To strengthen family ties, quantity and quality time must be given to the family.”
This is the collective message of the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF) and the family advocates, Mr. Benson Misalucha and Ms. Michele Santos-Alignay, during the forum conducted in celebration of the International Day of Families. The theme of the celebration was “Ensuring Work-Family Balance” held on May 19, 2012 in Marikina City.
The forum was attended by 200 participants representing the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF) member-organizations led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Other agencies/ organizations which participated in the event include the DILG, CWC, NYC, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, Community Chest Foundation (CCF) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Mr. Misalucha from the Latter-Day Saints shared to the participants that quality time is important, but quantity time is equally significant in strengthening family bonds. In his presentation, he also shared that work is important but no amount of success can compensate for failures in the home.
This was affirmed by Ms. Alignay, who is a registered guidance counsellor and a known child-parenting relationship and family life consultant. Ms. Alignay emphasized the importance of taking care of the family, of family members and even of one’s self in having a loving family. Ms. Alignay said that family members can show and nurture their love for one another by giving their time. She added that doing simple activities together as a family will greatly help foster a caring relationship among members.
NCFF Chairperson and DSWD Undersecretary Alicia R. Bala also said having a family is a gift which must be nurtured and that family members have different roles to play. She added that it is important for each family member to communicate and connect with one another to establish a nurturing and caring relationship. Further, Undersecretary Bala affirmed the lessons imparted by Mr. Misalucha and Ms. Alignay of doing activities together as a family. She also encouraged every family to set a family day. ###
