Palabok: Naalala ko pa ma’am, na may joke tayo na kakain tayo ng palabok after meeting pag stress tayo. Tradition natin magtatago sa maliit mong pitak ng opisina habang nagkwekwentuhan at nagplaplano ng mga proyekto para sa mga komunidad, tangan ang isang tasa ng tsaa at isang maliit na notebook na may lilang tinta… manghang mangha ako sa bawat salitang binibigkas mo ma’am, yung liwanag sa iyong mga mata at yung huli mo laging bilin sa amin na “Oh diba, laban lang!”

Candy: Nag-iisa ka ma’am, mula noong una kitang sinamahan upang umattend ng isang misa sa isang sementeryo sa Caloocan para sa mga biktima ng EJK – sabi mo noong gabi na yun “Nicole, hindi tayo aalis dito hanggang hindi natin naiikot lahat ng mga pamilya, makikipag-usap tayo ha… tara bili tayo Candy, yan ang babaunin nating hapunan.” Bitbit ang iyong mala-maletang bag, naglakad ka sa putikan sa gitna ng dilim sa sementeryo, ang ngiti mo lang ang tanging liwanag na nagbigay ng lakas sa lahat ng pamilyang dinaanan natin. Nag-iisa ka ma’am.

Biskwit: Matapos ang iyong pagiging lingkod bayan sa gobyerno – saksi kami ma’am, sa patuloy mong paglilingkod sa ating bansa. Isang balot ng biskwit lang ang lagi nating baon – mapabundok man, isang maliit ng komunidad sa may dagat, umulan, umaraw at bumagyo, basta para sa maralita at sa demokrasya, tuloy tuloy tayo sa laban. 

Alam namin ma’am, na ang laban mo ay hindi matitigil dito at ang yong mga turo ay aming babaunin sa aming mga puso habang buhay. Mahal na mahal ka namin ma’am, nangungulila man po kami ngayon ay ipagpapatuloy po naming lahat ang iyong misyon. Mula sa iyong mga “sunflower babies” – Maraming maraming Salamat Mother Dinky, ang iyong ambag sa ating bansa ay kailan ma’y hindi matutumbasan ng kahit nino man.

Sunflower Wishes

Nicole (One of your sunflower babies)

(P.S Yakap na mahigpit Sir Hec, Kuya Dino at sa family po - Dont worry mother Corazon Juliano-Soliman kami na po bahala ni Ma’am Mely, Ms. Marj at ng inyong mga babies sa mga alaga nyo po - pahinga ka na mother, paki-hello po kami kay Boss Pnoy dyan - Salamat ulit po ma'am at kahit sa mga huling buwan ninyo po ay ginuide mo parin po kami sa trabaho natin para sa bayan! )

-Nicole, INCITEGov (Senior Program Officer of CJS) 

 

You were always all ears and ready to listen. You were all heart and always ready to help. You were such a joy to work with. You were all about love for country and service to the people. I wonder how you found the time to do all this and be all this. You managed to stretch the days and accomplish so much and still look fresh. You managed to make people work hard and give their best without forcing them or pressuring them. You managed to bring so many groups together and accomplish massive work for change, even when their political lines clashed. You managed to multi-task every day and still find the space to be so attentive to anyone, no matter how lowly, who needed your help. 

 

I remember we were having lunch and laughing a lot (as always) and then you stood up and cleaned up your plates and the trash can, to our shock and surprise. I remember just a month ago, in a Zoom call, your hair was wet and flat and bluish-purple (bagong kulay, due for shower). You wanted to bounce ideas about how to move forward with some of our engagements. I found the scene hilarious, but I could not laugh at you because you were so focused on explaining something intently. I remember, in one of our slow times,  you were so excited as you waited for a meal that you ordered that day. Pagdating ng order, lugaw at tokwa pala. I remember our last flight from Tacloban when Sir Hec came to pick you up. You stood on your toes to kiss your gentle giant. 

 

I remember our early days in CPAR. You were on top of a truck in QC Circle in a sea of green and red flags and posters, and thousands of farmers from all over the country. You were so tiny but your voice reverberated in the air. I remember you giving workshops and facilitating seminars for urban poor groups recently, and farmer groups in our earlier days. You shone like an angel, so bright and happy. You were happiest every time you were with them. You loved them so dearly, and they loved you back with all their hearts. You invested a huge part of your life being with them. In the farmers and urban poor groups that you have worked with, many leaders gradually grew from being shy, into being articulate and assertive. I saw many of them transform because of your constant mentoring and your absolute faith in their potential.

