Zonta International: 100 and going strong

MANILA,Philippines — Zonta International, a pioneer organization with a vision and mission to assist all women realize greater equality, celebrated its centennial anniversary with a series of outreach projects, programs and activities in various communities around the globe.

The much-admired network of ladies with over 29,000 active members in 63 countries worked seamlessly for gender equality of girls and women worldwide.

Since June 1952, the Zonta concept was brought to our shores and soon after, other Zonta clubs started to form all over our islands.

To celebrate its 100 years, Zonta Club District 17 Area 5 commemorated the auspicious founding day last Nov. 9 with a Centennial Walk where over 1,500 participants the grandest so far enthusiastically raised their banners for their advocacies.

Where they called for an end to violence against women

Sponsored by the City Government of Taguig and the National Capital Region Division of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the parade plied the 2.5-kilometer stretch of the pedestrian-friendly road of C-6 by Lakeshore Taguig selected due to the area’s environmentally-conscious thrust.

The early morning started with an energetic opener as participants joined a 5 a.m. zumba session.

The program was hosted by Zonta Club Makati and Environs president Maritoni Rufino-Tordesillas and Zonta Club Metro Ortigas president Harvard Uy de Baron.

Zonta Club of Makati Legaspi president Arlene Lotilla delivered the invocation and the Zonta prayer, while the singing of the National Anthem and Zonta Hymn was spearheaded by Zonta Club of Muntinlupa and Environs president Lourdes Wallace.

A short yet touching message came from the program phair and Zonta Club of Makati-Paseo de Roxas president Eleanor Soriano.

The Zonta clubs have made it a frequent tradition to conduct strolls, for it is the best way to raise awareness.

A drum and lyre band courtesy of Zonta Club of Makati Ayala led the pack, bursting with energy, blaring upbeat marching music to shout out to the world.

All 20 participating Zonta Clubs of the area trudged on with a battlecry of “No to Violence against Women.”

Several representatives of the Sangguiniang Kabataan of Taguig held their head high as they pushed for a declaration of “No to Teenage Pregnancy and Early Marriage” with their huge tarpaulin.

The Parish Youth and the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc. were nature’s ambassadors, with a Save Mother Earth slogan.

The students of Taguig City University, in their dark blue shirts, fought for equal rights and opportunities for men and women as they trooped with He 4 She signages.

All the way from Camp Crame, 300 officers from PNP’s Headquarters Support Service, Directorate for Police Community Relations and the Police Community Relations Group and the Department of Justice Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking upheld the law as they crusaded against the exploitation of humans with their Stop Human Trafficking banners.

Generously supported by like-minded sponsors, participants were supplied with tumblers from Ethan Chen of OFA Cagayan Estate Developers, taho booths and fans from Leslie Rivera, Bizu adobo rolls from Annie Tanco, coffee from Merle Martinez, mamon from Sonrisa David, Odette Wallace and the Area 5 presidents for drinking water and sunnies and snacks from Beging Soriano, while a generous financial contribution was received from H2H Technologies.

Without a doubt, it was a smashing success. We wonder what lies in the future for these wonder women who reach out to help others.