“A strong woman stands up for herself, but a stronger woman stands up for everybody else.” – Unknown
Today’s context, women are regarded as strong, empowered and bread-winners for their homes. Not only are they concerned for their own families, but also for their community and country. Being able to raise children, build a home, work for their families, and still have time to help out the community.
In barangay of Turog-turog, Oton, Daisy Calzado started her own legacy. More than just being a house wife and taking care of her children, she devoted her free time serving her community.
Her mission started last December 7, 2017 as she was elected as Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC) Chairperson. Here, she was entrusted with the responsibility of spearheading the group of volunteers for the implementation of 546 linear-meter road project. 
“Nakibot ako sang ako ginpili sang mga pumuluyo sang Turog-turog nga mangin BSPMC Chairperson. Wala gid ako may na mang-an sa pagiging lider. Sang una, grabe gid na hadlok ko nga indi ko ma-obra ang mga responsibilidad ko (I was surprised when the residents of Turog-turog chose me to be their BSPMC Chairperson. I didn’t know anything about being a leader. I was really scared before that I wouldn’t be able to do my responsibilities),” she said.
Her fear was replaced by self-confidence because of the different seminars and trainings provided to her by Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS). The things that were in the dark before were slowly given light with the opportunity given to her by the Program.
“Wala man ako ginbilin sang mga kapwa ko volunteers. Ga pasalamat ako sa ila nga pag suporta sa akon, kay sila man mismo wala ga duwa-duwa mag bulig sa akon. Diri ko gid ni nakita ang importansya sang pagbululigay kag sa pag-ugyon para matigayon lang ang isa ka proyekto ukon kawsa (My fellow volunteers never left me. I am really thankful for their support, and they did not hesitate to help me. This is where I saw the importance of helping one another and being unified to finish a certain project or to address a cause).”
There were several times when she had to choose between her tasks as a mother, and her role as a community volunteer. But, without hesitation, she preferred to address the bigger picture and give her undying support to the needs of the residents of the barangay.
“Sa bulig sang Kalahi-CIDSS napakita gid nila sa akon nga mas damo pa tawo nga kailangan buligan, indi lang akon sarili or akon na pamilya. Tungod sa Community Driven Development, narealize ko na wala sang imposible basta magbululigay lang, amo na ang legacy na gusto ko ibilin sa mga tawo diri (With the help of Kalahi-CIDSS, they showed me that there are more people who need help, not just me or my family. Through Community Driven Development, I realized that nothing is impossible as long as we help each other out. That is the legacy that I want to leave to the people here)” she said.
With her newly found confidence, Calzado wanted to further impart her services to the barangay at another level, she ran as barangay captain and won in the last May 14,2018 barangay elections.
“Na-empower gid ako magbulig kay nakita ko nga damo pa mga problema diri sa amon nga barangay kag gusto ko mangin parte ako sa mga tawo nga mahatag sang solusyon. Grabe gid pasalamat kay nagsalig sila sa akon nga kakayahan kag ginpili nila ako nga mangin nanay sang amon barangay (I feel empowered to help because I saw that there are still many problems to be addressed in the barangay and I want to be part of the solution. I am very thankful for the people who trusted my capabilities and for being chosen as the mother of our barangay),” Calzado said.
Leila Callos, a resident of Brgy. Turog-turog attested to how Calzado became a huge part in the community’s success.
“Sa proyekto sang Kalahi-CIDSS nga dalan diri sa amon, nakita namon ang abilidad ni Daisy nga mangin lider. Sang una gakadto gid na siya isa-isa sa mga pamalay diri para lang hagaron kami na magbulig ukon maghatag sang amon gamay na kontribusyon para sa proyekto. Nakita gid to namon ang iya interes makabulig sa amon nga pati kami man nga mga pumuluyo diri na-inspire man magbulig (In this Kalahi-CIDSS road project, we saw Daisy’s potentials to become a leader. Before, she conducted house to house visits to invite us to join in the group or asked for contributions for the project. We saw her interest to help us and that inspired us to also help), she said.”
Calzado is only one of the many community volunteers that has found their purpose in serving the community and the country. Empowerment can go a long way when it’s paired with a heart filled with concern for the betterment of not only themselves, but of the people around them.
From community volunteer to barangay captain, this is her story of success.#