“Kahit nagtapos na ako bilang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, boluntaryo ko pa ring gagampanan ang pagiging Parent Leader. Simula nang napabilang ako sa programa noong February 2012 ay ako na ang Parent Leader sa aming barangay. Marami na akong kaibigang taga ibang barangay dahil sa pagiging parent leader (Though I already graduated as a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, I will still volunteer to be a Parent Leader. Since I was included in the program on February 2012, I was already the Parent Leader in our barangay. I also gained many friends from other barangay because of being a Parent Leader),” Noemi Pulido narrated.
54-year-old Noemi of Barangay Balligi, Laoac, Pangasinan is described as understanding and trustworthy by her group members that is why they convinced her to still be their Parent Leader. Noemi willingly agreed because she truly values them. For 10 years, her timid personality turned to confidence by learning how to socialize.
Her dedication is deeply appreciated by her fellow beneficiaries. “Sisikapin kong maging inspirasyon para sa kanila (I will try my very best to be of inspiration to them),” Parent Leader Noemi humbly mentioned.
“Hindi ko inaasahang magiging isa akong Parent Leader noon dahil isa lang akong hamak na may bahay. Nasanay akong nasa bahay lang at tinututukan ang pag-aalaga sa aking mga anak. Rolling vendor din ako noon ng mga kakanin, katuwang ang aking mister. Tinutulungan ko rin siya sa bukid. Ganito umikot ang bawat araw ko noon (I did not expect to become a Parent Leader then because I am only a plain housewife. I was also a rolling vendor of native delicacies, together with my husband. I was also helping him in the field. This is my daily routine before)”, Noemi recalled.
She added, “Ipinagmamalaki kong napabilang ako sa programa dahil ito ang nagsilbing daan para mas palaguin ko pa ang aming kabuhayan at mas maging matatag na labanan ang hamon ng buhay. Kung dati ay sobrang hirap kami sa aming pamumuhay, ngayon ay nakakaluwag-luwag na kami. Natutuhan kong makihalubilo sa aking mga miyembro. Ito rin ay nagbigay sa akin ng isang pagkakataon para tulungan sila sa kanilang mga pangangailangan, mapa personal man o sa pagiging benepisyaryo ng programa. Simula noong naging Parent Leader ako, lumawak ang aking kaalaman sa komunidad. Aktibo rin akong nakikilahok sa mga gawain at programang isinusulong ng aming komunidad. (I am proud of being included in the program because it paved the way in growing our business and become tough in overcoming the challenges in life. We had a challenging life before, but it became comfortable now. I learned how to socialize with my members. This is also an opportunity for me to help them in their needs, whether it be personal or as a program beneficiary. Since I became a Parent Leader, my knowledge about our community broadened. I also actively participate to the activities and programs in led our community).”
This is how Parent Leader Noemi joyfully detailed her worthwhile experiences through the program. Her worthwhile experiences in the Program allowed their family to ably address their needs.
Noemi’s most memorable moment in the program was when her family was hailed as the Provincial Winner of the Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2014 and landed 2nd Runner Up in the Regional Search.
“Hindi man perpekto ang aming pamilya, kami ay nagtutulungan para umangat sa buhay. Para sa akin, ang isang Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya ay isang pamilyang may magandang relasyon sa bawat isa, may mabuting reputasyon sa komunidad, sinusunod ang mga kondisyon ng programa, binibigyang halaga ang natatanggap na tulong, at isinasabuhay ang bawat natututuhan. At iyan ang aming pamilya. (Though our family is not perfect, we are helping each other to uplift our life. For me, a Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya is a family that has good ties, has good reputation in the community, complies to the program conditions, values the aid received, and live the learnings acquired. And that is our family),” Parent Leader Noemi confidently uttered. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II/Pantawid Pamilya)
