Zonta District 17 Conference - Zonta International District 17

NEWSLETTER
Zonta District 17 Conference
Manila 2011
number 1 | Friday 26 August 2011
This is the first of four
newsletters to be published
during the conference.
The fourth and last will be
posted on the District 17
website
www.zontad17.org
16th District Conference opens
Tonight: ZI President Dianne here
Zonta International
District 17
Advancing the Status of Women Worldwide
Membership is vital to
our ability to influence
the status of women in
the future..
-- Dianne Curtis
The 16th District 17 Conference, preparations for
which Governor Georgitta “Beng” Puyat and
her Conference Chair
PIP Olivia “Livie” Ferry
(both past presidents of
the ZC of Makati & Environs) had been working hard with the help
of their fellow Zontians
in several Organizing
Committees,
opens
tonight amid fanfare
and pageantry. Convenor/District
Secretary
Lourdes A. Sese (ZC
of Laguna) promises
memorable sights and
sounds beginning with
a colorful fiesta dance
to be rendered by the
Zonta clubs of Cebu 1
& 2, led by their Area
Director Flor Miel. The
con’t. p2
Message from the District Governor:
Georgitta P. Puyat
Mabuhay! Welcome to
Manila and to the 16th
Zonta
International
District 17 Conference.
With the unfailing energy and support of the
Organizing
Committee, we have ensured
that this conference
will be as productive,
efficient and enjoyable
for every Zontian attending this grand occasion.
program aimed to enrich
every Zontian within the
district.
It is with great joy that
we all join in staging
this event that happens
only every odd-numbered year. Make the
most of this opportunity by participating in
the scheduled four-day
The business sessions
and election of our incoming district leaders
are vital to the future of
our district. The workshops are a learning experience, the luncheons
full of inspiring stories,
the photo exhibition a
showcase of our service projects. The Marcon’t. p2
Message from the PIP/Conference Chair:
Olivia A. Ferry
It is a great pleasure to
hold the 16th Zonta In-
ternational District 17
Conference in the Philippines, home of the 50
Zonta clubs that make
up our district. District
conferences are generally held every odd
year around the Zonta
world to take up Zonta
business and to foster
friendships and understanding among the
members of the district.
At this conference, your
Organizing Committee
will demonstrate how
a strong working team,
composed of women
empowering one another through cooperation, coordination, communication and camaraderie in line with the
Governor’s
biennium
theme, can bring you a
dynamic and seamless
conference that exudes
the zeal and energy of
its members. I promise
you nothing short of a
remarkably stimulating
conference that offers
Zonta business with
pleasure, sprinkled with
a touch of culture, a
dash of entertainment,
a hint of discovery, and
topped by the sizzle of
con’t. p2
1
con’t. District Conference
traditional flag parade
of Zonta banners follows, emceed and annotated by no less than
PIP/Conference
chair
Livie. The world-class
University of the East
Chorale will render the
doxology, as well as the
national anthems of the
Republic of the Philippines-- the host country,
and the USA, in honor of
International President
Dianne.
International Z/Golden
Z Clubs Chair Virma
Vergel de Dios will introduce President Dianne
Curtis, who will then deliver her speech. Governor Beng Puyat will deliver her message via an
audio-visual presentaqtion of her TEAMSHINE
biennium goals.
She
will be introduced by
Dist. Sec. Dr. Lourdes
A.Sese, member of the
int’l Z/Golden Z Com-
Free MAKE-UP
on Aug. 28, 2011
from 2-6pm
Negros Room
2nd flr.
Please make your
reservation at the
photo desk.
Limited
slots.
Motives, a
mineral based
cosmetics line, are
talc,paraben
and fragrance
free. Infused
with natural
mineral pigments, antioxidants and
anti-aging
ingredients.
SHOP ONLINE•EARN CASH BACK
www.marketphilippines.com.ph/mariapm
www.marketphilippines.com.ph/ssvillar
2
mittee.
Ma. Corazon
Jorta-Apo, DOT Director for N. America & Asia
Pacific, will welcome everyone to the Philippines
& Manila following her
introduction by ZI Nom.
Com. Vice Chair Imelda
Gomez.
UN
Under-Secretary
General/ESCAP
Executive Secretary Dr.
Noeleen Heyzer is on
assignment elsewhere,
hence her speech will be
delivered by Nanda Krairiksh, Director, Social
Development Division
of the UN’s Economic
& Social Development
Commission for Asia &
the Pacific (ESCAP).
