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NFWC Celebrates 102nd Founding Anniversary with the Million Trees Foundation

National Federation of Women’s Clubs of the Philippines (NFWC) President Linda P. Gonzalez led the officers and past presidents of the country’s pioneering women’s organization in commemorating the Federation’s 102nd Founding Anniversary on February 5, 2023. 

The NFWC was founded on February 5, 1921 when more than 300 Filipino clubwomen gathered at the Manila Hotel to chart the future of the country’s women which would eventually lead to the enactment of one of the very first women suffrage legislation in 1937. 

For this year’s founding anniversary, the NFWC leadership chose to undertake a tree planting activity and become a partner of the Million Trees Foundation Inc. at the foundation’s Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center inside the La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City.

NFWC President Linda P. Gonzalez with Million Trees Foundation Inc. President and Executive Director Melandrew Velasco who served as guest speaker during the 102nd Founding Anniversary activity

“This is a milestone project for NFWC as we observe our anniversary by planting trees and becoming a new partner of the Million Trees Foundation Inc. (MTFI) in our collective effort to save the watersheds that are sources of water and in our fight against climate change”, President Gonzalez said during her message. 

The event was also attended by other NFWC and NFWC Foundation officials including Mary Jane Ortega, Ester Santa Ana, Vice President Erlinda Tiu, Vice President Merlinda Sualibios, Lariden Honorio, Marilyn Aggabao, Maria Theresa Timbol, Fe Soriano, and others. 

In his address to the NFWC, Velasco lauded the National Federation and its members for their continuing effort to serve God, country and home by embarking on a nationwide advocacy to plant trees for Mother Earth.
 
“Thank you for continuing with your mothering duties and in loving and serving our country, this time by joining the movement to plant million of trees to protect our watersheds. I am one with NFWC having published a book on Angela Valdez Ramos, mother of former President Fidel V. Ramos. Angela or Ilang Ramos was one of the leading icons and leaders for women’s right to vote in 1937 and in NFWC’s eminent role in then led by its president Josefa Llanes Escoda taking care of the Prisoners of War (POW) at Camp O’ Donnel in Capas, Tarlac during World 2,” Velasco said.

Velasco added that staging this year’s NFWC Founding Anniversary event at Eddie’s Barn (dedicated in honor of FVR) or otherwise known as SMC Multi Purpose Center, is serendipitous since the NFWC credo runs parallel with FVR’s 4 Ms – Makadiyos, Makatao, Makabayan at Makakalikasan.

In 2005, Velasco was commissioned by FVR to write and publish a book on Angela Valdez Ramos titled “In A Class of Her Own” which was launched at the Manila Hotel in time for the centennial celebration of the Feminist Movement in the Philippines.

To cap the NFWC event, Ylang-Ylang samplings were planted at the vicinity of Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center.

For her part, NFWC Foundation President Mary Jane Ortega lauded the Million Trees Foundation for its accomplishments through the Annual Million Trees Challenge of MWSS that has so far planted more than five million trees in seven critical watersheds that provide water to Metro Manila and its environs. 
 
The NFWC Board also convened for a Board Meeting led by President Gonzalez during which the ceremonial candle on a cake was lit and blown to commemorate another year in NFWC’s continuing journey in crafting the Filipino woman’s place in Philippine history. 

With photos and text taken from the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. Facebook Page/Post: https://www.facebook.com/milliontrees.org/posts/pfbid0uZxFwEfP8J8jyMz72WMhEvzH3DK8TgyBTniBnSr4wVQ3kcaqYNSoQzoUkHd2sByLl

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