Camila Cojo, 44, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Brgy. Tanagan, Calatagan, Batangas shows the daily schedule of each member of the family in the house chores—a technique she learned from their monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS). For Camila, the FDS has taught her a lot especially in having a peaceful and happy home, which inspires her whole family now to improve their lives.***

 

 

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IT ALL STARTS AT HOME

“Tama.”

It was a word not intended for her, but she was affected all the same.

Camila Cojo, 44, of Brgy. Tanagan in Calatagan, Batangas Province, was fulfilling one of her co-responsibilities as a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program that day. She was intently listening to her Municipal Link discussing the topic improving husband and wife relationship at home in their monthly Family Development Session (FDS). Little did she know that her husband was sitting by the corner, listening to the discussion as intently as she has been.

“Naalala ko sabi ni Maam Hazel (referring to her Municipal Link) na ang mga lalaki ayaw na masyadong mabunganga ang mga babae. Madalas, hindi sila mapatigil sa bahay dahil naiingayan na sila,” recalled Camila.

Before that message hit her, she saw her husband Allan first.

“Nakita ko ang asawa ko na nagsasabing tama, na sumasang-ayon sa tinuturo sa FDS namin. Doon ako biglang natauhan,” she shared.

 

Finding peace at home

Camila’s family is a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. For four years now, her family has been receiving conditional cash grants in support for the health and educational needs of her three younger children.

According to Camila, the cash grants provided under the program have been a great help especially in supporting her children’s everyday expenses in school. However, what is more thankful for is the peaceful life the program gave her through the monthly FDS.

The FDS is a monthly gathering of parent-grantees of the Pantawid Pamilya program and is one of the beneficiaries’ co-responsibilities with the program. It is a venue to equip the beneficiaries with knowledge and skills on various topics such as improving marital relationships, children’s rights, budget management and disaster preparedness among others.

“Dito sa bahay namin, umaga pa lang, maririnig mo na akong nagbubunganga. Kahit simpleng paggising lang sa mga bata para pumasok, sumisigaw pa ako,” Camila shared.

With that particular FDS in mind, especially her husband’s reaction to it, she started correcting her behavior.

“Yun pala, ayaw ng asawa ko na ganun ako. Hindi kasi kami nag-uusap, kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang gusto n’ya at ayaw n’ya. Kahit ang mga anak ko, napansin ko na ring hindi ako sinusunod. Kaya inalis ko talaga ‘yung ugaling ‘yun,” she added.

Since she started such change, she observed a more peaceful home for every member of her family. She even noticed that her husband also stopped being hot-tempered, not just to her but also to her children.

“Dati kasi kaunting mali, naninigaw na s’ya o namamalo na. Pag nagagalit s’ya, laging gustong may binabasag pa. Pero ngayon, nakakatuwang simula noong nagbago ako, nagbago na rin s’ya,” she happily shared.

 

Inspired to move forward

Camila is surprised as to what a happy and peaceful home can give her family.

“Mas naaasikaso na namin ang mga bata. Lagi na namin silang nagagabayan. Dahil dito, mas naging mas malapit kami sa isa’t isa, mas naging mas masaya ang aming samahan,” shared Camila.

She added that her children became open towards communicating with her and her husband since then. Their children also became responsible, especially when it comes to the house chores.

“Kahit pala mahirap ang buhay namin, okay lang basta’t maayos ang samahan namin sa pamilya. Lahat naman nadadala sa maayos na pag-uusap. Patuloy kaming nagsusumikap para sa ikabubuti ng aming pamilya at lalo na sa pag-aaral ng aming mga anak,” she shared with conviction.

For Camila, the happy family and peaceful home she now has is only the start of the change in her family. Every member of her family of eight will work together to make sure they all will experience a better future.***