UPVisayas Gender and Development Program Activities

Articles for Pananaw 2007:
By Ira G. Pahila , UPV GDP

A LECTURE ON DATE RAPE

On February 7, 2007, a week before Valentine’s Day, UPV GDP and the UPHSI Junior Peer Counselors and Student Council in coordination with the Office of Student Affairs, conducted “A Talk on Date Rape”, with former Chancellor Ida M. Siason as resource speaker. This was held at the GCE Building AVR. Senior students from UP High School in Iloilo and First Year BSBA Marketing students taking Soc. Sci. I under Dr. Alice Ferrer, comprised the audience.

Dr. Siason, currently teaching Psychology, presented in PowerPoint her study on “Sexual Aggression in a Dating Context”. She likewise gave advice to her young audience on what to do when dating, solicited different opinions from this small crowd of adolescents on their views regarding dating and sexual aggression, and answered pertinent questions from the high school students in relation to this topic during the open forum.

In behalf of Prof. Florenda Española, Prof. Melanie Padilla delivered the Closing Remarks with more tips for these teens who left the talk with more awareness.


FILIPINO MALE RESPONSIBILITY WORKSHOP CONDUCTED

An all-male core group composed of UP Iloilo faculty members and staff was organized by Prof. Joseph Loot and Prof. Sanley Abila to participate in the “Filipino Male Responsibility Workshop”. This closed-door workshop, attended by nine participants, was held at the UPV GDP conference room on February 8-9, 2007.

Dr. Camillo Naraval, a medical doctor and author of the book “Filipino Men and Domestic Violence”, and Mr. Frederick Mascardo, Program Manager of MR GAD (Men’s Responsibilities in Gender and Development) were invited as Resource Speakers.

The workshop tackled questions on why gender-based violence exists and what can the men do to deal with this concern. Discussions explored gender socialization and masculinity, the role of men in current problems related to STI, Violence Against Women and to the current Family Planning related problems. Workshop participants intend to design programmatic actions for men’s participation in Family Planning and in reducing STI and VAW.

Moreover, these male participants aimed to recognize the problems of women related to VAW, STI, and family size; link their role to the gender and reproductive health problems of women; and articulate their own Reproductive Health needs, as part of their objectives.



WOMEN TALK

Fifty women (from UPV Iloilo City and Miag-ao Campuses) took some time off to listen to their fellow women, share experiences as girlfriends, as wives to their husbands, as mothers to their sons, as sisters to their brothers and as daughters to their fathers, in an afternoon of intimate and informal talk on August 22, 2007 at the Training Room 1 of the GCE Building.
This activity sponsored by the UPV Gender and Development Program was conducted to provide a venue where women from different fields of specialization and expertise can gather to express their varied concerns, gain insights on women’s varied experiences in their relationships with men, and draw out gender issues that arise in these relationships.

Courage, frankness and bits of humor gave color to the stories of each of the five panelists who came. Dr. Rosalie Arcala-Hall related her experiences as a Filipina married to an American, on how she deals, not only with their personal differences but with their cultural differences as well. Dr. Aurora Bautista and Vice Chancellor Diana Aure both recalled their own lives when their husbands were still alive and talked about their present situations now that their spouses are no longer living. Likewise, Prof. Alobba related her own experiences as she used to live with her father and brothers; her life with her husband, and being with her son as he grows up-seeing the differences between father and son, and noting the similarities, as well. Lastly, in a manner fitting for the youth to relate, Ms.Teresa Sudario, shared her own piece of story about her relationship with her boyfriend and male companions.

These women bravely expressed how they struggled and survived the ordeals they have been through, inspiring those who eagerly came to listen, but are expecting some more, if time will allow.

Dr. Rosario Asong served as moderator during these discussions, and Prof. Pablo Española, the only male in the audience, gave honest responses and realizations with touches of a gentleman’s sensitivity, which this group of women truly appreciated.


CALABARZON GAD TEAM CROSS-VISIT
AND BENCHMARKING ACTIVITY

On June 20-22, 2007 the UPV Gender and Development Program and the Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Center of Western Visayas hosted the Cross-visit and Benchmarking activity of the CALABARZON GAD Team. The guests were composed of GAD Focal Persons from the University of Rizal System, Southern Luzon State University, DILG IV-A, Dep Ed IV-A, DOLE IV-A, NEDA Central Office, Quezon Province LGU, Cavite Province LGU, Laguna Province LGU, and some supervisors and principals from Tanay, Rizal.

