Women in Formation: Nanay Diding 

This Women’s month, the Office for Social Concern and Involvement is featuring women leaders who are instrumental in the lives of their respective communities as well as in the lives of Ateneo students. 

Dadecita Taer Libao

Nanay Diding, as she is fondly called by the members of Solidarity with Orphans and Widows, Inc (SOW), is one of the ground coordinators for the different programs that the Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) implement for the students of the Loyola Schools. She coordinates with the formators-in-charge of the Binhi, NSTP11-Punla, and NSTP12-Bigkis Programs and relays important information to the members of SOW.

She is also an active volunteer of Ina ng Lupang Pangako Parish.

In 2016, Brgy. Payatas in Quezon City was a hotbed of the “War on Drugs” of the Duterte Administration. Nanay Diding was at first hesitant to get involved in the issue for fear of her security and safety. There is a stigma attached to being associated with the families victimized by Tokhang; your life might also be in danger. However, after Fr. Dan Pilario’s funeral masses were held at Lupang Pangako Parish Chapel, she bravely located the houses of the families involved upon the request of Fr. Dan, visited, talked to, and listened to each one of them. Initially, they were able to organize 12 women who were mostly wives and mothers of the victims of tokhang. Through the help of the parish, they provide for their immediate needs such as burial assistance and food subsidy to name a few.

At present, SOW has 35 adult members. Some of them are working at the sewing center, which serves as a source of livelihood for them.

Nanay Diding serves as an inspiration to many fighting for the rights of women especially in Payatas. Saludo kami sa iyo, Nanay Diding!