Saturday, January 05, 2008 Young Muslim lass is Davao youth's ally By Charles Raymodnd A. Maxey
THE new Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president and a member of the 15th Davao City Council, Halila Y. Sudagar, has promised to be the champion of the Davao City youth.
Sudagar is only 15, a Muslim, and is full of hope.
"Age, year-level and religion will not be a boundary in pursuing my willingness to serve my constituents," vows Councilor Sudagar when interviewed by Sun.Star Davao at the SK office Thursday, her first day in office as representative of the youth.
Dressed in pink, Sudagar bared her plans and programs for the youth. Her eyes lit up when the subject matter on the problems of the youth were brought up and even quoted famous lines from former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay and the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, in driving home her point during the interview.
By becoming the SK Federation president, Sudagar knew she has a big responsibility to carry and that huge tasks lie ahead from now on.
When she was elected to succeed April Marie Dayap last month, Sudagar said she has mixed emotions, but said she is up to the challenge.
"I'm grateful to Allah for giving me this honor and opportunity to serve the youth of Davao," said Sudagar, who is from the Kalagan tribe.
As the SK Federation head, the young Sudagar is also the chair of the committee on youth and sports development at the Davao City Council. She sits as member of the Local School Board (LSB).
The first time that she attended her first session of the local lawmaking body, Sudagar immediately made her presence felt when she outlined her plans for the youth during a privilege speech.
"I stand firm and shall be guided by my belief that the key towards sustainable development is people empowerment, and in our case, genuine empowerment of the youth -- it is the surest way. I take it as my indispensable handbook for the whole duration of my term," Sudagar said.
"My term as SF Federation president is apparently long, but this should not lure us to complacency and just witness the passage of time without setting up milestones," she added.
Halila Sudagar is the daughter of Cesar and Merlyn Sudagar of Barangay Waan.
She has a younger brother, 10-year-old Alfadel, and is just in her third year as a high school student at the Fatima de Davao School of Maa.
This young girl is not just articulate. She is an honor student and is a singing and dancing champion in her school. She also is a topnotch in Science and Mathematics.
Halila also loves reading books and listens to pop music.
When asked about sports, she said, "I play basketball."
When asked further about basketball, the young girl has a ready answer: "I root for Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in the PBA and Indiana Pacers in the NBA."
Sudagar said she wants to help the less fortunate people and those who need help, and will exercise her functions to the fullest to realize her goal.
In sports, Sudagar is planning to organize a series of activities this year, including the holding of an inter-barangay basketball, national age-group boxing championships and Mindanao novice swimming competition.
She also plans to stage the Outdoor Sports Festival in May and conduct an SK medical mission and feeding program by June 2008.
Halila advised the youth to "stay out of illegal drugs and avoid engaging in gang wars."
