Filipinas in the frontlines of social change

"The struggle for freedom is never ending, and those who expect to reap its blessings must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."–Ninoy Aquino, letter to cwp dated July 18, 1983, from Boston, Massachusetts

THE Concerned Women of the Philippines (cwp) has remained as strong and relevant in its advocacy mission as it was when it was organized 25 years ago during the dark days of martial law by a group of nationalistic Filipinas.

The significance and strength of the cwp lies not so much in its string of accomplishments and activities–and these are myriad–but in its all-Filipina members, all socially involved and imbued with a mission of making an impact on modern Philippine history.

These Filipinas, according to Teresa Feria Nieva, one of the founding members, "recognize their unique role, capabilities and potentials in the task of nation-building through peaceful and democratic means".

The Dark Days of Martial Law

Before cwp was organized in 1978, its precursor–Women’s Action for the Nation (woman) –was formed at the outset of martial rule. At that time, recalls Nieva, "the fear that gripped the entire nation stemmed from our ignorance of what martial law meant and what the future held for us."

woman started with a small group of women who attended a two-day seminar on the country’s tumultuous political situation at the Ateneo University in Loyala Heights. The seminar was conducted by Fr. Jose Blanco and Fr. Guido Arguelles, both Jesuit priests. Most of the initial members of woman– Nieva, Lita Caguiat Jose, Charo Moran, Saling Boncan, Sister Rosary, Iris Bonifacio, Lucille de Rivera, among others–met regularly at the Community Development Foundation (cdf) at the Lichauco compound in Sta. Ana, Manila run by Fr. Mondonedo and his sister Norma, and Maring Llamado.

Later, the group moved to the Parkomat office of Lita Jose. In the 80s, the meetings were transferred to Maring Feria’s residence at San Lorenzo Village, Makati.

When Marcos tightened his control over all government and non-government institutions, the women grew more resolute to form a bigger group. That was when woman was transformed into the cwp.

Its founders include Zenaida Quezon Avancena, Mary Concepcio Bautista, Rizalina Bautista Boncan, Carmen Lopez Rizal Consunji, Lucille Martelino Diaz de Rivera, Alegria Sanchez Francisco, Lita Caguiat Jose, Paz Policarpio Mendez, Rosario Roxas Moran, Cecilia Munoz Palma and Sally Quintos.

In support of cwp’s objectives, the group also carried out advocacy, informational, educational and monitoring programs as well as projects in public affairs, human rights, consumer issues, press freedom, positive values in media and the promotion of peace.

Challenging the Dictator

During the Marcos regime, cwp denounced election fraud, supported the Pampanga teachers in defending the sanctity of the ballot and campaigned actively for the NO vote to the proposed constitutional amendments in the 1981 plebiscite. (Today, many members are actively involved in namfrel.)

At that time, after the cwp held dialogues with Meralco (Mary Concepcion Bautista was one of those who originally questioned the ppa), the Department of Energy and the National Power Corporation, the group organized the "Day of Darkness" to protest the arbitrary and continuous power rate increases.

The cwp also dramatized its vehement objections to Marcos’ plan to operate the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant by organizing a motorcade of buses to Morong

It ran support programs for political detainees and their families and assisted in organizing the Medical Action Group and the Citizens Organization for Political Detainees. cwp also helped establish the Alliance of Metro Manila Associations, the core group of the Makati yellow rallies from 1984 to 1986.

As an active supporter of atom and member of bandila, the cwp was consistently present at all street parliaments that led to EDSA I.

Beyond EDSA I

With the restoration of democracy and the establishment of a new government, a number of cwp members were appointed to government posts:

• Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma as president of the Constitutional Commission, with Atty. Felicitas Aquino, Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid and Ma. Teresa Feria Nieva as members;

• Dr. Mita Pardo de Tavera as Secretary of Social Welfare and Development;

• Zenaida Q. Avancena and Mary C. Bautista as Commissioners of Human Rights;

• Ma. Teresa E. Roxas as president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines; and

• Gloria M. Arroyo as Undersecretary of Trade and Industry.

Even beyond EDSA I, cwp continued to speak out on critical issues. A cwp manifesto, "Let Justice Be Done," denounced attempts at compromise over criminal acts during martial law, including the recovery of Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth.

An an active member of the Citizens Action Against Crime (caac), the cwp joined mass actions and calls for a purge of scalawags in the police force and the strengthening of the judiciary.

It was also involved in various activities of the multi-sectoral coalition Konsyensyang Pilipino, helping organize the group call for justice "Kalampagin ang Konsyensyang Kinakalawang". Recently, it lobbied for the modernization of the electoral system.

The cwp also helped in promoting value-laden TV programs and advertisements, taking the lead role in the dec-sponsored program on media advocacy in values and informal education, and the unicef-assisted project "Promoting a Positive Media Culture for Children".

Likewise, the cwp collaborated with the National Movement of Moderates and other ngos in disseminating nationwide a circular-petition against sex and violence in media, titled "We are Outraged", directed at the entertainment and advertising industries. In recognition of this effort, the cwp was appointed members of the Kabisig Committee on Curbing Sex and Violence in Media, representing the consumer sector.

Advocacy of Peace

In 1981, the cwp established the Human Rights Award. The first awardees were media personalities who fought for press freedom. Subsequent awardees included Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma, the late Sen. Jose W. Diokno, Don Chino Roces, Justice Claudio Teehankee and such groups as the Agrava Commission that investigated the Aquino assassination, flag and mabini.

In 1988, the awards focused on peace and were subsequently institutionalized into a foundation named after Doña Aurora A. Quezon, widow of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon. The Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace Foundation has been conferring the AAQ Peace Awards for the last 13 years.

When Mother Teresa of Calcutta was invited to accept the award, she replied thanking the foundation but begged off from attending the awarding rites. That letter from the recently beatified Mother Teresa is now a prized possession of the cwp.

In 2000, the cwp, led by its current chair Dr. Evelyn Lao Kilayko, was one of the signatories in the impeachment complaint against President Estrada. The cwp was in charge of the Senate Impeachment Watch during the impeachment proceedings.

The cwp was one of the convenors of kompil II (as it was also of kompil I), taking to the frontlines during the EDSA II vigils of January 2001.

Today, the cwp is actively supporting poverty alleviation efforts of the government through a micro-financing project in Barangay Kalawaan, Pasig City.

The cwp’s relevance and zeal have not waned after 25 years. With a commitment to ideals spawned by the nationalistic fervor during martial law and deeply rooted in faith in God, the cwp rests on no laurels and looks forward to the next 25 years.