by Chita de la Cruz-Heap
Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel with Samahan ng mga Kababaehan Sa Bayan ng Kalibo.
The Samahan ng mga Kababaihan sa Bayan ng Kalibo (SKBK) warmly welcomed Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel during her brief trip to Kalibo. She was the keynote speaker and the inducting officer at the induction program of the officers and members of the Kiwanis Club on Saturday evening, October 27.
She arrived during the Opening Salvo of the Kalibo Ati-atihan, thus enabling Risa to get a glimpse of the Ati Ati participants who greeted her with much enthusiasm. The SKBK and the Kiwanis Club members, the staff of the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival Hotel of Mr. Guidon de la Cruz, and members of the tri-media joined with Ms. Baraquel.
Si Risa Hontiveros ay may Paninindigan may Integridad at Lumalaban Para sa Kababaihan.
Risa Hontiveros represents a righteous cause in Philippine politics. She is a champion of the Reproductive Health Bill, a defender of the rights of the marginalized members of society, and a symbol of integrity in public office.
Known for her unflinching stand, Hontiveros is a principled leader, a staunch human rights advocate, excellent and competent lawmaker, award winning broadcast journalist, and a dedicated single-parent to four children.
At the age of 15, Risa became one of the youngest voices to speak out against the Bataan Nuclear Plant. Her student activism flourished when she entered the hall of the Ateneo de Manila University where she was an active leader of the Student Government. As a scholar, she graduated cum laude with a degree in AB Social Sciences.
While still an undergraduate, she became a broadcast journalist. In 1994 she was awarded the Golden Dove for Best Female Newscaster by the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
With a fierce belief in the importance of resolving conflict without resorting to violence, Risa joined the Coalition of Peace where she became the Secretary-General when she was only 22 years old. In 1988, she served as a member of the Government Panel for Peace Talks. Her work as a peace advocate was recognized both locally and globally. In 2001 she received the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Peace Advocacy from the Philippine Jaycees. She was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for her work in the Peace Talks with the National Democratic Front in 1988 – 1999.
In the 2004 national elections, Risa finally joined the political arena. She ran and won as Congresswoman under the banner of the Akbayan Partylist where she served for two consecutive terms. She immediately made her mark with her firm belief in the need for integrity in politics, and for her competence as a lawmaker. She persistently fought against the abuses of the GMA administration, and was even arrested for her advocacy for women’s rights.
Despite her oppositionist stance, she managed to push through the passage of two bills she principally authored and championed in the House of Representatives. These are the ‘Cheaper Medicines’ law aimed to reduce the cost of medicines, and the ‘Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension’ with ‘Reforms (CARPER) Law’, which enables the farmers to own the land they are tilling. She is the champion of the RH/RP Bill designed to give Filipinos the choice to plan their families according to their conscience and to have a better life.
She serves as the chairperson of the Akbayan Party, and is a prominent figure in the nationwide campaign for the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH)Bill in the 15th Congress.
More Things About Risa Hontiveros:
She is a very talented singer. When she was 13 she played one of the Von Trapp children in the Repertory Philippines production of the “Sound of Music” together with Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson and Raymond Lauchengco. If she was not in politics, Risa would love to have been a professional theatrical actress and singer. Her favorites songs are: ‘All I Ask Of You’, ‘Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin’, and Gary Granada’s ‘Saranggola sa Ulan’.
Risa loves to wear ‘alampays’ (shawls), not so much as a fashion statement but more as a political statement. Depending on the day’s advocacy, she will wear a green shawl for the environment or agrarian reform or a pink one for women’s rights. Lately she has been wearing purple shawls to push for the Reproductive Health Bill.
She is also a nature lover and a staunch environmentalist. Moreover, she is also a licensed SCUBA diver. She lives a healthy lifestyle and prefers a breezy outdoor space over an air conditioned room. She does yoga whenever she can, avoids soda and dark meat.
Risa belongs to the Hontiveros, Miraflores, Acevedo and Pardo clans of Aklan and Capiz on her father’s side. On her mother’s side, she is related to the Suasas of Cavite and the Navarros of Mindoro Occcidental. Her husband, a Baraquel, traces his roots to Camarines Sur and Albay. She is the sister of broadcaster Pia Hontiveros and first cousin to broadcaster Maan Hontiveros, and singer and civil society leader Leah Navarro.
Risa is definitely a winner. She is a woman after my own heart. There are some who criticize her for being ‘a leftist’ but this is not to her detriment, for her heart is in the right place. Those who have leveled such criticism should open their eyes and learn. /MP
No comments:
Post a Comment