01 April 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah held a month-long series of activities in celebration of the 2015 National Women’s Month/International Women’s Day with the theme, “Juana Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na”, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 224, 227 and the Republic Act No. 6469.
On 01 March, Sunday, signalling the start of these activities, the Women’s Month’s poster from the Philippine Commission on Women was uploaded to Consulate’s website and Facebook page. During the flag-raising ceremony, Consul General Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr. announced the month-long series of activities including the tasking of the women who are under the care of the Consulate’s Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC) to lead the flag raising ceremony and recitation of Oath to the Flag (Panunumpa sa Watawat) for the four (4) consecutive Sundays of March.
On 08 March, the Consulate’s officers and staff including the attached agencies personnel wore violet ribbons on their left chests to symbolize the Consulate’s observance of the World International Women’s Day. On the other hand, a lecture-forum seminar on RA No. 9710 – Magna Carta of Women was conducted by the Consulate’s Social Welfare Attache Josephine A. Arang on 18 March 2015. Ms. Arang emphasized that women have been truly empowered with rights under RA 9710 and must be aware and ready to exercise these to the hilt. Snacks were served after the lecture. On the same day, “Doll-Making” and “Poetry writing” contests on the theme of the celebration were launched. The contests were exclusive to participants from the MWOFRC and the temporary shelter for overstaying male OFWs. The entry dolls were displayed at the Consulate and posted at its FB page.
On 30 March 2015, the Consulate held a program in culmination of the celebration of the National Women’s Month. Consul General Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr. gave his inspirational talk, after Consul Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan reading of the 2015 National Women’s Month’s message of the President Benigno Aquino III. The announcement of winners of Doll-making and Poetry Writing contests was held on the same occasion. Winners of the contests received boxes of groceries courtesy of generous patrons/sponsors. The most-liked Doll Special Award (chosen online) received a basket of goodies courtesy from a known sponsor and a SR500.00. The poem entitled, “Juana, Dakilang Ina”, written by Aiza Acosta won the first prize. The poem was read to the audience by Welfare Officer Maria Victoria G. Deminoy during the event. Six (6) other entries were also awarded prizes.
The event was concluded with a group photo and a simple “salo-salo” of the participants composed of the Consulate’s officials, staff including attached services, female and male wards and some Filipino community members. END.
