Press Release
PR-045-2015

Philippine Embassy Ladies Celebrate
International Women’s Month

L-R: Consul Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, Consul Maria Angelica C. Genotiva, Madame Laila Ali Wahbi,
Madame Sona H. Tago, and Attaché Lilian M. Adiong, GAD Focal Person.

(Riyadh, 01 April 2015) In celebration of the 2015 International Women’s Month, the  Philippine Embassy ladies (Riyadh PE Ladies Group) organized a two-day Gender and Development (GAD) activities based on the Philippine National Women’s Month theme: “Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na” on 30-31 March 2015.

As a prelude to the first activity entitled, “Juana Talks”,  a lecture about Saudi Culture and Women was conducted by Saudi sociologist, Madame Laila Ali Wahbe who talked about the Saudi culture, traditions and customs; focusing on the Saudi hospitality and social behavior, emphasizing that every region in the Kingdom has its own local ways of doing things.

This was followed by the sharing of Juana’s experiences in the different roles Filipino women play in Philippine society: Juana as a Wife by Ms. Rose Marie M. Justiniano; Juana as a Mother by Ms. Margarita P. Manigo; Juana as Homemaker by Ms. Gloria Dela Fuente; Juana as a Service Worker by Assistant Labor Attaché Firma P. Bantilan; Juana as a Social Welfare Provider by Social Welfare Attaché Perlita V. Panganiban; Juana as Leader by Consul Maria Angelica C. Genotiva; Juana as a Daughter by Ms. Farrah Jasmine D. Dingal; and Juana as Best Friend by Ms. Lilian M. Adiong.

The second activity entitled, “Juana Sings”, was a songwriting composition contest among overseas Filipino women workers in Riyadh which reflects their dreams, hopes and their extraordinary strength to move forward amidst challenges.  

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