More September memories
Our Cebu Council Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Executive Committee meeting last Friday, Sept. 20th, opened with a moving Escoda Ceremony in honor of our late beloved GSP founder Josefa Llanes Escoda’s birth anniversary, with her framed picture set up on a table between flowers and lighted candles.
Imbued with lofty ideals, she spent most of her life for girl scouting, which she brought to our shores, struggled to set up the movement despite initial apathy and later suffered martyrdom at the hands of the enemy who then had occupied the country. Her martyrdom shines as a symbol of the Filipino woman. The ceremony aims to engrave in young hearts and minds the ideals of Scouting, which are love; and in the annual raising of this memento in the Escoda Memento Fund.
The meeting that followed the ceremony took up the Girl Scout Medal presentation which will be held on Oct. 24th at the Aliw theater in Pasay City.
The Girl Scouts who will receive their medals are Sr. GS Kristien Sato, Buanoy National High School, Balamban and Gillian Cabaguing, University of Cebu, for their work on Health: Help Children Grow; and Cdt. GS Angela Magsucang, University of San Jose-Recoletos for her work on Livelihood: Dressmaking. For their work on Health: Construction of Toilets, awardees are Sr. GS’s Jane Ancao, Jealyn Duyag and Danielle Alberio, both of Vicente B. Cosido Mandaue National High School. Congratulations, all!
Also discussed in the meeting were plans for the 2013 Visayas Regional Junior, Senior and Cadet Encampment on Oct. 18 to 22 at our Marina Yulo Vargas Regional Program and Training Center, with the theme, “Enhancing Girls’ Potentials as Catalysts of Change for a Better World.”
The following day, Sept. 21st, marked the conclusion of so far the most meaningful, constructive, proactive and unifying observance of 19th Cebu Press Freedom Week. It was participated in by Cebu journalists and media practitioners in print, broadcast and digital media. Cebu Daily News described the annual celebration as combining “camaraderie and industry forums that discuss issues of media responsibility, the role of journalists and threats to press freedom.”
As a longtime practitioner in broadcast, and now in press media, I remember participating in the week’s activities in its earlier years. By then, I had learned, practiced and shared with fellow broadcasters the responsibilities of professional mass communication, thanks to my long stint with radio station dyLA, as also to my additional professional growth teaching mass communication subjects at the University of the Philippines Cebu.
Consider the irony of dates, too: Sept. 21st this year also marked the 41st anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the country. While personally, that day, in 1972 marked the end, to the day of my 25 years working with Cebu’s pioneer radio station dyRC, when it was then shut down for a time on the day martial law was declared.
And now, to consider more notables in the month of September this year. Mega Cebu Month was launched at the Cebu Provincial Capitol by the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating to promote a sustainable Cebu. It was also launched as Water Conservation Month, to raise awareness of water issues.
More of irony here in the wake of the recent floods we have recently had in downtown Cebu adjoining towns, cities and elsewhere in the country. “Water, water every where, and not a drop to drink!” as a remembered quotation goes. Actually, we learn too, that it is our Cebu underground water resources that are dwindling.
On the current news front, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has asked for public support for the activities on Sunday, Sept. 29th, against the Priority Development Assistance Funds, (PDAF), or “pork barrel” funds. Media is joining the activity with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to host a tentative Lakaw sa Simbahan to be covered by TV station CCTV, while proactive students will be participating in a noise barrage.
Meanwhile, newsbreaks that were reported last week are still developing and are being looked into or investigated to date… Regarding the proposed PDAF abolition, questions raised include, how about poor communities who need it? Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, for one, has announced he is against the abolition. Like others who think likewise, why not plan and put into effect strictly-enforced regulations, monitoring and accounting for the PDAF for what they are truly intended, not for those maneuvering it for their outrageous kickbacks!
Thank God that Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, while still in hospital after suffering a mild stroke, is reported to be getting better. Also, that despite today’s social, economic and moral ills, there are still quiet heroes like the couple of men who individually, honestly returned to owners, found valuable items and funds without expecting and even declining any reward. And other unsung modern-day heroes, as well. All these and more in next week’s Bystander-ing.
For now, belated congratulations to the following newly-elected officials of the Talisay Garden Club: President Babie Odilao, vice president Charley Bonita, secretary Monchit Canton, treasurer Marina Bas, auditor Janet Yap, and press relations officer Perla Agudo (welcome home, Pearl, and see you, Annie and Rorie soon!)
Till next week then, as always, may God continue to bless us , one and all!
