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Our OFWs shine as world salutes women
Emerging role highlighted in multicultural celebration
March 8, 2008 marked the 98th annual celebration of International Women’s
Day. As the month of March approached, stories of protest rallies and women
issues-focused forums reminded me about this significant day, which, in
some countries like Russia, Mongolia and even Vietnam is an official holiday.
Here in Beijing, on the eve of the occasion, the All-China Women’s Federation
staged a big celebration at the historic Great Hall of the People. It was a festive
commemoration attended by distinguished senior women government
officials, representatives from the diplomatic corps and delegates from various
women groups in China.
March 8, 2008 marked the 98th annual celebration of International Women’s
Day. As the month of March approached, stories of protest rallies and women
issues-focused forums reminded me about this significant day, which, in
some countries like Russia, Mongolia and even Vietnam is an official holiday.
Here in Beijing, on the eve of the occasion, the All-China Women’s Federation
staged a big celebration at the historic Great Hall of the People. It was a festive
commemoration attended by distinguished senior women government
officials, representatives from the diplomatic corps and delegates from various
women groups in China.
I affectionately
remembered
our women
OFWs,
especially our
kababayans in
Hong Kong with
whom I have
nurtured
beautiful
friendships
remembered
our women
OFWs,
especially our
kababayans in
Hong Kong with
whom I have
nurtured
beautiful
friendships
In her keynote address, Madam Gu Xulian,
chairwoman of the federation, highlighted the
tremendous contribution and emerging new
roles of women in China, underscoring
specifically their noteworthy involvement in the
upcoming Olympic Games.
One of the highlights was a three-part cultural
presentation. Various women’s groups from
China and the international community took
turns in delighting the audience with
interesting numbers.
The Arab Ambassadors Spouses Group
performed an Arabic Fashion Show; the Group
of Residents of Iberia-Latin America
presented an upbeat number dubbed
Enthusiastic Latin America; the Group of
chairwoman of the federation, highlighted the
tremendous contribution and emerging new
roles of women in China, underscoring
specifically their noteworthy involvement in the
upcoming Olympic Games.
One of the highlights was a three-part cultural
presentation. Various women’s groups from
China and the international community took
turns in delighting the audience with
interesting numbers.
The Arab Ambassadors Spouses Group
performed an Arabic Fashion Show; the Group
of Residents of Iberia-Latin America
presented an upbeat number dubbed
Enthusiastic Latin America; the Group of
African Ambassador Spouses performed an African dance that was full of life
and character while we members of the Asean Ladies Circle serenaded the
women-dominated audience with our own rendition of the Asean theme
song, Let Us Move Ahead.
The Olympic frenzy here in Beijing is simply unstoppable that any major event
is never complete without the Olympic touch. Local artist Tan Ning, along with
the New Silk Road teenage models, capped the two-hour program with their
vibrant interpretation of the Olympic theme song, One World, One Dream.
My jovial mood was interrupted by the thought of millions of unsung and
nameless women heroes of modern times. While humming and clapping as
the African ladies did their captivating numbers, I thought of the women in
parts of war and poverty-stricken Africa who have been victims of slavery,
prostitution and rape. I admired in awe as tall, svelte, pretty and sophisticated
Chinese ladies modeled the elegant qipao or cheongsam (Chinese
traditional dress).
But a reality check transported my thoughts from that afternoon’s spectacle to
the construction site nearby our apartment. Everyday, I see a good number of
women workers in hard hats, spade in hand, taking turns in collecting gravel
and sand, maneuvering a wheelbarrow or manually collecting bricks from
one point to another.
While belting out the Asean song with lines that go “… the future’s ours, we
have the strength, we can find the peace within ourselves and with the world,”
I affectionately remembered our women OFWs, especially our kababayans in
Hong Kong – the “Ates,” “Manangs”, “Nanays” – with whom I have nurtured
beautiful friendships.
They each have their own heartwarming, inspiring and sometimes,
heartbreaking stories to tell of how they have left home to search for the
proverbial greener pasture. These stories of strength and courage, inner
beauty and faith, inspiration and achievement amidst adversity truly make for
a more meaningful celebration for women, which, should not only be
commemorated in a day, but every day of our lives.
and character while we members of the Asean Ladies Circle serenaded the
women-dominated audience with our own rendition of the Asean theme
song, Let Us Move Ahead.
The Olympic frenzy here in Beijing is simply unstoppable that any major event
is never complete without the Olympic touch. Local artist Tan Ning, along with
the New Silk Road teenage models, capped the two-hour program with their
vibrant interpretation of the Olympic theme song, One World, One Dream.
My jovial mood was interrupted by the thought of millions of unsung and
nameless women heroes of modern times. While humming and clapping as
the African ladies did their captivating numbers, I thought of the women in
parts of war and poverty-stricken Africa who have been victims of slavery,
prostitution and rape. I admired in awe as tall, svelte, pretty and sophisticated
Chinese ladies modeled the elegant qipao or cheongsam (Chinese
traditional dress).
But a reality check transported my thoughts from that afternoon’s spectacle to
the construction site nearby our apartment. Everyday, I see a good number of
women workers in hard hats, spade in hand, taking turns in collecting gravel
and sand, maneuvering a wheelbarrow or manually collecting bricks from
one point to another.
While belting out the Asean song with lines that go “… the future’s ours, we
have the strength, we can find the peace within ourselves and with the world,”
I affectionately remembered our women OFWs, especially our kababayans in
Hong Kong – the “Ates,” “Manangs”, “Nanays” – with whom I have nurtured
beautiful friendships.
They each have their own heartwarming, inspiring and sometimes,
heartbreaking stories to tell of how they have left home to search for the
proverbial greener pasture. These stories of strength and courage, inner
beauty and faith, inspiration and achievement amidst adversity truly make for
a more meaningful celebration for women, which, should not only be
commemorated in a day, but every day of our lives.
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