 

I remember your early days as a Cabinet secretary. We were rushed to get in the car after an event in Baguio. I shouted to you, like in the old days of our massive rallies in CPAR. “Dinky, Dinky, dito!” You ran towards the car with your tiny, little steps--vulnerable, nimble, sprightly.  And then later the protocol officer and Badette admonished me for shouting “Dinky, Dinky” in front of many people who knew you as their new Cabinet Secretary. I remember taking a helicopter with you to Zamboanga, and one sundalo grabbed your bag so that you can board conveniently. Nakipag-agawan ka pa sa bag mo dahil hindi ka pa sanay na inaalalayan. The soldier got confused and just gave the bag back to you. You jumped up the chopper on your own as if to say, “O di ba, kaya ko naman.”  On the matter of titles and protocols, you were unmindful until your last day in office.

 

I remember after we finished our term under PNoy, panahon ng taghirap, you collected all of your earrings, bracelets and necklaces, and asked Ate Linda to sell them to raise funds for ASAP, the urban poor hub of Tindig Pilipinas.  I found this tiangge strategy to be novice for someone who is experienced like you. But then again, everything with you since CPAR and CODE-NGO days started with these small acts that snowballed into movements that changed regimes. 

 

I remember how you would not think twice about answering back to people in position. I witnessed one – tumahip ang dibdib ko – but you were calm and strong, and afterwards, quiet like a storm that was about to start. Also, you kept exposing yourself to the risk of high noon sun despite your health condition, because you liked to walk. You were fearless, you were reckless. And yet you were helpless when it came to opening bottles and packets of biscuits. 

 

I remember travelling to Davao with you two years ago. I was anxious about how people would react to you at the airport – baka kung ano’ng gawin ng mga DDS sa iyo? But then even before we boarded the plane, people came up to you to talk and take pictures, as if they knew you from before, like a long-lost friend.  You were swarmed with fans and a swooning crowd at the airport. I remember talking to you and crying, at the height of DDS attacks against you on social media. “Ma’am, bakit ganun?” You laughed and simply said you were OK. In our last years in INCITEGov, you were all about trying to find ways to reach out to them. You were at the core of a social process that will bridge the gaps of understanding with these people that have hurt truth, that have hurt you.

 

Today my phone had not stopped ringing. Many of us could not yet believe the news this morning. Last Friday, Roldan Hoybia, our messenger in INCITEGov from many years ago whom you brought to DSWD with you, called me at midnight to check how you were. He cried like a lost kid. You touched the lives of many, in the same way you touched mine. We all felt close to you like family. We got to know many people who became our friends through the years, through you and because of you.

 

Thank you for all these memories. We will miss your clarity, we will miss your energy, we will miss your smile. Our world will not ever be the same without you.

 

Thank you so much, Atty. Hec, Dino, and Marikit and the rest of the family for so generously sharing Ma’am Dinky with us. We cannot imagine how difficult it has been for all of you. We wrap you in prayer, that God will continue to send you His Strength as you start to deal with your loss.

 

We love you, Ma’am Dinky, our sunflower. You are now in God’s resting place. Your life and your death have honored Him and His Will. As we are left to continue with our mission on earth, we will try our best to serve in joy like you did.

 
Marj Ibanez
INCITEGov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodbye Sec Dinky.  Thank you for your dedication to the country.  Please continue to pray for the country now that you are closer to God than we are.

Condolences and prayers for the family. 

- Jess Lorenzo

 

Hindi ko makakalimutan ang highlight ng iyong buhok, Dinky, ang malalakas na tawa mo at mahigpit na yakap. Ewan ko lang kung may maniniwala sa akin na kahapon, tingin ako nang tingin ng flower arrangement ng mga sunflower. Walang dahilan, basta tingin lang ako nang tingin. Naisa-isa ko na yata ang lahat ng flower shop na nakita ko sa facebook.

 

Baka hindi rin kita mapabaunan ng mga bulaklak ng sunflower. Pag nakabili ako, ilalagay ko na lang sa altar para sa ‘yo. Pero baon mo sa pag-alis ang aking pagmamahal at pagsaludo. 

