In the quiet community of Barangay Tupaya, Lagawe, Ifugao, lives Judith Bolla, a mother whose life reflects courage, sacrifice, and unconditional love. A high school graduate who once dreamed of finishing college, she chose to dedicate her life to her family and community, now serving as a Barangay Kagawad and continuing her years of public service.
Together with her husband Wilfred Bolla, they raised four children, Joanne, Julie Ann, Omar, and Mary Ann, through farming and simple living. Despite having an unfinished home, the couple built a life rooted in strong values, discipline, and perseverance. In 2012, their family became beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The Program became a vital support system, helping the family strengthen their focus on education, health, and responsible family living. Through Family Development Sessions of the Program, Judith learned budgeting and financial management, which helped her maximize limited resources.
After the passing of her husband in 2013 due to liver cirrhosis, Judith took on the full responsibility of raising her children. She sustained the family by serving as Barangay Kagawad, committed to keep her kids in school and to serve her community.
Despite facing several hardships, including the loss of their primary provider, the challenges of single parenting, and the tragedy of losing their son Omar in 2020 due to a landslide during Typhoon Ulysses. Through it all, Judith remained strong for her family. Through determination and the support of 4Ps, her children excelled academically while working to support their studies.
Their perseverance paid off. Joanne, the eldest, completed her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education at Saint Louis University, passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers for Secondary Education, and worked as a Job Order teacher before becoming a permanent Teacher I. While Julie Ann, the second child, earned her degree in Business Administration from the University of Baguio in 2024, passed the Civil Service Examination, and is now working at the Probation Office in Lamut, Ifugao. Mary Ann, the youngest, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with scholarship support.
During their stay in the Program, the family also benefited from government interventions such as the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), receiving seeds and fertilizers from the Department of Agriculture from 2022 to 2025. They also participated in training on Basic Life Support (BLS), disaster preparedness, and environmental awareness, strengthening their capacity as a family.
Reflecting on her journey, Judith shared: “I am grateful for the support it has given my family, especially in my children’s education and health. Moving forward, my focus is to become more self-reliant and stable.”
From hardship and loss to achievement and stability, the story of Judith Bolla and her family stands as a testament to how the 4Ps, combined with a mother’s unwavering strength, can transform lives, turning challenges into opportunities and dreams into lasting success. //#DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Dauden B. Moises, Project Development Officer II
