Reflections on Mindanao

· What is Mindanao for you? 

“ Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts” This is Mindanao for me.
Mindanao is my root. It is more than a place, rather it is an island that abled and shaped be to the person I
am today. Mindanao is a place full of diversity ….

· Do you think there is a need to change in Mindanao? What do you think is the crucial
role of the Mindanawons to address the multifaceted problems of the region? What
advice can you give to the younger generations of Mindanawons who want to do
something or aspires to make difference for Mindanao?
- For Mindanao to continue to thrive in its own ways, Mindanao needs to improve and develop. Mindanao
is a land with unexplored natures and environment. To some, especially to those highly urbanized areas,
developments mean tall buildings, higher investments, modern infrastructures and technological
advancements, but for Mindanao especially to its Island provinces, the face of development lies within the
cultivation of its land and nature. The unpolluted and blue oceans, the tall mountains and trees within it,
and other natural place yet to be discovered and featured. Thus, the change that the Mindanao needs is
to focus and develop what our land has and nurture it to its full potentials.

Many people especially those who reside in Mindanao feels that the most common problem in the region are the
armed conflicts and the people’s yearning for peace. The crucial role of Mindanawons here are their involvement.
Sustaining peace demands people’s participation. Mindanawons must strengthen the people’s participation in
Governance. Promoting public participation in the politics, subsequently, opening the civic space for
collaborative engagements with government and non-government partners, academe, industries,
private sector, church and other social groups and organizations. People must learn to assert their
rights as individuals and have a voice to speak if there are unjust actions towards the people.

The advice that I can give to the younger generations of Mindanawons is to Educate yourself.
Educate yourself morally, spiritually and technically. Once you educate your self on topics and
subjects you are unfamiliar with, you are able to see different point of views and ideas that will help
you understand how the world works. Educate yourself with quality knowledge and not just for the
sake of gaining a title. Finding the equilibrium towards wisdom, experience and attitude will allow
the younger generations of Mindanawons to pave its way towards making a difference. Lastly,
always purify your intentions in everything that you do.

· Do you think women have an important role to play in addressing such problems? For
you, what can be the observed challenges that hinder women to create change?

· What are your thoughts on being a Mindanawon woman?

· As a woman, what are your hopes for Mindanao? 

Personal Reflections
· Do you have any personal stories you want to share? (The question aims at sharing
your personal story that may have contributed to your development as a person and
your success)
 - Schlar since elementar. Poverty
- Single mother, husband dies of covid 

· Do you have any unique qualities or characteristics that somehow helped you to reach
the success you have right now? 
· Are there any (major) influences (personal icons/role models) you had in your life that
somehow shaped you and your work?
· What are the specific things you like about your work?
· How do you manage to balance work and personal life responsibilities?
· Are there any specific challenges you have encountered in your line of work? And how
did you manage to succeed from that? 
· Have you encountered any challenges that are specific to being a woman?
· For you, what does it mean to be an inspirational/influential woman?

When some events requires me to give an inspirational speech, I believe it is one of the hardest task to accomplish.
It is not easy to inspire other people just by giving words. For me, if a person is to be named an inspirational and
influential woman, she must have the qualities of resiliency and impact. An inspirational/influential woman means
that you act and grow through life with purpose and goal to create the impact you wish to have and achieve
the outcomes you are aiming for. This person must be built and rooted with integrity and honesty that no
material things can persuade and turn her beliefs around. Being an inspirational woman means focusing and
cultivating your strengths and understanding your weaknesses. This person must be compassionate towards
the people and strong towards facing the challenges in life. She must understand that obstacles and failure is
part of the process to become a better woman.

· If you can speak for your legacy or imprint, what would you want people to remember
you for?

There are different types and groups of people in this life that I have and I want them to remember
me by the memories that I shared with them. To the people I worked with and people that have
been touched by my career, I want them to remember me as woman of substance. Someone that
has dedicated her life towards service to other people through various activities and projects. I want
them to remember me as doing my work with compassion, integrity, and honesty. For my friends, I
want them to remember me as someone that they can rely and run to when things are rough. For
my family, I want them to remember me as a resilient and warm person. I want my memories being
a mother be embedded into their minds and that no matter what life throws at them, they should
never lose hope in the mercy of Allah. Overall, I just want to draw my legacy and be remembered for
my good deeds.