Many of those who attended the event were surprised at the unexpected drama, flair and substance of the Unsung Women Heroes Awards Program, launched by the Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region (A Foundation) Inc. (SIPR), on April 16, 2009 at the Abelardo Hall, College of Music, University of the Philippines, Diliman. A brainchild of SIPR Governor Carmen A. Flor, the program is billed as the signature program of Soroptimist designed to recognize women who, with great fervor and little fanfare, have made it their life’s work to uplift the well-being of other women and girls in their communities.

Photo shows the Awards Committee (seated L-R: Lorna C. Silverio, Awards Chairperson; Carmen Araneta Flor, SIPR Governor; Leticia C. Yap, Program Chairperson) with Unsung Women Heroes awardees (standing L-R: Belinda G. Adora, Mary Joy E. Barcelona, Alma G. Bulawan, Filipinas A. Buenarte, Desiree B. Duran, Jo Ann G. De Larrazabal, Lucia A. Lopez, Herminia C. Mañez, Norma R. Pereyras, Ma. Veronica G. San Juan, Editha C. Santiago and Cecilia G. Seckler

The first batch of 12 Awardees was selected from a diverse group of women from local communities served by Soroptimist clubs. Some of the Awardees were visibly moved; others were emotional, speechless and tried hard to hold back tears; but all said they were truly humbled to be so honored for work they considered to be their duty towards their fellowmen. These women engaged in laudable projects that improved the lives of women and girls despite the scarcity of resources and challenging conditions. All of them have stories to tell – of poverty and discrimination, of love and passion - and how they selflessly and quietly worked at the grassroots level or with disadvantaged sectors of society, to uplift, inspire and empower other women.

UNSUNG WOMEN HEROES AWARDEES 2009 (L-R): Belinda G. Adora, Mary Joy E. Barcelona, Filipinas A. Buenarte, Alma G. Bulawan, Desiree B. Duran, Jo Ann G. de Larrazabal, Lucila A. Lopez, Herminia C. Mañez, Norma R. Pereyras, Ma. Veronica G. San Juan, Editha C. Santiago, Cecilia G. Seckle

Congresswoman Lorna C. Silverio, Awards Committee Chairperson, is a great believer in giving awards to deserving people. She says it is a great motivator to encourage greater participation in societal endeavors. Thus, through the Unsung Women Heroes Awards, Soroptimist seeks not only to promote its work but also to trigger a ripple effect of social awareness and goodwill and, in the process, enlarge the scope and impact of Soroptimist in local communities. In so doing, Soroptimist hopes to inspire other women to pursue similar paths of leadership, commitment and creativity to make this world a better place for all.

Here are the personal stories of the first batch of awardees:

Belinda G. Adora

Belinda is the Undefeated National Dancesports Champion; Gold Medalist at the 23rd Southeast Asian Games; and current Champion of the Starball Pro-Am Competition.

Belinda has been dancing since she was a little girl. She comes from a poor family and literally pulled herself up from the ground through dancing.

Dancing allows Belinda the ultimate freedom of expression as she lives, breathes and dreams about dancing. This enthusiasm has now been translated into a more meaningful passion. Since 2005, Belinda has been teaching dancing to street children aged 7 to 13 from her poor neighborhood in Antipolo. Starting with just three couples, the class has now grown to 50 award-winning children who share Belinda’s excitement about dancing.

This is Belinda’s way of giving back the talent and blessings she has been so richly bestowed so that others may experience the heartwarming delight of dancing. Belinda believes that, like her, channeling their time and energy into dancing will provide the way out of poverty for these children, transforming their lives and ultimately ensuring their future success.

Mary Joy E. Barcelona

Dreaming of hitting it big as a dancer, Mary Joy used fake documents to travel to Japan, where her passport was confiscated upon arrival and she was immediately put to work in a club. A victim of sexual trafficking, life in Japan turned out to be a nightmare. She was lucky to be able to return home as soon as her contract was finished.

