City officials recently congratulated and commended the Bal-iyang family of barangay Gibraltar for being recognized and awarded as Natatanging Pamilyang Pilipino of the city and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and 3rd runner-up in the national level.
In a resolution authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, local legislators stated that the city government extends its pride and honor in the recognition bestowed on the family of Lambert Bal-iyang, Sr. and Brenda Bal-iyang as an exemplary Filipino family for living out the goals of the government who have stable, comfortable and peaceful life demonstrated through resilience, courage and strength in the face of hardship.
Spouses Lambert and Brenda Bal-iyang are considered to be exceptional couples who started to raise a family at an early age of 17. Despite being adolescent parents, both did not neglect their studies and responsibilities to their parents.
The difficulties of managing the household and raising a child did not hinder the couple from pursuing their studies. Determined and now with three children, the Bal-iyang couple were able to graduate and earn college degrees. Brenda has a degree in education while Lambert has a degree in political science.
The couple were able to successfully raise nine children in a disciplined yet loving family atmosphere namely, Lambert, Jr., Jefferson, Jennifer, John Michael, Jessica, Jupet, Jeanette, Jasmin Grace and Justine. Eight of them are now professionals and gainfully employed while the youngest is still in his last years in college. The Bal-iyang children are nurses, teachers just like their mother Brenda, business owners and a dentist. All the children participate in the decision-making and are given responsibilities, including household chores.
With hard work and perseverance, the Bal-iyang couple was able to build their own house that also serves as home for students from other places who seek for a temporary place to stay while studying in the various higher education institutions in the city. Their door is always open for spiritual enrichment through Bible readings.
Lambert, Sr. is presently a barangay kagawad while his wife Brenda is now a retired teacher who left the service in December 2022. Despite their official and professional roles, the Bal-iyang couple went beyond their call of duties as they are fully immersed in community service, attend, lead and participate in countless academic, community, church, socio-civic, socio-cultural, sports and even scouting activities
Brenda’s community service was even extended to Kapangan, Benguet through the ‘Alis Kuko, Pukis Guwapo’ and feeding program in coordination and with support from a socio-civic group. The family is also part of the group Malasakit iti Kailyan which sponsors medical, dental, optical services, feeding and gift giving.
In 2012, Brenda was awarded as one of the city’s Outstanding Women Leaders for her advocacy in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and is a finalist in Metrobank’s Search for Outstanding Teachers. She was also recognized as the Most Outstanding Master Teacher in the elementary level at Rizal Elementary School. Lambert is very active in community service.
The Bal-iyang family was adjudged as the city’s Natatanging Pamilyang Pilipino and carried the same to the regional level before placing 3rd runner-up in the national level.
