Jollibee Family Values Awards: Doing more for others who have less

He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002. To prevent cancer cells from spreading, an open surgery had to be performed. On the eve of the medical procedure, he followed his doctor’s advice: He didn’t eat or drink anything. But he smoked.

“I could last a day — even two days — without food. But I couldn’t stand an hour without puffing a cig,” says radio broadcaster Emer Rojas.

And so, on what could have been his death bed, Emer lit up his last stick.

Edward Rojas, youngest son of Emer Rojas, dances with persons with disabilities.

“Having throat cancer didn’t stop me from smoking. I just couldn’t find the courage and the will to kick the habit back then,” relates Emer, who started smoking when he was 17.

Emer’s vocal cords were removed in 2002. The surgery was a success, but it made him literally speechless and left more than 300 stitches on his neck — indelible marks of his nicotine addiction.

“That’s when I vowed not to smoke ever again. I’m just so thankful to God for giving me a new lease on life. Not all stage 4 cancer patients would survive the ordeal,” shares Emer who now talks and sounds like a robot.  He uses an electrolarynx, an electronic speech aid, to be able to talk again.

The love and support he got from his wife Voleta and children sustained him during his darkest hour.

Life after cancer

Emer was at the peak of his career (as an electrical engineer, entrepreneur, and radio broadcaster) when he was afflicted with the killer disease, which left him speech impaired.

“Boses ang puhunan ng isang radio broadcaster. So paano na yung trabaho ko? I was so worried about my children’s future. Our bank accounts had been wiped out because the treatments and medicines were expensive,” laments Emer. He was in remission for two years, but had a recurrence in 2004.

The Big C awakened the Rojas family to the realization that the only one who could save Emer was God. Since then, the family has devoted their time to thanking God by helping people and saving lives through their various advocacies focused on spirituality, anti-smoking, and helping PWDs improve their lives through livelihood training.

Emer and wife Voleta plan and develop strategies to address the spiritual, health, and economic needs not only of the speech-impaired but also PWDs in general. Their children — Aika, Einstein, Edward, and Elaine — are equally active in their parents’ advocacy. Aika, 29, an eloquent speaker, acts as a host during speaking engagements; Eins, 24, a multimedia professional, provides background technical support during forums, as well as maintains the social media platforms used by his parents to reach out to the PWD organizations, while Edward has a small bakery and shares his products with PWDs during events.

In 2007, Emer founded the New Vois Association of the Philippines, a cancer prevention, PWD and tobacco-control advocacy group based in the Philippines. Its major activity is esophaegeal speech training wherein laryngectomees or speech-impaired PWDS are taught how to speak again despite the absence of their vocal cords.

Empowering persons with disabilities

The Rojas family has also been involved in advocating for the PWDs’ right to work by giving them livelihood opportunities.

Emer initiated the economic empowerment program for PWDs and anchored it on Executive Order 417, which mandates that government must purchase 10 percent of their procurement needs from PWDs whenever available.

Several capacity-building activities — seminars, technical training, and basic business management training — were conducted to help prepare the PWDs for the road ahead. But training and skills are not enough for the PWDs to start a livelihood activity. They also need startup capital and equipment.

“Through collaboration with government agencies such as DSWD and TESDA and non-government organizations such as the Rotary, we were able to provide 10 high-speed sewing machines to five PWD organizations in barangays Old Balara,  Manresa, Capri, Payatas, and Pasong Tamo in QC,” shares Emer.

These sewing machines are used by more than 100 PWDs and/or parents of children with disabilities for sewing bedsheets, pillow cases, eco bags and rags, which may be sold to national agencies, such as DOH hospitals, and to the QC government.

“Since the target market of their products is the government, the PWDs are assured of sustainable market and thus increase their chances of improving their social situation,” enthuses Emer.

Aside from helping PWDs with their livelihood, the Rojas family also initiates medical missions to help the underprivileged pay for their medical needs.

Give and you shall receive

The Rojas family’s noteworthy advocacies — that made a significant impact on the lives of their fellowmen — rightfully deserve the recognition that Jollibee bestowed on them at the 5th Jollibee Family Values Awards held recently at the PICC.

The Rojas family is one of six exemplary families chosen by Jollibee who epitomize esteemed Filipino values that serve as a motivation for others through their great deeds. The other awardees are: the Domulot family of Zambales, whose work focuses on uplifting the lives and solidifying the Aeta tribes; the Tiosan family of Rizal, dedicated to the employment and self-sufficiency of the blind; the Mabuay family of Misamis Oriental, seeking peaceful ways to inculcate unity between the Christian and Muslim faiths; and the Peña family of Cavite, empowering people with autism. The Gange family of San Jose, California was awarded the Jollibee-Coca-Cola Global Pinoy Family of the Year for advocating music literacy among the Filipino youth.

“These families — that exemplify the values that we hold dear to this day — form a strong foundation for the country that helps build a better nation. They serve as shining example for others,” remarks Jollibee Philippines president Joseph Tan Buntiong.

The six exemplary families received P300,000 in cash, a trophy designed by sculptor Michael Cacnio, and P10,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates.

“I’m so glad that Jollibee recognizes families who give their time and effort in helping others. My family is just a representative of the many faceless and selfless people who want to help change other people’s lives for the better,” says Emer Rojas.

With the Jollibee Family Values Awards, more and more families will definitely be inspired to do more for others who have less.