By: Ruth M. Floresca
Filipino women have come a long way since the time of Dr. Jose Rizal. From the struggles for liberation that the women of Malolos faced, the present-day Filipina now has her own voice to assert her rights and has liberty to choose who to vote for.
Last May 28, a focus group discussion was conducted in Calauan, Laguna to find out what the participants’ learnings were and how these helped them in their decisions before and during the voting period. Several pastors’ wives and senior citizens came.
Armed with knowledge
Helen Comandante, on the other hand, shared what she learned to about 30 people. “Pagkatapos ng Voters’ Education sa isang regular meeting ng mga Senior Citizens, ibinahagi ko ang MAKABAYAN KOMIKS,” [After I attended the VE meeting, I shared the Makabayan Komiks,] she described. “Dahil iisa ang kopya, binasa ko sa kanila ang bawat pahina ng komiks at nakita nila ang kahalagahan ng hindi pagbebenta ng boto.” [We only had one copy so I read each page to them and they saw the importance of refusing to sell their votes.] Helen also made sure to impart what she learned to other friends who were not able to attend the Voters’ Education program.
Delmie Laydia from the SAO (Share An Opportunity) Office admitted that she does not take any actions before if she becomes aware of any vote buying. “Hinahayaan ko na lang.” [I just let it be.] But after joining the Voters’ Education meeting, she actively re-echoed her learnings to other barangays and towns in Oriental Mindoro and other SAO areas in Laguna such as San Pablo City (barangays San Francisco, Bagong Pook, San Juan and Banlagin), Victoria (barangays Masapang and San Benito) and Siniloan. “Namigay din kami ng MAKABAYAN KOMIKS at gumawa ng profile ng mga kandidato, na dala-dala namin sa bawat lugar, para maliwanagan ang mga botante kung sino ang dapat na iboto.” [We gave out copies of Makabayan Komiks and created profiles of the candidates which we brought to different areas, so that voters would know who to vote for.]
General Feedback
All the women participants agreed that the materials used for the electoral education programs were very useful in imparting knowledge to Filipino voters. They conveyed the desire to share with others what they have learned. Moreover, they emphasized the importance of reading all the materials and trying to understand them fully for these to make a difference. For instance, they found the Vote Right material really helpful in choosing who the deserving candidates should be.
Filipino women have come a long way since the time of Dr. Jose Rizal. From the struggles for liberation that the women of Malolos faced, the present-day Filipina now has her own voice to assert her rights and has liberty to choose who to vote for.
It is this freedom that enabled several Pinays to join the Christian Convergence for Good Governance’s (CCGG) Voters’ Educations programs that were held in different parts of the country several weeks before the May 14, 2007 elections.
Last May 28, a focus group discussion was conducted in Calauan, Laguna to find out what the participants’ learnings were and how these helped them in their decisions before and during the voting period. Several pastors’ wives and senior citizens came.
Armed with knowledge
Four of the women who attended the FGD expressed their appreciation of the program.
“Effective ang naging pag-aaral sa Voter’s Education,” [The VE program was effective,] said Lourdes “Ludy” Marfori. “Malaking bagay dahil nagkaroon kami ng kamulatan sa election issues. Naghanda ako ng listahan ng mga iboboto at pumili ng mga kandidato na nararapat para sa bansa.” [It was a big thing because we were made aware of election issues. I prepared my own list of candidates that the country needs.] She added that she learned of the things that should not be done during elections. “Gaya ng bawal ang pagpapakain at pamimigay ng t-shirt. Ngayon bawa’t galaw ng kandidato ay tinitingnan ng mga tao.” [Like giving food or t-shirts should not be done. Now, whatever the candidates do, people are taking notice.]
Likewise, Florencia “Puring” Calong-calong affirmed that her mind was opened about choosing the right candidates. “Dati, sa pagboto ay basta na lang ako nagsusulat ng pangalan ng mga kandidato. Ngayon, natutunan ko nang maghanda.” [Before, I just write down names without preparing.] She described how she listed down in a notebook who the candidates and what their accomplishments are. “Saka ko isinulat ang pangalang nais kong iboto.” [And then I wrote down the names of who I want to vote for.]
