CRIS EVERT LATO-
RUFFOLO
When I was in college, I was focused about one thing: to graduate and leave the university.
My mother got pregnant at 18 so when I reached that age, people looked at me expecting to commit the same “mistake” that my mother did. After all, I had a boyfriend, too, that time.
But what the pesky, gossip girls in our neighborhood did not know was that I was not keen on repeating history.
It was, to use the cliché, “not my cup of tea.”
I wanted to make history myself.
In my quest to write my own story, my college classmate Vianney Yap and I saw a paper posted outside what was then the Humanities Division of the University of the Philippines Cebu.
It was an invitation from the Banilad Study Center (BSC) to attend a Saturday talk.
We attended the talk and met other ladies from different universities.
It was from my attendance in many BSC activities that I learned that the center is a project of Kalinangan Youth Foundation, Inc. (KALFI).
Exploring the center including reading posters and materials, I learned that it was established in 1982, with the aim of helping women “rediscover the true Christian values of womanhood, femininity, and work done well in a spirit of service to the Filipino society.”
The center is located right beside the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Archbishop Reyes Avenue in Cebu City.
I was an active center visitor on my third and fourth year in the university.
But thesis, graduation and work happened so I stopped going in 2007.
In 2012, I went back inside the premises of this serene compound to teach Chinese Language and Culture Appreciation to the students of Banilad Center for Professional Development (BCPD). BCPD is only a about 10 to 15 steps away from BSC but I was always in a hurry in 2012 as I juggled three jobs so I did not make time to visit the center.
Last February, a familiar face approached me during a storytelling session.
Miss Jovy Tan asked me if could speak about “Influencing Public Opinion” to college ladies who are part of the KALFI Lead program.
She told me that KALFI LEAD is a program that enhances the leadership skills of the ladies by making them involved in year-round activities and mentoring.
I felt that I experienced that during my time in the center even if I was not technically part of the program.
On November 11, 11 years after I last set foot in the center, there I was inside the same center that taught me how to dress with dignity, how to speak calmly and how to live out my Christian values.
Inside the center, I met Dr. Tinsay Cañete again.
I was intimidated to approach her during my college days.
But there I was talking to her about the need to develop values over knowledge and skills in this age of fake news and post truths.
Doc Tinsay told me that for the KALFI Lead program they usually take the top 10 percent of incoming grade 11, who intends to finish a four-year KALFI LEAD program.
Ladies from St. Theresa’s College Cebu, Ateneo de Cebu, Sacred Heart School for Girls – Hijas de Jesus, Colegio de la Inmaculada – Cebu, Philippine Science High school Argao, and Cebu City National Science High School have joined the program.
As I shared about the importance of knowing your audience and being passionate about your advocacy and beliefs to influence public opinion, I felt a sense of belongingness in the room.
It was a fun, engaging discussion. It was a joy and comfort to spend time and share what I learned over the years to my fellow women.
Dr. Carlene Relampagos was still there.
I met Mary Ann Flores of BCPD in the center again.
I remember Ma’am Elizabeth “Beth” Lopez, who was my source when I was a business reporter for CDN.
Jackie Ponteres, Carmel Balcos and Chinky Castro were around to answer my questions during my college years.
In my college years, there were so many activities and organizations that I wanted to be rid of.
I realized last Sunday that the Banilad Study Center is not one of them.
Not now that I am 32. I will be back for sure.