Press Release
June 2, 2008

GORDON REUNITES FAMILY AFTER 30-YEAR SEPARATION

Philippine National Red Cross Chairman and CEO Senator Richard Gordon, recently reunited a mother with her three children - after 30 years of being separated.

Mrs. Adelaida Bicar could not find the words to express her happiness and gratitude when she was finally able to hug and kiss her long lost children, who by now are adults themselves. Adelaida wept and her children wept along with her, but this time the tears were out of joy instead of loss and longing.

It's not common knowledge that the Philippine National Red Cross helps reunite families separated by tragedy, disaster and life circumstances, and yet so many broken families in the Philippines have been made whole thanks to the Tracing Service Program of the PNRC.

Adelaida was working as a housemaid in Tacloban thirty years ago when she became a young mother to eldest daughter Jocelyn and her two brothers, Rogelio and Arnel. Due to a family problem, Adelaida was separated from the siblings while they were still very young.

Through the years, Adelaida desperately searched for her children but efforts by a radio station, a TV network and the DSWD did not bear fruit.

Then Jocelyn, who is already married and is now Mrs. Jocelyn Bicar Casas, with the help of her husband approached the PNRC-National Headquarters to ask for help in tracing their mother Adelaida Bicar.

Following a standing directive from Gordon, PNRC-NHQ immediately took action. The case was instantly referred to Red Cross Samar Chapter for tracing assistance.

PNRC Western Samar initiated a search. The Chapter coordinated with its networks in the Municipal Welfare Office and the different local barangays. Project 143 volunteers, at the barangay level, were instantly mobilized.

Adelaida was traced to a remote barangay in Basay, Samar, one hundred kilometers away from the Chapter on the first week of May 2008 by Mr. Androk Artetche, a Project 143 volunteer in Basay, Samar .

Adelaida was then visited by Mrs. Azucena Flor, a detailed staff of PNRC Western Samar Chapter, and told about her missing children who were looking for her. After that, the family was finally reunited at the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila .

"Truly, the family is the building block of society and nowhere is this more true than in the Philippines, where strong, intimate and long-lasting family ties are the bedrock of our culture.

"When Filipino families are broken, Filipino family members lose hope, dignity and the capacity to dream and build on those dreams. It's like a wound that refuses to heal, and will only attain closure through reunification.

"Thus, it is our goal to reunite and integrate family members who have been separated due to disasters, armed conflicts or insurgencies, migrations, and difficult situations. In doing so, we also ensure the strength, hope and progress of our nation," Gordon said

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