The Donceras family: Who are they?
Why rely on a monkey bridge?
Was building the bridge a good decision?
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Do you recognize this scene from a TV commercial? This is not fiction.
Based on actual footage. Do not attempt. The scene was done with safety precautions.
This is based on the story of a family whose father and kids endure crossing this unsteady monkey bridge to get to school and, eventually, to a brighter future.
“Based on actual footage. Do not attempt. The scene was done with safety precautions.
THE DONCERAS FAMILY: WHO ARE THEY?
Allow us to show you how they triumph life’s daily challenges with sheer strength of will (tibay ng loob) that encompasses the true strength of a Filipino (tibay ng Pinoy).
That’s because their home is totally separated from the rest of their town by the Madlum River and the only cable that connects them to the other side is a monkey bridge.
Why rely on a monkey bridge?
Because the Madlum River turns into a deadly course that must not be crossed on rainy days.
What pushed Tatay Adrian to build the monkey bridge?
It was the need to keep his family safe from the river’s unpredictable high tides and unmanageable strong currents that they saw the bridge as a better option than rafting.
HEIGHT
LENGTH
The monkey bridge was built in year 2000. Though it appears to be a perilous pair of cables to cross, to the Donceras family, it served as the only path that can take them home whenever the river is impassable.
But the cables, 27 meters in height and 25 meters in length, later on served a greater purpose. To Tatay Adrian’s sons, the monkey bridge became their bridge to education.
Tatay Adrian and his wife, Nanay Cecille, were at first not keen about letting their children cross the bridge. But then, they decided to strengthen their hearts and face the risks head on because they cannot let the situation impede their children’s way to success.
How did he build the bridge?
With the aid of five other relatives and friends, and of cables, pliers, and rocks, and his unwavering strength of will (tibay ng loob), Tatay Adrian built the bridge that helped connect them to the rest of Sitio Madlum.
Was it all worth it?
It was the fact that their children's future weighs heavier than their fears that Tatay Adrian and Nanay Cecille had the strength of will (tibay ng loob) to let their young ones cross the bridge.
Had they not taken the risk, their children would never have experienced receiving recognition such as being the "Best in Character" and the "Most Industrious" in class, and the little ones would never have enjoyed the opportunity to bring home swimming medals, just as how they do now.
“Ang nagpapatibay po ng loob namin ay sina mama at papa. Gusto po namin makapagtapos ng pag-aaral para po makatulong kami sa kanila.”
“Susuportahan ko kung ano yung gusto ng mga anak ko. Kasi mahirap kung ang magulang ang may ambisyon at hindi yung mga anak. Baka hindi nila pagsikapan kung hindi nila gusto yung kurso.”
“Ipag-iipon namin sila para maitaguyod namin yung pag-aaral nila. Sa paggugulay namin, pinag-iipunan yung para sa kinabukasan nila, para makatapos sila at makakuha sila ng magandang trabaho. Hanggang makatapos sila, nandun pa din yung suporta namin para sa kanila.”
The Donceras family is a living testament that embodies the true strength of a Filipino (tibay ng Pinoy). Because they have the strength of will (tibay ng loob) to face reality as it is, they are able to bring out the best in one another: the parents draw motivation to work harder from their children and the children persevere for a better future because of their parents.
This is what it means to be a truly strong Filipino family.
