Five Exemplary Pinoy Families Honored in First Jollibee Family Values Awards

Cited for their shared values and the contributions they have made to their respective communities, five winning families were feted during the Gabi ng Parangal para sa Pamilyang Pilipino held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas.     

The awards night, which culminated the two month-long nationwide search, received over a thousand entries from all over the country. These were further narrowed down to 25 worthy semifinalists, from which the panel of judges chose the top five winners – one from each of the major regions.

Adjudged as most outstanding families were: Mr. and Mrs. Ireneo and Flordeliza Depleo and family from Sta Maria Bulacan (North Luzon); Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel and Mila Mercado and family from Quezon City (Mega Manila); Mr. and Mrs. Edonis and Christine Francisco from Lucena City( South Luzon); Mr. and Mrs. Ernesto and Remedios Suplido and family from Silay City (Visayas); and Mr. and Mrs. Rey and Marjorie Cartojano from General Santos City (Mindanao).


Wawel, Mila and Mary Grace Therese Mercado
The Mercado family’s inspiring story is a testament to their resilience and love for one another in the face of tragedy.  Despite the mother being inflicted with brain injuries after giving birth, the family maintains a positive outlook inspiring those around them. The whole family continues to share their story all around the country by giving talks, writing for publications and appearing in radio and TV programs.

 

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Flor, Ireneo, Irvin, Irene and Ivan Depla
The Depla family – notwithstanding their humble background - has remained passionate in reaching out to other people in their community. The mother, who is a midwife by profession, lends her services for free to expecting mothers who cannot afford to have their babies delivered in the hospital.  Mrs. Depla’s genuine concern for others have greatly influenced all the members of the Depla household to also devote a great amount of their time helping others or actively participating in local community  projects.


Edonis, Christine, Patriara, Czarina and Beatrice Francisco
The Francisco family initiated a feeding program for poor children in public schools in their hometown. To this day, the whole family is engaged and deeply involved in their feeding project which has now expanded its coverage to 43 sites. During their school outreach, they take time and effort to also monitor the growth and progress of the children beneficiaries.  


Ernesto, Mardi, Alexandra, Cesar Ernesto, Simon Pedro and Rosario Carmelina Suplido
The Suplido family are all gifted speakers and they have set out to share their God-given talent to inspire others. The parents are active facilitators during Discovery Weekend and Marriage Encounter sessions that seek to give guidance to couples like them.  They have also trained and inspired all their four kids to become motivational speakers, leading talks for the 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens workshops and Youth Aid’s Kids for Peace summer workshops.

 

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Rey, Maya, Rey Jr., Thea, Hannah Katrina and Kiara Cartojano
The Cartojano family are all active members of the Red Cross movement that it has become one of their regular family bonding activities. They also inspire one another to be the best in their respective fields. , The Catojano kids are all achievers and recognized student leaders in their respective schools.

Each of the five winning families was awarded with a cash prize of  P100,000 (tax free), P10,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates and a trophy especially designed by  premiere brass sculptor Michael Cacnio.

“For over three decades now, Jollibee has been a witness to countless great family bonding moments. Through this search, we hope to continue inspiring families to nurture positive Filipino values and influence the community around them as well,” shares Jollibee’s vice president for marketing Albert Cuadrante. Also in attendance were Jollibee global president Ernesto Tanmantiong and Jollibee Philippines president Jose Miñana.

Inspired by Jollibee’s flagship product and all-time family favorite Chickenjoy, the Jollibee Family Values Awards aims to celebrate the genuine and irreplaceable joy of togetherness of the Filipino family.

Comprising the Jollibee Family Values Awards panel of judges were multi-awarded TV/radio personalities Julius Babao and Christine Bersola-Babao, Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Alicia Bala, parenting columnist Cathy Babao-Guballa, Center for Family Ministries Director Fr. Allan Abuan, Jollibee VP for Marketing Albert Cuadrante, Jollibee VP for Human Resources Theresa Jotie, and Jollibee Marketing Manager Kent Mariano.

“All of us at Jollibee are grateful for all the support and positive response to our first Jollibee Family Values Awards. It was a delight to see everyone gathered for this special event where we are celebrating Pinoy family values. We hope that even more families will be encouraged to create more meaningful family moments together and touch the lives of those around them,” says Cuadrante.


Photos by Steph Esguerra