It is often said that the fruit does not fall far from the tree. Bines family may be a living epitome of this saying. Spreading the seed of goodness to the community stems from the foundation that the family nurtures.

Both parents, Rolando Bines and Analyn Labang, believe that whatever they do today will be reflected by their children in the future hence they make sure that they become models of good values to their children.

They believe that the best fruit of success that they will reap in the future is when they will see their children being of service to people other than themselves. That is why as early as now, they show their children what kindness truly means and how this is important to realize their purpose in life.

BACKSTORY

In a small, remote town in the southern part of Mindanao is a 4^th-class municipality where the locals seem to share hospitality and generosity towards each other. The people of Barangay Tandubuay in the Municipality of San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur, could attest to the kindness and the brand of legacy of the Bines family.

Rolando, 47, is described as a “Jack of all Trade” as his does almost, if not all, tasks that require specific skills in the household. He does plumbing, carpentry, masonry, welding, and a few more others.

Despite him being color blind, he sees to it that his family’s life is always full of colors.

His wife, Analyn, 42, on the other hand, is expert in handling household concerns such as taking care of their children, managing their finances, and ensuring the family’s health, among others.

Blessed with three children, the couple strives to provide the needs of their children be it in health and/or in education. Ron Kennoly, 16, is now in Grade 11; Christine Jan, 14, is in Grade 9 and both are studying at San Pablo National High School; while the youngest of the siblings, Beethoven, 12, is currently in Grade 12 at Tandubuay National High School.

Despite having experienced hardships that are brought about by poverty, Bines family never lost their faith both in God and in the hope that one day, they will live a comfortable life that they can share not just within their family but with other families in the community as well.

In 2009, a blessing knocked onto their door as they were included in the (then newly-established) conditional cash transfer program of the national government known as the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program.

They consider it as a big blessing in their family as it helped them discover several other things that they can do with their potential.

KASAKIT (GRIEF) GROUP

Despite having so little in life, Bines family never forgets to help their community in ways they can.

In 2015, Rolando Bines created a support group within their Purok called the Kasakit, a local term which means grief. The Kasakit aims to assuage the burden of the poor, grieving families who have lost a loved one. This support group offers assistance to the bereaved family by providing free labor for the coffin of the deceased.

As a carpenter, Rolando offers his skills and service to make coffins for those who cannot afford to buy one.

“Di na ko mangubra sa ilaha. Gamay nga ikatabang na lang to kay di man ko makahatag og kwarta, (I won’t charge [for my service]. It’s a small help since I could not afford to give them money,” Rolando said in a phone interview.

When asked about the reason why Rolando started this initiative, Analyn said that his husband has always been passionate about helping other people and that he wants to show to his children that they can be of help even if they have less.  

The public saw the positive effect of the help that the Kasakit Group has initiated not just for the bereaved family but for the entire community. The families that they have helped were relieved of additional weight while the community has found hope and faith in humanity.

The practice of the KASAKIT Group has now been replicated by other Puroks in the barangay and it is now adopted by the Barangay Local Government Unit of Tandubuay as one of their best practices.

VIOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Because of their selfless contributions and harmonious relationship with their neighbors, the people of Tandubuay have entrusted the Bines Family with important roles and duties to play in the barangay.

Rolando has become part of the BADAC or the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Committee that enables a drug-free community by helping those who have been victims of the influence of illegal drugs.

In their Purok, Rolando is assigned to talk to the victims for possible surrender and rehabilitation. As of today, Rolando was able to convince 58 surrenderees and their lives have changed since then.

Determined to turn their situation around, Rolando is also hands-on in helping the surrenderees in their community services and activities.

Other than that, he also had contributed in the establishment of several developmental facilities in their barangay such as the Day Care Center, bridge, community chapel, and the ongoing project, a 3-unit classroom for children.

These are on top of his other community services as PTCA President in school, as commentator in church and leader of the Ginagmay Simbahanong Katilingban (GSK) together with his wife, Analyn.

Analyn, on the other hand, was appointed as Barangay Health Worker (BHW) last February 2018.

The Barangay Chairman of Tandubuay, Hon. Lonita M. Largo, said that she saw how responsible Analyn is in handling given tasks. In fact, surprisingly, she has surpassed the number of members and clients served compared to the previous BHWs.

“Maaasahan mo talaga siya sa mga gawain. May hawak siya ngayong 30 households. Yun yung tinutulungan niya in terms sa health ng constituents namin, [She is really trustworthy. She currently handles 30 households which she helps in their health concerns,]” said Hon. Largo.

Analyn monitors the weight and health of the children in their barangay including health of pregnant women. She is also in charge of ensuring the health maintenance of the Senior Citizens.

These deeds of the couple are truly remarkable and exemplary thus making them the powerhouse couple of Barangay Tandubuay.

KUNG ANO ANG PUNO AY SIYA RING BUNGA (A TREE WILL BEAR A FRUIT OF ITS KIND)

The passion and compassion of the parents is now being shared by the entire family. As young as they are, the children also start to show manifestations of being kind-hearted to their neighbors.

Ron Kennoly, the eldest, is part of a group called the People’s Youth Association (PYA), a group of young individuals who share common desire to give back to the community by doing activities that would keep teenagers from trouble.

As the leader of the PYA, Ron Kennoly conducts meetings amongst the members after their Sunday church service. He facilitates bible-sharing and helps in planning activities for youth like him.

Christine Jan, the female child, is currently attending seminar as altar server. This way, their chapel will no longer need for altar servers from outside their barangay.

Her involvement in the church inspires many girls her age to become active as well in the community to avoid the rampant concern on teenage pregnancy.

Beethoven, the youngest of the three children, is a classroom President. He monitors his classmates on their tasks in school and helps them accomplish their tasks.

He says that he plans to be a lawyer someday so that he can help poor families fight for their rights.

The three Bines children are motivated by the examples that they see from their parents. The foundation that they have right now is based on the personal values that Rolando and Analyn have instilled in them.

WINNING MOMENT

Last July 31, Bines Family was awarded as the champion of the regional search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya in Zamboanga Peninsula. They will serve as ambassadors of the program gains brought about by the interventions of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

On September 29, they will be invited to Manila to receive a national recognition from the DSWD for being an exemplary family despite the struggles and poverty that they face. This is also one way of the department to highlight the stories of change of many Filipino whose lives have changed because of the collaborative efforts of the government programs.