SIPR CELEBRATES UNITED NATIONS DAY

Soroptimist International Philippines Region (A Foundation) Inc. (SIPR) celebrated
United Nations Day on October 23, 2008 with a panel of distinguished speakers who
shared their insights on peace, cooperation and mutual understanding affecting the
nations of the world today. The theme of the celebration was Helping Communities Build Their Dreams.

With almost 200 Soroptimists in attendance at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, the afternoon program opened with a message from Soroptimist International of the
Americas Federation Director Dulce I. Gozon, followed by the Message of the UN
Secretary General read by Eden P. Garde, Program Manager of the UN Habitat.

SIPR Governor Carmen A. Flor spoke on the topic The United Nations and Soroptimist. The other speakers were: Ligaya Domingo of Human Trafficking (UN Program Focus-Human Trafficking); Rosalinda V. Tirona, former Ambassador to Thailand and current President of Pamantasan ng Pasig (Role of Education in Community Building); and Catherine Ebert-Gray, Counselor, US Embassy (Partnership of the US and Philippine Governments). PDD Bing R. Grande, current Chairperson of Soroptimist STOP Trafficking and Website committees, gave a synthesis of the presentations and led the attendees in a Pledge to Stand Up Against Poverty and Trafficking. SOLT Chairperson Cely Ng gave the Closing Remarks.

The second part of the UN Day celebration was the costumes parade where Nonette Cruz of SI Norzagaray Central, who came dressed as Miss Mongolia, was awarded the title of Miss United Nations, with Jeannie Sandoval of SI Malabon and Epinila Ocampo of SI San Juan winning the titles of Miss SIPR and the Most Authentic Costume, respectively.

The 2008 UN Day Celebration Organizing Committee comprised Chairperson Lizabeth R. Lu, Enriqueta V. Doble, Priscilla Y. Enciso, Rosalinda R. Grande, Fe Amor A. Ilagan, Flerida O. Marcelo, Celestina C. Ng, Clarita Ordonez, Marisol M. Tugade and Ma. Rosario R. Tumaneng.