Press Release No. EBB-24-2019

Filipino Women in Jeddah Share Inspiring Stories of Strength in Jeddah PCG ’s #JuanaSays Series

(31 March 2019, Jeddah) - Four women from the Filipino community in Jeddah shared inspiring stories of strength drawn from their own personal experiences as migrant workers during a forum for women organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah on 28 March 2019.  Entitled “On Women’s Strength,”  the forum is the second installment of the Consulate’s  #JuanaSays Series, a project launched by the Consulate earlier this month to commemorate International Women’s Month. Its objective was to showcase how female migrant workers can overcome adversity by possessing and harnessing the strength needed to “make change work for women”.

The forum started with Consul Mary Jennfier Dingal, the Consulate’s Focal Point Officer on Gender and Development, giving a brief overview of the National Women’s Month and a backgrounder on the various elements of “We Make change work for women” as the theme of the month-long celebration.

In his welcome remarks, Consul General Edgar B. Badajos noted that although women in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world have made significant strides to close the gender gap, some barriers remain that prevent women from realizing their full potential in society.  He likewise noted the trend of feminization of migration and the numerous abuses committed against female migrant workers worldwide. He called on the audience to learn from the resource speakers’ experiences, specifically how they can apply the latter’s stories to also overcome adversity in their own lives.

During the forum proper, Ms. Norma A. Pedregosa, a certified female Karate and wellness instructor, spoke about the importance of mental and physical fitness in  protecting and defending one’s self. She encouraged the attendees to learn basic karate skills and to strive to always be physically fit.

Ms. Reahbeln G. Alzate shared the personal adversities she faced in an abusive domestic relationship and how she was able to triumph over them.   She urged the attendees to find a glimmer of hope even in the darkest moments, and to push one’s self to rise and overcome the obstacles.

Ms. Sylvia De Silva - Delos Santos shared how a calling to give back to the community inspired and motivated her to form Serenata in 2005.  Serenata is an All Children’s Choir, a String Ensemble and an All Male Chamber Choir whose members are mostly drawn from  the children of OFW families in Jeddah. The group has since been serving the Filipnio community and other expatriate groups in Jeddah with its tasterful repertoire of traditional Filipino music mixed with some foreign sounds. Proceeds from the chorale group’s concerts have been benefiting deserving but financially-challenged students in the Philippines through scholarship grants channelled through ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata 163.

Ms. Emma E. Mercado shared that a desire for continuous growth and development motivated her to take part in providing livelihood trainings to other OFWs through Kapit-Bisig.  She emphasized the need to continuously develop one’s skills and learnings as an insurance against the uncertainties of the future.

The testimonials of the 4 women illustrated how strength is present in every woman, and that it is up to every woman to harness this strength not only to help themselves but also to empower other women along the way.

Sitting as reactors to the presentations, Ms. Miracle F. Tapado, Principal of the International Philippine School in Jeddah; Mr. Denver G. Lopez, Principal of the Durat Al Sharq International School; Ms. Lalaine S. Lopez, wife of Vice Consul Lemuel C. Lopez and Deputy Head of the Consulate Contact Center Team; and Mr. Osmud B. Corpuz, Jeddah Area Coordinator,  shared their insights in areas that were relevant to their respective professions.

The Consulate intends to continue the #JuanaSays Series beyond women’s month to ensure that its message of empowerment will reach a wider audience. END

Photos from the Event

Consul General Edgar B. Badajos opening the event and delivering his Welcome Remarks.

Consul Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, Jeddah PCG’s GAD Focal Person, giving the overview of
National Women’s Month.

1st Row (Seated, L-R): Ms. Norma A. Pedregosa, Ms. Reahbeln G. Alzate, Ms. Sylvia
De Silva - Delos Santos, and Ms. Emma E. Mercado.

2nd Row (Standing, L-R): Ms. Sittie Zubaida Murod-Malang, Mr. Jeffrey Estrada Sales, Vice Consul
Lemuel C. Lopez, Ms. Lalaine S. Lopez, Ms. Miracle F. Tapado, Consul Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, Vice
Consul Sheila Mae A. Briones, Ms. Violeta Castillo, Ms. Jijeth Echevarria, Mr. Denver B. Lopez,
and Mr. Osmund B. Corpuz.

Ms. Sylvia De Silva - Delos Santos sharing her story of strength.