Sr. Mary John Mananzan Photos compiled by Rogelio C. Medina
MARCH is the Women’s History Month. I will feature women from all walks of life. I asked the female respondents (last batch): What is the significant role of women in our society?
Their replies are as follows:
Having served as president of St. Scholastica’s College for six years and dean for 18 years, prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in the Manila Priory and national chairperson of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, one of the 100 Most Inspiring Persons in the World at the centennial of International Women’s Day: “Women like men have to be agents of change especially in our Philippine society that is plagued with many social issues like corruption in all levels of society, lack of a sense of common good shown in the concentration of power in family dynasties, weaponization of law, loss of moral fiber, etc. Women should raise their voices against these issues, take active part in the implementation of laws and in raising consciousness not only about women issues but about the social issues mentioned above. Women’s place is not only in the home but in the struggle – for social transformation.”
The late Pres. Cory Aquino’s appointments secretary Margie Penson Juico, a product of St. Theresa’s College: “Gone are the days when women were referred to as the fairer, weaker sex. We have transformed into architects of society, domestic engineers and molders of the hearts and minds of the young. We have championed passionately family causes that threaten the moral fabric of society. We have emerged to occupy the highest positions of power and wielded immense influence in government and governance. And we still continue to propagate our race even as we scatter and make a difference in many parts of the world. We break ceilings in fields normally occupied by men and make a difference in the lives of a lot of Filipinos. This is what is in the heart of every Filipino woman!”
Sovereign Seal of Business Triumph and Remarkable Achievers awardee Salvie Collado Paparon, CEO of Sheanne Roll Up Door Construction Services: “Women are the pillar of strength of everything. Without woman, a home is empty. Nobody can replace a woman in a family.”
Former Manila Bulletin entertainment editor Crispina Martinez-Belen: “A woman has many roles in life but for me the most significant is being a mother, to nurture her children to become responsible and caring members of human society.”
Angela Valdez, little Talia’s mom (she’s expecting another child) who has been working for a company for over 12 years: “Women do everything. If a woman chooses to become a wife and mother, she is the essentially the core unit of the family. If she chooses a career path, her possibilities are endless. Many women in our society choose both. Women are often expected to play a certain role in life and are looked down upon if they’re not able to meet those expectations. Most women will persevere and push through these challenges to prove that she can. Women need society’s support so they can help lead the younger generation.”
Rochie Cuevas, assistant laboratory director at the Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Public Health Laboratory in Fairfield: “Women as leaders. Many of the public health laboratories in California are currently led by women. They introduce new technologies at critical times, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. This incredibly increases the laboratories’ capacities to provide diagnoses when we needed it the most. At the beginning of the pandemic, the laboratories could give out results two weeks after samples have been submitted. But now, testing for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus takes under 2 hours. Aside from introducing new technologies, women leaders in the public health laboratories invest in people. A lot of our time and effort are spent in nurturing the next generation of laboratorians through mentorship and technical training. I guess this is part of our being mission-oriented. Solano County Public Health’s vision is ‘Healthy People – Healthy Community.’ By continually providing opportunities for microbiologists to practise the profession, we contribute to safeguarding the community from communicable diseases. Women leaders are inclusive. They embrace diversity and use it at an advantage to make public health laboratories great places to work in. Women are effective leaders because they seek work-life balance… A person’s worldview is highly influenced by the teachers that he/she encounters. I think women shape society because they teach children. The mother is often a child’s first teacher. Most schoolteachers I have encountered are women too.”
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Vicky Manalastas Toribio, who used to work at Central Bank in the Philippines as technical assistant for 20 years, migrated to the U.S. in 1978 as a professional worker. A product of the Far Eastern University in Manila (she obtained a degree in commerce with a major in financial management), she is now retired. All her children, Amado Jr., Anna, and Raymond are now living in the United States.
She has been actively involved in the Christian community and has been participating in Christian missions in the Philippines, the latest of which was last February this year in a medical mission in Antipolo, Rizal. Her group also went to San Fernando, Pampanga.
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Thanks to Lily Nguyen from Vietnam of Kim’s Salon & Spa and Denise Magana of Great Clips, both located on Business Center Drive in Fairfield, California for our new cut hair.
It was a long worthwhile walk passing through several nice houses in villages and a beautiful park before reaching the salons.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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