For a couple who struggled to meet their family’s daily needs, a college diploma of one child means a chance to finally get out of their situation. However, for Nicolas and Luisa Magpile, their eldest son’s diploma is a proof of their success as parents and as a family.

Nicolas and Luisa have four children and lives in Brgy. Puting Bato West in Calaca, Batangas Province.  Their family is a beneficiary of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program since January 2012.

When they started their family, the couple relied on their income as farmers to meet their needs.

“Kapos man kami sa pera, disiplina at edukasyon ang aming naging prayoridad,” Luisa, 49, shared.

Their eldest, Earvin Jervis, is a Certified Public Accountant and is now working as a regular employee in a private company.

The parents are proud of their son’s achievement, but they are especially grateful to how he is as a person today.

“Maaari na s’yang tumayo sa sarili n’yang paa pero hindi n’ya tinalikuran ang responsibilidad n’ya sa pamilya namin. Nararamdaman na namin ang tulong n’ya lalo na sa pag-aaral ng mga kapatid n’ya,” shared Luisa with pride.

Education as the family’s priority

Nicolas and Luisa instilled the value of education to their children as both of them believe it is their lack of one that made them unable to achieve their dreams.

“Napakaswerte naming mga magulang dahil ang mga anak namin ay hindi lang masisipag kundi lahat sila ay determinado na maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon. Kahit medyo kapos kami sa pinansyal, pursigido pa rin sila at nauunawaan nila ang aming kakulangan,” said Nicolas, 52.

Seeing their children’s determination, the couple became more determined to support their children. Nicolas applied for a job as a security guard and endured several years of working the graveyard shift just so they’ll have additional income for their children. He also now works as a barangay secretary.

“Noong naging security guard ako, nadagdagan ang kita ng pamilya pero nadagdagan rin ang gastusin ng mga anak namin lalo na at lumalaki na sila at may nagkokolehiyo na,” Nicolas shared.

Luisa acknowledged that the Pantawid Pamilya program became a big help for the family.

“Talagang napakinabangan ng aming mga anak ang pagiging benepisyaryo dahil sa dagdag panggastos tulad ng pambaon, pamasahe at pambili ng gamit sa paaralan. Kapos man kami sa pera, sinisiguro naming kumpleto ang gamit nila sa eskwelahan,” Luisa said.

According to them, the help from the program ensured that they can allot their income for the education of the younger children. Today, two of their children—Clarice and Nina—are enrolled in the University of the Philippines. Only Earl Jevret, 10, the youngest, is the child-beneficiary supported by the program.

“Nakatapos na ang isang anak namin sa kolehiyo, sisiguruhin naming makakapagtapos silang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya,” shared Luisa.

Working together as a family

For the Magpile Family, it is their togetherness as a family that makes it possible for them to be focused on their priorities.

“Ang pamilya namin, buo, nagtutulungan at nagbibigay ng suporta sa isa’t isa. Ito ang nagbibigay sa amin ng inspirasyon para mas magsumikap pa,” shared Luisa.

Nicolas added that they work hard as parents to be a good role model to their children.

Luisa, on the other hand, is thankful for the opportunities to become a better parent through the Pantawid Pamilya’s Family Development Sessions (FDS).

The FDS is one of the co-responsibilities of beneficiaries of the program and is a venue for teaching various topics pertaining to family development including rights of children, responsible parenthood and budget management among others. Attendance to these sessions is one of the program conditions in exchange for the cash grants received by the beneficiaries.

“Mas nagkaroon ako ng gabay at direksyon kung paano maging mas responsableng magulang. Mas naintindihan namin ang isa’t isa at naging mas matatag pa ang aming samahan. Naging mas bukas rin kami sa anumang responsibilidad at sa paglilingkod sa kapwa,” shared Luisa.

For the couple, they will continue focusing on strengthening their family, especially their role as models for their children. In the end, both believes that the good future of every children starts in a happy, strong and good home.#