-- Lualhati Bautista, writer

2. Tigas din siya. Bawal mema sa meeting pag nasa mesa siya lolz. Kung bubugoy-bugoy hirit mo masasapul ka. 

3. Never kong narinig mag-talk shit tungkol sa ibang tao. Never nagkalat ng intriga o magbulong ng toxic shit. 

4. Laging may single-minded na pursuit sa goals tapos ang galing mag-mobilize at mag-subsume ng sariling ego in pursuit of those goals. 

5. Sobrang straight arrow. Consistent yan, nung naglalabas ng SALN ng mga cabinet secretaries dati, siya ang pinakamababa ang assets. Considering yung laki ng pondong hinawakan sa DSWD, wala talaga, as in zero, totoong not even a whiff of corruption. At kung may magtangkang mang-fake news, wala ring maniniwala dahil kitang-kita sa simple niyang pamumuhay na never siyang nagnakaw.

6. Nagbabasa ng poetry hahaha. May isang event dati na pinagbasa ako tapos nilapitan niya ako after asking kung saan nakakabili ng libro ko. Pag nagbabasa ng poetry tapos nasa governance/reform/development circles, plus points talaga sa akin hehehe. Ibig sabihin may kapit sa human/philosophical level nung ginagawa niya. 

7. Maalaga sa mga bata niyang staff. Taskmaster at ang galing magtrain, pero laging positive ang nabubuong relationship. Grabe yung mga dumaan under her, ang sosolid din ng work ethic.

8. Haaaaay. Sakit. Ang sakit. Salamat ulit Sec Dinky. Nakikiramay ako kina Sir Hec at sa family at sa lahat ng anak-anakan at kapatid at kahanay niya sa paniniwala. Padayon tayo.

- Mikael Co

A profusion of people celebrating Dinky’s life

All grateful for the leadership and mentorship

Fulfilling her many missions with great joy

The Sunflower that never dims and 

That never leaves our hearts

Because hope is infinite and so is Dinky.

-Joei Villarama

Maraming Salamat po, Sec., at pakikumusta na lang po kami kay #pnoy at #secjesserobredo 

-Jing Castaneda

Tunay ngang isang karangalan ang makilala, makatrabaho at maging isang nanay kayo ma’am para sa aming sunflower babies.

Maraming salamat po sa pag bahagi ng buhay ninyo sa amin. Hindi po matatawaran ang naiambag mo sa buhay ng bawat isa na mga nakakakila sayo. Buong buhay ko po babaunin ang mga naituro at bilin ninyo sa amin. 

Patuloy niyo po kaming gabayan sa aming mga tatahakin pang laban. Kahanga hanga po kayo.. Maraming salamat po at

Mahigpit na yakap Mother Dinky..pahinga na po kayo. 

🌻🌻🌻
Gianca Bautista(One of the Sunflower babies)

INCITEGov

Never turned away anybody, even in her own time off. If anyone exemplified the Social welfare profession it would be Sec. Dinky. Rest in Power. Rest in Peace.

 

Nagsimula kaming maging magkalapit noong naging bahagi ako ng kalihiman ng Congress for a People’s Agrarian Reform (CPAR) noong 1990, kung saan sya ang national coordinator. Naging “tig” (tagasuporta) nya ako sa pagpadaloy ng mga kumperensya ng CPAR. Naging haligi ko sya sa pagpapadaloy ng Refresher and Enhancement Seminars on Rural Organizing (RESRO). Matapos syang dumalo ng seminar sa prinsipyadong negosasyon, gumawa sya ng paraan para makadalo rin ako sa parehong seminar. Mula noon, magkatuwang kami sa pagbibigay ng pagsasanay sa prinsipyadong negosasyon sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda, mga kababaihan, kalihiman ng CPAR, at mga NGOs. Nagpatuloy ito kahit na noong nagtiklop ang CPAR noong 1992 at naging national coordinator ako ng  Rural CO Forum Project, isang proyekto ng pitong NGOs kasama ang ACES. Noong 1994, nilipat ang opisina ng proyekto sa CO Multiversity kung saan sya ang Executive Director. Muli, sya ang aking haligi (kasama ang ilang lider ng mga NGO) sa proseso ng pagbubuo ng Philippine Community Organizers’ Society (PhilCOS). Noong 1994 din, inanyayahan sya ni Kal. Ernesto Garilao, na Kalihim ng DAR noon, para tumulong sa pagmamagitan ng isang kumplikadong sigalot ng mga grupo ng mga magsasaka sa Laguna. Inatasan nya akong tumulong sa kanya. Muli, gumawa sya ng paraan para makadalo ako ng pagsasanay sa pamamagitan (mediation). Mula noon, nagbigay na rin kami ng pagsasanay sa pamamagitan sa gobyerno, NGO, at mga people’s organizations hanggang nabuo ang Mediators’ Network for Sustainable Peace (MedNet). Mahaba pang litanya ng pagsasama sa trabaho at pagkakaibigan (ninang sya ng aking anak). 

