Success Story of a
Hardworking Family
…this is about the
Balili Family of Polomolok, South Cotabato
By Apolinario Villalobos
Aside from Manny Pacquiao who hails from South Cotabato),
there are other personages whose lives have made a successful turnaround in
that province, waiting to be encountered and shared, if only to inspire others.
The province is replete with opportunities offered by the fertile land, and the
proliferation of commercial establishments, especially, the Dole-Philippines,
with its vast pineapple plantation and cannery. But of course, one must be
diligent enough to be able to enjoy the opportunities, as I believe in the
adage that one must work hard to achieve success.
One such guy is Cecilio Balili who is married to Mildred
Palabrica, a diminutive beauty from the neighboring city of Tacurong. Cecil, as
he is fondly called by friends, practically toiled his way through college for
a course with specialization in Accountancy. On the other hand, his wife,
Mildred had to live with a well-to-do relative to save on board expenses from
high school until college. She finally finished her Bachelor of Science in
Education in Notre Dame of Tacurong College.
After graduation, Mildred joined the Department of Social
Welfare (DSW) in Tacurong City. During one of the seminars in Davao City, she
met Cecil who became enamored by her beauty. Cecil was then struggling with his
college studies while employed at the DSW Regional office as a casual employee.
It was hard work combined with diligent studies that developed in Cecil the
strong resolve to succeed in life. Earning a diploma for his chosen course was
the start of another struggle, this time with Mildred.
Despite odds, they decided to get married, and settled in
Polomolok as Cecil was hired by the flourishing Dole-Philippines. Just like the
rest of other couples who struggle to build a home, they also laid the
foundation of theirs with plenty of sacrifice. In the beginning of their
struggle, Mildred also had to work but stayed home when their blessings started
to arrive one after another. Their children did not disappoint their parents, as all
of them are able to finish their studies and are now gainfully employed.
The eldest among the their children, Inday Mitch works as a
supervisor in the Sasa branch in Davao City of To Go, a cargo forwarding
company; Ding, Jun and Joyjoy are with the Dole-Philippines, the first two
mentioned being Team Leaders while the third is with the engineering department
of the same company; and Greg, another engineer is connected with an Asian offshore
oil company; and the youngest, Jojo teaches in the Gensan City National High
School.
At the time of his retirement from the Dole-Philippines,
Cecil was holding a supervisor position, in-charge with stock inventory. He made use of such expertise when he was
asked to join the Polomolok Parochial Economic Council, to handle financial
matters. Aside from his parochial duties, his time is also devoted in helping
people in the organization of their cooperatives, being the Vice-Chairman of
the core group based in Polomolok. Highlighting his varied community services
is his involvement in the activities of the Knights of Columbus-Polomolok
Chapter, a Christian organization that reaches out to all communities
regardless of their faith.
On the other hand, his wife, Mildred is an active mover of
the Catholic Women’s League in their locality, particularly, Polotana, aside
from being a coordinator of the “Gagmay nga Kristiyanong Katilingban” (Small
Christian Groups). On the side, she grows exotic flowers and herbs in her
garden that she shares with friends every time they come for a visit. This
hobby gives her the needed solace while spending precious time at home to cook
for her children and keep their home spick and span.
The Balili family is the epitome of what a Christian family
should be, strongly bonded by love and unselfish tendency to share. Cecil and
Mildred always look back to their past from where they derive inspiration.
Their favorite advice to their children is that, they should always keep their
feet on the ground no matter what, and success should be treated as a blessing
and not a material gain. The couple proved that deprivation is not a hindrance
in one’s struggle to achieve success. They
also proved that life can still be inspiring after retirement, if it revolves
around the Lord!
