Rising stars and solutions

By Rina Jimenez-David
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

“Come on, all of you, hold this with me. We’re all responsible for this award,” said Sen. Pia Cayetano shortly after receiving the “Rising Star Award” at the closing of the “Women Deliver” global conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Surrounded by Filipinos taking part in the confab, the senator posed for a photo with everybody around her touching the crystal star, her trophy. Among the group were outgoing congresswoman Janette Garin, government officials, NGO leaders, activists, and young people “laying hands” as it were on the symbol not just of a legislative accomplishment but also of at least two decades’ worth of struggle to establish, mandate, promote and protect a reproductive health program in the country.

Handing out the star trophy was no less than Melinda Gates, who with her husband Bill and their friend Warren Buffet who have been the galvanizing force behind an unprecedented effort to rally private-sector support for public health programs. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE