To love and to forgive.

These are two things that people of Brgy. Velasco, Lemery, Iloilo learned from Tanutan family, this year’s winner of the National Search for the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya. The family was able to rise above the challenges brought about by poverty with only one parent taking care of the entire household.

Love prevails

Forty-nine-year old Gemma raised her five kids all by herself since her husband left for Manila to look for a job and never returned 10 years ago. She was a little scared to be the breadwinner of the family, but her love for her kids encouraged her to accept odd jobs to feed and care for them. She did farming, selling and trading vegetables and other goods in nearby municipalities to support her children’s needs and schooling.

“Parang hindi ako napapagod sa mga trabaho ko araw-araw kasi ang iniisip ko para ito sa magandang kinabukasan ng mga anak ko (I do not feel tired with the work that I do every day because I always think that it is for my children’s future),” Gemma shared.

When asked if she has ill feelings towards her estranged husband, Gemma shared, “Pinilit ko na lang na intindihin siya. Mayroon sigurong magandang rason kung bakit din kami nagkahiwalay sa ganoong paraan. Hindi naman ako galit sa kanya. Sa katunayan, maganda ang samahan ng pamilya ko at ng mga magulang at kapatid niya (I tried to understand him. There is probably a good reason why we parted that way. I am not angry at him. In fact, my family has a good relationship with his parents and siblings).”

Life-changing

Gemma admitted that being a solo parent is not easy. She thought that she would not be able to fulfill her responsibilities as a mother and a father. But with prayers and perseverance, she is happy that she has able to guide her children and provide for their needs.

She said, “Yung ibang mga bata, may nanay at may tatay pero hindi naman maganda ang asal. Kahit ako lang na nanay ang nagpapalaki sa kanila, natuturuan ko sila na maging malapit sa Diyos at magagandang ugali. Matatawag ko rin na isang pamilya kami (Other kids have both mother and father but did not learn proper values. Even if I raise my children alone I always teach them to have a close relationship with God and to have good values).”

Even the kids were not spared from experiencing hardships. They help their mother in the farm and sell their produce in other barangays. But even though life was hard for the family, siblings Ferdinand, Bryan, Jawo, Gibb, and Jebie have helped Gemma in making her responsibilities as a parent easier to fulfill.

Gemma’s children value education. Ferdinand, her eldest son, was able to complete his Associate in Marine Engineering at the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPC) in Estancia, Iloilo in 2013. Presently, he joins construction works so he could save enough to finance his apprenticeship. Bryan King and Jawo, are also able to continue their tertiary education with the help of scholarships. Gibb and Jebie are consistent honors students at their respective schools.

“Masuwerte ako sa mga anak ko dahil masunurin sila at masipag mag-aral. Malaking tulong din ang tulong ng Pantawid Pamilya para makapag-aral yung dalawang anak ko (I am lucky that my kids are obedient and that they do well in their studies. Pantawid Pamilya has been a great help in sending my two kids to school)”.

Inspiration to others

The Tanutan family is a source of inspiration to families and solo parents like Gemma.

“Parang lalaki kung magtrabaho si Gemma. Yung palayan nila siya lang ang gumagawa. Minsan kasama yung mga bata. Bilang isang solo parent siguro kahit pagod ka na magtrabaho hindi ka titigil para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan yung mga anak mo (Gemma works like a man. She tills their land alone. Sometimes her kids help her. Perhaps if you are a solo parent you will not stop working even if you are already tired because it is for the future of your kids),” said one of the barangay officials who personally knows the family.

Gemma is also a motivator.  Her attendance to Family Development Sessions provided her the venue to convince other women in their barangay to grow vegetables and root crops in their own backyard. During harvest, they now join her sell their crops in the market. Through this, Gemma gave them the encouragement to be productive and help in their own household’s income.

Each member of the family’s contribution in making their situation bearable and better than it was years ago did not go unnoticed to their neighbors and community in general. Punong Barangay Nemia Baldivinos described the family as “decent, God-fearing and worth emulating.”

A nationwide search

The National Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya recognizes family – beneficiaries of the program who maintain strong family ties, demonstrate positive Filipino values, and have a positive impact in the community where they reside. The Tanutan family is one of the five finalists of the search held all over the country.

The family was awarded with P30,000.00 and a plaque during the National Family Day held at the Philippine Sports Arena on September 28. The event was attended by Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and staff and program partners like Department of Education and Department of Health. It was a celebration of Filipino families and the beneficiaries’ efforts in improving their lives.

Gemma expressed gratitude for the support of Pantawid Pamilya in the health and education of her children. The program empowers her family in improving their well-being and has been a tool in achieving the positive changes in their lives. Thus her message to her co-beneficiaries during the awarding ceremonies: “Kaya natin ang pagbabago (We can become instruments of change)!”

The runners-up in the search were the Victoria family of Buhi, Camarines Sur (1st);  Ewican family of Carmen, Bohol (2nd);  Bacaltos family of Aborlan, Palawan (3rd);  and, Ayad family of Dasmariñas, Cavite (4th).