 

Pitong katangian ni Dinky ang naging inspirasyon ko: (i) pagsasabuhay nya ng prinsipyo ng  partisipasyon—tinaguyod nya ang sama-samang pagdedesiyon; hindi kailanman nya tinuring ako at iba pa na subordinate; isa syang empowering na tagapamahala; (ii) husay sa pagpapadaloy ng pulong at kumperensya—maraming kumplikadong pulong ang maayos nyang napadaloy; (iii) talas ng pag-iisip at husay sa pagbigkas sa Tagalog, Bisaya, at Ingles; kahit sa gitna ng krisis at kahit sinong kausap, kaya nyang panatilihin ang husay ng kanyang pag-iisip at pananalita; (iv) kababaang-loob (humility), naipakita nya ito sa pantay na pagtrato nya sa lahat, kahit na noong kalihim na sya ng DSWD; (v) pagmamahal nya sa bansa, lalo na sa mahihirap, na pinakita nya sa buong dedikasyon nyang paglilingkod; (vi) parang walang kapaguran; puno pa rin ng enerhiya kahit mahaba na ang nilakad (sa rally) at marami nang ginawa; pagod na ako, sya mukhang hindi pa; (vii) matapat na kaibigan, handang dumamay. Noong umuwi ako sa Pilipinas noong 2019, nagkita kami. Nagkwentuhan kahit sa gitna ng dami nyang pinagkakaabalahan at may baong pagsabi na magkwentuhan muli sa susunod kong pag-uwi. 

Maraming-maraming salamat, Dinky! Nakaukit magpakailanman ang pangalan mo sa aking puso.

Brenda Batistiana

My POV.." she lived a very fulfilling life.

Myla Dulnuan
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, Asipulo, Ifugao

Carrying her bag in this picture was the least I could do for someone who had rendered great service to the nation. 

Maraming salamat po, Ma'am Dinky!

Peds Lapad
Community Organizer
Former Deputy Regional Manager
DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Region IX

Mga pambihirang pagkakataon na makasama ang dating butihing Secretary ng DSWD, Sec Dinky Soliman. Rest in Peace po Mam...-Remi Renola, DSWD KC-NCDDP

Rest in power Sec Dinky you have served your people well. - Bella L. Villarin, DSWD KC-NCDDP

Celebrating life with you, Sec!

Babes Sequito
Social Worker, DSWD

Salamat sa tiwala na binigay at makasama ka sa paglilingkod.

Lou Cresenciano-Turiano
Social Worker, Former Gender Specialist
DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS

Kahit pagod ka sa pag-iikot sa FO8 nakangiti ka pa rin para paunlakan request ko for a picture with you.. sabi ko lang kay Sec. Dinky that time dahil na utal ako (tagal kung pinag-isipan at kinonstruct sa isip ko mga dapat kung sabihin).. "Salamat Sec, I love you" lang nasabi ko.. hahaha.. kaya tumawa lang sya..

Jodellie Pacala
Social Worker, DSWD

This picture was our last together, taken during our KALAHI-CIDSS reunion in Jan 2019. I will miss you po.

Take a rest now Mam in the loving arms of our Creator.

 

Lalaine Encarnacion

DSWD-KALAHI CIDDS/PANTAWID PAMILYA 

 

Fastforward. From civil society, you crossed over to public service as DSWD secretary in 2001. When you left Gloria Arroyo with the Hyatt 10 in 2005, we jumped with joy and embraced you back. We travelled to Bilbao, with confidence, having a high profile speaker during the World Rural Forum congress. We stopped in Brussels for series of dialogues with EU and farmers' organizations. Thank you,  Dinky, for the untold solidarity to our work with family farmers. You were always ready to give time to us, to our work of empowering farmers.

