MSU Center for Peace and Development Directors Gives Talk on Women Empowerment at DFA Mindanao

Prof. Guiam delivers her inspirational message on empowerment and reconciliation.

11 April 2018 MINDANAO – Rufa Cagoco-Guiam, Center for Peace and Development Studies of the Mindanao State University (MSU) in General Santos City on 20 March delivered a talk on women empowerment at The Department of Foreign Affairs Mindanao, in observance of the National Women’s Month.

During the simple program to launch DFA Mindanao’s two-part exhibit, “Her Story, My Story, Our Story – Making HERstory” featuring the exemplary lives of Mindanao women, Director Guiam narrated how she overcame challenges to become a professor at MSU and a respected voice in Bangsamoro affairs, particularly in the field of peace, conflict and reconciliation studies.

She urged women not to compete with men, but to rise to the challenge of fulfilling their God-given roles as home-makers, office workers, spouses, mothers, and peace-builders in their communities and families.   She said that without the women’s voice, there would be chaos and disorder.

The staff of DFA Mindanao and DFA Consular Office (CO) in Davao were encouraged by her message of empowerment and reconciliation.

CO Davao Officer-in-Charge Ebrahim T. Zailon gave the welcome remarks and welcomed Director Guiam as a guest speaker, while DFA Mindanao Acting Assistant Secretary Robert O. Ferrer Jr. thanked the Director for gracing the occasion on behalf of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Also during the occasion, a certificate of appreciation was given to Ms. Ma. Cristina T. Ballerda, Finance Officer of both CO Davao and DFA Mindanao, upon her retirement from public office on the same day, her 65^th birthday.  Having spent 37 years in the DFA, Ms. Ballerda was one of the six pioneering staff at the then Passport Extension Office in Davao in 1981.

Ms. Christine D. Granada-Buhay and Ms. Leila F. Sulit, Gender and Development Focal Persons of DFA Mindanao and CO Davao, respectively, co-organized the event with the active collaboration of student trainees from the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku School in Davao City. The students conceptualized the theme, prepared the list of women featured, and helped in planning the second part of the exhibit in November 2018, as part of their on-the-job training in DFA Mindanao and CO Davao. END

Ms. Ma. Cristina T. Ballerda (2^nd from right), receives a certificate of appreciation from Acting Asec. Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. (1^st from right) and CO Davao OIC Ebrahim T. Zailon (1^st from left) upon her retirement from public office.

Attendees with special guest Prof. Rufa C. Guiam pose with the exhibit Women’s Month.