OPISYAL NA PAHAYAG PARA SA IKA-126 TAON NG KALAYAAN NG FILIPINAS

                     PASSION, COMMITMENT: 

                 THE NOBLE CALL OF DUTY

by R.B. Abiva

 

“I raise my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us is held back.”- Malala Yousafzai

When considering the intricate intersections of gender with race, class, and sexuality, it becomes apparent that achieving gender equality is a complex and evolving journey. However, we can find reasons for optimism in the voices of powerful women who are speaking up today. These trailblazers recognize the value of being women and carry a vision for a more compassionate and humane humanity. Through their efforts, women are asserting their rightful place in society, effectively holding up half of the sky on Earth.

On March 22 of this year, the City Government of Cabanatuan concluded its two-month-long search for Outstanding Women of Cabanatuan across various fields of expertise. Among the recipients was Dr. Ruth C. Alfonso, recognized as an Outstanding Woman in the Field of Private Education. Her achievement brought pride to her family, colleagues, friends, and alma mater. The awarding ceremony, officiated by Honorable Mayor Myca Elizabeth R. Vergara and members of the Local Women's Council of Cabanatuan (LWCC), took place at the Luzviminda Events Center at 3:00 p.m.

Dr. Alfonso currently serves as the dean of the Institute of Teacher Education (ITE) at the Manuel V. Gallego Foundation Colleges (MVGFC) in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. Prior to her tenure as dean at MVGFC, she dedicated much of her time to serving the students of Nueva Ecija as a full-time professor at Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP). According to her former colleagues, she played a significant role in elevating the quality of education provided by the first Methodist school in the Philippines.

What is truly impressive is that even after retiring from WUP, Dr. Alfonso continued to bring her valuable practices to the academic community at MVGFC, not for personal gain but to contribute to the college's pursuit of higher education perspectives and effective management strategies. In an interview, she expressed her deep devotion and commitment to the field of Philippine education, having spent 30 years teaching in private academic institutions, with 28 years specifically at Wesleyan University-Philippines.

Dr. Alfonso's educational journey began at Central Luzon State University (CLSU), where she pursued a Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in English. After her graduation, she secured a scholarship to Jeonju University in South Korea, where she furthered her education by pursuing a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. Later on, she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Education Management from Wesleyan University-Philippines Graduate School in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

The fruits of Dr. Alfonso's lifelong commitment to the education sector have strengthened her philosophy and practical approach to life. She embodies the principles she teaches and serves as a role model to her students. By empowering and mentoring them, she helps them realize their full potential and become advocates for change and development. Her focus on communication arts has equipped her university students with the skills to express themselves effectively in any situation. As a result, many of her students have become leaders and life coaches within their beloved city.

During her tenure at WUP, Dr. Alfonso was known for being an effective life and academic coach. When asked about her opinion on retirement, she confidently shared that she considers it a noble cause to share her life experiences with young people through lectures during summer camps and semester breaks. She also provides consultancy services to educational institutions in Cabanatuan City and actively presents academic papers in the Department of Education. Through these academic engagements, teachers in the city are able to refresh and enhance their knowledge of communication and phonology, essential requisites for teaching English.

Beyond her contributions within the academic community, Dr. Alfonso has been

involved in dynamic civic organizations such as the Haggai Institute, YMCA, Abante Pinay, and the College English Teachers' Association. These experiences have instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility towards the well-being of her fellow Cabanatuenos. By actively participating in community programs and providing social, mental, and spiritual enhancement, she has encouraged program beneficiaries, particularly the youth, to adopt a positive outlook on life. Notably, she made regular visits to the Home for Girls in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, where she and the student government leaders from WUP provided education and nurturing to sexually, verbally, and physically abused girls, aiding their recovery and instilling a sense of direction in their lives.

Dr. Alfonso's advocacy and impact transcend geographical barriers. She attended the Leadership Training Seminar of the International Youth Fellowship in South Korea, which ignited her passion to serve the Hanaro Methodist Church in Cabanatuan City. She provided tutorials and lectures on English proficiency to Korean brothers and sisters during their stay in the city, earning the endearing title of "Filipino Mom" from many Korean English learners.

As the current dean of the Institute of Teacher Education at the first nursing school in Nueva Ecija, Dr. Alfonso advocates for the Community and Extension and Outreach Program. This program assists Talipapa Elementary School by inspiring and teaching literacy skills to elementary pupils. Weekly visits by students from the College of Education, under the guidance of Mrs. Ma. Victoria Victa, the CEOP Director, aim to enhance the English skills of fifth and sixth-grade students. Additionally, third-year Bachelor of Secondary students contribute their passion and enthusiasm by serving Barangay Talipapa once a week.

In addition to these programs, Dr. Alfonso initiated the "Alalay sa Pagbasa" program, which addresses the reading needs of younger elementary students. Under the guidance of resource persons from the Institute of Teacher Education, mothers are taught how to teach their children reading proficiency. As an academically dedicated faculty member and dean at ITE, Dr. Alfonso constantly strives to improve not only the working conditions within the institute but also the holistic potential of the students, especially those who will become future educators.

In a world characterized by multipolarity, one may wonder if the notion of women's empowerment remains relevant. When asked this question, Dr. Alfonso humbly states that she has contributed to the best of her ability by helping those in need maximize their human potential in various aspects of their lives. Her achievements stand as living proof of the ongoing relevance of women like her. Despite the challenges posed by the global order, she remains committed to asserting leadership and promoting the general welfare of Cabanatuan City. Through her role modeling and efforts as a catalyst for change, Dr. Alfonso inspires Cabanatuenos to strive for a brighter future in their beloved city.

