So long Dina

Today, I mourn the loss of Dina, a friend and a sister in the many triumphs and struggles of the women's movement in the Philippines. Dina died in a vehicular accident while on the way to a health governance activity in southern part of the country. The personal life and the professional work of Dina is an assemblage of the different experiences of individual women and the efforts of different groups engaged in development work. She is a winner in many aspects having undergone medication and surgeries and luckily survived cancer after several years. She single handedly supported and educated her children as a solo parent. Her passion and skills in organizing, project management and advocacy had helped several communities implement a wide range of development concerns from violence against women and other gender issues, rural development and natural resource management to good governance and change politics. She successfully managed projects, groups, organizations and family. This is how talented, flexible and skillful Dina is. She approached life and its challenges with dedication and humility. She worked and smiled as if everything was alright. She was expert at hiding the physical pain. She epitomizes the enduring mother; the supportive parent; the relentless organizer and trainer; the ever conscientious development worker and optimistic citizen of the world. Dear sisters in Abanse!Pinay and Women Action Network for Development (WAND), we will miss one firm believer in women empowerment and gender equality. So long Dina.