First Day: June 20
Heritage Tour of Iloilo and Visit to Chameleon Rehabilitation Center

On the morning of the first day of the cross-visit, guests from CALABARZON and a few Ugsad CC members were given a heritage tour of Iloilo, by tour guides from the UPV Center for West Visayan Studies, Prof. Randy Madrid and Ms. Tara Yap. Stopovers were made at some of the most popular historical sites in Iloilo City. The first of these is the “Sinamay House” in Arevalo, where Sinamay cloth is woven and sold, and where tourists usually stop to buy boxes of the delicious “Mama’s Kitchen” homemade cookies.

As they strolled around Arevalo Plaza, the guests were shown the marker made in honor of Sofia Reyes de Veyra, one of the founding members of the Asociacion Feminista Ilonga. The group passed by Mill Hill House which was once the campus of Colegio de Sta. Ana, an exclusive school for girls.

The guests had a taste of some of the famous delicacies of Iloilo, as they were warmly received at the Panaderia de Molo, where Pancit Molo was served, and some of the freshly-baked products like Barquillos and Meringue from their century-old ovens were given for free sampling. Molo Church was next visited, known for the life-sized statues of women saints inside this Gothic-Renaissance edifice.
A quick stop at the Rosendo Mejica Museum and passing tours at Plaza Libertad, Fort San Pedro, Muelle Loney and Calle Real were made.

The house of a popular Ilongga Writer, Magdalena Jalandoni, was also visited. Magdalena Jalandoni belongs to the triumvirate of the greatest Hiligaynon novelists of all time, along with two male writers, Ramon Muzones and Conrado Norada.

The last stop of the Tour is the Museo de Iloilo, where some of Iloilo’s heritage is showcased.

A few steps away from Museo de Iloilo is the Provincial Capitol, where the guests paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Iloilo Province, Hon. Neil D. Tupas, Sr., who sponsored lunch at Tatoy’s Manokan, to give these guests another taste of Ilonggo hospitality, native chicken and fresh seafood.

After lunch, the team proceeded to Brgy Sablogon, Passi to visit the Chameleon Rehabilitation Center for Abused Girls. Its Executive Director, Ms. Azucena Pestaño, received the group, gave an overview of the programs and services of the center, introduced them to the house mothers and other staff, and ushered them around to show the facilities in the center.

Second Day: June 21
Orientation, presentation of best practices and exposure visits to project areas

GDP Core Committee Members and Affiliates, and Ugsad Coordinating Committee Members were able to interact with the CALABARZON GAD Team during the orientation and presentation of best practices by some GAD Focal Persons of Ugsad GRC member agencies.

Vice Chancellor Ma. Luisa Mabunay, of UP Visayas, gave the Welcome Message during the orientation. Dr. Rosario Asong gave an overview about Ugsad: how this Regional GRC was founded (preparatory and implementation stages, and organizational building), and also presented its vision, mission, objectives, services, linkages, strategy framework operations and advocacy activities.

GAD Focal Persons from selected Ugsad member agencies presented their best practices in PowerPoint. For the academe, Dr. Nancy Surmieda of West Visayas State University reported on the operations, services and extension activities of their GAD Office among these are: Establishment of a Drop-in Center, Organizing an ARH- (Adolescent Reproductive Health) Counselor’s Group, conduct of GSTs, gender mainstreaming in the curriculum, Collaboration with Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay (KGPP), Inc. and Gender Advocacy on Air over DYWV, a university radio station of the college of Mass Communications.

Representing NGAs, GAD Focal Persons from POPCOM VI and NEDA VI also gave overviews of the GAD programs of their agencies. Ms. Angie Tanongtanong from POPCOM VI introduced one of their agency’s advocacy work, Counseling on Air, entitled “Tingog Sang Pamatan-on sa Hutik Sang Kagab-ihon” (Voice of the Youth in Night Time Whisper), an Adolescent Youth and Health Development Programme. She presented the programme’s objectives, strategies, actual interventions, key results and lessons learned.

Ms. Cynthia Lumampao presented the efforts and contributions of NEDA VI in GAD Mainstreaming and its development vision. She also reported about resolutions passed by Ugsad to RDC.

The NGO sector was represented by Mr. John Piermont Montilla, CEO of Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay (KGPP), Inc. Mr. Montilla presented KGPP’s vision, mission and projects, a few of these include Life Skills Modular Sessions for MARCY (Most At Risk Children and Youth), Community Referral Mechanisms in focal areas and Strengthening of Mechanism for Access to Voluntary Counseling and ARV treatment for PLWHAs.