Dinner follows, with
entertainment by popular singer Cocoy Laurel
and Fiesta Folkloriada,
a cultural presentation
by the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance
Company,
featuring
Cora Manimbo’s “Habi
ng Lahi” (Filipiniana
themed gowns and ethnic creations).
con’t. DG Message
ketplace,
hospitality
lounge, tours and socials allow us to mingle
and reconnect with
friends and make new
ones.
Bask in the experience
and strengthen those
ties of fellowship. Enjoy
your stay in Manila. Let
us all meet again as kindred spirits in Zonta.
Marketplace opens: Shopping galore!
Marketplace Committee
chair Baby Perez Sison and
her committee members
Menchu Pascual and Daisy
Arce show off the lovely
jewelry of semi-precious
stones and pearls available
at the “Marketplace” bazaar.
One of the features of the
Zonta International District
17 Conference is a bazaar
dubbed “Marketplace” to
be held in the adjoining
rooms-- Mindoro, Romblon
and Sulu-- near the Grand
Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel. Primitiva
“Baby” Perez Sison chairs
this event to raise funds to
cover Conference expenses. International President
Dianne Curtis, who is here
to represent the ZI board,
cut the ribbon opening the
bazaar, together with District 17 Governor Geor-
gitta “Beng” P. Puyat and
Conference Chair, Past
International President Olivia A. Ferry. Zontians and
their guests will be able to
buy gorgeous Filipiniana
gowns by Cora Manimbo,
herself a Zontian, jewelry of
semi-precious stones and
pearls, uniquely designed
handbags, mother-of-pearl
Zonta pins, brooches, and
other accessories. Members of the Marketplace
Committee
are
Zonta
Club of Manila 1 president
Daisy Arce, past president
Menchu Pascual,
Fely
Umandap,
Letty Calma,
Nila
Mata
and Cynthia
Cruz.
con’t. DCC/PIP Message
professional networking
and warm camaraderie
from fellow Zontians and
friends from Thailand,
Malaysia,
Hongkong,
Singapore and your host
country, the Philippines.
I extend to you a warm
welcome and wish all
an unforgettable conference experience.
OLIVIA A. FERRY
16th D17 Conference
Chair, Past International
President
SHOP AT THE MARKETPLACE!
Georgitta P. Puyat
District Governor
Newsletter Zonta Ditrict 17 Conference Manila 2011
Romblon Mindoro Sulu rooms
Souvenirs from the Philippines.
jewelry•bags•gowns•accesories•gift items
kitchenware•houseware
ZI President
Dianne meets
the press
DG Beng Puyat answers a question from
the media as ZI Pres. Dianne looks on
The District
officers & Board
Posing for a picture for posterity after their board meeting
Gemma Cruz delivers
Manila Mayor Lim’s
speech
Mayor Alfredo Lim gives ZI President
Dianne Curtis the symbolic key to the
city of Manila as his Executive Assistant Gemma C. Araneta looks on
ZI Pres. Dianne Curtis, DG
Beng Puyat, Discon Chair Livie Ferry pose for the press
Number 1, Friday 26th August
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim
gives ESCAP Director Nanda
Krariksh the key to the city of
Manila
Ati-atihan ushers
in Santacruzan
Ati-atihan ushers in the
Santacruzan (from the
Wikipedia Web site)
To make the Santacruzan event more festive
for District Conference
participants, the rousing
Ati-Atihan was included.
This is a feast held annually on the third Sunday in January in honor
of the Santo Niño (Infant
Jesus), in the town and
island of Kalibo, Aklan
province. It consists of
tribal dance and drumbeats by townsfolk in indigenous costumes and
weapons, parading noisily along the streets. The
Ati-Atihan was originally
a pagan festival from this
Animist tribe, worshiping
their anito god. Spanish
missionaries gradually
added a Christian meaning. Today, the Ati-Atihan
is celebrated as a religious festival.
About the Santacruzan
The Santacruzan refers
to the pageant on the
last day of the Flores de
Mayo, a Catholic festival
held in the Philippines
in the month of May in
honor of the Virgin Mary.
The principal character
of this Catholic procession is Reyna Elena
(Queen Helen of Constantinople), the mother
of Emperor Constantine,
who is credited with finding the relics of the True
Cross in Jerusalem. After the Holy Cross was
found in Jerusalem and
brought back to Constantinople, there was
a joyful celebration of
thanksgiving.
