By Percival Cunanan
Eagle News Service, EBC US Bureau
The family is considered as the basic unit of society. Parents play a significant role in building a solid foundation, in having strong relationships, and rearing their children to become morally, socially and spiritually upright.
It is not easy to become a parent, but to become an outstanding parent is much harder. You need to pass a series of tests and trials –the “test of life.”
Parents need to combat all the problems they will encounter in different facets of parenthood with calmness and dignity, with compassion and sacrifices in order to have a stronger family.
That’s why this coming July 22nd, 2017 the Filipino International Community of America (FICA) will honor outstanding parents for the first time on their FICA 1st Outstanding Parents’ Awards and Gala at Ramada Plaza Hotel, 160-A Frontage Road, Newark NJ 07114 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
The event will be very timely since National Parents’ Day is celebrated every fourth Sunday of July as established in 1994 when former United States President Bill Clinton signed it into law to recognize the great role and contributions of parents in rearing the child and having a strong family.
“The event is to really showcase and highlight the challenges as well as the victories in raising a family in the traditional sense,” emphasized Mr. Emiljun Rapada, FICA President.
The award is to recognize parents and grandparents who have devoted their time and resources and sacrificed and invested everything in guiding their children to become productive citizens in our society.
“We highlight the universal values of love, patience, perseverance, forgiveness, resilience, and humility as key ingredients in establishing an amazing family,” he added.
FICA calls for nomination of the outstanding parents in every organization or community who qualify to this very important awards.
The following are the criteria for Outstanding Parents’ Awards nominees:
a) Exemplify qualities of sacrificial love;
b) Have overcome major obstacles (emotional, physical, financial, etc.) to provide for the personal development and happiness of children;
c) Exhibit qualities of personal moral virtue and/or religious commitment; and
d) Have a noteworthy record of contributions to the family and community.
The deadline of submission of nomination was on or before June 24, 2017.
From among the nominees, the selection committee will vote for 21 couples who will receive the prestigious recognition and one as the Most Outstanding Parents of the Year 2017.
For nomination forms, questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact Elena Bahian, Program Manager, at (718) 210-7847 or myself at (732) 318-9469.
