Reporter’s family feted in ‘Dangal ning Candaba’

CANDABA -- The family of Sun.Star Pampanga reporter Herbert Mapiles has been cited as a “model family” in the Dangal ning Candaba awards over the weekend.

Some 1,400 Candabeños who have brought fame and distinction to the town, contributing to its growth and well-being, were conferred the awards at Earth Park by Mayor Jerry Pelayo and Governor Lilia Pineda.

“Ito kasing pamilya Mapiles ay huwaran ng Candaba na dapat tularan. Sa pagsisikap ng kanilang magulang na hindi alintana ang kahirapan, napagtapos nila ang mga anak nila tulad ni Herbert ng Sun.Star Pampanga at Joel Mapiles ng ating Provincial Information Office na pawang mga propesyonal na. Ang mga katulad nila ay dapat tularan at maging huwaran dahil patuloy silang nagdadala ng dangal sa Candaba,” Pelayo said.

Mapiles said his deceased father Ponciano was a simple but hardworking farmer while their mother, Violeta, a market vendor, helped the patriarch in making both ends meet and rearing siblings Rosalinda, a principal at the Jose Feliciano College; Joliber, a licensed electronics communications engineer and software developer; and Rey-Ryan, a registered nurse.

“Our parents taught us the value of education so much so that we started working and helping them in the market at a young age. Part of what they earned ay inilalagay nila sa alkansiya. Mother also bravely took educational plans for us so that we can secure a good future. Hindi nila alintana ang mga kabiguan at pahihirap para lamang kami ay makapagtapos. Tunay silang huwaran ng mapagmahal na magulang,” said Mapiles.

Mapiles said it is the first time in the history of this town that a corn vendor and her family were given recognition by the local government.

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.

For their mother Violeta, the award is a memento of how she and her husband survived the challenges and trials they had through the years.

She said the most important thing is they had effectively motivated and engraved in their children’s minds and hearts 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)” is the belief that empowered the Mapiles family to strive for more, with Violeta saying 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.”

“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,” Violeta 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,)” she said.

Other Dangal ng Candaba awardees were: 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 Catalino Guevarra, Ramsey Ocampo, Rogelio Martin and Romeo David.