As town recognizes outstanding candabenos Corn vendor gets “Model Family” award

DANGAL NG CANDABA. Violeta Pangilinan-Mapiles together with her children: PHd Rosalinda Mapiles-Guiao; PIO Joel Mapiles, SSP Reporter Herbert Mapiles,  Engr. Joliber Mapiles
and registered Nurse  Rey-Ryan Mapiles receive the Plaque of Recognition
 as Model Family from Mayor Jerry Pelayo.

CANDABA --- For the first time in the history of this town, a corn vendor and her family were given recognition by the local government during the “Dangal Ng Candaba Award” held Saturday due to their perseverance and hard work just to send their children to college and finish their education in the midst of poverty and hardship.

This holds true to the Mapiles-Pangilinan family as they were conferred as the “Dangal Ng Candaba 2013” in the field of parenting and family better described as “Model Family.”

Violeta Pangilinan Mapiles, widower of Ponciano Santos Mapiles received the award from the town’s local officials headed by Mayor Jerry Pelayo and Vice Mayor Daniel Gallardo.

The poor but inspiring lives of the Mapiles family had moved the other less fortunate families in the community to strive hard to give their children a better education and bright future.

Violeta Pangilinan Mapiles, a mother and a market vendor since her childhood said the award is just a memento of how she and her husband survived the challenges and trials they have had through the years.

She said the most important thing is they had effectively motivated and engraved in their children’s mind and heart the value of humility and fear to the Almighty God whatever they would achieve in life.

She said their secret is the strong conviction that they could bring into reality their dream for their children as they never ceased to serve the Almighty even in the most trying times.

“May awa ang Diyos, hindi niya tayo pababayaan.” (God is merciful and He will not abandon us). This belief has empowered the Mapiles family to strive for more and this also brought them to the realization of their dream – a fulfilled dream to give their children quality education – a wealth that can never be stolen.

Mother Violeta has five children. They are Rosalinda Mapiles Guiao who finished Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Masters Degree in Education and Doctorate degree in Philosophy; Joel Mapiles, an AB Mass Communication; Herbert Mapiles,  a graduate of Bachelor of Law and AB Mass Communication ; Joliber Mapiles, an Electronic Communication Engineer from Mapua Institute and Rey-Ryan Mapiles, a registered nurse.

  “I did not finish my elementary education, I only finished Grade III. My husband has finished Grade VI as valedictorian but unfortunately and due to poverty, he was not sent to High School. In his young age, he worked as carabao shepherd,” the mother said.

“Ali mi buring aranasan da ding anak mi ing delanan ming ming bie. Buri mi managumpe la.” (We don’t want our children to experience what we had been through. We want them to excel.”) mother Violeta said.

Other Dangal ng Candaba awardees are as follows: Artemio Panganiban (former Supreme Court Chief Justice), Rafael Yabut (Under Secretary DPWH), Pedro Guevarra (MOKA awardee), Januario Del Rosario (multi-titled basketball coach), Irving Gallardo (International marathoner), Venna Tessa Nuestro (SEA games gold medalist-fencing), Ricardo Yabut (No. 1 Board Member), Jake Concepcion (Philippine King of Sax), Maria Theresa Pelayo (Assistant Secretary DTI), Redento Gatus (Regional Director –DA), Jolet Jao (Super Bike Champion), Jose Evangelista (MOKA awardee-medicine), Jonh Lapuz (Talk Show Host) and retired police generals; Gen. Catalino Guevarra, Gen. Ramsey Ocampo, Gen. Rogelio Martin and Gen Romeo David.