The Gabisay family from left, Adelaida, Niño Mar, Jamaica (niece), Niña Marie, Jaime Jr., Jaime Sr. (CDN PHOTO/VICTOR ANTHONY SILVA)
Many girls dream of the perfect 18th birthday—a debut with lights, beautiful gowns, a feast and gathering of family and friends for the special occasion.
Jerzl Anne Awit, a member of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) since high school, turned 18 last October 5 and celebrated at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Instead of gifts, she asked for donations to help build a house for a poor family in barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City.
“I wanted to build a house because I want a family to celebrate Christmas and New Year in a new house where they can celebrate it with better hopes and dreams,” said Awit, daughter of former GK-Cebu chapter head Jerome Awit.
The chosen beneficiary, the Gabisay family, will move into their new home in Maguikay GK Village tomorrow on Christmas Day, December 25.
Dream
“Wa gyuy kabutangan ang among kalipay (Our happiness knows no bounds),” said Adelaida, a mother of three.
Awit had asked the GK chapter head in Maguikay to identify the beneficiary. The Gabisay family, who lived in a small shanty, was chosen. The flimsy walls of the hut, which they rented for P1,000 a month, were blown away during typhoon Yolanda last Nov. 8, 2013.
Adelaida, 52, said the family had been living in the same house in Duljo Fatima for over 34 years.
The housewife said it had long been their dream to have a house of their own.
Her husband Jaime Sr. is a construction painter working in Camiguin. province. He would send money home for Adelaida and their three children Niño Mar, Jaime Jr., and Niña Marie.
Awit said her father inspired her to join GK, a movement that envisions a Philippines with no slums, and values the dignity of families having their own homes.
Jerzl gathered P88,000 at her debut. Her father promised to shoulder the rest of the expenses.
The concrete house was completed by the third week of December.
“They told me that they have been longing and praying for one for a long time and I am so glad that I was the one who made their wish come true,” Awit told Cebu Daily News.