29/03/2025
𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 | 𝐉𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐞𝐬
In a nation where the spirit of women has fueled and shaped communities, honoring their legacy is a celebration and reminder of a shared responsibility. From fearless heroines of fiction to the dedicated teachers shaping young minds, their resilience echoes through time, woven into the fabric of progress.
But honoring these women goes beyond remembrance. It’s about ensuring that the next generation carries this torch, lighting the way for a more just and inclusive society. This year’s closing program at Bicol Regional Science High School placed youth at the forefront of this advocacy.
Through student-driven initiatives, heartfelt performances, and hands-on workshops, the celebration highlighted that the future of gender equality rests in the hands of empowered youth.
𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞
Melbeth Ventura, the Araling Panlipunan (AP) Club President, opened the program with her welcoming remarks, setting the tone for a meaningful celebration. She shared that the club carefully planned diverse activities to ensure that students fully understood the importance of Women’s Month.
Planning came with challenges, as Ventura managed time constraints and scheduling conflicts by coordinating with teachers and adjusting to last-minute changes. Despite this, she shared that the most rewarding part for her and the AP Club was inspiring students to speak up and advocate for gender equality.
“A test of leadership, patience, and teamwork, but also a rewarding experience that strengthened my passion for advocacy,” said Ventura.
𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐜
To engage students, Ventura and the AP Club incorporated diverse performances, insightful speakers, and interactive activities. They also ensured that guests and speakers were accommodated properly, creating a smooth and welcoming environment.
While they aimed to involve all students in the workshops, the limited number of resource persons from the Albay Provincial Office meant only a select group could participate. What began as simple intermission numbers became an opportunity for Grade 7 and 8 students to showcase their talents while deepening their understanding of Women’s Month.
These performances allowed students to reflect on the issues that hinder progress for women, nurturing a deeper commitment to being part of the change. By embodying these stories, they demonstrated that awareness and advocacy go hand in hand.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡
The event also featured speakers who brought valuable insights to the celebration. Linda P. Gonzalez, President of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs of the Philippines, emphasized the importance of leadership rooted in integrity and service. Professor Ramona Ines Bustamante-Raneses, a former Professor VI at Bicol University, inspired students by stating that “empowerment is not just a concept, but a call to action.”
Workshops on Taekwondo and Arnis were led by Police Corporals Sharmane H. Granatin and Jhomile Revilla Renolayan from the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company. Granatin, a decorated Taekwondo athlete, emphasized discipline and self-defense as forms of empowerment.
We are at an age where the next generation isn’t just standing by and waiting for change but are also actively leading it. Through young leaders like Melbeth Ventura, we witness the powerful impact of standing at the vanguard of advocacy for women in our nation.
✍️ | Andrea Layug
📷 | Eugenio Muella, Ysabella Faye Andrade, Dave Pregonero
👨💻 | Eugenio Muella
