Alerting members of the Cordillera Regional Assembly for reactivation

THERE are strong indications that the Duterte Administration is not just sympathetic but positively supportive to the long clamor of the Cordillera Administrative Region Governing Bodies CRA and CEB to be reactivated.

To refresh memory, these two Cordillera Bodies were forced into inactivity by the absence of financial support when the honorable Congress of the Philippines allotted a powerful one-pesoa year (Php1.00/yr.) budget for them. So powerful was the punch that they found themselves momentarily flattened helpless to continue working but happily the CRA, the policy making body of the two Bodies, really sustained a knockdown but refused to be knocked out. Sworn members of the CRA and some CEB, together with the core of the CBA-CPLA and the upcoming CRSF continued to work on volunteer basis. They kept the embers of autonomy simmering, especially that the Philippine Supreme Court ruled with finality that the Cordillera Bodies were just deactivated but not abolished.

Undaunted and unafraid, the CRA and some CEBs kept on encouraging one another that Fr. Balweg’s dream of Cordillera autonomy founded on the vibrant political “binodngan” areas of the CAR, as recognized in the 1987 Philippine Constitution would sooner or later finally triumph. “To believe is to see” they seemed to have prophetically preceded the words of Bienvenido K. Chy of PRA (Philippine Retirees Association). This belief caught flame in the mind of a Cordilleran, Rene Asuncion, when he happened to glance at the provisions of EO220 flashed by Internet. He was particularly impressed by the provisions that assured a comprehensive representation of all recognized sectors of the Cordilleran population in the policy-making body that is the CRA where honed Cordillera minds can ably blend the new and old in life’s sustenance and governance unspoiled by colonialism as well as new-colonialism.

On April 24, 2018 then, we hope President Duterte’s blessing will be upon the Cordillera Regional Assembly to once again buckle down to work by holding a five-day regular session this April 2018 starting on the twenty-fifth (25th) day. As the CAR is directly under the Office of the President, he is thirstily expected to be heard for his message and official instructions. The headship of the CAR, particularly the CRA, is his alter-ego in the Region. Thus, the CAR regional government, for its part, is naturally bound to do whatever it can to help in the success of the National Administration to uplift the life of the whole Filipino nation. An ambi- tious design indeed to bring the Philippines as a respectable partner inter pares among the family of world nations so that it better be called Maharlika in lieu of the present stigma–laden name that Lapu-lapu wanted to prevent.

Matagu-tago takol losan, Mabuhay tayong lahat, Long live we all!

God be thanked and praised! port. What is more satisfying to man than to come home to a home filled with love. It invigorates the spirit. It animates the soul. Blessed is the man with a truthful woman. Lucky is the man with a loving wife. Yet men and kingdom can fall with the rage of a woman. Families can be broken at the hand of a disgruntled lady. Just as a woman is supreme in her positive influence, she can be dangerous as much as any powerful man in the world.

A woman provides light of the family. A mother accepts when the father rejects. She understands and forgives the mistakes of her children. She sacrifices her pleasures for the happiness of the family. With this comes true wisdom. It is the wisdom of following the law of love. It is the wisdom modelled by Mary, the greatest woman of time. It is following the dictates of the heart. Just like when she tells us to “Do whatever He (Jesus) tells you.” (This was when Jesus performed the first miracle in the gospel of John).Listen to him and follow his commandments because life can only be meaningful with Him.

A woman embodies true strength. When the man oftentimes let himself overwhelm by emotions and decides without thinking, the woman resolves to calm down. ‘And she takes all of it to her heart,’ says the scripture about Mary. Many women do not easily give up. I just saw the movie ‘Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri,’ and the lead character amazed me with the strength of her character. When all hope seemed lost, she just could not let it go. Justice must be given for the death of her daughter. Whether her means are right or wrong, I am not sure. Yet the strength of her will epitomizes how strong a woman can be.

Our new Binibinig Pilipinas winner Catriona Gray was asked by US Ambassador Sung Kim during the question and answer portion this: “After the devastating war, Marawi is now on its way to recovery. What is your message to the young women of Marawi? She answered, “My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women we’re the head of the household and we have an amazing influence not only in our families, as mothers, sisters, and friends, but also in our community. If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children, then once the rebuilding is complete and is underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high. Thank you.” It’s no wonder she was the favorite. She knows what she’s talking about.

A woman must therefore embrace her great role in rebuilding our communities and our country. She must not doubt her abilities. From the beginning, she has been created to fulfill what a man can’t do and there is half that a man can’t do because these are allotted to the working hands of a woman. She must not feel inferior. She must find her voice to express her ideas. She must not be silenced. She must remain strong just what her creator is expecting of her. There is much to do and men are not so capable to do them all.

This month we recognize what women have done and what they will do in attaining the fullness of humanity. Whether by simply sweeping the floor or caressing a baby to sleep, a woman’s work is a work or art for it is a work of love. They deserve our love and respect. Let us give them what they deserve or we will not deserve them.