Excitement. Hope. Joy. These reflect on the young innocent eyes of children and families as DSWD IV-MiMaRoPa held the Regional Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children and Huwarang Pantaiwd Pamilya last August 23, 2013 at the Makati Palace Hotel. The children and families came from their respective provinces to vie against each other and be declared as the regional winner.

In her welcome address,Regional Director Wilma D. Naviamos said, “Lahat tayo dito ay dapat masaya. Lahat tayo ay panalo sa paligsahang ito.” The event is a celebration of great young minds. She highlighted that the event is a venue to recognize the good deeds of the children that even at a young age, they serve as an example to the others. RD Naviamos also added that the event is held to acknowledge the parents and their virtuous upbringing despite the difficulties in life.

Exemplary Children

The Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children is an annual activity of the program that aims to recognize children beneficiaries who set excellent examples at home, school, and community. Two children were chosen in their municipalities, who consequently strivedto be the provincial representative at the regional level.

Five children namely: Shemiah Pineda of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro,Jestonie Arellado of Sofronio Expanola, Palawan, Argilie Joy Balon of Looc, Romblon, Ma. Isabel Olarte of Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, and Ephraim Laurel of Torrijos, Marinduque competed against each other. They are judged based on the following criteria: Behaviour and Practice (35%), Intelligence (35%), Community/School Participation (20%), and Stage Presence and Appearance (10%).

The contestants battled it out in the talent portion through singing, dancing, and a monologue. After showcasing their talents, they each have answered a question from the judges.

In the end, the 13 year old Shemiah from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro emerged as the regional winner. With her monologue containing an emotional depiction of a child wanting to help her family,combined with vibrant singing and dancing, it is impossible for the audience not to be in awe of Shemiah. Her honest answer also to the question given to her added more appeal to her winning qualities.

During the question and answer portion, Shemiah was asked what she would do if she finds out that a family receives cash grant but does not follow the conditionalities of the program. She answered that she will tell and confide the situation to their parent leader. Her consistent high grades and active participation in extracurricular activities in school added a great factor in her winning.

Shemiah received Php 10,000 cash prize while Jestonie who came in second won Php 8,000. Argilie received Php 7,000, Isabel, Php 6,000, and Eprhaim, Php 5,000, who came in third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

Shemiah together with the other contestants will be included in the pool of exemplary children and will join the National Children’s Congress (NCC) to be held this October 2013.

Model Families               

Together with the conduct of the search for exemplary children was also the awarding of the families for the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya. Five families who won in their respective provincial search came to be part of the activity.

The families went through the rigorous process of selection and validation from the provincial level up to the regional level. The regional selection committee interviewed the heads of the family and asked about their life as a couple and their relationship in their family and to the community. The families were assessed using the following criteria: 100% compliance in all conditionalities (25%), practices and promotes healthy living (20%), actively involved in community and environmental endeavors (20%), demonstrates love and respect for the community including the environment (20%), and manages and utilizes cash grants properly (15%).

The committee probed questions as to the recurring arguments and problems the couple deal with and how theyresolve it. They were also further inquired about their lifestyles, jobs, and involvement in the community.

Among the five families, the Pelangco family from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro exhibits the best and strongest family ties. The family exhibited a palpable direction – to have a better life. Inch by inch they are saving and putting up sources of income such as herding animals and tending to a rented land. The family has four children. “Nagdesisyon po talaga kami na apat nalang sana ang anak namin,” said Roberto, father of the Pelangcos, with a smile. They have decided to keep their family’s number as it is since raising children is not an easy job.

All these families aspire for a better quality of life, their determination and actions transpired them to be model families. Yes, they are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya but they each have their own ‘diskarte’ in life to not only rely on the cash grants.They know that their contract with the program expires after five years. They ask themselves, “What happens after?” and they start to plan out their life, a life they always wanted – a family who has more than enough.

The Pelangco family received a cash prize worth Php 10,000 as the regional winner while the Frias family from Buenavista, Marinduque came in second place with Php 8,000. The Solangon family from Roxas, Oriental Mindoro came in third, Juarez family of Aborlan, Palawan came in fourth while the Malacad family of Sta. Fe, Romblon came in fifth and each received Php 7,000, Php 6,000 and Php 5,000, respectively.

Can do more

The activity such as the Search for Exemplary Children only shows that no amount of difficulty in life can stop an individual to pursue his/her dreams, and it can even start at a young age. These children are the reasons why government programs such as Pantawid Pamilya continue to exist and expand. It is giving hope to these poor young children and telling them that despite their situation, they can do more.

The program also reinforces families with aspirations and dreams. It provides support to the families by building a strong foundation – healthy and educated children, and stronger family ties.Being a model family takes a lot of work, and they choose to do more, because they also, as family, can do more.