Jhoven G. Obelidon: Caregiver

“Care” and “giver” are two very positive words. Merged as “caregiver”, the term almost tugs at your heart when it is used.

To be a caregiver, one must be blessed with extraordinary kindness and compassion, patience and flexibility, industry and strength of character. One must have these virtues because it may not always be easy to tend to other peoples’ needs especially if they are gravely ill, physically dependent or emotionally distraught.

At Anawim Lay Missions Foundation, those who are men of faith view caregiving as an opportunity to profess their love for God and for others. At Anawim, 55 abandoned elderly plus a number of orphans, and physically and mentally handicapped individuals are cared for by volunteers like Jhoven G.Obelidon.

Jhoven completed a two-year Nursing Aid course in Montalban and has been a stay-in caregiver at Anawim since July 2007. Jhoven works on 24-hour shifts in tandem with another volunteer at the elderly male dormitory room. His responsibilities include ensuring that all of his wards (1) take in their prescribed medications and vitamins, (2)get ample exercise if they are not disabled, (3) maintain a good level of hygiene, and (4) live in orderly and comfortable quarters, among others.

(Among Jhoven’s wards is Lolo Jose Vallarta, 97 years old. Lolo Jose is a native of Nueva Ecija province and used to work for the Department of Public Works. He also fought as a guerilla during World War II. He still walks around with an upright posture and he can tour you around the Anawim grounds!)

Jhoven shares that the Anawim staff help each other to provide the best possible service to the elderly. It saddens the staff, however, that these elderly have already been abandoned, and that friends and relatives rarely come to visit their wards. Donations are also sent to Anawim only occasionally.

Thank you, Jhoven, for the respect and reverence you accord the elderly: those who have wisdom, those who have taught us, those who have cared for us when we were young.

I hope Jhoven’s thoughts and actions inspire us to really, always care and give!


Anawim Lay Missions Foundation houses the abandoned elderly at Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal. Check out their website for a detailed map and contact numbers.