It had to be Bacolod president Clarissa Araneta to make me wake up early for a Zonta Club event at the Bantug Lake Ranch.
Still groggy with sleep, my eyes sparked up at the sight of uniformed men dotting the road every 20 meters as the car whizzed by Granada. A whole posse of policemen waved me through the entrance of the resort and pretty soon, I was being led out by a valet with a wide umbrella to protect me from a slight drizzle as I stepped up to the clubhouse.
As part of the local club’s advocacy of empowering women and in response to the call of Zonta International to end violence against women, this admirable group of leading business and civic lady leaders held Recognition Rites for our Bacolod City policewomen a week ago.
Assisted by Secretary Reeda Bantug – who walks her talk – Certificates of Recognition and gift bags were given to 43 policewomen of the Bacolod City Police Office, who serve Women and Children Protection Desks in all police stations and crime investigation units. Acting head of WCPD, P/Lt. Arlyn Torrendon, expressed their continued commitment in protecting Bacolod’s citizens, emphasizing their duties and responsibilities to women and children. City director, P/Col. Manuel Placido, thanked Zonta for this endeavor of showing appreciation to policewomen, evidently much needed to boost the morale of their female counterpart. He called on more non-government organizations to support our community’s police force.
Before my French exit, I congratulated Bacolod’s best communicator, City Administrator Em Ang, and asked for her help to control our local markets where so many vendors are not wearing masks and face shields. I’d hate to think that they could be another Wuhan market…I bid my adieu to Clarissa’s supportive hubby Philip Araneta and their daughter, Dr. Mica, while meeting the most gracious Bantug famille in charge of the resort, Michael and Genie, beauteous Carmeli Bantug, and Reeda’s teenage princess Alyssa.
By the way, I can’t help but poke you all, Dahlinks, to be extra careful this coming month. I know we’re already on MGCQ for the Kung Flu but ‘tis the moment for the virus to be jolly with all the shopping and the Christmas parties STILL being held. I just went to a very exclusive luncheon at a hotel and passed by a couple of air-conditioned function halls being occupied for wedding receptions! I dared not take a peek for fear my volatile temper would provoke me to scream at the guests…and there was a huge open-air pavillon that was not used! Take note of the spikes of cases in the US of A after the Thanksgiving celebrations where millions went home to celebrate with their families. Now, hospitals in several states are again overwhelmed and some cities are in stay-at-home orders. Pretty pleeez, be vigilant and stay safe. Yours truly, your Fashion Police.
My Prayer: Lord our God, we seek your face and long to find you. Do not let our age pass by in vain, O great and alright God. A new time must surely come, a new day must be born from this present age. This is your will, and in your will we trust. Amen.*