Then after your meaningful and productive term with PNoy as DSWD Secretary, once again, we ran after you. You served as expert consultant for our Constructive Engagement trainings, Successor Generation sessions, and Community Development. We are always modest  with our fees for consultants, and with you -- this was always the case:  this is my standard rate, but I am ok with what you can afford. But more than your generosity, it is your willingness and ability to impart wisdom, knowledge, and skills to others that we built strong ties as partners and friends. You were most credible as trainer/learning facilitator because you have gone full circle, yet remaining as humble and accessible. You were a loved teacher by our DHRRA partners.

Just about a month ago, already fragile with your new dialysis sessions, you were the same Dinky that I have known. Sharp moderator, ever willing leader, and full of hope...for what would it be for Inang bayan, if Leni Gerona Robredo wins the 2022 elections. Kaya kapit bisig pa rin lahat sa desisyong  itataguyod ang "Change Politics Movementfor Leni".   

Your passing made me so sad. Terribly broken-hearted. Para akong nawalan ng mahal na nanay sa development community. We have worked together for decades that when I am in a challeging situation, scenarios with you come to mind - what would Dinky do in this instance? I thank you for your friendship. I thank you for the trust and confidence, for the ready encouragement and belief in the work that we do. 

Salamat, Dinky, sa  inspirasyon. Salamat sa maraming magkasamang paglalakabay sa gawain para sa mahihirap sa kanayunan. Maraming salamat sa mga magagandang halimbawa at aral. Sa patuloy na pagbatikos at pag-iingay sa kawalan ng hustisya. Ipagpapatuloy namin ang mabuting gawain.  Salamat din sa masasayang pasyal at shopping, kahit dito idol kita sa bilis! 
Mapayapang paglalakbay. Please watch over  us and shower us with your sunflower powers . Yakap na puno ng pagmamahal, Hec, Dino at Dian at Kit, at  sa buong pamilya. 

Marlene D. Ramirez, AsiaDHRRA

I consider myself truly privileged to have been partners from the World Bank contributing to these achievements, and for her friendship. We will miss Sec Dinky dearly, and hope she can serve as inspiration to future Filipino leaders to not loose sight that the battle to eradicate poverty should continue relentlessly.

Sunflower wishes, dear Dinky, we will miss you enormously

Pablo Acosta
World Bank

https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1Xjn86rxmS5kjKfHDrg6KxrUb7Ky02-5X5qlS2ThgPTzBRk_Xv7TF5Ysc&v=7PVs1HAie9A&feature=youtu.be

Farewell Sec...

Beng Jabla
Former Financial Management Specialist
DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Region XI

Sta Cruz Manila, 4Ps 

Eto po ang una at huli kong souvenir na galing sa inyo nung bumisita kayo dito sa Bohol. Tanda ko pa rin ang sinabi mo dati hanggang ngayon na “Hindi makakalampas sa kahirapan ang mga mahihirap kung walang mga tao at gobyerno na magmamalasakit at aakay sa kanila para mapaunlad at mapabuti ang kanilang pamumuhay.”
 
 Ramdam ko ang pag-aalala mo kung sakaling ibang tao ang  manalong bagong presidente na baka mabalewala ang mga programang inihanda nyo para sa aming mahihirap o mas kilala na ngayon na mga indigent o 4Ps beneficiary. 

Ramdam ko din ang inis mo o sama ng loob ng may isang sendaor na nakapagsabing bobo ang mga mahihirap kasi hindi kami nakakainom ng gatas. 

Sa oras at pagkakataon na yon naging proud ako na isa akong benepisyaryo ng 4Ps dahil alam ko kahit papano na may makakaramdam ng hinanakit at hirap ng isang tulad kong naghihikahos sa buhay, na may isang tao na mangunguna para kahit papano mapansin kaming tinatawag nilang mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan. 

Salamat Nanay sa iyong pagmamalasakit at pagmamahal sa aming mga mahihirap kasama ng aming mahal na Presidenteng Noynoy. Sana sa inyong paglisan ay patuloy nyo pa rin kaming samahan sa aming laban sa kahirapan at patuloy na idalangin na maliwanagan ng isip ang sinumang itatapat sa pwesto mo. 

Idalangin mo kami, Nanay, na patuloy na magkaroon ng taong may pusong tulad mo na may malasakit sa aming mga mahihirap. 

Salamat, Nanay, para sa mga programa nyo para sa aming mga mahihirap na pinangungunahan mo. 

Paalam, Nanay! Salamat ng marami sa iyong pagmamahal at mapayapang paglalakbay sa piling ng ating Poong Maykapal. 