The long procession
depicts various biblical
characters and events
in the life of the Blessed
Virgin, culminating with
several reynas (queens)
representing her various
attributes; e.g., Queen
of Angels, Queen of the
Stars, the Holy Rosary,
Queen of Flowers, etc.
Apart from the Reyna
Elena, Filipinos have
added the Reyna Emperatriz (Queen Empress),
the mother of Reyna
Elena.
The Santacruzan, with a
cast of 50, is especially
staged for Zonta’s 16th
District Conference by
Area 5 Foundation Ambassador Mitzi Piad and
her committee.
photos on p.4
Photo exhibit: Baby
Bunye,
photographic
exhibition chair, checks
out one of the 32 photos submitted by clubs
for the exhibit at the
Sofitel’s ballroom foyer portraying the District theme of “Women
empowering women.”
Awarding of prizes for
the best photos will be
on Aug. 28 before the
closing of the District
Conference.
Judges
are wellknown art & culture personalities, feminists,
too—Victorino
Manalo, Cecilia Leung
and Rosario Ortoll
3
Santacruzan
The Ati-atihan
Nonie Basilio as Reyna
Emperatriz with her husband Bert
Olga S. Martel as Reyna
Emperatriz
Zeny Cabral as Santissima
Rosario escorted by CCP
pres. Raul Sunico
Aleli Sevilla as Reyna Justicia
Tess Castro as Sentenciada
Annabel
Adriano as
Reyna Mora with her
husband Frank
Cecile
Razon
as Reyna
Esperanza
Milo Bondoc as Reyna de
las Flores
Menchu Pascual as Mary
Chuchi Villar as Santa
of Bethany
Maria, Madre de Dios
Newsletter Zonta Ditrict 17 Conference Manila 2011
4
Beging Soriano as Our
Lady of Mount Carmel
Catherine Belosillo as Veronica
Sally Magat as Queen of
Martyrs
Mache Torres as Rosa
Mistica
Judith Reyes as Reyna
Judith
Adele Sy as Queen of
Heaven
ZI President Dianne here for Discon
Having gotten over her jet
lag following her arrival
at almost midnight of
Monday, Aug. 22, Zonta
International President
Dianne Curtis plunged
into the welcoming whirl
of activities her District
17 hosts had laid out
for her. PIP/Conference
Chair Livie Ferry and
past ZI Board Director
Virma Vergel de Dios,
currently Int’l Z/Golden Z
chair, took turns hosting
her in their Alabang,
then Tagaytay homes.
Participants
in
the
District
Conference
finally got their chance
to see and welcome
her, with the usual
photo ops, at the Sunset
Reception in the Davao
ZI Pres. Dianne
Curtis
arrives.
Meeting and greeting her at the airport are (from left)
Welcome & Transportation
chair
Sonya Gatmaitan,
PIP/DisCon chair
Olivia Ferry, and
Governor
Georgitta “Beng” Puyat.
Room of the Sofitel
Philippine Plaza Hotel
Manila. Following the
usual welcome remarks
by
Governor
Beng
Puyat at the informal
dinner that followed at
the Luzon Room, Pres.
Dianne expressed her
pleasure to be here for
what she expects will be
a “productive, thoughtprovoking and inspiring
ESCAP Director Nanda
Krairiksh to deliver
Heyzer’s keynote
speech
countries and territories.
It serves as the regional
arm of the United
Nations for economic
and social development
work in the Asian and
Pacific region.
Nanda
Krairiksh,
a
national of Thailand and
sociologist by training,
currently
holds
the
position of Director of
the Social Development
Division,
United
Nations Economic and
Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP). ESCAP has
a membership of 62
Number 1, Friday 26th August
Ms.
Krairiksh
is
responsible
for
overseeing
ESCAP’s
social
development
programme
for
the
Asia-Pacific region in
the areas of: (1) gender
equality and women’s
empowerment;
(2)
social policy; and (3)
social integration and
protection for vulnerable
groups such as persons
with disabilities, youth,
and older persons.
district
conference.”
She added that “district
conferences are an
opportunity to not only
conduct
important
district business but
also to learn more about
the unique challenges
facing women in today’s
world.”
Noting that Zontians will
be electing their leaders
for the next biennium,
she thanked those who
have
“enthusiastically
accepted the call to
leadership….because
“as Zontians, we are all
committed to a common
goal—to
advance
the status of women
worldwide!”
