BAGUIO CITY – Four ladies in the fields of education, tourism and financial literacy were honored as Outstanding Women Leaders (OWLs) during the Kababaihan festival program held at the PFVR gymnasium last Friday.
With the theme, “We make change work for women,” and subtheme,”Responsive Women; Effecting Change in Governance and Community Development,” city officials led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Congressman Mark Go, guest speaker for the occasion Elvira Echauz-Angara, city councilors and other women groups lauded the chosen women leaders.
Rosalila Anglid Ocyaden and Brenda Malecdan Carino are public school teachers who devote resources, time and effort to better students’ lives, parents’ and the community. Ocyaden heads the San Vicente High School with programs Oplan Students at risk of Dropping out (SARDO), and Oplan Students at risk of Failures dealing with students’ academic problems, and one that deals with educational assistance for elementary pupils. She prioritizes women and girls in her programs.
Carino, is principal of the thousand-strong Baguio City National High School (BCNHS), and member- Board Secretary of the City National Association of Public Secondary School Heads (NAPSSHI). An active scoutmaster and wife of an Episcopalian priest, she is deeply involved in programs for the empowerment of women, both in scouting and in the church.
Raquel Fausto Verzosa, a business woman in the world of tourism teaches marketing, communications, customer service and people skills to improve employment opportunity, which she shared to 120 2018 Typhoon Ompong landslide survivors. Together with family members, she is a staunch supporter of programs for those suffering from depression and mental illness, and serves as adviser, moderator and caregiver to turn negativity into positive awareness and understanding.
In the field of financial literacy, Dinah Rizalino Dumayas excels in encouraging individuals re-evaluate spending habits and consider financial savings. Among her clients in the city, are street sweepers, miners and persons with disabilities. Her success in insurance and financial investments enables her to share through medical, dental and outreaches since 1997, which as a nurse she oversees. She is also responsible for building churches in Baguio including the 7th Day Adventist in Bokawkan, with scholarships for indigent primary and secondary students.
As event speaker, Baguio girl Elvira Echauz-Angara reminisced younger days in the city with her own mother journalist Nora Linda “Baboo” Mondonedo. She also spoke of the multi-roles of women which challenges them to be strong, and at the same time, “soft but powerful.”
Mayor Domogan spoke about changes initiated by women which improves standards of living for the whole family, and the community. Some jobs and roles are better accomplished by women, he added.
Congressman Mark Go noted about benefits extended to women as caring mothers and home keepers.
As for other Women’s month activities, the One-billion Rising Dance routine was performed at Malcolm Square Friday afternoon, with a dinner honoring the women leaders later in the evening.
Other Kababaihan festival activities are K-lite radio discussions every Wednesday at 8-9AM with City Information Officer Gaby Keith; Adolescent health and teen pregnancy by Population officer Rowena Rabanes on March 13; Life Skills by Baguio City Youth officer Marlene de Castro on March 20; and Entrepreneurship by Mila Costales, on March 27
For other topics, City Information Officer Dexter See also hosts at program at RPN-DZBS at 5:30 PM, on March 12, Women in the Security Industry by Jennifer Mejia.Other schedules shall be announced at a later date.
An interaction with women Persons Deprived of Liberty is scheduled on March 13, as with a forum for women Persons With Disability (PWD), and women with cancer on March 26.
A Health forum for Pantawid Pamilya Mothers, healthy lifestyle education for adolescents, women mentoring follows on different dates; as with practical skills trainings and livelihood programs in coordination with different agencies.
Barangay women’s socio-cultural contests up to the city level happen during the month, with culminating program on March 27.
Trainings for livelihood in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) are also being done, while free pap-smear, breast examination and pre-natal check-up at the district centers are being conducted for the whole month.
By: Julie G. Fianza
