“Matagal akong naitali sa paniniwalang ang babae dapat nasa loob lang ng bahay, pero simula ng naging Parent Leader na ako para sa Pantawid Pamilya, nalaman ko na mas marami pa pala akong pwedeng magawa at magampanan, hindi lang para sa ikauunlad ng aking sarili, kundi lalo na ng aking pamilya,” said Aling Glomeline.

Clad in her simple black shirt and jeans, Aling Glomeline was very proud sharing how her life changed when she became a Parent Leader. She used to be a meek person who prefers to stay at their home and just focus on her duties as a mother and a housewife. But things started to change.

Glomeline Taguinod and her family hail from Brgy. Dadda, Tuguegarao City. They are one of the family beneficiaries for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. At first, she confessed that she was reluctant to be a Parent Leader, but because of the encouragement of her fellow beneficiaries and of the Municipal Link, she wholeheartedly embraced the responsibility.

EMPOWERED BENEFICARY

“Bilang isang Parent Leader, napaunlad ko ang aking pakikipagkapwa-tao,” the humble leader said. Her communication skills were enhanced since she interacts with different people. She also takes charge in relaying information to her members about the schedule of Family Development Sessions and updates and announcements about the program.

As a Parent Leader, Aling Glomeline somehow feels a sense of pride being able to lead a group of people. “Masaya ako, kasi kahit ganito lang ako, kahit papano kaya ko rin palang maging lider. Masarap yung pakiramdam na may mga taong nakikinig sa iyo, at kinikilala ka nilang pinuno kahit papano,” she said.

Aling Glomeline also has active involvement in the community as the Parents-Teachers-Community Association (PTCA) Business Manager of her children’s school.

FAMILY WOMAN

Aling Glomeline is happily married to Ace, who works as a Farmer. Despite of financial constraints, they toil hard in order to provide for their family’s needs. Aling Glomeline also has sideline jobs as a Tutor and as a Manicurist. She looks after the children of her well-off neighbor and also teaches them the basics of Fiipino and Science subjects. During her spare time, she goes home to home to give service of grooming and polishing fingernails.

Aside from being a devoted wife, she is also a caring mother to her three children: Gianmark, 5 years old; Glorycarl, 7 years old and Glorypher, 9 years old, who are studying at Tagga-Dadda Elementary School.

What gives more delight to Aling Glomeline is that all of her children are gifted with remarkable intellectual perspicacity.

The three Taguinod kiddos are consistent honor students and are also active in extra-curricular activities.

“Salat man kami sa pera, may maipagmamalaki naman akong mga gintong medalya ng aking mga anak. Ito ang kayamanan naming mag-asawa,” she gushed. “Kaya mas nagpupursigi kami sa pagkayod para makatapos sila ng pag-aaral, lalo at ang tatayog pa man din ng mga pangarap nila,” Aling Glomeline continued.

THANKFUL FOR PANTAWID PAMILYA

When asked what are the impacts of Pantawid Pamilya in her life, Aling Glomeline paused for a while. Then her lips began to move, and with eyes that shine with overwhelming gratitude, she speaks these words: “Sobrang laki ang naitutulong ng Pantawid sa’king pamilya. Siyempre, andiyan na yung tulong para sa mga gastusin sa gamot at pag-aaral ng bata, pero higit pa dun ay yung dahil sa program, nagkaroon ako ng kumpiyansa sa sarili ko.”

She also added that her children became more enthusiastic in coming to school because they know that their attendance rate can affect the amount of cash grants they will receive. “Dahil din sa Pantawid, mas lumiwanag ang bukas para sa’king mga anak dahil nabigyan sila ng pag-asa na balang-araw gaganda rin ang aming buhay,” she ended.

Aling Glomeline is just one of the many proofs, that amidst in this society which is once blinded by the belief that the females are the weaker species, women can stand tall and proud and earn the respect of everyone, and give some men a run for their money.###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer

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