Celebrating Women

March is a month dedicated to recognize women and to advocate for gender equality. For this year, the theme chosen by the Philippine Commission on Women is “Agenda ni Juana tungo sa Kaunlaran.” I have the privilege of being surrounded by women- my wife Minda and five daughters. In our “macho” culture we tend to forget what female energy does to us. It makes us reflect, nurture and give life to others. This is a month especially dedicated to cultivating this feminine energy and recognizing the important role of women in society. Our own country’s history is replete with the stories of many strong and brave women who gave life to others. Permit me to mention some of them here. Most well known among them is Gabriela Silang, the fearless Ilocana warrior who led an uprising against a foreign power. Then there is the Mother of the Revolution, the famous Tandang Sora or Melchora Aquino. And of course, there is the name we often associate with the Girls Scouts of the Philippines. Josefa Llanes Escoda, who aided prisoners of war and stranded women and children during the Japanese period.

Let us not forget, too, our present-day heroines like our very first Nobel Peace Prize awardee Maria Ressa, staunch advocate for freedom of speech and democracy, and the now famous story of Patricia Non, the first to take a step to establish community pantries at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Women give life and nurture life. They are effective and powerful leaders who become agents of change. And this is what we recognize and celebrate this month.

TRIVIA:

Belated birthday greetings to Bro. Johnny Las who celebrated his birthday last Tuesday, March 8. He is the owner-proprietor of the Pamplona Rural Bank and together with this writer we were once active members of the Knights of Columbus, Council 7995 based at our Lady of Penafrancia Parish.

Congratulations and greetings to Fr. Eugene Lubigan who commemorated his 19th Sacertodal Anniversary, also last Tuesday, March 8.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“WOMEN BELONG IN ALL PLACES WHERE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE” - RUTH BADER GINSBURG

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“AND SHE PONDERED ALL THESE THINGS IN HER HEART” -LUKE 2:19