SENIOR Provincial Board Member Tita Virtudazo Baja is encouraging policewomen to “never give up, stay strong.”
The inspiring advice of Baja reverberated in the open space of Camp Dagohoy where she was the guest of honor as policewomen converged to celebrate March as Women’s month in a usual Monday morning flag-raising activity last week.
Her words of wisdom based on her experience as a single mom were in consonance with this year’s theme, “WE for Gender Equality Inclusive Society.”
She flawlessly spoke her mind and experience without reading a bit of her prepared speech for she’d rather expressed her mind freely and what she went through.
As a single mom, she played what she called “Inatay,” bluntly referring to being “Inay” (mother) and “Tatay” (father) rolled into one in raising her kids and managing 10 Tita Group of Companies despite being a politician.
She said she’s not perfect, like other women, she also had her the highs and lows in her life, but she struggled and keep on struggling thru hard work and perseverance and prayers until she succeeded what her heart desires.
She shared with the policewomen that she’s keeping herself healthy and beautiful, saying, “di pasabot nga edaran na ‘ta, magpaguapa ‘ta” and stay healthy as part or develop confidence in ourselves.
Fate have it that, like her mom, BM Baja was forced to embrace a single mom status at the age of 40. But she did not detail how and why she became such and it was not a walk in the park, she said.
“Kitang mga babaye angayan higugmaon, di dagmalan,” she said without direct reference to violence against women.
“Believe in yourself, be humble and be kind” are some of her advises to the policewomen.
But she told the policewomen that they should be extolled instead for they are putting their life to danger and risk to be able to protect the inhabitants.
Among those who were present during the flag-raising ceremony were: provincial director PCol Lorenzo Alfeche Batuan and Col. George Acol Vale, deputy provincial director for operations.
When interviewed, she said that such advises are considered to be empowering women in this troubled world.
BM Baja is one of the five women provincial board members. Others are BMs Atty. Jamie Aumentado Villamor, Lucille Yap Lagunay, Vierna Mae “Mimi” Boniel-Maglasang, and Gloria Biwang Gementiza, as ex-officio SP member representing the Philippine Councilors’ League Bohol chapter.
Women power is gaining strength in local governance such that 11 women made it to municipal mayors.
They are Anda Mayor Angelina “Inday” Simacio, Alicia Mayor Cecille Balahay, Candijay Mayor Thamar Olaivar, Mabini Mayor Grace Onjie Bernales-Lim, Talibon Mayor Janette Aurestila-Garcia, Bien-Unido Mayor Rene Boniel-Borenaga, Camen Mayor Conchita “Che” Toribio-delos Reyes, Sevilla Mayor Juliet Dano, City Mayor Jane Censoria Cajes-Yap, Sikatuna Mayor Jec-jec Ellorimo, and Catigbian Mayor Elizabeth Mandin-Pace. (rvo)
