We conducted our interview last January 14, 2017 at exactly 4:30 pm in Sta.

Maria, Sto. Tomas, Batangas with Lola Cenaida, Nia and Mr. Gabarda. We
approached her with all the kindness, respect and humility. We started our interview by
introducing ourselves and our purpose for conducting the interview. We was quite
nervous during our interview, but we were still able to deliver our prepared questions. It
was exciting at all since we were very curious on how would Lola Cenaida, Nia and Mr.
Gabarda answer our questions. Lola Cenaida, Nia and Mr. Gabarda showed hospitality
to us during our interview. We could sense her sincerity and confidence while answering
all our questions. The interview lasted for about one hour. We ended the interview with
the words of thanksgiving and honor for giving us the opportunity to conduct an
interview with her. It was a challenging and worth remembering at all. We have learned
some important things from the interview we conducted which could help me to a further
development of our assessment methodologies.

Prepared questions:

1. What were your family's economic circumstances? Do you remember any times
when money was tight?
2.Do you remember having to do without things you wanted or needed?
3. How many children were in the family?
4. Did you contribute to the family income in any way?
5. Tell us about your family background.
6. As grandparent, what kind of help did you contribute to the family?
7. What were your duties around the house as a grandparent?
8. When and where did Mr. and Mrs. Gabarda met?
9. How many are you living in the house?
10. How much is your monthly income?
11. (For the father) What is your occupation?
12. Are all the children studying?
13. What was originally the most difficult for you about being married/being in a
relationship?
14. What was the most satisfying about your marriage?
15. Being a single parent, What was the most satisfying about raising your children?
16.What was the most difficult with being a single parent?
17. What advice would you give to someone today who was contemplating a serious
relationship

In the Philippines, family is defined as the small unit of society. Filipinos nurture
the importance of family to ones life. The family is the inspiration and source of strength
to most Filipinos.
Most of us step into marriage with hope and enthusiasm, determined to have
ours be a marriage that lasts. But marriage is difficult in ways few of us are prepared for.
And rarely do we have all the tools we need for success. Nor do we have a guidebook
or a road map to make the journey easier.
Did you ever think of living in a home with poor foundation? What if the
foundation crumbles and the family is crushed under the rubbles. There is a very little
difference between the foundation of a home and foundation of a family. Home is where
a loving family lives. But the heart shattering scene is when one of the family members
gave up and the rest have no choice but to accept the fact and let it go.
Children from broken homes experience a hard time finishing school and finding
a job. Studies show that these children from a broken family have higher tendencies of
entering into multiple live-in relationships upon reaching adulthood.
As Nia stated, Bilang isang anak sa isang malaking pamilya, ang lahat ay
naging parang isang malaking bangungot nang iniwan kami ni Mama in our society it
was a big disappointment to a child bear this dilemma of life. As a daughter, undergoing
to this circumstances of waking up in the morning without the presence of their mother
who should be the one taking care of them and brought love to their family.
At the age of 12, Precious Nia saw her mother leaving their house with loaded
bags. At first, she thought that her mother will just go on a vacation. But three years had
passed, she never saw her mother again. And thats the cue. At that time, she knew
already that her mother leave them and will never come back even though she got used
of her mothers absence, shes still expecting to see her mother again in their house,
cooking their favorite foods and scolding them when theyre stubborn.
Nia is now 15 years old and a Grade 9 student striving hard to finish her
studies. For her, studying is the only key to help her family and give them a comfortable
life that theyve wanted. Unfortunately, two of her siblings and the youngest of them is
four years old, What a happy family right?
Nia and her siblings are living with their father and their fathers mother. There
are eleven of them living in their small house. Her father, Tatay Nicanor, works in
Jetbest Animal Nutrition and Health Care Inc. in Maraway, Lipa, Batangas as an
employee. Before he go to work, he always sends his daughters and sons to school just
to make sure that theyre safe that theyre safe. He also tries his best to provide their
needs and as much as possible to keep them healthy. Even though he comes home late
at night he still finds time to spend or bond with his children because he wants to keep
that good connection and communication with his children. As what he said, his children
is his greatest treasure and he is proud and lucky to have them.
Tatay Nicanor is the only one who earns money for his family. Therefore, he is
not sure if he has ever experienced a feeling as lonely as worrying about his children
alone. When hes awake all night worrying over a high fever or when hes struggling to
know if he has made the right parenting decision, it can feel very overwhelming and
lonely for him. He doesnt miss his wife, but he told us that he misses the role she was

supposed to play. The burden of knowing that he is the only person who invested in his
childrens future is a hard one to bear.
According to Tatay Nicanor, his monthly income is not enough for their expenses
every month. Even their house is not yet fully paid but his working on it. With the water
and electricity bills, food, allowance and personal needs, an 8,000 a month is really not
enough. Luckily, his siblings also supports their family and sends them money. Though
there are times that he would really need to borrow from others. With all the problems,
Tatay Nicanor is still thankful to God because there are people who helped them
On the other hand, while Tatay Nicanor is at his work Lola Cenaida whose her
mother is the one who is taking care of the kids. Lola Cenaida fulfilled the works that
their mother should have to. Thats why the children is fond of her and treats her as their
mother. Lola Cenaida wakes up early in the morning to cook food and prepare the
children for their school. She is also the one whose taking care of the youngest child
and their house. Even though she should have been relaxing right now at her age, she
chose to help her son. She is a really great help for their family. Their life became a little
bit easy and at ease because of Lola Cenaida, except the financial part which is
undeniably tough.
We also got the chance to ask Tatay Nicanor about their love story with his exwife. They met at work when Tatay Nicanor was twenty-one and his wife was barely
twenty. She was the receptionist for the summer, and he was just starting his career.
They flirted all day for most of the summer, and they even came to know each other.
One time, he was so flustered by her mere presence, he take a second glance and he
said it was then that he knew. At the end of the summer, two weeks before his wife go to
her province which is Bacolod, he finally decided to ask her out. And maybe they were
really destined because she agreed. They set their date the day when she comes back.
His plan was to casually scan the movie section in the theater and ask her if she'd seen
a particular movie. He even practiced what to say and it was set: their first and last date.
We tried to ask Tatay Nicanor about their separation. Apparently, when we asked
him we can see on his face that he is anxious about the question. The expression on his
face says it all. He doesnt want to talk about the situation or relationship that theyve
been suffered.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will
soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,they will walk
and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31