“Effective ang naging pag-aaral sa Voter’s Education,” [The VE program was effective,] said Lourdes “Ludy” Marfori. “Malaking bagay dahil nagkaroon kami ng kamulatan sa election issues. Naghanda ako ng listahan ng mga iboboto at pumili ng mga kandidato na nararapat para sa bansa.” [It was a big thing because we were made aware of election issues. I prepared my own list of candidates that the country needs.] She added that she learned of the things that should not be done during elections. “Gaya ng bawal ang pagpapakain at pamimigay ng t-shirt. Ngayon bawa’t galaw ng kandidato ay tinitingnan ng mga tao.” [Like giving food or t-shirts should not be done. Now, whatever the candidates do, people are taking notice.]
Likewise, Florencia “Puring” Calong-calong affirmed that her mind was opened about choosing the right candidates. “Dati, sa pagboto ay basta na lang ako nagsusulat ng pangalan ng mga kandidato. Ngayon, natutunan ko nang maghanda.” [Before, I just write down names without preparing.] She described how she listed down in a notebook who the candidates and what their accomplishments are. “Saka ko isinulat ang pangalang nais kong iboto.” [And then I wrote down the names of who I want to vote for.]
Helen Comandante, on the other hand, shared what she learned to about 30 people. “Pagkatapos ng Voters’ Education sa isang regular meeting ng mga Senior Citizens, ibinahagi ko ang MAKABAYAN KOMIKS,” [After I attended the VE meeting, I shared the Makabayan Komiks,] she described. “Dahil iisa ang kopya, binasa ko sa kanila ang bawat pahina ng komiks at nakita nila ang kahalagahan ng hindi pagbebenta ng boto.” [We only had one copy so I read each page to them and they saw the importance of refusing to sell their votes.] Helen also made sure to impart what she learned to other friends who were not able to attend the Voters’ Education program.
Delmie Laydia from the SAO (Share An Opportunity) Office admitted that she does not take any actions before if she becomes aware of any vote buying. “Hinahayaan ko na lang.” [I just let it be.] But after joining the Voters’ Education meeting, she actively re-echoed her learnings to other barangays and towns in Oriental Mindoro and other SAO areas in Laguna such as San Pablo City (barangays San Francisco, Bagong Pook, San Juan and Banlagin), Victoria (barangays Masapang and San Benito) and Siniloan. “Namigay din kami ng MAKABAYAN KOMIKS at gumawa ng profile ng mga kandidato, na dala-dala namin sa bawat lugar, para maliwanagan ang mga botante kung sino ang dapat na iboto.” [We gave out copies of Makabayan Komiks and created profiles of the candidates which we brought to different areas, so that voters would know who to vote for.]Delmie also confessed that if previously, she votes for friends or relatives running for office, “Ngayon hindi na. Ginawa ko, nagsaliksik at talagang inalam ang mga katangian ng mga kandidato maging sila man ay mayaman o mahirap, may nagawa o wala at kung ano pa ang gagawin nila para sa bayan.” [I don’t do that anymore. I now do research first to find out more about each candidate’s characteristics, whether they are rich or poor, did substantial things or not, and what else they plan to do for the country.]
General Feedback
All the women participants agreed that the materials used for the electoral education programs were very useful in imparting knowledge to Filipino voters. They conveyed the desire to share with others what they have learned. Moreover, they emphasized the importance of reading all the materials and trying to understand them fully for these to make a difference. For instance, they found the Vote Right material really helpful in choosing who the deserving candidates should be.
Truly, the Filipina has been and still is making her mark in her nation’s history. By making her a part not only of the family’s decisions, but more so in choosing the leaders of this country, ensures that the Philippines will soon experience great leadership from politicians who are genuinely concerned about the welfare the Filipino people.
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