After the Orientation, the guests from CALABARZON made a quick visit to the Balay Balay Child Minding Center, one of UPVGDP’s extension projects, and had lunch sponsored by the Iloilo City LGU.
The afternoon was spent on an exposure visit to a project site of Panay Rural Development Center, Inc. in Sitio Ambolong, Janiuay, Iloilo. The group was received by Ms. Ramona Parreñas and founders of community-based and women initiated projects. Ms. Emilia Baranco shared her success story in organic farming.

After dinner sponsored by Rep. Raul Gonzales, Jr., the visiting GAD team proceeded to Muelle Loney for a focus group discussion with a group of street children, who are the clients of KGPP, Inc.

Third Day: June 22
Exposure visits to Miag-ao, Iloilo and Antique Province

On the last day of the visit the guests had a stopover at the Miag-ao Municipal Hall to make a courtesy call on Mayor Gerardo Flores, visited the Miag-ao Church and purchased some Hablon Products.

Antique Province was the last place to be visited. The CALABARZON GAD Team, some Ugsad CC members and the Iloilo Province GAD Team joined Governor Salvacion Perez and the Antique Province GAD Inter-Agency Committee during a luncheon meeting at the Masonic Center in San Jose. Ms. Precy Galuego, the GAD Focal Person of the Province, reported on the GAD Accomplishments of the province. After the meeting, the group went to the Antique Development Center, New Capitol Annex to see its Child Minding Center

From the capitol, the CALABARZON GAD Team were brought to Pandan to visit women basket weavers, while Ugsad CC members together with the Iloilo Province GAD Team went to Hamtic to listen to women members of ASHI (Angon sa Hirap), Inc. share their own success stories.


WOMEN’S MONTH ACTIVITIES:


SYMPOSIUM WITH ATTY. EVALYN URSUA

As one of the activities during the Women’s Month Celebration, UPV GDP, Ugsad GRC and the University of San Agustin Martin de Rada Human Rights Bureau conducted a symposium with the International Theme: “ Womancipation: Ending the Impunity on Violence Against Women”. Atty. Evalyn Ursua, a practicing lawyer and women’s rights advocate, was invited as keynote speaker. This was held on March 14, 2007 at Blanco Hall, University of San Agustin, Iloilo City. Representatives from Ugsad member agencies, Government Agencies, Catholic Women’s League, students from different SUCs, gender advocates and many other interested parties comprised the audience.

PAPS SMEAR SERVICE

Citing the importance of addressing Women’s Reproductive Health needs, UPV Gender and Development Program in cooperation with Ugsad GRC, Iloilo City Population Office and the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), Inc. sponsored a PAP Smear Service. This was conducted on March 21, 2007 at the UPV Clinic, Iloilo City Campus. Thirty clients from UPV and Ugsad member agencies benefited from this service for a minimal fee of 100 pesos. Extra slots were given to women coming from Baranggays near the UPV Iloilo City Campus.

Ms. Razel Cabrera, from FPOP, Inc and Dr. Ma. Cecilia Villaruz, from UPV attended to the clients during the smearing with the assistance of Dr. Chona Parreño, Ms. Joyce Simbajon and Ms. Josette Javellana from the UPV-HSU.

HISTORICO-CULTURAL TOUR OF ILOILO CITY

On March 27, 2007, thirty participants composed of GDP Core Committee Members, Ugsad Coordinating Committee Members and GDP Staff were given the chance to refresh their memories about women’s legacies in local history. As part of the annual International Women’s Month Celebration, this activity commemorates the achievements of several Ilonggas depicted in markers in public places and seen through their literary and socio-civic contributions.

Prof. Melanie Padilla, Director of the UPV Center for West Visayan Studies, and Prof. Randy Madrid, a History Professor, rendered their services as guides for this tour. The UPV school bus became an interactive classroom for this occasion, where participants and guides were actively engaged in historical discussions in relation to the significant stopovers.

