A father is someone a family looks up to when it comes to an ideal man. He is a daughter’s first love and a son’s first hero. A father plays an important part in the growth and in shaping the future of a child. A father is someone whose love is absolute, heart is so pure, and the source of inspiration.

 

“I am proud of my father,” a short yet meaningful affirmation of Kate Andrea Longos Abellano, former Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) monitored child, for her thoughtful father. She is grateful to have a father like Mr. Oliver Alinsunod Abellano – the best father she has ever known. Mr. Abellano, 43 years old, is a Pantawid beneficiary, husband of the Pantawid grantee and parent leader, Mrs. Dorie L. Abellano, 42 years old.  Mr. and Mrs. Abellano, have been married for a couple of decades having five children. Despite having financial constraints, they were able to provide their children’s needs and send them to school.

 

Facing adversities face-on, Mr. Oliver, a fisherman and a rescue responder, was able to draw-up strength as the head of the family in spite earning Php5,000 with his wife Dorie, a Barangay Health Worker, earning Php 1,300 a month. The couple failed to benefit from tertiary education – the reason they strive to provide and send their children to school so that they can enjoy better choices and opportunities in life.

Oliver, equated as “jack of all trades”, is a fisherman, lancha operator, and rescue responder. When typhoon Odette severely hit their place – Cagdianao, Province of Dinagat Islands, it did not only cause destruction to their home and their lives, but it also hindered him from continuing to do his job as fisherman and lancha operator. This has made it harder for the couple to address the needs of their children.

 

During the onset of Typhoon Odette, aside from securing his family to safety, he also did the rounds rescuing the sickly, elderly, and persons with disabilities in their community. As a rescue responder, he made sure he did his job. His selfless act was praised by the members of the community. But the praises could not deny the fact that he lost almost everything.

 

Since his fishing boat was damaged during the onslaught of Odette, Oliver was not disheartened. He looked for ways to have a boat again and continue doing what he was good at, and the thing that kept his family fed – fishing.

 

Oliver wanted to ensure that the devastation Typhoon Odette left would not stir them away fromtheir dreams. Slowly but surely, the Abellanosa family is trying to rise from the destruction left by Odette. Slowly, the family is heading back towards their goals in life, thanks to the help of the government, through its programs and services.  The family is grateful as they are continually being blessed especially with the continued provision of their grants from the 4Ps.

 

Oliver’s love and devotion for his family, and him serving as a go-to-guy for his community has made Kate Andrea proud. His valiant efforts have not gone unnoticed. He is an unsung hero, a living superman for his wife and children, and for the rest of the community.