But the stigma of having been a “Japayuki” hounded Mary Joy long after her return. She also suffered financial and other personal misfortunes.

Mary Joy’s life slowly changed when she joined DAWN, the Development Action for Women Network, where she learned about her rights as a woman and where she availed of skills training, workshops and seminars. Her transformation strengthened her resolve to go back to school and, in 2006, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Management from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Mary Joy is now the Coordinator of DAWN’s Alternative Livelihood Program. She is active in Teatro Akebeno and even directed a musical play depicting the hardships of Filipino entertainers in Japan.

For Mary Joy, the image of the “Japayuki” is now a thing of the past. Today she helps other women who went through the same experiences and hopes to inspire them to be triumphant survivors of life.

Alma G. Bulawan

Alma is a survivor who changed her life and now helps women in prostitution in the Olongapo-Subic area change theirs. Alma dreams of a different future for these women through education, social and livelihood alternatives that do not lock them into lives of sexual and economic exploitation.
Alma is a founding member of Buklod ng Kababaihan ng Olongapo, a drop-in center for women in prostitution. Speaking at international fora, Alma has brought the plight of the prostituted women to the attention of the world – women who need social services, educational opportunities and a decent livelihood for a future with dignity.

Alma has actively campaigned for the passage of the Anti-Prostitution Ordinance in Olongapo City and launched an Anti-Pimping project. Leading Buklod’s 165 members, Alma seeks to rehabilitate and reintegrate survivors of prostitution back into society. Today, they run a thriving laundry business, manufacture bags out of recycled materials and operate a Botika ng Bayan. Alma truly believes that sexual exploitation and discrimination will end if there is unity among the victims and if there is support for individuals and organizations that promote the interests of women and their children.

Filipinas A. Buenarte

For Filipinas, poverty is not a hindrance in realizing one’s dreams. The daughter of a farmer, she pursued her dream to obtain a college degree and achieved more. She used a vocational course in computer programming and steno-typing as stepping stones to earn a livelihood and continue her education. With meager resources, she slowly climbed up the academic ladder until she earned a Doctorate Degree in Philosophy in 2006.

Filipinas established her own computer school in Floridablanca, Pampanga - the Megabyte College of Science and Technology - and assumed its presidency in 1998.

When Filipinas reached the peak of her aspirations, the former computer programmer, now College president, retraced her steps to the past and started to share her blessings with others. Filipinas provided scholarship grants to poor and deserving beneficiaries, many of who are now successful in their own careers. At present, she has 12 scholars enrolled in various college and graduate courses. Filipinas also assists communities in Pampanga, including the Project Lingap Matua at Bahay Pag-ibig in San Fernando, Project Lingap Bata in Lubao and Project Lingap Aeta in San Ramon.

The small-town girl who made good inspires women with her success story, truly a role model to be emulated by others who want to pursue their dreams despite obstacles and challenges that come their way.

Desiree B. Duran

From fisballs to “Seedlings Queen”. It all started in 2000 when Desiree, popularly known as Daisy, then a fishball vendor in Barangay Basuit, San Ildefonso, Bulacan attended a seminar on off-season high-value crops conducted by the Department of Agriculture. After the seminar, Desiree planted grafted tomatoes. Call it beginner’s luck, good timing, or divine providence – the yield of Php70,000.00 – was amazing by any standard, motivating Desiree to venture full time into agriculture.

As Desiree planted and reaped rewards, so did her community with whom she shared her new-found livelihood, encouraging over 5,000 farmers and an equal number of wives who worked as vegetable pickers. Together they raised the income and employment levels of San Ildefonso. She not only raised her family’s standard of living but also those of other families in the community. In a true working partnership, Daisy collaborated with the Department of Agriculture which assisted her establish greenhouses, facilitated loans and connected Daisy to the “Bagsakan Centers” in Metro Manila. Desiree now employs several people in her own agriculture company. For her contributions, she was honored by the Provincial Government of Bulacan with the “Natatanging Magsasaka ng Bulacan” award.

