CHAMPIONS OF HOPE. Vice President Maria Leonor 'Leni' Robredo (seated, 4th from left) with the 'Istorya ng Pagasa' champions in Negros Occidental recognized during a program held at the Saint John Vianney Hall of the Diocese of Bacolod Thursday afternoon (June 14, 2018). (Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY -- Twenty individuals and groups in Negros Occidental were honored as champions of “Istorya ng Pagasa (INP)”, an initiative of the Office of the Vice President that aims to share the extraordinary stories of ordinary people to inspire and empower Filipinos.
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo awarded certificates and copies of INP booklets to the honorees during the recognition rites held at the Saint John Vianney Hall of the Diocese of Bacolod here on Thursday afternoon.
Named INP group champions were the Hacienda Esperanza Communal Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association; Minoro-Isabel Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association; Kalipay Negrense Foundation, a non-government organization that works for the cause of disadvantaged children; and the parish-based Community Alternative Health Workers Organization.
Three physicians -- Gabby Peñacuba Palacios, Mary June Señeres, and Leah Tipagad-Suelto -- were recognized for their stories of inspiration and perseverance.
Also given recognition were community worker Neptali Ignacio Mordenio; widowed farmer Estrellita Eslabon; abandoned child Wenchar Payumo, and midget Leah Delgado, call center agents who were both scholars of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology; and women’s sector leader Wenonah Martir.
Other “stories of hope” told were those of Debdeb and Welsie Diemos, Fely Torrefranca, Cerilo Ortega Jr., Joujay Garzola, Jundel Toriano, Odimar Sinoy, Joenel Gamala and family, and the Elemento family.
The inspiring stories of the 20 champions were published in a booklet/magazine and told through a photo gallery set up at the third floor of the Saint John Vianney Hall.
The INP project in Negros Occidental was launched by Robredo in the same venue last May 9.
Former governor Rafael Coscolluela, who heads the INP core group in Negros Occidental, assisted the vice president’s team in looking for inspiring stories of Negrenses.
Robredo said her realization in doing the “stories of hope” project is that the story of the Filipino is really a story of hope.
“It’s up to us to find these stories that will provide inspiration. This is not just for us to feel good. Our goal is to let our fellow Filipinos who undergo the same struggles, know that they are not alone. Our aim is to bring light at the end of their difficulties,” she said.
One of the honorees, Leah Delgado, standing at only 3 ft., went through discrimination, but did not allow her physical limitations to stop her from reaching her dreams.
Now working as a call center agent, she was able to build a home for her parents after their house was destroyed by a typhoon.
“I’m happy, I’m blessed. I want to give inspiration to others,” Delgado said after being awarded as INP champ. (PNA)
