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A twelve-year-old kid from Barangay Nagerong, Lazi, Siquijor, is this year’s winner for the Search of Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children.

Seventh grader Rhenalyn Joy C. Perez was declared winner in the regional search.

Rhenalyn (center) accepts her certificate of recognition and cash prize during the Provincial Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children held in the capital town of Siquijor. She was accompanied by her father Ricky (third from right) and mother Arlene (fourth from left). Also present during the awarding are the judges for the provincial search.

She will receive a cash prize and a plaque of recognition during the awarding ceremony on DSWD-7’s Panaghiusa Festival on December 7, 2017.

She will represent region 7 in the national search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children during the National Children’s Congress (NCC) in November.

Aside from Rhenalyn, three other Pantawid Pamilya children-beneficiaries proudly represent their own provinces during the regional search.

They are Reygine G. Escabas of Cordova, Cebu, 2nd Place; Diana Lorena R. Datoy of Alburquerque, Bohol, 3rd Place; and Mary Joy Soneja of Ayungon, Negros Oriental, 4th Place.

Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre, regional director of DSWD-7, said that this is a good avenue to recognize children beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program who set excellent examples at home, at school and in the community where they live.

Her father, Ricky, is a fish vendor and her mother, Arlene, is a housewife. Rhenalyn is the eldest among the three children.

At a young age, Rhenalyn already experienced life’s difficulties especially in pursuing her education.

“Kaniadto sa akong pagtuon matag gabie, motago ko sa ilalom sa among katre aron dili mapalong ang siga sa lamparilya inig huros sa hangin (Before, when I had to study my lessons at night, I would hide underneath the bed to keep the lighted kerosene lamp from being blown out by the strong wind),” Rhenalyn said.

Things changed when her family became one of the partner-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya, a human development program that provides cash grants to Listahanan-identified poor families with children aged 0-18 who comply with the conditions of sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers and attending the Family Development Sessions (FDS).

She said that her father used to be a “habal-habal” driver but because of the support of Pantawid Pamilya her father was able to save up money. He stopped being a “habal-habal” driver and used the savings to start his fish vending business.

Now, her father sells fish in the market regularly.

At her young age, Rhenalyn understands the situation of her family and promised to herself to help her parents by studying hard and helping them in household chores.

Rhenalyn is a consistent honor student and active in various school activities. ###

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