Desiree has certainly come a long way from her fisball vending days.

Jo Ann G. de Larrazabal

In 1996, Jo Ann’s interest and passion in natural childbirth and childcare led her to volunteer in Nazareth Home which provides a holistic and rehabilitative care for single pregnant women in dire need of physical and psychological help. She taught single pregnant mothers childbirth education and childcare. Jo Ann also formed Tuesday Volunteers, a group of committed women who share their Tuesday afternoons every week with the pregnant girls. They teach the girls value formation, arts and crafts, livelihood projects and skills training.

Jo Ann found that needy women are not afforded time, space or attention to have a supportive childbirth experience particularly in overcrowded government hospitals where they often receive rough treatment and verbal abuse. This led Jo Ann to initiate the establishment of the Nazareth Home Birthing Room where women can have a decent, safe and caring environment during their delivery.

The road to physical and spiritual recovery begins when these women feel valued and loved. At the Nazareth Home Birthing Room the women feel a positive birthing experience which make them take motherhood more seriously. They tend to become more careful about unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of mothers who bring their babies home instead of putting them up for adoption or in foster care. Since 2006, 64 babies have been delivered in the Nazareth Home Birthing Room.

Lucila A. Lopez

For 14 years, Lucila suffered pain and humiliation from the person who promised to love and care for her but instead battered and abused their children, scarring them for life. His death left a bitter memory of a living hell and shattered dreams.

Despite poverty and her life’s harsh experience, Lucila fought hopelessness and with the known Ifugao courage pursued her goals for justice for the downtrodden and oppressed in society. To do this, she first improved her competency and leadership skills through various training programs, including paralegal training, which equipped her for community work.

As a factory worker, Lucila actively advocates for workers rights and conducts women’s training on gender sensitivity. For the past seven years, Lucila has also been supervising the Tala Day Care Center Asakapabata Program which focuses on “Aralin, Sanayan at Kakayahang Pambata”. Together with the mothers, they solicit school supplies in order to provide free tuition for the children. As the host of a local radio program “Ganito Ngayon” aired over DWSS, Lucila became the voice of women in the community. Hardworking, selfless and determined, Lucila continues to enrich the lives of those around her undeterred by poverty and injustice.

Herminia C. Mañez

For 48 years, Herminia has dedicated herself to educating the youth, mentoring countless officials, professionals and business people in the town of Binangonan, Rizal thus helping them rise to their current positions. She was the guiding light that shaped the minds of generations of youth urging them to use their academic and spiritual training as shield and armor in facing life’s most arduous tasks. Herminia is best remembered by her students as a nurturing person, oftentimes providing scholarships to those who faced financial difficulties.

In her younger years, Herminia dreamed of a religious vocation which was not to be. But her spiritual strength served her well in translating the values of simple living, perseverance and hard work to her personal and professional life. Now retired she finds happiness in projects that serve God’s will. One such activity is the livelihood program that Herminia conducts for the disadvantaged women in her community. She supplies the goods for sale by women in their variety stores, effectively providing them capitalization. This project empowers women who earn a decent living for herself and her family thereby uplifting the entire community.

In 2000, Herminia was awarded as one of the Outstanding Women in the Field of Education by the Municipality of Binangonan; in 1999, the Department of Education awarded her as one of the Outstanding Principals of Rizal Province

Norma R. Pereyras

Volunteerism is second nature to Norma, lovingly called “Normskie” by friends; she is considered an “ultimate” when it comes to service.

Norma is a popular trainer and speaker especially on the topic of cooperatives. She is known for her work in promoting cooperatives in Eastern Mindanao, particularly in Davao del Norte. Norma developed the contents of the Trainer’s Manual on Training Women Leaders Transforming Cooperatives distributed all over Asia. Her work is particularly evident in the awareness and advocacy activities involving 24,900 women members of the Tagum Cooperatives undertaken to enhance relationships with their male counterparts both at home and in the workplace.

