It is mid-way through the National Women’s Month. The Philippine National Commission on Women’s branding materials were of “superwomen” taking on various fields relevant to the pandemic, thus the tagline “Juana, Nangunguna sa Panahon ng Pandemya“.
I am not particularly feeling super at the moment. Middle-age has caught up to me big time, with a nasty case of carpal tunnel syndrome. I feel pain every time I do a thumbs up. I also tripped over a cable last night, fell on my knees, injured my other wrist and … (insert uninteresting old person rant here).
Not a fist! This is me, trying my best to do a thumbs up sign.
But on the advocacy front, I am happy with what the Autism Society Philippines has built and the first two words of the tagline resonates with me at a deeper level. “Juana, Nangunguna“.
I have met many amazing families over the years — parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins — all protective and supportive of individual of the autism spectrum in their lives. We cannot deny that overwhelming majority of the primary caregivers are women. We are a diverse lot, who do not necessarily share backgrounds or social circles — but we do share that devotion to our families that make us want to build a better world for them. We are not superwomen; but WE ARE CAPABLE LEADERS. In the last year, the countries who responded to the corona virus pandemic effectively were led by women, lifting nations big and small out of grave health and economic crises. That fact carries across many fronts.
The helm of the Autism Society Philippine has been dominated by women over its 31-year history. We are an interesting group — a fun, giggly, creative, detail-oriented, spiritual, disciplined, multi-tasking, persuasive, passionate bunch. The adoption of ASP to a digital platform so quickly after the pandemic lockdown could only have been pulled of by some serious mom-level project management skills many of our leaders were gifted with.
As I wrap up my third term as the National President of 13,000 members and 100 chapters, I feel grateful for having had the opportunity to serve. By the end of the month, our membership would have selected a new crop of national trustees. I am hopeful for amazing albeit difficult times ahead! The next few months require committed and skilled leadership — from the national level all the way to the barrios.
Big picture thoughts. Here’s to leaders stepping back when they know they do not have what it takes. Here’s to right people stepping up to the challenge. Here’s to an unfragmented nation working more for positive change — possibly politicking and tiktok-ing less.
Mighty Magulang 