
“Uray nu ania kinarigat ti panagbiyag, ti pammati mi iti Diyos ken disiplina dagiti nagbalin a pundasyon ti pamilya mi (Despite life difficulties, our faith coupled with discipline is our family’s foundation),” Peter shared while happily tending to his one-year-old grandchild in their humble home in Lagawe, Ifugao.
Peter Puh-hay, 55, the household head of the Cordillera’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Huwarang Pamilya was having a granddaughter-grandfather time during a home visit conducted by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) team. Peter’s first grandchild from his second-born, Sharah Mae, just had their vacation from work during the visit.
His wife, Norma, went early for her work as a contracted utility worker in a government office in their town.
Puh-hay family was included as a 4Ps beneficiary in 2011, an opportunity they consider as a blessing and a life-changing. Since then, Peter became motivated to work harder and persevere more in providing the needs of his family.
“Han mi pulos sinayang ti tsansa nga naited kadakami. Lalo kami a nagpursige ken ginmaget idi nainayon kami a miyembro ti 4Ps (We never wasted the opportunity given to us. We were motivated and became more hardworking when we were included as a beneficiary of the 4Ps),” Peter shared recognizing the transformative impact of the program in his family.
Strong Faith
“Ti koneksyon mi iti Diyos ti nangbukkel iti naurnos a panagbiyag mi (Our connection to God is our ultimate foundation of our strong family),” Peter shared.
As a responsible and God-fearing father, Peter instilled in his family the significance of having a strong connection to God.
“Manipud ubbing dagiti annak mi, insuro mi ti panagbuteng da ken ni Apo ta mamati kami nga habang ubbing da ket masapul masurwan da iti mayat ken usto nga sursuro (We teach our children the god-fearing principle because we believe that having those traits will shape them become better persons),” he furthered.
Unyielding Discipline
Aside from being a loving and caring father and husband, Peter put his trust in his children knowing that the foundation he built since they were young will shape them to become better versions of themselves.
He is not a strict father but he silently guides all his children in their school and personal activities.
“Mamati ak nga nu ania ti insuro mi a mayat idi ubbing da paylang ket isu ti mangbukel kadakuada habang dumakdakkel da (I believe that if you teach your children with good deeds, that will shape them into better persons when they grow up),” Peter said.
While it is evident that Peter has the innate skills and capacities in managing his family, he attested that the Program’s series of Family Development Sessions has been helpful in maintaining a strong family relationship while being an active member of his community.
Their version of a model family
Aside from the values they live-up to, Peter and Norma’s family has been respected in their community because of their good deeds and the commendable performances of their six children who all excels in their respective school academics and extra-curricular activities.
Peter is an active leader in his community through the various organizations he participated in. He also supports different Barangay and Municipal-initiated activities through his active involvement despite his busy work in the farm.
Their first child, Kristy, a Licensed Professional Teacher and a Registered Agriculturist, is currently in Japan as a crop farmer.
Shara Mae, the second born, is Registered Agriculturist and currently working as a contracted teacher in one of the local state universities in the province of La Union.
Their third child and their only son, Kimpee, has recently entered the Philippine Army. During his training, he made his Ifugao community proud after he ranked Top 6 in his training class.
The fourth child, Irizelle, just finished Civil Engineering and is now preparing for her licensure examination. The fifth and the sixth child, KC Joy and Kissess, are currently studying and performing excellently in their respective schools.
With their humble achievements as a family, the Puh-hay family is now among the candidates of 4Ps families who are now ready to graduate from the program after attaining an improved level of well-being based on the result of assessment done by the assigned social case worker.
Meanwhile, the Puh-hay family represented the Cordillera region during the National Family Congress 2024 held on October 29-30 in Manila. The family bagged two awards-the 3rd Placer in the Best in Talent wherein they showcased the rich cultural dance of Ifugao, and the most comprehensive success story written by the family.
The Puhay family continue to live up to the values they believe in through their unshakable faith and unyielding discipline which they consider as their ‘bread and butter’ in life. ### DSWD-CAR Social Marketing Unit – Marlo C. Abyado, Jr., 4Ps Information Officer