CEBU, Philippines - Sister Mary Marcia Antigua started working with street children in 1986 when the presence of street children was “getting so disturbing, sleeping in the sidewalks and market places.”
Since she was working in the Carbon Market area and the depressed areas of Barangay Ermita, she had to rescue the teenagers who are prone to exploitation and abuse.
She organized the project called “Dangpanan” (meaning a safe place or a refuge). She said that at first, they rented a small apartment in the market. With the increasing number of girls who sought help, they were able to build a center in Laray, Barangay Inayawan. But the people in the Carbon Market area did not want them to stop the program with the children there so they maintained a small drop-in place in the market area where they also have a daycare center for children of the market vendors.
Dangpanan is currently helping over 400 girls learn skills and in getting good education through scholarships so that they may be able to help their families improve their quality of life and, thus, break the chains of poverty.
Recently, Dangpanan celebrated its 24th anniversary with many of the alumni coming back to inspire other women on the importance of making their lives better.
Sis. Marcia envisions a world where every child will be afforded opportunities for education and Christian development in a child-friendly community where families are empowered and poverty alleviated.
Meanwhile, Ms. Esperanza Elemento Abellana or “Becbec” has played an active role in organizing women in rural and urban poor communities. She served in the Asian Social Institute in Manila as its academic coordinator, the Center for Asian Dialogue and Center for Spirituality before switching to the Philippine office of the Save the Children Fund.
At present, she is at the helm of Feed the Children Philippines where she actively advocates for “a future where Filipino children live healthy, safe, happy, and meaningful lives.”
She fights for her belief and commitment and possesses a very strong conviction about the work entrusted to her – that is to make a difference in the lives of poor Filipino children and their families.
Becbec leads by example, which is founded on the principle of servant leadership.
These two women of faith, who have advocated that children be essentially placed at the frontline of all development initiatives, are this year’s recipients of the Family Values Award.
In her acceptance speech during the awarding last October 21, Sis. Marcia shared how she “envisions a world where every child will be afforded opportunities for education and Christian development in child-friendly community where families are empowered and poverty alleviated.”
As for Becbec, she reiterated that in order to be followed, a leader need not be a boss. “I can be a teacher, a sister or anybody who you would want to be with,” she said.
The award was presented by Elder Keith Edwards, Philippine area president of the Church of Jesus of the Latter Day Saints, and Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young on behalf of Mayor Michael Rama.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gives out the Family Values Award to recognize the honorable efforts of moral, outstanding community leaders who are striving to advance standards and values that are consistent with the Church’s position on the sanctity of the family. It is presented annually to community leaders in Asia, Europe and the United States in any of the following fields: government, community, religious and media.
In its “Proclamation to the World,” the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints solemnly proclaim that “family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children, as children are a heritage of the Lord (Psalm 127:3). They warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.
The Family Values Award is anchored on this particular doctrine on the sanctity of the family.
“We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets,” the proclamation further read.
Therefore, they call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. (FREEMAN)