Ilocos Norte gov’t officials award nine ‘model families’

By Mizpah Grace G. Castro

LAOAG CITY -- The provincial government of Ilocos Norte awarded nine families and three mothers as "Model Family" and "Best Nanay" recently  her at the Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center.

Model Families is a program headed by the Gender and Development Office, with the selection committee composed of representatives from public offices and the private sector.

This year's selection committee was chaired by lawyer Juan Conrado A. Respicio II of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, who heads the SP committee on family welfare.

Vice Gov. Angelo Marcos Barba, representing Gov. Imee R. Marcos, said "one of the objectives is to bring out the best in each family. This will be a big boost in our nation-building effort.”

According to Shirley B. Hidalgo, planning officer of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and member of the selection committee, the families were evaluated with set of criteria.

These included self-reliance, health and sanitation, and values and spirituality, specifically: success earned through hard work, regular and legitimate sources of family income, overall health of the family as certified by a physician; the practice of proper waste management and segregation as well as environmental protection; attendance to church or spiritual activities; participation in community activities; financial management; and constancy of family communication, among others.

Hidalgo commended the 36 total finalists.

Bagging first place in the professional category was Ruben Pascua and wife of  Pagdilao, Pinili." Starting out as an overseas Filipino worker, Ruben spent two years working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before deciding to return home to be with his family and support them by working a farm while his wife Marison served as a special education teacher in Bacarra.

Runners-up were Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Balbas from Badoc and Mr. and Mrs. Armando Califlores from Nueva Era, respectively.

Topping the non-professional category was Mr. and Mrs. Elpidio Agregado Sr. of Alsem, Vintar, who have seven children and described their family as the "toughest but the happiest.

They were followed by Mr. and Mrs. Emilio Ortal of Batac City and Mr. and Mrs. Paulo Rarugal of Sarrat, the latter a family solely of farmers and agriculturists.

Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Ludelito Rubio of Brgy. Quiling Sur, Batac City, bagged first prize in the OFW category.

After years of working away from home, Ludelito's wife returned to Ilocos Norte after their youngest daughter finished her college degree. Together, the couple established a refreshment store as their business, which keeps them busy as they manage it together and thus make up for the years of distance.

"Success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure," they said, as they are finally reaping a good and comfortable life as a result of their hardships, sacrifices, and overcoming adversity as an OFW family.

At second and third place, respectively, were Mr. and Mrs. Domingo Cuanang Sr. of San NIcolas and Mr. and Mrs. Saturino Pepito of Badoc.

For the "Best Nanay" category, Dr. Thelma Benemerito of Pagudpud, a mother of seven children, bagged first place. She is also the third national awardee of the "Make Your Nanay Proud" Organization founded by Dr. Boy Abunda, Asia's "King of Talk."

Dr. Benemerito shared, "Faith in Jesus propels us to do things we otherwise would not do. It motivates us to act."

At second place was Mrs. Constancia Muñoz of Solsona, with Mrs. Cresencia Ramos of Sarrat at third place.