6th Jollibee Family Values Awards: Gabi ng Parangal Para sa Pamilyang Pilipino 2016

Makati City, Philippines - This is the first time that I have attended a grand awarding event by the country's leading fast-food brand, Jollibee which was recently held at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel. The 6th Jollibee Family Values Awards welcomed the new batch of outstanding Filipino families that inspired me with their admirable advocacies.

I admire them, who made it through the years with their solid foundation as a family. I remember few years ago planning to start my own advocacy, to build my own small library in our place and ask friends to donate books and coloring materials for kids, and it hasn't started until now. So, I know the feeling of how hard it is to begin. It is such a great joy seeing these families' succeed with their endeavors. Now, I am more inspired and understand that it doesn't have to start big to institute your goal to help. I am also happy that I brought my 11 year daughter, Rain. It is a great motivation for the both us.

Mr. JJ Alano
President, Jollibee Philippines

"2016 marks the 6th year of our Jollibee Family Values Awards. Jollibee's annual advocacy program that aims to promote timeless Filipino family values. With the Filipino family at the core of Jollibee's brand, the JFVA is committed to reinforcing timeless and cherished values. We are proud to recognize families who can be considered as everyday heroes, families who truly exemplify how the power of the Filipino family values can nurture and continue building a nation that can sail through the various challenges and adversities."

A cash prize of P300,000 and a trophy designed by brass sculptor Michael Cacnio, and P10,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates was awarded to the each five JFVA families and OFW Family of the Year. P50,000 cash, a plaque, and P3,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates was awarded to the recipients of the special citations.

"Balangay" is the Award's theme, whose historical journey captures the solidarity, harmony, determination, courage, bravery and resilience of the Filipino family.

2016 Jollibee Family Values Awards

Basa Family
Roxas City, Capiz

Rommel Bass, 48, Father
Analy Basa, 45, Mother
Cyprian Basa, 20
Zyque Basa, 18

The Basa family is a good example that I see as a great influence to our youth. As a family, they believe in the power of community development and their two children pursued various actions to share this passion. Cyp, their eldest child, pioneered "Farmer's Project" in 2011 that educated and trained more than 500 farmers in alternative pesticides. He managed cimmunity efforts since he was in high school. A role model to his younger sister, Zyque followed his footsteps by beginning community efforts through partnership with Balay Dalyunan that empowered people with disabilities. Rommel and Analy served as the advisers and sponsors of their kids and got so much involved with tbeir projects like feeding programs, relief operations and stress debriefing after Typhoon Yolanda hit their province. The Basa family, together, had launched and implemented more projects such as Sama Sama Tayong Lahat Organization, Exit Youth Capiz, Awit Para Sa Mga Bata, Sagip Kalikasan, Sagip Buhay, and Project Smile.

Bumacas Family
Gapan City, Nueva Ecija

Donato Bumacas, 47, Father
Merlita Bumacas, 48, Mother
Lovelie Bumacas, 25
Ledona Bumacas, 21
Lyndon Bumacas, 19

Donito Bumacas, a proud member of the Kalinga tribe, strived hard to become a teacher due to struggles that is commonly experienced by people in minority groups. For him, education is the greates equalizer and best machine to develop the welfare of his tribe. Together with his family, right after he got his PhD from Kalinga Apayao State University in 1996, they embarked their advocacy of educating and providing gor the needs of Indigenous People. It was a hard fight for Mr. Bumacas to constitute awareness and make room for the rights of the minority groups like the Kalingas, Aetas, Badjao and Igorots. The Bumacas family is also commited in environmental protection and reforestation, as well as provide feeding programs, school supplies and water pump dor the Aestas.

*The Bumacas family is also the rexipient of this year's special citation for Minority Groups.

Cabalza Family
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley

Ian Cabalza, 39, Father
Cecilia Cabalza, 39, Mother
Christopher Bryce Cabalza, 15
France Cabalza, 5

Dr. Cablaza started his free medical and surgical missions in 2006 aboutcthe same time when he installed a small clinic in his home. The clinic facilitates minor surgeries and consultations for children, adults, and the elderly, about 20 to 30 patienta a day. The Cablaza family have medical mission every month in different barangays, towns, and depressed areas in Tuguegarao, nad Cagayan Valley that benefits about 500 patients. Other than that, through Brigada Eskwela, they also give schools first aid kits and medicines.

Castaneda Family
Tandang Sora, Quezon City

Victor A. Castaneda, 52, Father
Elizabeth "Cheche" T. Castaneda, 50, Mother
Emalinda Victoria "Evee" T. Castaneda, 24

The birth of the I love Enzoe: Fight Against Cancer Foundation started out of the tragedy of losing their dearest little Enzoe in 2011. He was diagnosed whith cancer when he was only 2 1/2 years old. Whenever he goes out for check-ups, he would ask to buy candies for the indigent children of East Avenue Medical Center. When he passed away, the family was inspired with Enzo's generous heart to set up a foundation. since then, the family-run foundation provided for the needs of cancer patients at the EAMC throughfinancial assistance, sponsoring chemotherapies, and donating wheelchairs & patient's beds. To experience life to the fullest, they also spnsored children's parties and school activities. The Castaneda family is also involved in Christmas gift-giving activities in Tondo.

