MODERN day women speak up for their rights breaking the norm taught by Christ's disciples during the early Christian church era.
Paul’s letter in 1 Corinthians 14:34 said, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak...” Women have stepped up, having asserted gender equality and prove themselves that what men can do, they can, sometimes better.
That is what the Women's Month of March stands for and what the International Women's Day celebration on March 8 means.
During the presentation of the Mutya ng Dabaw candidates to the media at the rooftop of the Davao City Hall last Thursday, the 29 ladies vying for the Mutya ng Dabaw crown spoke of their advocacies should they be chosen as the Ambassadress of the City.
Some said they will be defending President Rodrigo Duterte from his detractors to convince them to come and live in Davao first, know the roots of Dabawenyos and the things he has done when he was still the mayor of the city before hurling negative comments on his leadership and his person.
The search for Hiyas ng Calinan participated in by 12 candidates also served as the highlight of the 80th Araw ng Dabaw in Calinan District.
The candidates wooed the people and the judges to choose them to be their district's ambassadress. The event was supported by SunStar SuperBalita, which rallied SuperBalita readers to vote for their bets for the Readers Choice Award.
The Readers' Choice winner is Jalica Binaning. SunStar Superbalita editor-in-chief Alger Dura awarded the bouquet, photo frame, and a gift certificate. Jasmin Abayon, proprietor of Spin n' Spray Salon and Spa along Roman Diaz Streetin Calinan, was also picked as an awardee for the Face of the Night who received P10,000 worth of services.
Abayon said it is her contribution to boost the chosen candidate's confidence.
Still on Women's Day, Point Blue, a group of Mass Communication students of the Ateneo of Davao University, held “Miss Heard: Redefining the Modern Day Miss” at the SM City Davao last Wednesday, March 8 with Virgilind Villanueva-Palarca, Mary Catherine Binag, and lawyer Geraldine Tiu, who shared their life stories.
Palarca admitted she went through a phase when she questioned God, but soon found her purpose. Binag said there was a time when she felt God was unfair to her but the hardships she experienced made her strong. Tiu said integrity is so important such that one's life principles must not be compromised.