Reynaldo Pingol had tears in his eyes when we entered his home and congratulated him for being a new homeowner. The parish priest had just come by to bless their just turned-over GK house and had gone on to the next one. Reynaldo's new home was bare of any furniture except for a small altar in one corner. He wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes and motioned to his wife to look for his two daughters so we could take a family picture.They used to live in Paranaque City, Manila. Reynaldo, 39 years old, used to be employed in a workshop doing paintjobs on cars while moonlighting as a cook in a motel chain. But life, he said, was so difficult for his family there. They were renting a room in a cramped area. His take home pay could barely cover for their everyday family expenses. When their family relocated to Cabusao, Camarines Sur and he learned about the GK village that was being built in partnership with NDCC and DWSD, he had to make a hard decision for his family.
"Kailangan tumigil ako sa trabaho para makatrabaho dito... nagsakripisyo ako, kahit mahirapan kami... kelangan eh, para matapos ang trabaho dito..." (I needed to stop working just so I could do the job here... I had to sacrifice, even if it was difficult for our family... I had to, just so we can finish the work here.) Reynaldo remembers how it broke his heart to make his family suffer with him because of this decision.
Having a home of their own here in this beautiful village however has made it worth it. He is secure bringing up his two young daughters, Ica and Isabel, in this community. Ever since construction started, the people here have become more than just neighbors to him -- they are part of his family. Today, from their house, Reynaldo and his wife, Francine, are in charge of distributing the lunch meals for all the families in their row. Spirits are up as they pass out bags of cooked rice, meat and vegetable portions. In a little while, Reynaldo leaves the group to join the other men grilling the tilapias for the rest of their invited guests. Today it is fiesta time in their community and a lot of people have come by. Each family invites the visitors to come in and partake of their humble feast.
Reynaldo says he has found a job at the town center twice a week as a cook. He is doubtful if the pay he will take home will be enough for his small family but he is hopeful that life will become better. With the other programs of Gawad Kalinga coming in,
he knows he can guarantee his family a better quality of life here. There will be vegetables to pick from their backyard to add to their daily meal. Ica at 5 years and Isabel the youngest at 2 years, will benefit from the Sibol program this June. Francine will rest at ease knowing her children are in a safe community surrounded by other kids. She finds joy in sharing community tasks with the other mothers here. With God's continued guidance, Reynaldo knows his family will pull through.
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