HOLIDAY
MESSAGE
 My
fellow Soroptimists,
I thank you most profoundly for the support
and cooperation you have extended to me as
your governor these past 18 months. I
could not have asked for more. Despite the
difficulties that came our way, as well
as the many horrible disasters that hit the
country, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng and the
horrific Maguindanao carnage, our accomplishments
have been unprecedented.
Our UN Day was
a smashing success; our first Soroptimist
tour to Boracay was absolutely fantastic.
Three clubs were chartered in November, SI
Boracay in West Visayas, SI Zaragoza in West
Central Luzon and SI San Ildefonso in Bulacan
North. Remarkable indeed. The
Christmas events were likewise well attended
and enjoyed. Six
districts joined the caroling competition
with Metro Manila Northwest District Choir
besting them all; the Fashion Show featuring
the young and the young at heart, (all models
were Soroptimists) revealed the fashion sense
of our elegant Soroptimists. Congratulations
to international designer Cora Manimbo, a
Soroptimist of SI Founder Manila, who managed
the show.
The Dream Raffle
was also a terrific
success despite the economic debacle of the
year. President Teresita Alfonso
of SI San Jose, Nueva Ecija won the coveted
Toyota Vios grand prize.
A complete list of other winners will be
released shortly.
Turning serious
this time, the Human Rights Day forum at
the Club Filipino on December 10 was the
best we ever had. Our speakers were handpicked;
Atty. Ana Cristal, a women's rights advocate
and Professor Danton Remoto of the Ateneo,
spokesperson of "Ang Ladlad" elicited
humour amid the otherwise grim reality of
human rights in the country. PS Supt. Franklin
Bucayo, head of the Human Rights Directorate
of the Philippine National Police, gave us
statistics on the seemingly obscure effots
of the PNP in the defense of Human Rights,
and Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros Baraquiel
of Akbayan partylist giving us an insight
into the work of Congress with regard the
recently declared martial rule in Maguindanao. Former
Commissioner Gertie Tirona of the National
Commission on the Role of Filipino Women,
DD Amar Torres and Atty Claire Padilla were
great reactors. Once more, let me say, "How
could I have done it without all of you?"
Reflecting
on the gospel of last Sunday, the third of
Advent, we are advised not to dwell
on past
miseries that came our way. Let us rejoice
as God is always with us. How do we
prepare for the Messiah's coming? St. John
the Baptist wrote, "Help your neighbor
and be faithful to your mission".
The season
of Christmas is upon us, and as the year
2009 comes to a close, let us keep in mind
our mission of improving the lives of women
and girls who are not as blessed as we are.
As Soroptimists, let us be true to our pledge, "the
sincerity of friendship, the joy of achievement,
the integrity of profession, the dignity
of service etc.
etc."
I wish you all
a very joyous Holiday with family and friends,
and a more bountiful New Year, in peace,
prosperity and goodwill.
Most sincerely,
Carmen A. Flor
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