San Juan City, Manila –“Naniniwala po ako na ang kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan sapagkat ang bawat isa ay mayroong pangarap. At kung lahati to ay matutupad, tiyak isang napakagandang bayan ang ating mabubuo at tayo ay uunlad,” shared Misty Joy S. Tam-awen, 13 years old from Taba-ao, Kapangan, Benguet.
Misty Joy is the youngest among the five children of Pastor Gentry and Preciosa Tam-awen. Their family lives in Sitio Abiang, Taba-ao, where they have been living a modest way of life. Her father works as an organic farmer and also serves as a preacher for the United Pentecostal Church, while her mother is a homemaker. Their family also recently won as this year’s National Huwarang Pamilya 3rd runner-up.
The Tam-awen children are all academic achievers, and were also active role models in their community. Their family became beneficiaries of the PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program in 2011 and they have unfailingly complied with the program conditionalities. “Yung cash grants po, nakakatulong po sa amin lalo na sa mga projects sa school. Natulungan din po kaming mag-excel sa klase,” Misty shared when asked how do they spend their cash grants. Coming from a family of achievers and community role models, Misty Joy continues to bring pride to her family as one of the youth advocates of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Misty Joy is the 2015 Regional Pantawid Pamilya Exemplary Child 1st runner up. During the regional search conducted last 10 November 2015, Misty Joy showcased her talent in music through singing a religious song and playing the keyboards. She represented the Cordillera Administrative Region for the National Search, where she placed 4th runner-up.
“Kayo ang patunay na may pag-asa pa tayong umunlad. Kayo ang patunay ng tuloy tuloy na pag-babago dahil nag-desisyon kayo na hindi ninyo tatanggapin ang inyong kalagayan, na hanggang dito na lang kayo. Nag-desisyon kayo na hindi kayo magpapagapi, magpapa-api at hindi kayo papayag na ang buhay ninyo ay palaging mahirap,” said Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano – Soliman.
17 regional exemplary children contended for the title National Exemplary Child 2015. The National Search for the PantawidPamilya Exemplary Child 2015 is part of the activities slated under the National Children’s Congress which is conducted yearly since 2012. The congress is being held in celebration of the National Children’s Month wherein exemplary PantawidPamilya children nationwide are gathered to showcase their skills and talents, and undergo personality development workshops, as well as capability and team building activities. This year’s congress focused on the theme, “Batang Pilipino, Tuloy ang Pagbabago.”
Also joining Misty Joy as participants for the National Children’s Congress are Jay-ann S. Peang – exemplary child of Mt. Province, and Jema Kate A. Calawen – exemplary child of Baguio City. Meanwhile, Jake Lere Boyles representing Region 8 is this year’s title holder as the National Exemplary Child. The awarding was held at the Quirino Grandstand through the ArawngKabataan, the capping activity for the National Children’s Congress.#DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, STRELLE C. QUEJADO
