QC mayor cites vital role of mothers in nation building

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has cited the vital role mothers play in shaping the character of future leaders and professionals in the country.

While the father is the breadwinner of the family, the mother takes care of emotional needs of children and guiding them toward their career and chosen professions and becoming productive citizens in the future.

"Mothers play a vital role in nation building," Belmonte told winners of the Gawad Ulirang Ina during the awarding ceremonies held at the Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman, Quezon City last Thursday evening.

The mayor was guest speaker of the 3rd Gawad Ulirang Ina sponsored by the Office of Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista in coordination with various government agencies and sectoral groups in the city.

Elsie de Veyra, 70-year-old registered nurse from Barangay UP Campus in District IV, won this year’s much-coveted "Ulirang Ina ng Lungsod Quezon" award in the recent search for outstanding Quezon City mothers.

A mother of four, De Veyra is also a holder of a masteral and doctorate in environment and health. She is the wife of a professor and associate dean of the UP College of Medicine who is also chief of the Chinese General Hospital’s Department of Laboratory.

De Veyra started out strong in her chosen field as emergency room head nurse in the Philippine General Hospital. And because of sheer hard work, diligence and perseverance she managed to get hold of other countless vital positions.

She won over 125 other candidates coming from the 142 barangays in the four districts of the city.

Other awardees include Josefina Sumaya of Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa, Ulirang Ina for District I; Gloria Soriano of Barangay North Fairview, Ulirang Ina for District II; Erlinda Lapid of Barangay Duyan-Duyan, Ulirang Ina for District III; Socorro Azurin of Barangay Sikatuna Village, Ulirang Ina for District IV; and Erlinda Retallo of Barangay Batasan Hills, named Glowing Mom of the Night.

Each received a cash prize, a bouquet of flowers and a plaque of appreciation, along with giveaways.

Candidates to the search were judge based on their contribution to the formation of their family members as productive citizens, having been instrumental in bringing specific positive change in the society, involvement in the improvement of the community and have been inspiring models to the public.