Five special Filipino families shared their stories and got recognized. One does feeding programs for the less fortunate, another helps poor women give birth outside the hospital, and others prove a family can be complete even with a disabled member.

They are the first batch of winners of the Jollibee Family Values Award. The search was launched earlier this year by the fast-food giant, and called for nominations for outstanding families who embody Filipino values and have been inspirational to their community.

“The response was overwhelming. We had 1,377 nominations and chose 25. The top five were chosen by region: North Luzon, Mega Manila, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said Albert Cuadrante, Jollibee vice president for marketing. “I deliberated with the other judges for a whole day. Background checks, which is very important, were done to make sure the winners are qualified.”

The panel was composed of Inquirer Parenting columnist Cathy Babao-Guballa, TV/radio personalities Julius Babao and Christine Bersola-Babao, Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Alicia Bala, Center for Family Ministries director Fr. Allan Abuan, Jollibee VP for human resources Theresa Jotie, and Jollibee marketing manager Kent Mariano.

They were presented in a recent Gabi ng Parangal Para sa Pamilyang Pilipino at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas. Jollibee global president Ernesto Tanmantiong and Jollibee Philippines president Jose Miñana awarded each of the five families P100,000 cash, P10,000 in Jollibee gift certificates and a trophy designed by brass sculptor Michael Cacnio.

Inspiring stories

Emmanuel “Wawel” and Mila Mercado of Quezon City are a picture of commitment and strength. Mila had brain injuries after giving birth to their only daughter, and has been paralyzed since.

“I have accepted that she will not get better, but I have promised to take care of her forever,” said Wawel, president of St. John’s Health Network.

He gives talks in schools, recollections, and church groups on how a family should handle the disability of its member. He and daughter Mary Grace Therese, 15, support the Cambantoc Reforestation Project.

The Depla family of Sta. Maria, Bulacan, has a simple background. Flor, a midwife, helps expectant mothers who cannot afford hospitalization give birth for free. She also gives prenatal seminars, and acts as a guarantor for women in her barangay who want to put up small businesses.

Husband Ireneo, a company welder, supports the wife and participates in medical missions and clean-up drives, together with kids Irvin Lenard, 17, Irene Joy, 13, and Ivan Justine, 6.

Volunteerism

Edonis Francisco, a psychologist, and wife Christine from Lucena City started a feeding program in for public schoolchildren in Gumaca, Quezon in 2009. Through the help of friends abroad, they now cover 43 sites. The couple, with kids Denise Patriara, 17; Denise Czarina, 15; and Denise Beatrice, 4, heads the program every 6 months in Lucena. They also help out children with cleft palates get surgery.

All four kids of Ernesto and Remedios Suplido of Silay City give talks and workshops to their peers. The father is a professor at University of St. La Salle, while the mom works in an NGO. She is a believer in the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” a series of principles for success and good relations.

“For example, they argue over which channel to watch. I told them, watch one channel for one minute, then another in the next minute. Nahilo sila! (They got dizzy),” Remedios shared. “So they talked among themselves and agreed today, they’ll watch this show, and tomorrow the other one.”

The Suplido couple facilitates the Discovery Weekend and Marriage Encounter sessions, a guide for couples, while kids Alexandra, 19, Cesar Ernesto, 15, Simon Pedro, 14, and Rosario Carmelina, 13, coordinate the 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens and Youth Aid’s Kids for Peace summer workshops.

Volunteerism and public service through websites is the advocacy of the Cartojanos from General Santos City. Dad is lawyer Rey; mom is school director Marjorie; and kids are Rey Jr., 18, Thea Danielle, 16, Hannah Katrina, 13, and Kiara Raye, 9.

The family are active members of the Red Cross movement and helps during rallies, disasters, and national conventions. They also publish the websites gensanexchange.com, philippinelawblog.com, skeptronsolutions.com and yamangensan.ph that gives information online.