Sola Family

Project 6, Quezon City

Joe Dean Sola, 53, Father
Ardis Sola, 56. Mother
Jerome sola, 20
Therese Sola, 19
Marian Sola, 10

The Sola family devote their lives in helping children by contributing to their basic needs like food and education. He Cares Mission Street Children Caring Center, a foundation founded in 1997 has already produced 19 college graduates, one of them is now working in Abu Dhabi, a successful architect. It all started as an intervention for street children through values formation that is now an organization with a holistic approach to develop children. Particular components include: Balik Aral, Balik Kalusugan, Balik Loob sa Diyos, Balik Bahay, and Balik Hanapbuhay. The family has grown to love and accept each of their roles in the advocacy that their parents have inculcated in them.

*The Sola family is also this year's recipient of the Special Citation for Children.

Par family (OFW Family Category)
Saudi Arabia

Marciano Par, jr., 45, Father
Josephine Par, 47, Mother
Marc Joseph Par, 15
Marc Ian Par, 5

The Par family's ASTIG OFWCC (Overseas Filipino workers Cooperative Council) is a Filipino group designed in Saudi Arabia that intends to help and support Filipinos working and living with their families. Through ASTIG OFWCC, led by Marciano and Isabelita, it proves that Filipinos are always ready to help one another wherever they are in the world. The organization is a 40-member group that is conducted with regular activities including dinners for a cause to extend relief during disasters, distribute school supplies, conduct medical missions and education and livelihood seminars. The group also provide temporary shelter for OFWs through a Tent City and it strengthen ties among Filipinos as well. The whole family make it a point that they help in packing the supplies, distributing relief goods and by providing support to families away from home.

6th Jollibee Family Values Awards

Special Citations

Arquiza Family

Daet, Camarines Norte

Special Citation for Education

Reynaldo Arquiza, 67, Father
Juliet Arquiza, 66, Mother
Rey Franco Arquiza, 38, Son
Ma. Soledad Arquiza, 33, daughter
Maria Regina Arquiza, 32, daughter
Gemmalyn Arquiza, 32, daughter

The Arquiza family knows that education is very important. The siblings Rey, Soledad, Regina and Gemmalyn regard themselves blessed for getting scholarships in reputable schools, and to share their blessings, they instituted Aklatan sa Kostal in 2013.

Aklatan sa Kostal currently has four beneficialies, the barangays in their province of Daet, Camarines Sur -- Pambuhay, Magsalongsalong, Hinipan, and Matoogtog. At the beginning, their library contained books owned by the family and later on it grew with the donations from relatives, friends, and other concerned citizens. Today, it benefits more students from nearby universities, schools, and daycare center, that carries titles for all levels. Other than the books, the library have computers and audio-visual equipments like television sets and DVD players for film showings.

In addtion to Akalatan sa Kostal, the Arquiza family also provide free school supplies to underprivileged learners and grant scholarships to deserving students. They also intend to establish mobile libraries to more areas to bring the gift of education.

Cabading Family

Pasonanca, Zamboanga City

Special Citation for Environment

Alejandro Cabading, 54, Father
Lilibeth Cabading, 47, Mother
Lanvin Cabading, 27, son
Diane Angeli Cabading, 26, Daughter
Alejandro Cabading, jr., 23, Son
Christine Joy Cabading, 15, Daughter

The Cabading family is particular in caring for Mother Earth and to improve the lives of the people in need. In 2006, the family initiated Scubasurero because of their concern regarding the deterioration of Zamboanga's underwater treasures. It is a clean-up drive that is participated by volunteer scuba diversfrom Cebu and Bohol, combining their efforts to assist in cleaning and presrving the rich waters of Zamboanga's coastline.

The family also started the Hope for Kids Zamboanga Foundation, Inc., intended to help orphans. They also offer scholarships to exemplary students and to reach out to the less fortunate the family lead medical and dental programs.

San Gabriel-Eng Family
San Francisco, California
Special Citation for Youth Empowerment

Harry San Gabriel-Eng, 49, Father
Mailou San Gabriel-eng, 52, Mother
Cassie San Gabriel-Eng, 12, Daughter

The San Gabriel-Eng family are joined together to share their blessings and lift up the lives of those in need. They keep their fellow Filipinos close to their hearts and do what they can to help even if they are living in the United States. Casie, at a young age, celebrates her birthday by leading fundraising activities that benefit various causes since she turned six. She's been exposed to the volunteer works of her parents who never get tired of helping charitable organizations. Casie also began a fund raising called Cassie's Bag of Dreams to provide backpacks and school supplies to encourage underprivileged pupils to persevere their education.

Vizcocho Family

La Trinidad, Benguet

Special Citation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

Noli Vizcocho, 63. Father
Isabelita Vizcocho, 63, Mother
Jacqueline Vizcocho, 36, Daughter
Jill Vizcocho, 34, Daughter
Jennette Vizcocho, 33, Daughter
Joana Vizcocho, 28, Daughter
Josef Noli Vizcocho, 24, Son

The Vizcocho family's advocacy is to give extra care to the people with special needs. They made it their mission to raise awareness about Autism, because they know the joys and challenges of having a loved one with this condition.

In 2000, Noli and Isabelita established the Baguio chapter of the Autism Society of the Philippines. It provides counselling and therapy sessions for those with autism, and to give support and guidance for their families. To nurture the talents of children with autism, they have some fun activities like photography and workshops.

Bumacas Family

Gapan City, Nueva Ecija

Special Citation for Minority Groups

(family's profile in 6h JFVA winners)

Sola Family

Project 6, Quezon City

Special Citation for Children

(family's profile in 6h JFVA winners)

Photos