FFI

LIBRENG BAHAY, BAGONG BUHAY 2 WINNER: DOUBT...DISBELIEF...DELIGHT

It took the Marketing Department a long time to find Jenny Diaz. She didn’t acknowledge the calls and the letters that said she won a brand new house and lot in the company’s Libreng Bahay, Bagong Buhay 2 promo. She thought the promo was just one of the company’s gimmickry for her to go to our office so as to sell her a plan.

“The reason I doubted was because I knew a lot of people who experienced the same thing, but they never got a prize,” shared Jenny as we walked towards her new house and lot in Maia Alta, Antipolo. “When I got the call, I didn’t immediately believe, but I didn’t also doubt that much. Parang wala lang. It was just my family who really didn’t believe since my older brother also attended a presentation, but never won anything.”

It was in our SM Southmall sales office that Jenny listened to a presentation. It was because of the explanation of the promo officer that she agreed to go to the presentation area.

“It was okay for me to get a Plan, but it just wasn’t one of my priorities so I didn’t get one. But I still got to join the promo and was even able to take home a mug,” she reminisced. “After that, I forgot that I attended a presentation.”

The company’s promo are really due to luck and most of the time, the grand prize winners are those who really need the prize. At a young age of 25, Jenny has been through many trials in her young life. Her mother has been an overseas contract worker in Malaysia for the past 9 years. Her father, on the other hand, is a government employee in the Las Piñas City Hall.

When we went to award Jenny in Las Piñas City Hall, she was surrounded by family and friends. As is normal in occasions like these, there were many inquiries about the validity of her win. And we proudly answered all the queries with a resounding, “yes, she did win a brand new house and lot!”

We felt like we were the winners when we awarded her the mock key because we saw how happy Jenny and her family were. It was enough for us to be happy as well. And the event was made doubly special when I talked to her mother on the phone.

“Is it really true that my daughter won a house and lot?” was the first question her mother asked me. I quickly replied that it was really true and at that very moment, we were awarding her with a commemorative key. “Thank goodness it’s true. If you only knew what that child of mine has gone through. The house and lot will truly be a blessing.”

It was heartwarming to know that we have helped someone from whatever situation she was in at the time. I saw in Jenny’s face all the relief and joy of having done good by her parents.

Along with her family and two children, Jaira Kyla, 7, and Jenica Angel, 6, we brought Jenny to Maia Alta and formally turned over the house and lot to her.

“Mommy, dito tayo titira (are we going to live here)?!!” the kids asked excitedly.

“It’s so beautiful. Even in my wildest dreams, I could not have expected this. I think I’m going to faint,” Jenny jokingly said when she saw the house.

I, too, was speechless as I watched her. She was like a child who just received the greatest gift anyone has given her. “Now, I can start a new life,” she whispered.

On that, I stood there beaming and proud to be of service to our fellow Filipinos who dream of having a good life. – Tes R. Lariosa