“Together,
we
truly
can make a difference
in the lives of women
around
the
world,
and I thank you all for
your participation and
support. I truly believe
that Zonta will influence
your life, and your time in
Zonta will weave some
new, interesting threads
into the tapestry of your
life that you never would
have known.”
ZI Z/Golden Z Clubs
chair & past ZI director
Virma Vergel de Dios
welcomes ZI pres. Dianne to her Tagaytay
home with a traditional
lei of Philippine shells.
Zonta Makati
leaders
welcome IP
Dianne Curtis to their
communi ty
center. (L-R) pres Carol Llanillo, IP Dianne, AD5 Chona Lopez
& DG Beng Puyat. Behind is dist PR & C chair Linda E. Panlilio
IP
Dianne
greets the preschool children
of the ZontaMakati & Environs with DG
Beng looking on
approvingly
5
Workshops: A feature of every
District Conference
Workshop 2: Education
Workshops are offered
as part of every District
Conference
program
to upgrade Zontians’
knowledge on women’s
issues. Rosario “Chit”
Ventura,
past AD1,
chairs the workshops.
For those who have
not indicated on their
registration form which
workshop they will be attending, the committee
has assigned them to a
workshop to balance the
number of participants in
each one. Here are the
topics and their speakers: August 27, 2011,
Saturday
Lourdes
“Odette”
Jereza,
Facilitator
Workshop 1: Volunteer
Workers as Servant
Leaders
Venue: Visayas Room
Facilitator:
Lourdes
“Odette” Jereza assisted
by : Filna Espina, Marilou Canizares, and Petite Garcia
Participants are divided
into groups and each
group is provided a kit
Containing artwork and
other materials for each
group to resolve issues
raised through creativity
EDITORIAL BOX
Writer/Editor:
Erlinda E. Panlilio
Artist & Layout Design:
Maria Morris
Photography at
official events:
Noel Puyat for
On Site Studio
6
and visual art.
Output:
1. Collage that shows
the inherent qualities,
skills,
competence
and willingness of
a Zontian who contributes her time, talent and treasure to
the advancement of
women and girls
2. A colorful quilt that
symbolizes the various services, projects that Zonta has
achieved through advocacy in transforming the lives of women worldwide.
3. A musical resolution on the values
learned as service
leaders.
Dr.
Patricia
Licuanan,
Facilitator
and the Job Market for
Women
Venue: Luzon Room
Speaker: Dr. Patricia
Licuanan, Chair, Commission on Higher Education
Reactors:
•Dr. Ester Ogena,
President, Philippine
National University
•Mrs. Chit Concepcion,
President,
Placement Officers
Association of the
Phils. •Mr. Schubert Caesar
Austero, President,
People Management
Association of the
Philippines.
Participants are divided
into groups to discuss
gender issues in education and the workplace.
Output: Resolutions to
address gender issues
in education and the
workplace.
Dr.
Angelina
“Nina”
Galang,
Facilitator
Workshop 3: Women
and Disaster Preparedness
Venue: Mindanao Room
Speaker: Dr. Angelina
“Nina” Galang, Environmentalist
Participants are divided
into groups to discuss
risk preparedness and
how Zontians can prepare their communities
for disasters and create
an awareness of gender
issues surrounding this
kind of emergency.
Output: Resolutions to
address gender issues
around women and disaster preparedness.
DisCon registration kit:
a Zonta bag to keep
The lovely Conference
registration kit will make
a practical shopping
bag after the District
Conference, and with
“ZONTA”
prominently
woven into the handles
and the logo on its side
too, it’ll add to Zonta
visibility. This attractive
bag was handcrafted
by
marginalized
women in the island
of Panay (comprising
the provinces of Iloilo
& Antique). It is made
of Patadiong, which
is like a malong but in
Newsletter Zonta Ditrict 17 Conference Manila 2011
checkered design. The
weaving technique is
150 years old, and is
threatened by extinction
because only a few
women today know how
to do it. The designs vary
from simple to intricate,
as pointed out by Gloria
Castro of the ZC of
Iloilo II, who herself has
designed some of the
bags. The bag contains
the following: ID tags,
DisCon
souvenir
program,
DisCon
booklet with the details
of
the
Conference
program and events,
District 17 Directory,
Governor’s
Chronicle
#3, a notebook, a “Cross”
ballpen, Dove soap
compliments of Unilever,
Vitamins donated by AM
Europharma.