An NGO volunteer for 30 years, Norma has been a Gender Advocate for the past 12 years. She conducts training on gender and development and family enrichment among women and girls.

As President of the Davao del Norte Girl Scout Council and Regional Chair of the GSP Eastern Mindanao Region, Norma developed policies and programs for girl scouts of the region to make them dynamic, progressive and proactive citizens.

Those who know Normskie attest to the many lives she has touched. She is best described by a friend as the “ultimate personification of civic virtue”.

Ma. Veronica G. San Juan

There is no looking back for Ma. Veronica who, in 2001, left a flourishing career in banking to help start up a home for the street children of Manila. Today Marivi, as she is fondly called, is a full time volunteer at Tuloy sa Don Bosco Streetchildren Village, playing a key role in ensuring that the children’s basic physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual needs are well provided.

As a Head of House, Marivi is responsible for up to 30 children entrusted to her care, looking after their health needs as well as providing emotional and moral support and spiritual guidance. Marivi takes her responsibilities seriously guiding her wards to become good and responsible adults. Using her experience in finance, Marivi is also responsible for raising funds to meet the costs of, and sustain, the programs and services of Tuloy sa Don Bosco Streetchildren Village.

Marivi’s selfless dedication and sacrifice have given a flickering glimmer of hope and a second chance to many young girls to improve their lives and become useful members of society.

Editha C. Santiago

Her advocacy for a clean and green environment led to a profitable livelihood project for women, motivating Editha to continue and expand her community service.

She organized the barangay women into what is now known as KILUS, or Kababaihan Iisa ang Layunin Umunlad ang Sambayanan. Transforming these women into committed workers was not an easy task. To motivate them and to sustain their interest in the work at hand, Editha organized team building workshops; arranged fellowships; conducted Pap Smear and Breast Exams; held a Walk Against Drugs, and established an Aerobics Club. She demonstrated the value of hard work by pushing carts herself, alongside the women, and picking up trash. Out of recyclable materials, especially the “juice pack”, they produced blinds, carpets, belts, shoes and bags now sold in 15 countries, assuring the women workers a steady income, providing food for their families and enabling them to send their children to school.

Her project has become the national model for eco solution at the barangay level. Through her leadership and determination, Editha made a difference in the lives of the 500 women in her barangay and their families.

Cecilia G. Seckler

“I want to break the cycle of pain” are the words that light the way of Haven’s Home - a refuge for 26 children who have been abandoned, abused, malnourished or living in the streets - established by Cecilia and her husband Philip.
Cecilia was the seventh of 14 siblings born to the Garcias of Magallon, Negros Occidental. After finishing grade 3, she was sent to live with relatives in Silay. Cecilia finished a course in Social Work and, after a brief stint in government, she accepted an offer to care for an 11 month old handicapped boy in America. When the boy was sent to school, Cecilia volunteered to care for the other children in the school. Thus began this heavenly mission.

She returned to the Philippines to attend to her cancer-stricken mother who succumbed to it not long after. Back in the United States she met and married Philip Seckler, a licensed social worker.

Cecilia states, “One day, the Lord opened doors for us to different kinds of children who needed our experienced training and love”. They sold their home and with their joint savings, they started a life in Bacolod. The couple believed as Mother Teresa did that “the hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread”.
Today, the happy, smiling, robust children of Haven’s Home are bustling with love and care not only from Cecilia and Philip but from many others, led by the Kalipay Foundation.

The Secklers are surely the epitome of Mahatma Gandhi’s words: “The greatest lessons in life, if we should but stoop and humble ourselves, we should learn not from grown-up learned men, but from the so-called ignorant child”.

By: Rosalinda R. Grande
Contributor: Lyn Gamboa