Prepared by Prof. Padilla and Prof. Madrid, below is the descriptive itinerary of the historico-cultural tour, which gives a peek into the significance of the places that were visited and the noteworthy roles of Ilonggas associated with it:

v FIRST STOP: SINAMAY HOUSE, Arevalo, Iloilo City. Sinamay weaving in Arevalo is already a four generation family industry started by Gabriela Abaha in 1800s and passed on to her daughter and grand daughter, Maria Chavez and Rosario Gison. At present, the industry is managed by Gison's daughter, Cecilia Villanueva.

v SECOND STOP: AREVALO PLAZA. A historical marker in honor of Sofia Reyes de Veyra, one of the pioneers of the women's movement in Iloilo can be found at the heart of Arevalo plaza.

v THIRD STOP: MILL HILL HOUSE, Molo, Iloilo City. On this site once stood the famous Colegio de Sta. Ana, an exclusive school for girls founded by Jovita Avancena in 1875. The school produced Pura Villanueva Kalaw and Sofia Reyes de Veyra, pioneers of the women's movement in Iloilo. For this legacy, the name Maestra Vita will always be remembered in history as one of the pioneer educators in Western Visayas.

v FOURTH STOP: PANADERIA DE MOLO, Molo, Iloilo City. Founded by Jason spinsters: Marciana, Soledad, and Natividad in 1899, Panaderia de Molo is one of the oldest bakery in the Visayas and Mindanao. It was inherited by their niece, Luisa Jason Sanson, who in turn passed the family business to her children and grandchildren. At present, it is managed by Christine G. Trenas.

v FIFTH STOP: MOLO CHURCH. A Gothic-Renaissance Church built by a secular priest, Molo Church is very historic for having been visited by Dr. Jose Rizal in 1896. It is also known as “All Women Church” for its 16 life-sized statues of women saints symmetrically arranged in interfacing columns. Biblical scenes patterned after the works of Gustav Dore adorn the ceiling and walls. The artwork was executed by Dioscoro Respal, a young student of Instituto de Molo, with the financial backing of his wealthy patrons – the Salas brothers of Molo.

v SIXTH STOP: ROSENDO MEJICA'S HOUSE. Rosendo Mejica's “Ang Makinaugalingon” newspaper is considered the first vernacular daily in Western Visayas. After Rosendo's death, the management of the firm was passed on to his daughter, Eulogia Mejica. Together with her sister Ramona, they founded a rondalla group named Kabugwason (Morning Star) in Molo in 1958.

v SEVENTH STOP: ILOILO CHINESE TEMPLE. The temple houses a Buddhist version of the Virgin Mary, one of the most revered deities by Chinese inhabitants of the city.

v Passing Maria Clara monument (near Iznart-Rizal junction)

v Passing PLAZA LIBERTAD. The historic Plaza Libertad is where the formal surrender of the Spaniards to Ilonggo revolutionaries took place on December 25, 1898. Dauncey Campbell, a foreign visitor to Iloilo City in the 19th century praised the plaza for its thickly canopied trees that resemble an alameda.

v EIGHT STOP: FORT SAN PEDRO AREA. Fort San Pedro area once served as fortification of Iloilo City from Moro, Dutch and British attacks. Women weavers crowded inside the fortified town during the 18th and 19th century textile boom. It became an American garrison in 1901 and 1902. Shelled and destroyed by American forces during the Liberation of Panay in 1945.

v Passing J.M. Basa Street for a sneak view of arcade buildings of neo-classic and Art-Deco vintage.

v Passing Jaro old houses along E. Lopez Street:

Ø Nelly Garden – the site was originally owned by Patrocinio Gamboa, a patriot in the revolution. It was bought by the Lopezes from her at P1.00 per square meter.

Ø Montinola Antillan House – one of the two surviving Antillan houses in the Phillippines.

Ø Colegio de San Jose – considered as the oldest existing school for girls (now co-education) in Iloilo.

v NINTH STOP: MAGDALENA JALANDONI'S HOUSE. Located at Comision Civil Street, Magdalena Jalandoni's house is a museum which showcases her personality as a writer and her penchant to collect things that represent Ilonggo history and culture, particularly that of her birthplace, Jaro. She belongs to the triumvirate of the greatest Hiligaynon novelists of all time—Ramon Muzones and Conrado Norada. Her works include the autobiographical Juanita Cruz and the very popular Ang Dalaga sa Tindahan.

v Jaro Plaza Stroll

v View of Lopez Jaena monument and marker

v View of Patrocinio Gamboa's marker. Patrocinio Gamboa was a patriot in the Philippine revolution for her bravery in bringing the flag and the saber from Jaro to Sta. Barbara in time of the Declaration of the Revolutionary Government of the Visayas on November 17, 1898. She was also a weaving entrepreneur and represented Iloilo in the Philippine Exposition in Manila in 1892.

v TENTH STOP: JARO CATHEDRAL. The patroness of Jaro is Our Lady of Candles (Candelaria), whose feast is celebrated every 2nd of February. Surprisingly, the patroness of the Archdiocese of Jaro is also a woman- saint – St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

v View of the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Candles

v End of Tour.


