“I used to let my children be, thinking they were just kids. But when I saw the tragedies happening to children, especially girls, I knew they needed to be protected.”
This realization changed how Gilbert, 49, saw his role as a father. He once believed childhood was a time of innocence—free from worry or danger. But after seeing the risks children face in his community, he knew he had to act.
Gilbert lives in Navotas City with his wife, four children, and in-laws. He makes a living through house maintenance jobs, often hired by neighbors to fix what’s broken. When work is scarce, he helps run their small snack stall selling sweets and shakes in front of their house.
Beyond this day-to-day hustle is a deeply committed father who is learning, unlearning, and doing all he can to protect his daughters from the harsh realities of the world. His growing sense of responsibility has been shaped by his journey with Save the Children.
As his daughter, Anna* (not her real name), 13, entered adolescence, Gilbert became more aware of the dangers girls face: early pregnancy, gender-based violence, and sexual abuse. In Metro Manila, adolescent pregnancy remains high, with the Philippine Statistics Authority recording 3,135 live births among girls aged 15 and below in 2022—a 35% increase from the previous year. Nationally, 17.5% of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from a partner.
These figures pushed Gilbert to take action to create a safer home for his children.
Gilbert, 49, a father from Navotas, shows the items and snacks his family sells in front of their home to help meet their daily needs. Amos Jonah Ramos/ Save the Children
Gilbert’s family is a participant of Save the Children's “Power Up Girls (PUG),” a program that aims to protect girls from early pregnancy and forced marriages or unions. After joining house-to-house learning sessions about positive parenting and how to better protect children, especially girls, Gilbert became more aware of his role as a father and is now actively advocating for girls’ rights.
Through the conversation sessions guided by a volunteer-facilitator, Gilbert and his family learned more about each other, improved how they communicate with one another, and grew closer. They became more open in discussing topics related to puberty, relationships, and the dangers of sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy. He emphasized the importance of having these conversations at home as he believes that open communication helps their children better understand how to protect themselves.
Since then, he has made it a point to talk to Anna and his other daughter openly, cautioning them about setting boundaries, relationships, and the importance of protecting themselves. “I constantly remind my daughters to take care of their bodies. Not to let others touch them easily,” said Gilbert.
He also calls on parents to learn how to protect their children from abuse and encourages his sons to be part of the solution, “I just want other parents to learn how to protect their own children, too. Like me—I also have sons, and I teach them how to protect each other from sexual and physical abuse.”
Gilbert said he credits Save the Children for opening his eyes to conversations he once believed were unnecessary for young children. Now, he’s not only advocating within his own household but also taking part in broader community efforts. Determined to make a difference, he encourages other parents, whether in PUG sessions or in informal conversations, to protect children, especially girls, by keeping communication open at home.
For Gilbert, protecting his children goes beyond setting rules, it’s about giving them the tools and confidence to protect themselves, and to pass on that knowledge to others.
“My only dream is for them to finish their studies. And someday, to be able to share their experiences—that this is what their father taught them: to protect themselves. I hope they can also share that with other people,” he said.