance to grasp a huge amount of  money, does in order to make both ends meet.

This may seem a pitiful story but at the same time, this reality proves that when a parent truly loves his children, he is willing to do everything to put a smile in their faces, and even being poor is not a hindrance.

CHANGED MOTHER

Flordeliza Balabad, is a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya in Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya, whose source of income lies on her being a “kubrador” of jueteng. Since she didn’t finish schooling, she resorted to this kind of living.

“Ako ay lakad dito, lakad doon upang makapagpataya at may maipandagdag sa kita ng aking asawa,” Flordeliza shared as her husband only earns P200 a day as a laborer. But putting their earnings together is not yet enough to cover the needs of her five children.

“Mahirap ang aming buhay ngunit kami ay hindi nawawalan ng pag-asa. Patuloy pa rin kaming nagbabanat ng buto, pinasok ko na ang pagiging isang kubrador para lang matustusan ang pangangailangan ng aking mga anak at sila ay patuloy na makapag-aral,” she added.

But a ray of sunshine rose in the midst of the Balabads when they became a beneficiary of the program. Flordeliza and her family comply with the conditionalities of the program, in health and in education as well as the attendance to Family Development Sessions.

As Flordeliza shared, the cash grant they received is a big help in augmenting the needs of her children in school and in ensuring that they eat nutritious foods. But greater than this, she is very much thankful for the learnings inculcated in her mind through the FDS.

The FDS aims to foster positive behavior among the beneficiaries through topics like Responsible Parethood and Rights of the Children.

“Dahil sa mga napag-aralan naming mag-asawa sa FDS, kami ay nahikayat na mas maging responsable at mabuting magulang sa aming mga anak,” Flordeliza uttered.

This realization made Flordeliza press the end button in her work as a kubrador, since it was also stated in her oath of commitment that as a beneficiary, she is discouraged from engaging in activities that involve gambling.

“Inihinto ko ang pagiging kubrador. Ginamit ko ang aking kunting ipon upang makapagpatayo ng munting talipapa. Payak lang ang aking kabuhayan ngunit ito ay aking ipinagmamalaki,” she proudly said.

Flordeliza, together with her better-half,  continues to work hard to ensure that their children will finish their studies. She believes that it’s not impossible for someone to achieve his goals in life as long as he will strive hard for it, and that’s what Flordeliza is doing.

A FATHER’S PRAYER

Roderick Ramirez, who also hails from the same municipality, is a doting father to his three children. He works as a carpenter and earns 250 pesos daily. Somehow, this amount is quite able to cover his family’s daily needs, but the problem kicks in when there is no job order since his work is only seasonal.

“Talagang naghihigpit kami ng sinturon dahil ang maliit na halagang kinikita ko ay nakalaan sa lahat ng aming pangangailangan, kaya tipid din ang baon ng aking mga anak, minsan nga, wala na silang dalang pera pagpasok,” Roderick started.

Just like any father, Roderick wants the best of everything for his family, especialy for his children, but he can’t do much except to continuosly budget the little amount that he is earning for their needs.

“Nadudurog ang puso ko sa tuwing wala akong maibigay na pera sa aking mga anak. Ang baon nila sa maghapon ay solo kanin o kaya ay nilagang saging. Masakit sa akin bilang isang ama ang ganitong madalas na eksena,” he continued.

But one day, the usual heart-wrenching scenario has come to an end. Because of the cash grant Roderick receives as a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya, his children now have some coins in their pocket when they go to school.

Roderick considers the cash grant as a big help in addressing the needs of her children, in school and in buying vitamins to ensure their health. He also continuously perseveres to somehow provide for his family.

“Hindi man ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral, sipag at tiyaga ang aking puhunan upang mabigyan ko ng magandang buhay ang aking pamilya,” he began. “Dahil sa Pantawid Pamilya, lalong tumindi ang aking kagustuhan na ituloy ang laban sa buhay tungo sa tagumpay na aking pinipilit makamtan,” Roderick finished.

Flordeliza and Roderick are two best examples of how a parent’s love can defy all odds just to make sure that the children will have, if not the best of everything, at least what is good for them. Surely, to be able to put something on the table requires tons of endurance and pain from Flordeliza and Roderick, but when they see their children’s happy faces, all the sweat and blood they poured is all worth it. ### By: ANGEL CABALONGA, Municipal Link