Seasoned comedienne Candy Pangilinan reads to some 70 kids “Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Lola” by Rene Villanueva. It tells of a strong-willed grandmother whose extraordinary hair keeps the village intact from several typhoons. (Photo by Earvin Perias/INQUIRER)
More than being courageous, Filipino women should develop mental toughness to endure trying situations.
“Filipino women must know why they should be courageous. They must possess a clear state of mind to choose wisely the battles worth fighting for,” comedienne Candy Pangilinan said.
Resilience of women
Pangilinan was among the guest storytellers at the Inquirer Read-Along session on March 17, which featured tales that paid tribute to the resilience of Filipino women and the enduring love of mothers in time for the celebration of National Women’s Month.
The other guest readers were GMA artists Marika Sasaki and Hannah Precillas, and principal Ann Abacan of Sophia School in Meycauayan City, Bulacan.
Pangilinan read to some 70 children Rene Villanueva’s “Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Lola,” a story of a strong-willed grandmother whose extraordinary hair keeps the village intact from several typhoons.
Pangilinan said the story told that we have a lot of things to be thankful for to all the women in our lives.
In the story, the main character is said to be the lola (grandmother) of all mighty Filipino women across generations.
“Except for their clothing, there’s no difference between the Filipino women of the past and modern Filipino women. All of them are hardworking, brave and unyielding in facing the storms of life,” she said.
Gender stereotypes
Abacan read “Ang Sabi ni Nanay, Ang Sabi ni Tatay” by Sacha Calagopi, which tells of transcending gender stereotypes in doing household chores and pursuing dreams.
Sasaki and Precillas read in tandem Ompong Remigio’s “Papel de Liha,” a story about a mother whose hands turn rough as sandpaper for doing household chores, but soften when taking care of her child.
“We should appreciate the efforts of our mothers who are more than willing to take all, no matter how hard, for our own good,” Precillas said.
Sasaki said she looked up to her mother as source of strength and inspiration to do well in her endeavors.
“If I can’t do something, she’s there to find ways. And if I feel something is impossible, she makes it possible,” Sasaki said. —Reports from Rafael L. Antonio and Mary Beatrice Ponce