Rhondell Melendez Paraiso
Location: Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao
Background: Fondly nicknamed "Tatay (Father)" or "Ouchmaker," Rhondell was born December 10, 1975, Roman Catholic, Lumad of Bukidnon (member of the 7 tribes). Rhondell is married to Mary Jean S. Paraiso, blessed with 2 children, sons: Pryncz Leinor (18) and Llyd Naej'ram (15). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a university Professor of Bukidnon State University; Member of Ang Buhing Pulong Community (Sword of the Spirit); Founder/adviser of CDMU ACDV of Bukidnon State University; Team leader of BukSU Accredited Community Disaster Volunteers of Malaybalay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council; Project leader of Capability-building on RRD Among High Risk Barangays in Malaybalay City; Project leader of Save Kent Joseph, Ted Tress Project, and Kabuhayan Para sa may mga Kapansanan; Project leader of Creation of Campus Disaster Control Groups of Bukidnon; DRRM Officer of Bukidnon State University; Team Leader of PMF Cherub volunteers; and Mission Team Leader of PMF Northern Mindanao, Philippines.
Specialty: Visual arts, digital lay-outing, 2D animation, display surface design, MFR/pre-hospital care, community organizing, youth mobilization
Philosophy in life: "I can do everything with kindness." Life is easier if we can afford kindness to the least of our brethren. Kindness doesn't cost a lot. I believe that in all our human activities, a kindness planted will bear fruits of assorted kind of goodness. No problem that cannot be solved if you are kind to yourself, to those whom you work with, to those who created it and to those who will be recipients to it. Kindness is Love. Love is God.
"It is better to build a strong youth than to repair broken men." I believe that the world can be better if we will raise our children well. In the world where family and marriage is no longer viewed as sacred, it is a challenged for us to keep every child's growing years healthy within the family. We don't have to worry about children who are on the streets, who are into drugs and pre-marital sex and who are committing crimes. For if parents are always present in the formative years of the child, the child will possess the Filipino values namely love, respect, family belongingness and freedom. When this young generation takes on their role in nation building, we will have leaders who are responsible and God-fearing.