Thursday, March 30, 2006
Palmes: Mothers credited for life
By Susan Palmes
Barangay S
IN ONE Media Konek forum this month, we have the women leaders from Global Fund, Teodora, Balik Islam and the Executive Director for Mindanao Peace Building Institute (MPBI) of Capitol University.
It was such a gathering. Indeed, coming from diverse background but with common interest.
As they shared with media on relevant issues and concerns, everybody was glued in attention as it covered the usual four "Bs" (balay, baboy, bata ug bana, gidugangan ni Carina Sajonia sa TALIKALA, ikalima nga B, "bogbog").
It was one discussion bordering to everything because economy, politics, including the peace process, as well as, from Dick Palacio, "sanitized women" by the City Hall, etc.
Today I'm going to share to you this MPBI-CU.
The MPBI of Capitol University was launched on August 6, 2005 under the office of Atty. Casimiro Juares, Jr., the University President whose vision is to build a more humane and just society where people live and work together in peace and harmony regardless of faith, race, class and gender.
MPBI Director Noemi Alindogan, Ph.D. added that the institute shall serve as a training ground for teachers in public and private schools, officials of local government units, high school and college students, out of school youth and other sectors of society, for them to understand the root causes and effects of conflicts and instability in Mindanao and how they could possibly contribute to the solutions of such problems.
Their initial plans are to make Capitol University as the center for Inter-Religious Youths not only in Cagayan de Oro City but also in Mindanao.
Hearing the plans made me thank the MPBI of CU with the Juares couple who initiated and who also think that there are still many who do not understand the origin of the conflicts.
Conflicts that seemed have no end and have divided us for centuries, and to think that it is women who head this undertaking, go on Dr. Alindogan; and for the Juares couple, may you find wisdom to continue this undertaking.
I would like also to extend my personal regards to Madame Lauriana Rosales who probably missed Barangay S, from the last TV station I worked. But not anymore, madame, for I have a new home at RMN.
center>* * * * */center>
From that Media Konek forum, also, we discussed the difficult role of a woman in society and in her home.
In society, she has to climb for recognition though it has already undergone a long process where she is now accepted and if we are to ask Myrna Ebalacas, she will say, "arrived na ta parts."
At home, she has still to place in the minds of her housemates, (mora'g PBB) that role at home is more difficult than outside.
One has to prioritize everything from food budgeting, to cleaning, and more importantly the children and the husband. Indeed, a career not registered or accredited by Commission on Higher Education but accredited for life (uy! Mora`g MOR), it is there.
Good today because we have these women-friendly laws especially breast feeding where working women can seek the sanctuary of business establishments who were mandated to allocate space to breastfeed, a little break from the practice, just anywhere though our culture is sensitive in displaying bulkan`g Pinatubo.
Sometimes the babies are "gutom pa", not fully fed kay itago man ug dali-dali sa mama ang iyaha ug mangutana sa kaugalingan, "ipagawas bisan naay tawo o dili?".
Caution also for men; if you see a mother feeding a baby, ignore it, gawas kun ikamatay na gyud nimo ang kauhaw kay namala na kayo ang imong tutunlan kay basin mahangyo ug ingon nga, "totoy ko miss beh." Honestly, don't compete with the babies, tatay.
For comments and suggestions susanpalmes@lycos.com or 09208512384 or sunstar_cdo@yahoo.com
(March 30, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
