It is truly wonderful to wish you today as this day is meant for acknowledging the achievement,

contributions and struggles for women

 To our guest of Honor and Speaker_____________________________________, our

very active and high esteemed mayor of Alaminos City, Hon. Hernanie A. Braganza, the equally

competent vice mayor, Hon, Cesar A. Manzano, memebers of the KALIPI in ALAMINOS

CITY, friends, ladies and gentlemen, good________________________________.

Being the KALIPI president in Alaminos city, it is my distinct honor and privilege to

speak on the greatness and unique contributions of women not only in this city but evidently

manifested entire the nation.

2011 is the International Women's year that recognizes the contributions of women, who

have overcome barriers, defied conventional wisdom and changed the world. This day is also an

opportunity for us to recognize all women – past heroines, today's leaders and tomorrow's

champions for what they have achieved and what is to come. The 100th Anniversary of

International Women's Day – a day to honor the monumental achievements of women

worldwide.

When I was little, I resented the fact that because I was a girl I was expected to do the

household chores and my brothers were allowed to do as they pleased. I decided that in my

household this would not happen.

Today I am pleased to say the situation is very different, and that my sons view women as

equals. This is a welcome sign of the changes in attitude from generation to generation.

In the past, women were housebound and could not aspire to have any other profession

than housewife. Now, however, women are able to receive an education and have many more

career options. A precedence has been set for women that allows them to be present in all
professional roles – science, engineering, law, medicine, every area you can think of. This would

not have a consideration when I was a girl. But women are still under-represented, and we do

need to demystify the thinking that "representation is good enough". We want equal

representation.

The Centre for Peace Education is working on ways to empower women and to ensure

their voices are heard, particularly in the area of conflict prevention through peace education and

advocacy. We need women to be present in peace negotiations and not to allow women from

conflict-affected areas to be sidelined because of their sex.

We have created a national action plan for to ensure women are represented in decision-

making positions, at a local and national level. It is important that the Philippine government

properly implements these plans and that this is another step in the right direction for gender

equality.

With this, I am encouraging every woman to become the light not only in our house but

to the community as well. Again, my warmest felicitations to all and mabuhay ang

KAPISANAN NG LAHING PILIPINA. Thank you very much.