Raising their 12 children through his whole day taho vending on the street, Abdon Palarca, 53 years old, can’t conceal his happiness when his family was announced as NCR’s Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2014 during its awarding on September 25 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
Together with his wife Estrellita, 49 years old, and also a street vendor of various stuff, the couple managed to send their three (3) older children to school who finished their studies and are now helping them to meet the needs of their younger siblings.
Aside from vending “taho,” Abdon also previously sold “binatog” in the afternoon then “balot” in the evening in order to provide the needs of his family.
Even before being awarded as Huwarang Pamilya 2014, Palarca family already serves as a model family in their community as they manifested exemplary values that although they have a dozen children, they never let anyone be left behind in terms of their education.
The family bested the other 12 nominees from the cities of Manila, Quezon, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Taguig, Las Piñas and Pateros Municipality.
Among the criteria used by the validators are: A family with 100% compliance in all conditionalities – 25%; A family that practices and promotes healthy living – 20%; A family that is actively involved in community and environmental endeavours – 20%; A family who demonstrates love and respect for each other and for their community – 20%; and A family who manages and utilizes grants properly – 15%.
Palarca Family is the 5th Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya in Metro Manila since the Search began in 2010 which is now being conducted yearly, as part of the National Family Week celebration. (DSWD FO-NCR, Social Marketing Office, September 26, 2014)###