(seated) Lilia de los Santos Durias (in violet), Efren Gono, Gov. Casimiro Ynares Jr., Rafaelita Gono, Justice Angelina S. Gutierrez, Wilfredo M. Talag, Justice Normandie B. Pizarro, Justice Priscilla J. Baltazar Padilla, Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, Aurora Y. Bagares Bersamin, Corazon P. Perez, Audrey Tan Zubiri
Twenty-five mothers were honored by the Ulirang Ina Foundation (UIF) Inc. for significant achievements in their careers.
The awards were given during the recent 24th anniversary of UIF at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel.
Presenting the awards were UIF president Wilfredo Talag as well as Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, Leticia Talag, Justice Consuelo Santiago and Justice Normandie Pizzaro.
Gutierrez said the UIF was recognizing the honorees “because in their hearts are sparks of heavenly love and affection for their children.
“These women work so hard to raise their children and unceasingly support, guide and inspire them to become the best in their calling, whether as professionals, politicians, public servants or ordinary workers,” Gutierrez further explained.
“Women grapple with the twin roles as parents and as breadwinners,” she added. “They exert efforts to create balance between work and family.
Gutierrez noted how a mother’s role is to strengthen the Filipino family as an institution, preserving its values and tradition as the basic unit of society.
“When the family deteriorates, the nation suffers the same fate,” she said.
This really did not elude the drafters of the Philippine Constitution. It is the only Constitution in the world which mandates, as one of its state policies, that “The state recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.”
Gutierrez lamented the seeming decline of the family.
“We are now in globalization and modern ways of living. Children have access to modern technology. Despite the advantages of the present, the moral values of some parents and children have deteriorated.
“Protecting and strengthening family as an institution is a collective goal. Mothers are basically the ones who can assist the state in protecting and strengthening the Filipino family.
“Mothers must help in retracing the values of fidelity, honor, love, respect, responsibility and unity. Mothers should remain the strong pillars, not only of families but also for the country.”
—CONTRIBUTED
