We held our monthly Women’s Kapihan last March 8th, appropriately International Women’s Day, on the 2014 Women’s Month Celebration theme, “Babaye, ang Kalig-on Mo, Kalamboan sa Tanan.”
Lawyer Noemi Abarrientos led our panelists of Cebu Women’s Network (CWN) members, including chairperson Thelma Chiong; board members Madrileña dela Cerna, retired policewoman Mayet de Egurola and Elsa Basanez; retired policewoman Chuchi Romagos, Lorna Carteciano, and Legal Alternatives for Women Center, Inc director Lolet Aliño.
Interestingly, we learned that our CWN Chairperson Thelma Chiong and secretary Portia Dacalos, as well as Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, and the late Purita “Babes” Sanchez, were among the 16 women who, as Cebuano Trailblazers, espoused social causes and women leaders who pushed for authentic development and social reforms.
This year’s celebration of Women’s Month “pays tribute to the strong and resilient women who brought inspiring changes here in the country and across the globe amidst the natural calamities, socio-economic and political upheavals that shook the country last year.’’ According to the Philippine Commission on Women, one of the objectives of this year’s celebration is “to recognize women’s resiliency, strength and contributions to progress.”
The talking points in another lively Kapihan last week included: How women contributed to the recovery and rehabilitation process after the recent calamities and political upheavals; how effective women are in holding top government positions; despite our women’s role in shaping history, why women are still “sex-stereotyped”; how women’s role in the country changed through the years; and whether women are still considered the weaker sex?
The lively talkfest opened with one of the panelists humourously saying that in the country, our women have moved on from their early 6 “B” concerns with balay, baboy, banig, bata, basura, and bana to more modern concerns with our increasing number of professional women.
In Cebu print media reports last Wednesday regarding the celebration of International Women’s Month, especially cited was Fellow Zonta Club of Cebu 1, Banker Maria Teresa “Tess” Beltran-Chan who was elected 1st female president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). She will be sworn into office on Tuesday, March 18th. Congratulations, Tess. We are very proud of you!
Various Cebu universities, colleges and institutions have held Women’s Day or Month programs in their institutions in joining this year’s observation of International Women’s Month.
Meanwhile, we of our Zonta Club of Cebu I are holding our monthly General Membership meeting at the Cebu Country Club on Thursday, March 20th next week. We have been informed that in addition to business matters scheduled for consideration, there will be an interactive seminar lecture by fellow Zontian Mila Espina.
March this year is turning out to be even busier in this hot season of Lent, with year-ending classes and graduations, and summer jobs available for qualified students made available by the Department of Education and City Hall to aid students financially for the next academic season or year, especially that 11 Central Visayas educational institutions have just been granted permission to raise their tuition fees. And bus operators are seeking permission to raise fare rates.
And now, for other concerns on the current events scene.
Regarding easing the current financial situation, we learn that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 7 has granted a P13 daily cost of living allowance for minimum wage earners effective March 21st.
More on financial matters, this time of taxation which is of current national concern. Yesterday’s Cebu Daily News carried this headlined question, “Do Doctors Pay Little?”, a question I remember already being asked as early as years ago when I was still active in public school teaching, and we teachers worried about the taxes we pay cutting into our then meager salaries.
Though I do remember one doctor I used to consult did issue receipts whenever I paid him for his medical services, God bless him!
Many issues of public concern are currently a matter of “He says, she says, they say.”
Besides daily financial concerns of the average citizen, there is also that of residence, particularly of so called “temporary” residents living on land of contested ownership by private owners or government. And the fires, accidental or so-called “intended” especially plaguing poor residential areas. Also of health concerns with the current threat of “mild” typhoid fever.
And of criminality, the still unresolved Archival ambush slaying. And internationally, of the still unresolved Malaysian Airline disappearance.
In consular affairs, Cebu-born Tamsin Booth, United Kingdom’s honorary consul in Cebu City, is coordinating British aid response in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda. She looks after British citizens in the Visayas. She replaces her mother, ex-honorary consul Moya Jackson who came to Cebu in the 1960s and retired last year after 25 years of service to the British Embassy. She is retiring in England.
So very much more of public concern this week will hold for next week’s Bystander-ing. Until then, as always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!
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