BACOLOD CITY — Stories of hope of various Negrense organizations and individuals were introduced during the launching of “Istorya ng Pagasa” in Negros Occidental led by Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo here on Wednesday.
“Wherever we go, it’s not hard to find a story. There so many stories of difficulties, which are also stories of triumph,” the vice president said before an audience of more than a hundred during a program held at the Saint John Vianney Hall of the Diocese of Bacolod.
“Istorya ng Pagasa” is a project of the Office of the Vice President, which aims to share the extraordinary stories of ordinary people to inspire and empower Filipinos.
In October last year, the “Istorya ng Pagasa” was also launched at the University of St. La Salle here.
Bishop Patricio Buizon, who hosted a lunch for the vice president before the program, said the “Istorya ng Pagasa” is “a beautiful project because in a certain perspective that’s what the church is about.”
Former governor Rafael Coscolluela, who is the Negros Occidental coordinator of Istorya ng Pagasa, introduced the initial 20 groups and individuals, who have their own “stories of hope.”
“Today, we are launching the Istorya ng Pagasa. Stories of hope, stories of triumph over adversity, stories of victory over difficulties, over poverty, over malnutrition, over illiteracy,” he said.
“There are 20 such stories, but we are looking for more stories of hope that will highlight the willingness of every group or individual to get up and fight amid the difficulties,” Coscolluela added. “Here we are hoping to celebrate these stories of hope and make them sources of inspiration.”
Among the “Istorya ng Pagasa” group honorees are the Kalipay Negrense Foundation, which works for the cause of disadvantaged children; land reform communities Hacienda Esperanza Communal Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Association and Minoro-Isabel Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Association; and the parish-based Community Alternative Health Workers Organization.
Individual honorees include, among others, church and community worker Neptali Ignacio Mordenio; widowed farmer Estrellita Eslabon; abandoned child Melchor Payomo and midget Leah Delgado, who are both scholars of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology; and women’s sector leader Wenonah Martir. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
