As part of the celebration of International Women’s Day, I would like to allot an hour today to think of and write about the amazing women that I had the fortunate opportunity to be with, come across with, or work with:

My mom Emma – I am blessed that she is my mom. She is calm, soft-spoken, kind, and hardworking. She raised me and my 7 other siblings well. Despite my late dad being far away from home all throughout our childhood and teenage years. with short visits in two years or so, (he was an OFW) we still became close to our dad somehow, and she never made us feel unsupported or incomplete. She never pressured us in our academics and endeavors, but she was and is always present, always supporting us with love. (I have a separate blog entry mentioning how she woke up early and cooked Lucky Me pancit canton (calamansi flavor) and hard-boiled egg for my breakfast on the day I took the UPCAT.) ^_^

My late lola, Gavina – My lola, whom I’ve also written in a previous separate blog entry, is hardworking and practical. She made us learn the value of helping around the house since we were young, and doing tasks diligently. She was a very good cook, preparing sumptuous meals and native snacks in our traditional kitchen in Albay. She dressed simply and remained beautiful with her petite frame and kayumanggi skin.

My Ate (older sister), Lorilyn – She’s very intelligent and resilient. She helped me stand on my own feet after a personal crisis years ago. She has lived in different continents, while building a beautiful family and is raising three lovely kids.

My kindergarten teacher, Ms. Mameng Alvarado – My kindergarten experience was so fun because of her non-traditional teaching methods. We played around her house, which was also our classroom venue, included napping time as part of the day, and used the caldero covers as cymbals to signal recess time.

My first grade teacher, Ms. Rebecca Alvarado – Ma’am Alvarado was soft spoken and kind. She encouraged us to learn. I don’t recall feeling anxious at all during her classes.

My high school teacher, Ms. Elsa Dino – She has a sharp tongue, uttering candid comments and my classmates and I loved her for it. Since she taught practical home skills like sewing pajamas, embroidering cloth, crocheting, and mending torn clothes, we did something different in her classroom than our usual lectures. She also loved to tell us stories and would say amusing comments on our work.

My dear friend and high school buddy, Dr. Jennifer Bibon-Catubay – Jen is a medical doctor by profession. She is now working in a hospital in Albay after several years in Manila. She built a clinic in our hometown in Bacacay, Albay where clients are received warmly and for a small fee (in many cases none, only a donation). Aside from being a dedicated doctor, she is a loving daughter, a caring friend, a high-energy companion in get-togethers. She supports advocacies that benefit the community. We had plans (we still do) of doing community activities in Albay related to literacy, environment, health, and many others. Although we currently cannot find time to do those plans, we certainly will find a way, in the future. 😉

My college Prof., Ms. Dough Ancheta – She was a ball of energy in the classroom. I would listen to her lecture and be enthralled by language and literature concepts. Her passion for teaching shone in all our classes. She brings sunshine to the classroom through her stories, antics, and energetic analysis of literary selections.

My MA Professor in UP, Dr. Celia Bulan – Beauty, Intelligence, Elegance. These are what Dr. Bulan embody every time she’s in front of the classroom. Whenever she discussed something in class so articulately, without reading from a book or from her notes, I felt so amazed by her. She is also spiritual and until now, I still receive messages from her that warm the heart and uplift my spirit.

My Thesis Adviser in UP, Dr. Belen Calingacion – Dr. Calingacion was very supportive during my thesis writing days. That time, I was an MA student, but I was also managing three (3) jobs. She gave me time during evenings and weekends to consult on my thesis. She even offered that I stay with her so that I will have a quiet, spacious place to write in the evenings undisturbed. I didn’t take her offer that time, but she did not give up in encouraging me and guiding to finally accomplish my research. Dr. Belen is a long-time professor in the University of the Philippines and is an accomplished scholar and theatre performer. She is an epitome of a confident, intelligent, and lovely lady.

My friend and former co-teacher, Grace Untal – Grace and I have been through many things that young career women facing many life responsibilities have. We taught in the same university for several years before she moved to a university abroad. We had lunches together, encoded grades together, facilitated the activities in the English Resource Center and shared our sentiments and insights about life. Life has dealt her with some blows but through it all, she remains optimistic and driven.

My first boss in the DFA, then Assistant Secretary Hellen De La Vega (now Usec) – It is a blessing indeed that I had a great boss when I entered the DFA in 2016, a career shift after almost a decade and a half in the academia. She is intelligent and hardworking. Her presence in the Office is inspiring. We had much to do then in the Office (ASEAN Affairs) but it felt like we could handle any work challenge that came along, because of her leadership.

My neighbor is Paris, Madame G.E. – She’s in her 70s but independent. She loves walks, out of town trips, and museum visits. She knits sweaters for nephews and nieces. I spent a few breakfast, a Christmas and New Year celeb at her place during the time that I was in Paris.

There are others too, but this will be my list for now.

I also truly admire Ms. Kara David, Ms. Celine Murillo, and Ms. Patricia Non. They and many other women lifting other women up and doing their advocacies to create a better world deserve our gratitude on this day.