The higher purpose of life

Women are undeniably powerful in our country, especially when they come together to do something good. As a member of the Zonta Club of Makati Ayala, I am privileged to be in the company of women who aim to advance the cause of other women.

At our monthly general membership meeting last Wednesday, we were blessed by the presence of a very inspiring lady named Ma. Imelda “Dandy” Gomez as our guest speaker upon the invitation of our president Vicki Abraham. Dandy was governor of Zonta District 17, a very culturally diverse district because the country members include Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. The Zonta Club of District 17, with Dandy at the helm (biennium 2002-2004), reaped a bounty of local and international awards from Zonta International.

The day Dandy was our guest of honor, the main lounge of Makati Sports Club was full of lovely ladies. Present were members of two clubs, the Zonta Club of Makati Ayala and our newly formed “baby” club, the Zonta Club of Parañaque.

As always when this dynamic group gets together, incessant banter and high pitched laughter resonate throughout the venue. Not on this day. Dandy’s compassion diverted everyone’s attention. Soulful silence blanketed the room as we all listened intently to this golden hearted lady.

The introduction of our guest speaker was delivered by our past president, the charming Maridel Villavicencio. The citation of Dandy’s numerous achievements was one of the longest I had ever heard in a Zonta meeting. Dandy, who finished her Master’s degree in Public Management in Ateneo in 2009, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the Assumption College in 1972, is engaged in aquaculture farming. This multi-awarded Zontian also puts premium in her spiritual involvement that includes the Marriage Encounter group, which she does with her husband Ariston Gomez as head couple of the group. Ariston is an international consultant in human resource department and an industrial psychologist.

She spoke of her life as a Zontian, reminding us all of the power we each have to make a difference in other women’s lives most especially the least fortunate. “To whom much is given much is expected,” she said.

She began her speech by saying: “Why are we all here? What is Zonta?”

Boldly she declared, “Zonta is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.”

Helping women in developing countries has been a passion of Zontians since the organization was founded in 1919. Today, looking back at all international service programs, Zonta has provided training, education, health, sanitation, agricultural and micro assistance to women here and abroad.

Dandy said, “Our international projects are implemented by the agencies of the United Nations and other recognized non-governmental organizations. The advantage of being a global organization is that we are given a closer look at similarities and differences in women’s situation globally. We get to understand the situation and know that we can do something about it. We have access to technical and financial support that allows sustainability. Interaction with members in other countries also makes us more sensitive to the plight of women who are maltreated and gives us the chance to alleviate their suffering.”

Dandy enlightened us about the three projects being supported by the international service program fund of Zonta from 2010 to 2012. First is the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and gender based violence in Rwanda. Second is the strengthening of safe cities for women project in Guatemala and El Salvador. Lastly, the elimination of obstetric fistula and the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in Liberia.

A born leader, Dandy said her purpose in life is to achieve the highest form of godliness through excellent service to others. These are the virtues she also shares with her children Arlu Miguel Jr., 35, and Maria Cristina, 27. Arlu Miguel Jr., a multi-awarded student, completed Business Management in Ateneo before taking up photography in the States. Maria Cristina finished MA Fashion Brand Management, cum laude, at Instituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy.

She said Zonta honed her skills in leadership. “Zonta provides a venue where we can practice servant leadership. We learn to work with people of the same level as us, volunteers, co-equals not employees. We learn to be leaders, not bosses. We learn to work for the common good, not for personal gains.”

Belonging to an international group has widened Dandy’s horizons. She gained so many friends in Zonta through service. This in turn has helped her beyond ways she never imagined. “The good you do,” she said, “somehow comes back to you, especially when you need it most.”

In Dandy’s case, her brother died while they were celebrating Christmas in Hong Kong. “Did you know that the Zonta Clubs in Hong Kong helped me with everything so we could bring our brother home?” she gratefully shared.

Through Zonta, Dandy added, she came to know herself better. “I realized that there is a higher purpose in life, which is service, where I, like everyone else, can make a difference and that there is no greater pleasure than making one’s contribution with meaning and passion.”

Selflessness governs Dandy’s world. “I exercise unconditional commitment to give my best without counting the costs. We have to be sensitive and responsive to the needs of our communities.”

We, in Zonta, believe that we should never withhold good from another person, if it is in our power to do it. Most especially to women in need.

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