Every member of the Lorida Family, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, commits to lighting each other’s path so that they’ll together succeed as a family. Romeo and Marilyn, the parents, are both blind but continue to work hard as farmers to support their children’s dream. The children, on the other hand, help them in household chores and in farm works.  Being good children inside and outside their home, Marlon, Marvin Rommel and Reynante are all committed to reach their dreams of having a better life.***

***The Lorida Family of Majayjay, Laguna is one of the winners of the 2014 Regional Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya in the CALABARZON Region.

 

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Pagsisikap at pagtutulungan

Lighting each other’s path for a better life

 

“Proud po ako sa mga magulang ko dahil kahit may kapansanan sila, napalaki po nila kami nang maayos at nasusuportahan po nila ang aming pangangailangan,” Rommel Lorida, 13, shared as he tries to fight his tears.

Together with his three other siblings, Rommel can never be prouder of his parents Romeo and Marilyn, who are both blind. Even with their situation, Rommel did not feel that they have been neglected.

“Ang kapansanan ay hindi hadlang upang maitaguyod mo ang iyong pamilya, mapag-aral ang iyong mga anak at mabigyan sila ng magandang kinabukasan,” a proud Marilyn, 50, shared.

The Lorida Family of Brgy. San Francisco in Majayjay town in Laguna Province is a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program since 2012.

According to Marilyn, it is the program that gave her family new hope.

“Noong nagkaroon ng Pantawid, doon nabuhay ulit ang pangarap ko para sa mga anak ko. Sabi ko, ito na siguro ‘yung tulong na hatid ng Panginoon sa katulad namin. Nagkaroon kami ng pag-asa na maabot ang mga pangarap namin para sa kanila,” she shared.

Pagsisikap sa kabila ng kapansanan

Romeo, 47, and Marilyn had no problems with their eyesight when they started their family. Hence, they both dreamed of building a good family.

However, when Marilyn gave birth to their youngest son Reynante, now 10, she lost her sight. Romeo, on the other hand, soon suffered from problems with his vision, too.

The couple consulted several specialists already in the hopes of regaining their vision. However, their financial incapacity prevented them from undergoing surgeries. They rather chose to allot Romeo’s meager income as a farmer for their family’s needs, especially the education of their children.

“Kahit ako ay hindi nakakakita, pinipilit kong maghanapbuhay para makatulong sa mga gastusin. Nagtitinda ako ng kakanin at tumutulong din sa pagsasaka sa aking asawa dahil alam kong makakatulong ito para sa pag-aaral ng aking mga anak,” Marilyn shared.

Romeo, on the other hand, starts work early in the morning. Even with problems with his eyesight, he walks his way to the small land he farms every day.

“Ito lang talaga ang alam kong paraan para masuportahan ang pamilya ko. Gusto kong makatapos ang mga anak ko sa pag-aaral para maging maayos naman ang buhay nila,” Romeo shared.

Besides ensuring they can provide for their children’s needs, the couple does not forget being a guide to their children, all are boys.

“Sinusubaybayan namin ang mga anak namin para sila ay lumaking may magandang pag-uugali. Inaalagaan namin sila at pinapayuhang umiwas sa mga bisyo,” said Romeo.

Marilyn added that they have introduced their children to God, the main source of their strength despite their struggle.

“Lagi rin namin silang pinapayuhang magsikap sa kanilang pag-aaral, at maipagmamalaki ko naman sila na kahit pinalaki namin sila sa hirap, lahat sila ay talagang nagsisikap para abutin ang kanilang mga pangarap,” Marilyn said.

Pagtutulungan sa pagkamit ng mga pangarap

Marlon, 19, the eldest of the Lorida siblings, is in his final year in college taking up Information Technology through a scholarship grant.

Their situation and his dream for a better life is his motivation to study hard. This makes Romeo and Marilyn proud for despite their disability, they were able to teach him well and support his other needs considering that his scholarship only covers his tuition.

“Ipinagmamalaki ko ‘yang anak ko dahil talagang nagsisikap s’ya. Minsan kahit wala s’yang baon, pumapasok s’ya. Talagang hindi s’ya nawawalan ng pag-asa na abutin ang mga pangarap n’ya para sa pamilya namin,” said Marilyn.

Thankfully, with the cash grants provided by the Pantawid Pamilya program for their two younger children, they are able to allot most of their earnings for Marlon’s needs.

“Handa po akong magsakripisyo para sa aking pamilya at handa rin akong tumayong ilaw at gabay nila sa buhay,” said Marlon, who is an achiever in school.

Marilyn also shared that her other children want to follow Marlon’s footsteps. As a result, they have become eager to study, too.

“Lalo naming pinagbubutihan ang aming pag-aaral dahil alam naming dito lang namin maiaangat ang aming pamilya,” shared Rommel.

When not in school, the children show their support and appreciation to their parents through helping them not only with the household chores but also with farm works.

Marvin, 16, has opted to stop schooling so he can help his parents. The whole family, however, keeps on encouraging him to go back to school.

“Kaya ako tumigil sa pag-aaral dahil gusto kong tumulong sa mga magulang ko, para na rin makapag-aral ang mga kapatid ko,” shared Marvin.

For every member of the Lorida Family, Romeo’s and Marilyn’s disability cannot hinder their family’s success in the future. Right now, they are all doing their part and lighting each other’s path so that together, they can taste a better life.***