Nagmamahal, 

Elvira Rosaban

Brgy. Palo, Loay, Bohol

Iniinda sa aking dibdib

Nais kong ikay masilayan

Kung sakaliy itoy paglisan

Yamang ibinahagi pakakaingatan

 

Sa aming lahat sa samahan

Oh walang kasing katulad

Lahat ng karunungan 

Iingatan ikakalat mga pangaral

Mahal ka naming wala kang Katapat

At tanging pasasalamat ihahayag

Naniniwalang paglalakbay ay nagliliwanag

 

Paalam mahal naming Mam Dinky Soliman

From: SNPP RIZAL


--
Ito lang amg nkayana kong gawin SALAMAT sa iyong pag tataya sa amin wala na akong nakikita gaya mu at PAALAM na ikay mamahinga sa piling ng may kapal naway gabayan mo kami palagi at bigyan ng kaliwanagan ang mga nka upo sa aming gawain uoang ipag patuloy ang iyong nasimulan

DSWD Sec. Dinky and six other leaders from government, civil society and the private sector worldwide were recognized for their work in promoting social accountability as a means to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive growth in their respective countries.

In an official ceremony held in May 2015 at the World Bank HQ hosted by Sanjay Pradhan, Vice President for Change, Leadership and Innovation of the World Bank, the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) gave for the first time 7 leaders including Sec Dinky Soliman regional awards and a lifetime award for social accountability.

Hosted by the World Bank, the GPSA is a global partnership that brings together organizations that promote transparency, responsive government, citizen participation in policy decision-making and implementation. GPSA has programs for knowledge and learning, capacity building, partnership, funding and grants.

“Secretary Soliman walks the talk: she translates the practice of social accountability and transparency into concrete strategic activities, which she implements with great commitment and passion,” said World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi.

Secretary Soliman catalyzed genuine engagement between citizens and local government in the country’s community-driven development program, where citizens plan, implement, and evaluate their own local development interventions. The program covers 850 municipalities benefitting 27 million poor people.

As chair of the Philippine Cabinet Cluster on Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Secretary Soliman helped promote collaboration among government agencies for poverty reduction. These include the bottom-up budgeting approach where 300 to 400 of the poorest municipalities developed their own community-level poverty reduction and empowerment plans.

These plans were subsequently included in the rural development and conditional cash transfer budgets of six national agencies: the departments of social welfare, education, health, agriculture, agrarian reform, and environment.

Secretary Soliman also mobilized regional development councils to work with local government units in ensuring the registration of the poor in the government’s national household targeting system database. The database is used in identifying families that participate in the conditional cash transfer program.

The country’s CCT program covers more than 4 million households, benefitting at least 11 million children 0-18 who are able to stay in school and have regular health checks. This April and May the first generation of 400,000 children supported by the CCT program, graduated from secondary education.

“Secretary Soliman made available to the public relevant data about the department’s programs and activities. Reports and information are available in the department’s website, which the public can access. Even data from the national household targeting system are accessible to everyone,” said Mr. Konishi. 

First week of Yolanda relief, she barely had any sleep, snatching brief respite here and there. I told her not to do that for we had a long road ahead of her. She said, “Tessy, there’s time to rest later. The needs are too urgent.”  I was glad to be of help to her for emergency needs like tools to put up make-shift tents and temporary repairs. CW Home Depot, owned by one of Kaisa founders was able to mobilize some of their customers to provide basic tools like hammers, nails and saws. It was her hard work and dedication that inspired private sector help. There were many criticisms against DSWD efforts but she said, “Don’t mind them. It is the “outsiders” who don’t see our efforts in the ground who make those criticism.”  One of the groups that gave all-out help was Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines, which was able to mobilize Tzu Chi chapters nationwide to give help. It was just after Tzu Chi finished their Bohol earthquake relief but they coordinated swiftly with Dinky to provide help to Leyte and Samar and many of them were so impressed with Dinky’s efficiency.  The last time we met was at Marawi, when we turned over the houses for VP Leni Robredo’s Angat Buhay. We learned how close to her heart was the plight of the Muslims, especially the women and children.

We, at Kaisa and TOWNS will miss her sunflower kisses and cheerfulness. We grieve for our irreparable loss and treasure the years that she touched our lives. We pray that as the sunflowers lift themselves to the heavens, memories of Dinky and her work will likewise continue to lift our burdens and cares. We remember her by continuing to touch people’s lives. 

We grieve for Dinky but let her go to her eternal rest in the warmth of God’s embrace. May her family find comfort in her life well-lived and fulfilled.

