When she heard her 15-year-old son say sorry, Belinda Vicedo had to fight back tears.

Belinda, 41, a resident of Brgy. Zone III in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, realized that slowly, the relationship inside her home is finally getting better.

This, according to her, she owes to the Family Development Sessions (FDS) she attends to as one of her co-responsibilities as a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

“Naging mas makulay na ang buhay ng pamilya ko,” she shared in tears.

 

A better family

Belinda shared that because of their family’s living condition, the relationship inside their home is often at its worst. This is true not only between her and her son Kline Mark but also between her and her husband Jocel.

“Kapag wala kaming pera, madalas kaming nag-aaway na mag-asawa. Construction worker ang asawa ko at kumikita lang ng Php300 sa isang araw,” she said.

Often, she would nag her husband about not bringing home enough money to support their family.

Their being a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya program in 2011 has become a great blessing for the family not just because of the financial support for her son’s education, but more on how it changed her family for the better.

As a component of the Pantawid Pamilya program, the FDS is a monthly co-responsibility of the beneficiaries where they are taught on various family enhancement topics such as improving marital relationships, children’s rights and basic budget management. In some topics, husbands or children of parent-grantees are required to attend a session.

“Nagkaunawaan kaming mag-asawa simula noong pareho kaming umattend ng FDS tungkol sa ugnayan ng mag-asawa. Narealize ko ang pagkakamali ko, hindi ko pala dapat s’ya inaaway dahil lang gipit kami. Kailangan pala naming magtulungan para makaahon,” Belinda shared.

Her son, who also attended one session with her, has started showing more respect to her and her husband. Knowing that teenagers like her son are hard to handle, it really surprised her that their relationship became smoother.

“Malaki talaga ang pinagbago sa pamilya namin kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa FDS,” she proudly shared.

 

‘Flowers’ that lighten the load

Belinda animatedly shared that in the 14 years she’s with her husband, it was only last Valentine’s Day that she received a flower from him.  She was totally surprised by her husband’s move.  In response, she gave her husband a hug and kiss.

“Ang kahirapang po pala, hindi lamang pala pera ang ang laging sagot. Kung maayos ang samahan sa loob ng tahanan, mas nagiging magaan ang lahat,” Belinda said.

She added that instead of nagging her husband about their lack of money, she has decided to help him in easing the burden.

“Nagsimula po akong dumiskarte para matulungan s’ya sa pagtatrabaho. Pumasok po ako sa business ng pagbuy and sell ng mga beauty products. Nagvolunteer din po akong maging barangay health worker sa lugar namin,” she happily said.

Belinda has also become more inspired to help his son get a better life.

“Nakakatuwang isipin na kaya ko palang maging mabuting ina at mabuting asawa. Lahat ay gagawin ko, katulong ng aking asawa, para maibigay ang tamang edukasyon sa anak ko,” she shared with confidence as an expression of what she will do to further improve her families situation.

Today, the “sorry” from his son and the flower from her husband touch her heart big time, and these things will always be her inspiration to work harder and maintain the good bond they have established inside their home. As a mother, who finally have a strong and happy family by her side, she knows that there is no challenge that will be too hard to handle anymore.***