UGSAD EXPOSURE TRIP TO CEBU AND TACLOBAN

Nineteen participants composed of representatives of the Ugsad coordinating committee member agencies from the academe, government agencies, non-government organization and local government units visited Cebu on March 29, 2007 and Tacloban on March 30, 2007 to conduct GAD-related business meetings and exposure trips with their counterpart agencies and other organizations/institutions actively advocating gender and development.

This activity was conducted to allow these representatives to share best practices, updates, reports and future plans; to be informed about and be exposed to new learning experiences, which they could utilize in the GAD programs of their respective agencies/institutions and which Ugsad as a Gender Resource Center can also make use of; and to establish more linkages, networks and partners in areas outside Region VI.


First Day: Cebu

The business meeting in Cebu took place at the Interactive Learning Center Audio Visual Room of the UP Cebu College. Ugsad CC Members were able to interact with Prof. Rhodora Bucoy, Prof. Portia Dacalos and Ms. Annie Manzano of UP Cebu; and Ms. Emma Melane of DENR VII and Ms. Elsa Basañez of DA RFU VII.

Prof. Rhodora Bucoy of UP Cebu presented in PowerPoint the GAD accomplishments of UP Cebu College and Sidlak GRC. Ms. Emma Melane of DENR VII also presented in PowerPoint GAD mainstreaming reports of DENR VII.

The exposure trip around Cebu covered the DPWH VII office where the Regional Sub Committee on Gender and Anti Trafficking and Violence was having an assessment and planning meeting; followed by a visit to the DILG VII office, where the LGRC VII (Local Governance Resource Center) members were having an MSAC (Multi Stakeholders Advisory Council) meeting. The office of the Lihok Filipina Foundation, Inc. in Pobres Park was the next stop. Bantay Banay coordinator, Cabrera, and PCUP’s (Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor) coordinator for Cebu City both gave overviews of the programs and services of their organizations.

Ugsad CC members were then welcomed at the Cebu Provincial Capitol by the staff of the Provincial Women’s Commission under the Office of the Governor. The secretariat of the PWC is the Legal Alternatives for Women Center (LAW), Inc. In October 2002, Cebu’s former Governor, Hon. Pablo P. Garcia, designated the PWC as the GAD Focal Point of Cebu Province composed of a Technical Working Group and a secretariat, and is “tasked to catalyze, coordinate, provide direction, monitor and serve as technical adviser for program/projects on women/gender and development concerns”. Decks of memorabilia cards, “Suboanang Tag-una”, featuring Cebuana trailblazers in different fields, were given to the Ugsad coordinating committee members for their agencies.
The last two stops during the exposure trip in Cebu were: the DA VII four-star Day Care Center and the DENR VII five-star Day Care Center.

Second Day: Tacloban

At the start of the second day of the exposure visit, a business meeting was held at the UP Tacloban CAS Conference Room. Prof. Florenda Española explained that these guests-participants from Ugsad GRC would like to be aware of the GAD-related activities and programs being implemented in Tacloban, which could serve as model systems in UPV-GDP’s and Ugsad’ s advocacies.

Ugsad Coordinating Committee Members were received by Prof. Querima Jopson, Director of the UP Cebu College Gender and Development Office; Prof. Jocelyn Cañas, Coordinator of Kadayao GRC; Ms. Evangeline Paran, Regional Director of NSCB VIII and chairperson of the RGADC; and Ms. Emma Sanopo, Assistant Regional Director of NEDA VIII.

Ms. Emma Sanopo, of NEDA VIII presented in power point the GAD mainstreaming in Eastern Visayas. The fruits of their GAD mainstreaming include: an operational Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) and a network of advocates. She said that the RGADC Technical Working Group is headed by the following members: Prof. Jocelyn Cañas, representing the academe, is the Chairperson and Ms. Evangeline Paran, representing the National Government, is the Co-Chair. NEDA VIII serves as the secretariat. RGADC is also composed of the following: the UP-GAD Resource Center, Government Agencies, a Trainor’s Pool, and other Technical Working Groups in-charge of GRP Module Development, GR Monitoring, Women’s Month activities, etc. Their fund sources are: the RDC, the GTZ, World Bank-Logofind (with LGU counterparts), UNFPA and the Provincial Government of Leyte.

