In many Filipino homes, education is seen as the most reliable path out of hardship. For the family of Janet Gimeno, that belief became stronger and more tangible after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) brought the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP) directly to their community in Parañaque City.

A full-time housewife devoted to caring for her children, Gimeno once navigated parenthood guided mainly by instinct and love. Through TBTP’s Nanay-Tatay learning sessions, she gained not only knowledge but renewed confidence in her role as a mother and first teacher at home.

“Nag-aral po kami ng 20 days, marami po talaga akong natutunan. Hindi lang ‘yung pagmamahal ng anak. Bilang isang ina gusto ko sa mga anak ko na makapagtapos sila,” Gimeno said.

For Gimeno, education is an armor for her children against life’s uncertainties. She believes that finishing school will equip them with the strength and opportunities she herself did not always have.

Like many parents, Gimeno admits that raising children is never easy. Yet the TBTP helped her see discipline, guidance, and encouragement in a new light—one that begins at home.

“Ang payo ko sa mga kapwa ko magulang, sana po ang pag-disiplina sa mga anak nagsisimula po sa atin at hindi sa ibang tao. Dapat itaguyod natin sila ng maayos,” Gimeno said.

Beyond parenting techniques, the program rekindled her own experience of being a learner. Sitting in sessions, reading educational materials, and reflecting on lessons reminded her that learning has no age limit.

“Marami po kaming natutunan hindi lang ‘yung sa salita at binabasa namin. Para talaga kaming nag-aaral. Thank you so much po DSWD,” a grateful Gimeno said.

The transformation at home soon became visible. Her child, Yuhan Gadaingan—one of the learners directly guided by a youth development worker (YDW)—gained a life-changing skill.

“Dahil sa Tara Basa, natuto po akong magsulat at magbasa. Maraming salamat po sa DSWD,” the young Yuhan said.

While families like the Gimeno-Gadaingan benefited directly from the program, the TBTP also transformed the lives of the young people who served as tutors and YDWs.

JL Venialon, a college student from Parañaque City College who participated in the program for three consecutive years (2023–2025), described the TBTP as a training ground not only for teaching but also for personal growth.

“Ang naging buhay ko po after ko sumali ng three consecutive years, mas na-enhance ko po ‘yung communication skills ko,” Venialon said.

Working closely with children and parents helped Venialon develop confidence and empathy—skills that go beyond the classroom. He also gained insights into community dynamics and built networks he believes will help him in the future.

“Nagkaroon po ako ng idea kung paano sila gumalaw sa kanilang siyudad. Ina-adapt ko rin po ‘yung mga idea na nakukuha ko po sa kanila,” Venialon pointed out.

Through his sessions, he witnessed parents improving how they communicate with their children—learning to motivate rather than pressure them.

Venialon also came to understand the deeper reasons why some children struggle in school.

“Sana ipagpatuloy lang po nila [DSWD] ang programa nila dahil malaking tulong siya lalo na sa Parañaque para mabigyan din ng ibang oportunidad ang ibang kabataan na maturuan sila sa pagbabasa,” Venialon said.

Another beneficiary, Zymon Delovino, served both as tutor and youth development worker from 2023 to 2025. Before joining the TBTP, he juggled part-time jobs as a working student, taking whatever opportunities came his way.

The program offered Delovino something rare: meaningful work with a flexible schedule that supported his education rather than competing with it.

“On my personal experience, masasabi ko po na naging masaya and worth it ang lahat. Marami po akong natutunan, specially kung paano po natin tignan ang experience ng iba, kung paano tayo makapagtuturo ng maayos sa mga bata, at higit sa lahat natutunan ko rin po kung paano pahabain ang aking pasensya,” Delovino narrated.

Patience, Delovino explained, is essential when teaching young learners whose attention easily drifts. Through daily interactions, he learned to guide without frustration.

Equally important was the financial support provided through the program’s cash-for-work incentive.

“Dahil po sa Tara Basa Tutoring Program, nabigyan po ako ng oportunidad na masuportahan yung pag-aaral ko. Nag-offer po kasi sila sa akin ng flexible time schedule kung saan hindi po nito maaapektuhan ‘yung pag-aaral ko. At the same time, kumikita po ako ng pera pang suporta sa aking pag-aaral,” Delovino pointed out.

Beyond the income, he gained lasting personal growth—particularly emotional control and self-discipline.

“Tine-treasure ko pa rin po ‘yung mga natutunan ko, at ‘yung mga kahalagahang iniwan sakin ng TBTP,” Delovino emphasized.

The TBTP is more than an educational intervention—it is a bridge connecting families, youth, and communities through the shared goal of literacy.

For the Gimeno family, it strengthened bonds and instilled a culture of learning at home. For tutors like Venialon and Delovino, it opened doors to skills, opportunities, and purpose. (KB)