WTF: WALK, TALK and FLOCK

Catbalogan City International Women's Day Celebration

By ADOR LEANDA HURTADO
March 12, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  On March 8, 2012 in joint celebration with the global event International Women’s Day, Catbalogan City celebrated the said event with three (3) major activities spearheaded by the City Government of Catbalogan.

Partners, stakeholders and other organizations joined the Fellowship Walk dubbed as “Baraktasay GAD Kita!” along the major streets of the city on the afternoon of March 8. An estimated of nearly 2,000 supporters joined the said walk represented by Barangay Officials and 4Ps beneficiaries of the 57 Barangays of the city; City Employees; National Agencies; the Philippine National Police; the 8th Infantry Division Philippine Army; from the Academe represented by different schools and colleges and from the Samar Division, Department of Education; various religious sector representatives, other women organizations; and different youth organizations, fraternities and other socio-civic groups walked along the streets of Catbalogan as a sign of solidarity to women empowerment.

After the walk, all the participants flocked at the City Plaza to witness the Official Program of the 2012 International Women’s Day Celebration. Women from different sectors gave powerful and inspiring messages of support to the celebration and to the advocacy. In behalf of the government sector, the Provincial Caretaker of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Samar) Engr. Meilou C. Macabare discussed on the important role of women not only in weathering climate change as the theme imply but in the society as a whole.

Ms. Marife Zosa, the representative from the Business Sector gave a lengthy discussion on incorporating a spiritual and moral service not only in doing business but in life in general, while Pastor Lovelle Lapura of the New Life Christian Church discussed on the role of women on a spiritual aspect in our society. As the last speaker, representing the academe, newly-appointed Schools Division Superintendent of the Samar Division, Department of Education (DepEd) Dr. Thelma C. Quitalig gave a message of support to all the women not only in the academe but in the society as a whole.

Ending the official program was a message in behalf of the City Government of Catbalogan, City Councilor and Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee Chair on Women, Children and Family Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan spoke with much conviction and admiration towards all the women who are continuously shaping the society and the world. She expressed her strong dedication towards the empowerment of women, combating climate change, and in creating a more responsive Catbalogan City.

The official program ended with the signing of commitment on the Commitment Pledge Wall of all the sectoral representatives during the event. The program continued on with the second part through the Cultural and Variety Show organized by Waray-Waray Youth Advocates (WARAYA) that catered to the younger population offering various song and dance numbers that elated interests of not only fellow young people but those young at hearts as well.

WARAYA sitting as one of the members of the Local Council on Women, opted to give a fresher and creative take on the advocacy incorporating messages along with music and dance numbers that most interests young people.

At the end of the night, the celebration of the International Women’s Day in Catbalogan City did not only sparked interests but supported a global call towards women empowerment and in celebrating the major role women play not only in child rearing but in nation-building most importantly. Catering a vast portion of the population, the event was indeed a celebration of women and young girls in the global society.

An Kababayin-an an Kusog han aton Kabubuwason!