Greeted with a beam of sunlight in Rosario, Batangas on July 01, 2010 – it may seem like an ordinary day for Jason Mendoza, who worked as a construction worker in Batangas City and Rosario, Batangas. But that morning, a brief call from his children and he heard cries of how his children while their mother lied on the floor, unconscious.

Mendoza is a big family – parents with nine delightful kids. Tatay Jason and his late wife used to sell various vegetables in the local market of Lobo, Batangas. He recalled,

“Dati noong kami ng asawa ko ay nagtitinda, sapat naman ang nagiging kita naming. Kaya noong buhay siya nakakaraos kami kasi kaming dalawa ang nagtatrabaho.”

Tatay Jason’s wife suffered from mild stroke for one week before her body gave in. With the sudden loss of the mother of the family, Jason and his nine kids felt like they lost someone who brings joy and light to the family.

With Tatay Jason working in Batangas City and Rosario, the eldest daughter, Joana Marie, acted as the head of the family. In 2013, when Mendoza family became a Pantawid beneficiary, Joana Marie became the grantee for her 3 monitored siblings. As much as they miss the presence of their mother, Joana made sure that they would work together and continue to be each other’s pillar while their father is not around.

Five years of being a beneficiary and Tatay Jason cannot be more grateful on how Pantawid helped them get through tough times.

“Awa ng Diyos kahit mahirap ay hindi naman tumitigil sa pag-aaral ang mga bata. Dalawang anak ko ang nagtatrabaho tapos yung iba lahat nag-aaral. Kasi kahit na may payout alam naman natin na hindi pa rin yun sapat kaya kailangan pa ring magsikap.”

Not wanting to show how hard it is for him, Tatay Jason remained strong for his kids, juggling schedules as a construction worker, a father, and a Pantawid grantee since this year. Because of all the chores and responsibilities that needed his attention, Tatay Jason cannot afford to work in far places, knowing that his younger kids would need him anytime.

Amidst their unexpected loss, they have a new found hope to continue living and loving each other, knowing that they have each other to rely on whatever happens.