Concon Family: An Idol in the New Normal
Times have changed and become tougher these days with all sorts of challenges, making it so difficult to maintain ties even among families as one movie quote goes faction before blood. Yet in a northern barangay of the municipality of Macarthur, Leyte, lives the family of Jaime Concon who is an inspiration to the community for being able to keep his family intact while serving other people amidst poverty and disaster like the super typhoon Yolanda.
Jaime, a farmer and ice cream vendor, and a parent leader, has been a part of the disaster response committee. Several organizations would come to him for help in the facilitation of their services for those affected by the typhoon, especially in their barangay. Then, he built a water system coming from the mountain for the use of his family and other members of their community.
Under his leadership, he influenced his members in gardening and exploring other means of livelihood. He taught some to read and write. He made visual aids for them. He bought chalk, manila paper, pentel pen, and other materials needed from the money they earned in selling their harvests from their communal garden. Then a member also shared that after gardening, they would oftentimes have bible sharing led by Jaime himself.
Jaime is also a part of the Community Health Team wherein he assists patients and makes reports for the health center. He has been a counsellor and a resource person in responsible parenthood and family planning.
On the other hand, his wife Manilyn, has always been supportive of him and even participated in movements like the responsible parenting and fighting violence against women and children. She expressed how love and trust are very important in a family.
The three children namely, Marc Joseph, James Anthony, and Nina Mae are all well-behaved and intelligent kids. Marc Joseph is an achiever by the time he started schooling.
Jaime said that through Pantawid Pamilya and the Family Development Sessions, they were empowered and taught to help themselves and their fellows. They obtained a lot of learnings about family, discipline, individual rights and responsibilities, time management, disaster preparedness, and many more; and all these they try to share with their community members for as much as they can.
“Kaya ko ang pagbabago dahil malaki ang naitutulong ng Pantawid Pamilya sa aking pamilya at aming bayan. Isasabay ko ang pagsisikap at pagdarasal sa Diyos para may gabay tungo sa kaunlaran !” (I can make a change because Pantawid Pamilya has been instrumental in making our lives better and our community progressive. Altogether, I will strive and pray harder so I will be guided . . . on towards development !)