Thousands join Women’s Day Celeb in Dumalinao

By Allan June Molde

DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur, March 20 - - -  “We could not believe that there were so many active members of the women’s organization here in Dumalinao”, these were comments of the men who were watching as thousands of Rural Improvement Club - Women Empowerment Movement (RIC-WEM) members paraded along the national highway of the aforementioned municipality last March 16.

The celebration started with a Holy Mass at  7am at the Dumalinao Sports Complex which was followed by a parade along the main thoroughfares of this booming town. Empowered women of Dumalinao happily participated in the most important celebration of their lives.

During the opening program, no less than Dumalinao First Lady Junaflor “Sweet” S. Cerilles welcomed the members of the RIC-WEM, who was also the past Federated President and now consultant of the organization.  In her message, Ms. Cerilles recognized the enthusiasm and passion of the members as they have now grown in membership.

She stressed out that empowered women of today play a very vital and special role not only to their families and communities but also among themselves.  The rights of every woman are now made clearer and the community also acknowledge and respect their rights.

On the other hand, Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles  in his message agreed to what his wife said and recognized the value and importance of the role of the wives on their husbands.  He stressed out that “families become stronger if they  respect and listen to the decisions of their wives.”

With this year’s theme, “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability,  Everyone’s Responsibility,” Mayor Ace believes that “our women can still transcend despite the challenges and weather inconsistency and variation. Women have a vital role in governance and  responsibility being accountable  as the present scenario in running the nation was also participated by mostly women; thus, you are significant not only in building a family nor a community, but a nation as well.”

Congresswoman Aurora Enerio-Cerilles who was the Guest Speaker during the activity also shared her happiness after seeing the support of the RIC-WEM in Dumalinao.  She said that the women of today earn respect  and  their courage has made them more empowered.

She further explained that the role of women in nation building is very important, making communities   more developed like the municipality of Dumalinao as she called upon the RIC-WEM members to be role models in their families and the  community.

The crowning of Ms. RIC-WEM 2012 highlighted the activity with Mrs. Raquel Secretario as this year’s Ms. RIC-WEM; Mrs. Lorelie Venn Abalos as 1^st Runner-up; Mrs. Maristel Retardo as 2^nd;  Mrs. Genafie Marcial as 3^rd;  Mrs. Daisy Caracut as 4^th ; while Mrs. Mary Inso and Mrs. Melanie Lopez as 5^th and 6^th runners-up respectively.

The presence of Governor Antonio H. Cerilles added more inspiration to this year’s Women’s Day celebration in Dumalinao. (Allan June Molde/MIO/ALT/PIA9-ZamboSur)