The 5th Jollibee Filipino Familes Award: Celebrating Exemplary Filipino Families

The family is the basic unit of society. Every thing that happens within the family is being passed on and influences how each member acts outside the family. Thus, it is a challenging role to be able to raise children with values and care for society while still looking out for the welfare of the family we have. Although, family life may be at times a struggle it is a breathe of fresh air when we find successful stories of family who are able to bring out their advocacy not only to their children but to the whole community.

          This is what Jollibee has been doing for  five (5) years already, finding and honoring families who are exemplary in their advocacies that made significant impact in the lives of their fellowmen. Last September 24, Jollibee hailed the noble stories of compassion and generosity of Filipino families during the 5th Jollibee Values Awards (JFVA) Gabi ng Parangal para sa Pamilyang Pilipino at the Philippine International Convention Center Center (PICC). 

     The awards night was hosted by an exemplary family themselves, Mr. Anthony Pangilinan and Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan. It was also graced by distinguished personalities known in their respective fields who made up this year's esteemed JFVA board of judges including Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamzares, Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Cong. Leni Robredo, professor and economist WInnie Monsod, MOWELFUND trustee and president Boots Anson-Rodrigo, columnist and child advocate Audrey Tan-Zubiri, Jollibee Ambassador and Ulirang Ina awardee Carmina Villaroel-Legaspi, ANC news anchor Edric Mendoza, parenting and relationship consultatn Maribel Sison-Dionisio, Coca-Cola Export Corporation Director for Public Affairs and Communications Atty Adel Tamano, and  ABS-CBN consultant for Public Service Integration and Chaplaincy Fr. Carmelo "Tito" Caluag, S.J. They were also joined by Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer Francis Flores, Vice President for Marketing Harvey Ong, Vice President for Human Resources Ruth Angeles, and Jollibee Group Foundation Vice Presidetn Belen Rillo.

The night started with the keynote speaker, Mr. Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad-Kalinga, which is a Philippine based poverty alleviation movement. They do not only help give homes to homeless family but also empowers them to take control of their lives and build a better future for themselves. He said in his speech that the families are needed to help make each others' families rise up from poverty. It is but necessary to include different values not only in our own families but into our communities then eventually into our nation. He sees the family as an integral part of nation building.

Mr. Tony Meloto, Keynote Speaker of the Night

          The awards night recognized six exemplary families which included the Domulot family of Zambales, whose work focuses on uplifting the lives and solidifying the Aeta tribes, Tiosan family of Rizal, dedictaed to the employment and self-sufficiency of the blind, Mambuay family of Misamis Oriental, seeking peaceful ways to inculcate unity between the Christian and Muslim faiths, Rojas family of Quezon City, for giving a new voice to cancer survivors, and Pena family of Cavite, empowering people with Autism. The Gange family of San Jose, California was awarded the Jollibee Coca Cola Global Pinoy Family of the Year for advocating music literacy among the Filipino youth.

The Domulot Family: Uplifting the lives and Solidfying the Aeta tribes

Rojas Family: For giving a New Voice to Cancer Survivors

All the six exemplary Filipino families were awarded with a cash prize of P300,00, a trophy designed by renowned sculptor Michael Cacnio, and P10,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates. Aside from the top six exemplary families, the Jollibee Family Values Awards also gave special citations to families whose advocacies benefit specific stakeholders.

The Ramirez Family

Special Citation for Education was awarded to the Capilos Family of Quezon City for holding free trainings for public school teachers and students.  
Special Citation for Environment was awarded to Basa family of Capiz for their work on using recycled materials for disaster preparedness;
Special Citation for Children was awarded to the Ramirez family of Quzon City for creating free toy libraries nationwide
Special Citation for PWDs was awarded to the Mendoza Family of Palawan for holding free clinics and special Olympics for PWDs, and
Special Citation for Minority Groups was awarded to the Catanghal Family of Pasig for their advocacy of providing wholistic development for the Mangyan tribes.

            The night was filled with success stories of goodwill and generosity that resonates to the whole community and even to the nation. It further highlights on the significance of the family in creating a society that cares and looks out for each other. It reiterates that the right values begin and are nurtured at home. "These families that exemplify the values that we honor up to this day forms a strong foundation for the country that help build a better nation. We owe it to them that the campaign has reached its milestone year, as we continue to receive inspiring stories of compassion and generosity here and around the globe that are definitely worth recognizing and can serve as a shining example for others," said Jollibee Philippines president Joseph Tanbuntiong.

          Performances from Jollibee ambassadors Sarah Geronimo, who sang the official 5th JFVA theme, the Voice Kids Lyca, Darlene, and JK, and Asia's songsbird and multi-awarded artist Regine Veleasquez even made the night more exciting.

        The 5th Jollibee Family Values Awards affirms what is great and positive about Filipino families. It begins only to inspire each other and then work towards attaining a better life for everyone. These families have shown that in every struggle there is triumph. That what we practice at home can be translated to the communities and eventually make a difference in the lives of others.