A few months ago, I was invited to be part of a panel of judges for a nationwide search for five Filipino families; not just any family, but families that embodied Filipino values such as joy, unity, optimism, close-knit bonding and generosity, among many others. At the same time, these families were also expected to have made an impact on and helped uplift their respective communities by contributing to it in a significant and sustainable manner.
Last September, the panel of judges met to deliberate and choose the final winners. We expected it to be a long and arduous process as we knew that we had to make sure that the families we chose were worth emulating. But there were so many truly admirable families that in the end, our problem was how to narrow our choices down to five. After a lively afternoon of spirited discussions and debates, we finally managed to pick winners and all went home looking forward to the awarding ceremony.
Last Oct. 3, at the Jollibee Family Values awarding ceremony, we had the privilege of finally meeting our winners. We watched videos on them. Everyone was humbled and overwhelmed by the stories of these noble lives but more importantly, inspired to do more with their own families. Perhaps the most important reminder from many of these families was that you don’t have to be rich to help. All you need is a spirit rich in kindness and a heart overflowing with a desire to make a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of those who need it the most.
The Guzmans
The first JFVA went to the Guzman family from Metro Manila—Emiliano and his wife Anicia with daughters Gabrielle and Mimille, both in college. While most families bond by malling, this family bonds on weekly visits to the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) where they have put up a children’s library to help entertain and educate children and parents who are waiting.
In the hospital, they spearhead activities such as storytelling, arts and crafts workshops, and ballet performances by Gabrielle and her friends. Two years ago, Mimille published a children’s book and used the proceeds to fund their programs.
While they are not doctors, no doubt what they’re doing helps children cope with their illness.
Their involvement in PGH does not end here. They also have weekly feeding programs for young and old cancer patients. They are helping renovate the hospital’s prayer room/chapel. They recently installed a Palliative Care Unit at the PGHCI and outside of PGH, regularly support Kingdom Kids Orphanage and Museo Pambata. Chatting with them, I was surprised to learn of even more projects up their sleeves.
On a visit to the “Ulingan” on Pier 18 in Tondo, they discovered that the children were in dire need of boots, because the neighborhood gets flooded when it rains and is littered with garbage. The family immediately organized “Botang Maliit Para Kay Bulilit” and in a month, were able to raise enough money to buy boots for 700 children. As Mr. and Mrs. Guzman distributed the boots, the girls engaged the children in “Art Therapy” by encouraging them to make cards and draw their “wishes” on them. That’s right, while carrying out their project, the family was already preparing for another project for these children. They excitedly shared their plans for their “Pasko sa Pebrero” during which they hope to deliver the items on the wish lists of the children.
This family seems tireless in their efforts to continuously serve. They told me, “Blessings are not meant to be consumed but to be shared. We cannot let the chance to help people in difficult times pass because they need to know that somebody is looking out for them.”
The Banzuelas
The Luzon family award went to the Banzuelas of Dagupan, Pangasinan. In this day and age, it can be quite difficult to live the traditional values and roles. But every now and then, a family is able to conquer the problems, challenges of stereotypes and distance, and excel in their family life, just as the Banzuelas have done.
Not every family is blessed to have jobs for everyone. In the case of Romeo and Clarivel, only Clarivel is employed; she’s with the DSWD office in La Union. Romeo has taken on the role of taking care of the home and their three children—Romy Carlo, Rain Ciara and Rae Cyril.
It was in taking care of their children and participating in the school’s parent-child activities that the family discovered a passion for the environment.
All year round, the family initiates mangrove planting in the community to prevent flooding and calamities. When Clarivel returns home for the weekends, it is not unusual to find the family literally knee-deep in work as they plant mangroves with their friends. Other weekends they spend spearheading additional “clean and green” projects, such as painting waiting sheds around the community, as part of their environmental advocacy.
The family is also famous for its biannual gift giving every June and December. From December to June, the family solicits enough old uniforms and shoes and buy school supplies to give to children whose families can’t afford these. Just before school opens, they are able to give these children what they need to start the school year. The next six months are spent gathering food, clothes and toys to give on Christmas to families who otherwise would have nothing to open or eat on Christmas day.
Their longtime friend, Mylene Cabanban, described the family:
“In spite of their own financial hardships, they still have the innate willingness to help and be of service to other people, especially those who are more in need.” When I asked them why they help others when they themselves are in need, they answered that this sense of service is their life. When they see situations and people in need, they cannot feel at ease until they do something to help.
Families like the Banzuelas are a reminder to us that those who truly want to help need not have an excuse not to help.
The Ramoses
A very popular biblical quote goes—“As for me and my house, we serve the Lord.” It is taken from Joshua 24:15 and many of us are very familiar with it.
Our Visayas winners, the Ramos family of Bacolod, live it. They have socially relevant projects and turn their home every week into a Sunday school.
Ray and Mae Ramos have four children—Clarine Mae, Catherine Ann, Christian Micheal and Christian Rey. While the couple are busy with charitable pursuits, it is comforting to know that they make sure that when their children cannot join them (they usually try to bring them all), one parent is always home to take care of the kids.
The family has feeding programs in less-fortunate communities and is also into preschool building. Husband and wife are aware that each of them has unique talents and, therefore, choose to make use of them the best way they know how.
Rey has a master’s degree in engineering and is using his knowledge to create sustainable, environment-friendly and practical inventions that will help their community. He recently came up with life vests using recycled plastic bottles that his children help collect. They gave these away to communities prone to flooding.
He has created building blocks using recycled water bottles and effectively cut the cost per classroom by more than half.
Mae uses her wisdom and experiences to counsel those in need of spiritual advice. This is part of her community service as she goes around trying to fulfill not just basic but spiritual needs as well.
How is the family able to take on so much? Mae said that for them, “all things work together for the glory of God.”
Perhaps the Ramos family is best described by their family friend, Gesila Cortez—“The Ramos family is proof that a family need not be a member of the elite or a part of a political clan just to be able to do exemplary service. They have proven that anyone is capable of doing good, and pure intentions are all you need.”
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I have two more families from Mindanao whose stories will surely inspire you and your family! I’ll tell you all about them next Wednesday.