After lunch, the group went to visit the Municipality of Kapookan, a fourth-class municipality with 21 baranggays. Kapookan is a one-hour ride by bus from Tacloban (going towards Ormoc). Upon arriving at the Municipal Hall, the group was warmly received by the Mayor of Kapookan, Hon. Marietta H. Pociuncula, one of the Women Achievers Awardee during the Women’s Month Celebration in Tacloban.

Mayor Porciuncula then went with the group towards the Culasian Women’s Home Garden, a hunger mitigation project, where thirty-two women pioneer members are involved in organic farming. Vegetables harvested from this 500 square meter garden are for their home consumption. They also breed animals like hogs, and are also into other livelihood projects like mat weaving. Those involved in this project also receive Gender Sensitivity Trainings and VAWC seminars. Women basket weavers at a nearby baranggay were also visited.

The exposure-visit ended leaving the hosts with more knowledge shared by the guests, and the latter returned to Iloilo loaded with many insights and useful information learned from this two-day experience.







Selebrasyon kay Pasalamat marks observance of Women’s Month at UPV
(By Lyncen M. Fernandez, UPV IPO)

The fight continues.

“There is still the lingering disregard, disadvantage and discrimination of women,” says Dr. Ma. Luisa Mabunay at the “Selebrasyon kag Pasalamat” an International Women’s Day Program at UP in the Visayas on March 8, 2007. The UPV Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension, speaking in behalf of Chancellor Glenn Aguilar.

“More recently, gender equality has become an international development goal- for men and women alike. Not is it a goal in its own right; gender equality is also important for related problems such as reducing poverty and hunger, ensuring education for all, reducing child mortality, promoting maternal health and provision for reproductive services, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and ensuring environmental sustainability,” she emphasized.

Women achievers of Panay were honored in a power point presentation called “Our Story: Glimpses on Women’s Lives in Panay.” This was put together by Rosario Asong, PhD, Prof. Tita Torio, and Ma. Luisa Mabunay, PhD with the assistance of Ira G. Pahila, Cecilia J. Villareal and Prof. Florenda Española.

The presentation points to the Babaylan as the predecessor of the women’s rights movement. It is one of the institutions in indigenous to pre-colonial Philippines who was the central figure in the field of culture, religion, medicine and all theoretical knowledge related to natural phenomena. One Babaylan is Estrella Bangotbanwa who was said, could summon heavy rains for a parched earth by loosening her hair from its knot and by raising her hand. She was a rite initiator to ensure favorable weather or a bountiful harvest and was dubbed “Tagsagod kang Kalibutan” (Caretaker of the world). Other noted figures were Babaylanes Monica Gapon and Agustina Hiticon who resisted marauders who invaded Panay in 1580 to 1590.

Teresa Magbanua or Nay Isa of Pototan, Iloilo earned the title of “Generala” for her outstanding military feats and bravery and carved a name in the battlefields of Pilar, Capiz and Sara, Iloilo. She later on joined the guerilla movement up to the Japanese occupation. There was also Lucia Hisole, wife of Martin Delgado who shared his hard and dangerous life in the hills and even hid her husband in her saya while the American soldiers looked for him. Capitana Francisca Cabañas of Cabatuan sheltered and fed the soldiers and assisted her town mates and the revolutionaries. She was later tortured at the age of 66 by means of water cure by American soldiers.

The presentation also featured the founding officers and members of the Asociacion Feminista Ilonga and with Purita Villanueva as President and Natividad B. de Araneta as Vice President.

Iloilo was considered as a seedbed of feminism because two of the leading figures of the feminist movement were from here. They are Pura Villanueva Kalaw of Molo and Sofia Reyes de Veyra of Arevalo who collaborated in the campaign for Women’s suffrage. Before World War II, some women were already elected to office. One of these local women politicians is Mrs. Encarnacion Geroche of Pavia, Iloilo.

The Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941 and their subsequent occupation brought the best and the worst of times for our women. Many Filipino men and women joined the war as nurses, couriers and fighters. Coronacion Chiva, alias “Kumander Waling Waling” was a guerilla fighter in Central Panay. But women were also victimized. They became Japanese sex slaves. More than a hundred Filipinas were identified as comfort women including 10 from Iloilo. Rosa Henson, already a grandmother, was as the first one to courageously make her story public. Later, four of the ten Ilonggas also made their stories public. It is estimated that more than 100,000 women in Asia were forced to become comfort women or sex slaves during World War II.

