The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD-FO1) awarded Cindy Ballesteros of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur as this year’s regional winner in the Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children. The search recognized exemplary Pantawid Pamilya children who serve as excellent examples in school, home and community.

Developing exemplary children beneficiaries as advocates of the program, the search was opened to Pantawid Pamilya children beneficiaries ages 10 – 14 and were judged based on: Behavior and Practice (20%); Talent (20%); Intelligence and Wit (20%); Community and School Participation and; Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago Presence and Appearance (20%).

Cindy, 14, is a grade 9 student at Sta. Maria National High School. Raised to be a God-fearing, loving and obedient daughter. Losing a mother at a young age, Cindy has remained to be a consistent first honor student; officer and member of various clubs and is actively participating in school competitions such as Quiz bees, volleyball, sepaktakraw and journalism contests.

Currently, she is her school’s candidate for the National Chief Girl Scouts with her proposed Artesian Pump Project in the barangay. At a young age, Cindy knows the value of education saying “Edukasyon ang pinakamahalagang sandata upang magkaroon ng pagbabago sa buhay.”(Education is the best weapon in aiming for change)

Runners up include Shara Mae Espe from Laoag City; Angel May David from Balungao, Pangasinan and; Jasmine Ollero of Rosario, La Union.

Cindy represented the region in the recently concluded National Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya children as the highlight in the National Children’s Congress 2014. (by: ALLAN O. LULU, Information Officer II/ Pantawid Pamilya)