In its continuing efforts to promote and strengthen family unity and relationship, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as Chair of the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), led the Filipino nation in joining families worldwide to celebrate the International Day of Families (IDF) today, May 15.

This year’s celebration highlights the subtheme: “Pamilyang Pilipino: Pagtugon aa Nagbabagong Pananaw At Panahon,” from the United Nations’ International Day of Families’ Theme: “Families and Demographic Change.”

“We are gathered here today in observance of the International Day of Families. This momentous occasion is a celebration of having strong, resilient and united families amid global issues and ever-changing society,” Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in his video message during the short program to mark the event.

“The DSWD, as the Chair of the NCFF, together with the regional inter-agency committee on Filipino family, will likewise continue to strengthen and promote the family as the foundation of the nation, its basic social institution, as well as the protection of marriage as the foundation of the family,” the DSWD chief pointed out.

The IDF celebration provided an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting families.

Among the topics discussed during the forum organized by the NCFF were the profile of the Filipino household based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, teenage pregnancy in the Philippines and Continuing Professional Development Programs for Filipino Families.

Recognizing natatanging pamilyang Pilipino

The IDF is also an opportune time to cite model Filipino families to inspire others to also excel and contribute in community-building.

One family that deserves to be on center stage is the Adjaro family, the 2022 winner of the  Natatanging Pamilyang Pilipino (NPP) Award given by the NCFF.

The NPP aims to recognize and award exemplary Filipino families who have significantly contributed towards nation-building and the development of the family as the foundation of Philippine society and to develop a pool of ambassadors in promoting Filipino values.

Both descendants of the Ibaloi Tribe, Mr. Adjaro, a teacher, and Mrs. Martina Adjaro, a midwife, met and married in Baguio City in 1976.  The Adjaro couple raised their six children, namely Mary Anne, Janette, Aileen, Jenny, Johnny Jr., and Janzen, through their hard work as teacher and midwife.

Having a big family has been a challenge for the couple. Mrs. Adjaro had to stop working to attend to the needs of the children and her family.

“Dapat give and take… Di dapat ikaw lang ang nasusunod, kailangan nakikinig ka rin sa asawa mo… Alagaan mo na lang yung mga bata kaya siya na lang ang nag-work, ako naman ang nag-full time sa mga bata. Doon na lang ako nag-midwife” (You have to practice give and take… You shouldn’t be the only one making decisions, you also need to listen to your husband…I take care of the children and he’s the one who works. I just practiced my midwife profession in taking care of my children), Mrs. Adjaro said.

The Adjaro couple also doubled their efforts to send their six children to school by farming, planting highland vegetables, and raising dairy cows, pigs, and other animals, among other jobs.

Mr. Adjaro also helped her children apply for scholarship programs to further support their studies and help the couple with the educational expenses.

“Ang turo ko talaga sa kanila ay ang aking pagiging example bilang magulang. Kasi ang challenge sa akin, ang aking mga magulang, hindi sila interesado sa edukasyon… Papasok sana ako sa seminaryo para sa  high school. Kaso sabi ng parents ko, ‘doon ka na lang sa field’ kasi may rice field kami dyan sa Kennon Road (I taught them my experiences as a parent. Growing up was a challenge for me because my parents were not interested in education. I planned to enter the seminary for high school students. However, my parents said, ‘just work in the field’ because we have a rice field in Kennon Road), “ Mr. Adjaro narrated.

With the Adjaro couple’s guidance and perseverance, all their children have graduated from college and are now professionals.

Active members of the community and church

The Adjaro family is also well-known for their active participation in the community and church.

“Si Sir Adjaro ay matagal ng presidente ng Knights of Columbus and isa siyang officer sa Parish Pastoral Council. Dito sa barangay ay isa siyang Lupon Tagapamayapa. Ever since na umupo kami noong 2008 bilang Kagawad, bago ako nag Punong Barangay, isa siyang member ng Lupon. Lahat ng activities na kailangan namin ang tulong, nandyan sila” (Sir Adjaro has long been the president of the Knights of Columbus and is an officer in the Parish Pastoral Council. Here in the barangay, he is a member of the Lupon Tagapamayapa. Ever since I sat in 2008 as Kagawad, before I became a Barangay Captain, he was a member of the Lupon. Their family is always present whenever the barangay needs help), said Captain Josephine T. Balusdan  of Santo Tomas Proper, Barangay Lower Balacbac.#