Ilongga women who were pioneers of their time in fields once solely dominated by men were also honored in the presentation.
In the field of law, they are: Simplicia Magahum Offemaria, Atty. Amelia del Rosario and Rosario Salas-Doromal.
In politics and governance, Sen. Nikki Coseteng, Rep. Gloria Tabiana, Gov. Sally Perez , Trinidad Trono Gestosani, Sen. Miriam Santiago and Constitutional Commission delegate Lourdes Solidum Trono.
In literature, Magdalena Jalandoni, Zenaida French, Preciosa Cataluña, Genevieve Asenjo and Alice Tan-Gonzales
In music and performing arts, Sicilienne and Farida Kabayao, Daisy Hontiveros Javellana, Josefa Villanueva and Jovita Fuentes.
For trade and industry, Rosario Lopez, Maria Ford and Dawn Jamandre.
In the field of Science, Dr. Josette Biyo, Carmela Española and Dr. Sonia Seville.
In the world of sports, Inocencia Solis and Nora Deslate.
Women who have promoted indigenous art and culture are Shirley Sombrador and Preciosa Caballero.

The history of UPV’s advocacy for the welfare and well-being of women and children started in June 1989 when the UPV Women’s Desk was created. Eight years later, the UP Board of Regents approved its institutionalization on April 17, 1997 and was elevated as the UPV Gender and Development Program. GDP is primarily responsible for the establishment of UGSAD that serves as its Regional Resource Center. In addition, GDP has also founded the Balay Balay Child Minding Center, helped organized the National Network on Women in Fisheries in the Philippines, Inc. and assisted in establishing the UPV Anti Sexual Harassment Office.

But the highlight of the program is the presence of a group of women from Leon. Three were the featured speakers; two of them were ex-NPA commanders while one was a victim and survivor of domestic violence. They bravely told their story.

Kumander Soraya

Neonita Capirayan is a tiny, diminutive woman with an easy smile. None would have thought that she was formerly Kumander Soraya. She wanted to be a nun because she wanted to help people in the mountains who she said “cannot distinguish the big letter A from the small letter a.” But her free spirit lead her to be an activist in the movement back in 1978 instead of the cloistered domain of the nunnery. She was captured and detained in 1981. School was on her mind after her release but realized that people she could come in contact with would also be under surveillance and under suspicion. “They might be victimized because of me.”

Against the looming possibility that she might be “salvaged” anytime by the military, she philosophized that her life is precious so she might as well die fighting. The only last thing left to resolve before fully joining the movement was whether she was capable of taking a life or not. But the rampant and unchecked violation of human rights at the height of the Marcos dictatorship was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Kumander Soraya said that women have more freedom in the movement. They are allowed to court the men. They act as instructor, courier, radio operator and psychologists for their war shocked and, displaying her sense of humor, love-shocked comrades. She said getting married was one of the toughest things that they face in the movement. A fellow member of the movement who was also from Leon became her husband. She bore five children two of which were born in the mountain unaided by medical service.

The second toughest thing was motherhood especially getting separated from one’s children. But in the end, this became the tougher of the two because she said that it was much easier not to see her husband than not to see her children. But being separated from their wives is tougher for the men according to her.

It was the strong maternal instinct that led to her capture. In the beginning she tried to make it possible for her and her kids to be together but security reasons forced her to leave them with friends or relatives sympathetic to the cause. Despite being warned of the danger, the threat of discipline and the threat of death, she visited her children. One visit was all that it took to capture her. This was turning point in her life. Upon her release she told her comrades that she would not go back to the mountain because she wanted to raise her children.

The leaders of the movement failed to see how strong a mother’s love could be. Forbidding mothers to visit their children caused a rift in the organization that led to the splintering of the group revealed Nang Nita. This was one main reason why many left the movement.

“I can stare at death in the face and not be afraid but I cannot bear the thought that my children will grow up to be irresponsible members of society because I was not there to raise them,” she emphasized.

Nang Nita said that if in the past, full participation in the movement in Leon was a 100%. Today only about 10% are left. Many returnees or ex-combatants have worked with UPV under the United Nations peace and development program.