Writing this article was a significant challenge, not because I am a man, but because it required doing justice to a highly sensitive topic: women's empowerment. It is indeed rare to find a woman like Dr. Alfonso in this world, someone whose social and personal commitments extend beyond the confines of her comfort zone, encompassing her roles as an academic, a mother, and within her marriage. As a poet for the past decade, she reminds me of a famous quotation by Latin American fictionist Isabelle Allende, who stated, "I can promise you that women working together - linked, informed, and educated - can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet."

Allow me to conclude this article by sharing one of my poems, written in Ilokano, as Baguio is also an Ilokano-speaking region.

PALAGIP ITI UMUNA NGA ARBIS KALPASAN TI KALGAW

“Her flesh like brass, smells of horse, and shadow.” – Lorca, Ballad of the Black Sorrow

 

Nakasiim ti orasan

Iti adigi ti kuartok.

Kasla nakalukat a bibig

Dagiti panid iti nakakamada

A libroda Brecht ken Unamuno.

Imuko a nakabagsol iti barukong

Ti naibus a lapis

Iti lamisaak:

Tallo a rabii ken dua a parbangon

A nakidangadangnak

Kadagiti al-alia ken angot ni Ayel.

“Saanka kadi nga agbuteng kaniana,”

Kinuna ti aniniwanko

Ngem apay ta naut-ot ti riknak

No makitak ti ladawanna

Iti nasipnget a murdong ti librariak

A kadawyan a nakasiim kaniak?

In this realm of poetic expression, the second persona, portrayed as a woman, carries with her half of the poet's literal and metaphysical struggle. Together, they embark on a journey toward a dimension untouched by the chains of slavery, the weight of tyranny, and the looming presence of death. It is a place where words hold no power, where only the raw emotions of unconditional love permeate, liberated from the confines of human existence.

In the poetic landscape, the woman becomes a guiding force, a partner in the exploration of this ethereal realm. She stands beside the poet, sharing the burdens of the journey and adding her unique perspective to the struggle. As they traverse this transcendental realm, the poet and the woman seek to unravel the limitations of language and transcend the constraints of mere words. In this boundless space, they yearn to experience the purest form of love, one that transcends the boundaries of humanity and resonates deeply within their souls.

The poem becomes a reflection of the intertwined connection between the poet and the woman, as they delve into the depths of their shared longing for a world beyond the confines of the human experience. It is a longing that transcends gender, as both the poet and the woman embody aspects of the human spirit that strive for freedom, understanding, and profound connection.

Through their joint endeavor, the poet and the woman embody the belief that women working in harmony with men, united in knowledge and understanding, possess the power to bring about transformative change. They carry the potential to forge a path towards peace and prosperity in a world that often seems forsaken.

In this poetic exploration, the woman symbolizes the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit that women throughout history have exhibited in the face of adversity. She represents the power of femininity and its ability to drive progress and inspire compassion in a world desperately in need of both.

As the poem reaches its conclusion, it encapsulates the yearning for a utopian realm where the limitations of language fade away, replaced by a profound sense of love that defies definition. It is a realm where the poet and the woman strive to transcend the earthly shackles that bind them and embrace the essence of their shared humanity. ###

 

ABOUT THE WRITER

Sir Rene Boy E. Abiva, KCR, 3° is a multi-awarded artist and educator who was born in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya and currently resides in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. He is a member of several literary organizations, including Philippine PEN (Poets, Essayists, Novelists), Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL), and GUMIL-Filipinas (Metro Manila), and he writes in Ilokano, Filipino, and English. In addition to being a full-time faculty member at Manuel V. Gallego Foundation Colleges, he is also a translator, editor, musician, visual artist, sculptor, editorial cartoonist, and freelance journalist.

He is currently pursuing a MA in Creative Writing (Filipino) at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and is an officer of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR)-Cabanatuan City. He is also the current Area Commander for Nueva Ecija of the Order of the Knights of Rizal and the founder of Samahang Lazaro Francisco, a group of writers pursuing the social realist tradition of the late National Artist for Literature Lazaro Francisco. Furthermore, he is an active member of several organizations, including Concerned Artists of the Philippines, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Philippine History Movement, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF).

Abiva has authored 13 books on poetry, short story, and flash fiction, and his works have been published in numerous publications and anthologies, both locally and internationally. He has also co-edited various projects for Samahang Lazaro Francisco (SLF) and Masonic Lodge No. 53-Cabanatuan City, including SARO, Pampanitikang Diyornal ng Samahang Lazaro Francisco Vol. 1-4, Gasera: Wika ay Laya, and Reseko: Antolohiya ng mga Akdang Nagwagi sa Unang Gawad Lazaro Francisco at iba pang Akdang Bukid.

He has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to poetry and literature through various awards and fellowships, such as the 58th UP National Writers Workshop, LIRA Poetry Clinic, Pasnaan 9 Jeremias Calixto Ilokano Writers Workshop, 6th Cordillera Creative Writing Workshop, 11th Palihang Rogelio Sicat, and 2022 Luntiang Palihan-De La Salle University. He has also received accolades from several organizations, including Premyong LIRA, Saniata Prize, UP Likhaan Poetry Slam, Gumil-Oahu, Premio Gabriela, Lazaro Francisco Cultural Heritage Association, Drunken Poetry Night, BJMP Regional Literary Contest, and Pinduteros Readers Choice Award. In 2021, he was named as PASNAAN 9 Most-Outstanding Fellow. In 2022, he received the Distinguished Service Medal and Medal of Recognition in the Field of Literature from the Order of the Knights of Rizal.

Apart from his literary pursuits, Abiva is also an accomplished visual artist, with his paintings on subalterns struggle exhibited at UP Bulwagan ng Dangal in June 2016. He is currently conducting research on the life of Dr. Manuel Viola Gallego, the nephew of Dr. Maximo Sison Viola.