“We [ex-combatants] told ourselves that we have been trough war but maybe it’s time to have an alternative solution to achieve peace and development that we so greatly desire,” she stated.

“In joining mainstream society, the threats and dangers in our lives are far from over. Both the military and our former comrades are monitoring our movements – where we go, who we visit. We could be misinterpreted. The military probably need more convincing if we have really left the movement,” said dispassionately.

“We told ourselves that if we are given the chance to talk with them, sit down in a dialogue maybe we will begin to have an understanding of one another. We want to tell tem what we have been doing since we left the movement. But if they take our life,” she added fatalistically, “then there is nothing we can do. What is really inside of us, in our thoughts and in our hearts, is our Creator,” were her parting words.

Kumander Mylene/Commander Irene

In contrast, Remia Cabualan has a tough stance and demeanor. She also joined the movement as a student activist in 1982 because, she said, of the rampant human rights violation of the military. Her relatives were recruiting her to fully join the movement but continued with her studies. In 1984, her uncle died during a military raid in their barangay and her father was picked up, who, she said doesn’t know anything about the movement.

Hatred and revenge against the military were what pushed her fully join the movement. She said taking the legal course of action was an exercise in futility because of their poverty and ignorance. And the military, she added, took advantage of this situation in Leon, counting on the fear and ignorance of the people as they violate human rights.

Joining the movement, she was counseled not to let her personal feelings and interest get in the way of carrying out her duty. From 1984 to 1990, she was deployed in Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cebu and Samar where in she saw more human rights violation.

“It was extremely painful to see our fellow Filipinos being treated like that. Such atrocities have left many children orphans. They wander in place where they do not know anyone and grew up at the mercies of strangers,” she recalled with pain still marking her narrative. “I am grateful that in the 8 years that I have joined the movement, I am still alive. My desire to help people, my family, I can now do without fear and apprehension, being back in the mainstream.”

Like Kumander Soraya, she also struggled with the dilemma of taking a life. This was put to test at one point when her groups captured an intelligence agent. She was ordered to shoot with a 45 caliber. But not once did she take a life in the eight years that she was with the movement she said. She married a fellow comrade in 1992 who was also from Leon and now has six children. In the same year that she got married she had a conflict with her commanding officer. She said she had questions that cannot be answered there were misunderstanding. These were what made her decide to come down from the mountains.

Pressures from family, her pregnancy and the future of her unborn child were what gave her impetus to surrender. “I don’t want my children to experience what I have gone through.”

Marina Caadlawon

Nang Marina started to recall her survival from domestic violence by breaking down and crying in front of her audience. Her life is also tied up with the life of the first two women because her husband was also a member of the movement and was killed. From her narrative, it appeared that she has not even seen the body but was only told of his demise.

Nang Marina said that her first husband whom she bore six children was a good man and father. It was when she married her second that her descent into the hell started. The second husband was a drinker and a womanizer. She gets beaten up everyday when he comes home dead drunk from his drinking spree. Then she gets beaten up even if he was not drunk.

The saddest thing about Nang Marina’s account was that she gets beaten up because her husband’s other woman gets jealous of her and would urge her own husband to beat her up. Furthermore, also beats up her children.

She has reported the many instances of her beating at to the Barangay Captain of their place but this does not seem to faze her husband. Even the Barangay Captain and officials have admonished him to stop the beating to no avail. Her case was brought to the municipality of Leon and the husband signed a document to the effect that he will not beat her up anymore but the intention remained on paper only. The violence continued.

A kindhearted soul advised her to go to the Hall of Justice where she had her husband entered in a police blotter. They were called to appear and the husband was warned to change his ways or face imprisonment. Like a bad recurring nightmare, even a threat from the Hall of Justice fell on deaf ears.

The last incident happened after a fiesta when he came home drunk again and beat her up. She came back to the Hall of Justice to file a case against him: Grave Threat by Distress. The warrant for her husband’s arrest was issued on January 29, 2007. He is now imprisoned in Pototan awaiting his trial. With self-deprecating humor, Nang Miranda said that in her barangay she is being touted as the mad woman who had her own husband imprisoned. But she said that she doesn’t her children and herself to be beaten up again. Her travail is far from over. She has heard that her husband vowed to cut her to pieces once he is out.

She thanked GAD for giving her legal assistance and all the other women who helped her. She said that if not for her children, she would have ended her life a long time ago.

Yes, the fight for the welfare and well-being of women and children continues. May the story of these women be an inspiration to build a better world for them.