Teresita Ang See
 TOWNS, 1992
 Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, founding President

 

I first met Dinky in the early 1970s, when as a young social scientist at the Ateneo, I was approached by ACES, a group of community organizers made up of bright feisty new graduates of the University of the Philippines led by Dinky. They wanted to talk to me about incorporating an evaluation research component into a project that they were working on. This was a requirement of the funder and they were not completely sold on it.  It was my task to convince them that not only would a research component not harm the project, but it might actually be helpful. And theyin turn felt it their duty to ensure that this academic was clear that the research wassecondary to the main project goals and thatstandard textbook research methodology might not be the best approach. I assured them that the tail would definitely not wag the dog and that the research would be as participatory as possible. 

 

Apparently we were able to work things out because a couple of years later, when I was organizing a women’s program for UNICEF in the Asia Pacific Region and the Philippine project needed a group to work with community women in Kibawe, Bukidnon, it was a no brainer. We asked ACES and Dinky. 

 

Our paths crossed quite often over the many many years since then--- on development projects, at meetings, and even at rallies, and in all settings, Dinky was a bright star. At any meeting where Dinky was present, whether aschair or facilitator or simply as participant, you could be sure that there would be someone who would ask the tough question, point out the missing element in the discussion, raise the constructive point, synthesize disparate ideas, and lead the group to a reasonable conclusion. It was always reassuring to have Dinky at meetings. 

 

Dinky was a master facilitator, always skillfully combining a focus on the task with a strongpeople orientation, managing both content and process. She had strong views but communicated a genuine respect for other viewpoints. She projected a seriousness of purpose combined with a playfulness reflected in her bright outfits (and in later years, bright hair color), her infectious smile, her laughter. In any situation she was a small woman with a large presence.

 

Everyone who has worked with Dinky knows that she worked very hard but we also know that she played hard as well. Temperamentally I am an introvert and rather reserved and I would marvel at Dinky at Cabinet socials. At informal gatherings at the clubhouse at the PSG compound, as the evening livened up and I began planning my quick escape, Dinky was the life of the party. Indeed much like the bright sunflowers she so loved!

 

In government, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are not the most likely partners. But our agencies did work together on a special program. The Student Grants-in-aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA) which was specially designed for the poorest of the poor is high up on my list of CHED initiatives that I am proudest of. It enabled at least one college age member of over 40,000Conditional Cash Transfer families, to enroll in identified leading state universities and colleges (SUCs), the first in their families to go to college.The grant holistically covered not simply tuition and fees but all the schooling needs of the students and even livelihood assistance to their families. I remember fondly Dinky and I beingtogether at the launch of the program at West Visayas State University in Iloilo, which had one of the largest intakes of SGP-PA grantees. This is not the time to say more about the program, but I will say and, I am sure Dinky would agree, that a program that systematically and effectively targets the poorest students is a better education access strategy. 

 

I join my colleagues in the PNoy cabinet as we gratefully and lovingly bid goodbye and Godspeed to our beloved Dinky, at this time whenwe face this most difficult period in our nation’s history and when she would normally be part of leading the charge against the formidable forces we face. Dear Dinky, please organize our friends up there and be with us as we confront the challenges ahead. Watch over us and watch over this country which you have loved and served so well. Bye Dinks. See ya!

 

 

She was my professor in my senior year in college in 1988. Mikko, my husband and I were in her community organizing (CO) class as Development Studies majors in the Ateneo. She and Roland Modina tag teamed for this class. As you can imagine, the two led an engaging and inspiring class, in a way only they could, and shared so much about their lives and work as seasoned COs. 

 

But I eventually saw Dinky in action, as an organizer and coalition builder, when i joined the (CPAR) Secretariat and Dinky became my first ever boss. I saw her bring people with disparate views --- peasant leaders belonging to the full range of the political spectrum --- together time and again to argue it out at the meeting table, have everyone's different opinions heard and acknowledged, but eventually come to an understanding on common positions that could further the goals of agrarian reform. It was an art form, the way Dinky could facilitate a thorny discussion - whether in a small meeting or a packed gymnasium - and enable people to listen to each other so that they could unite together on shared goals. 

 

It was at this time that i also joined the group, Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas. Dinky was not a member of the group, but we all considered her an honorary member and a mentor. Probably to the frustration of our political officers and other kahanay, we took our role as coalition-builders quite seriously and that may have been construed at times as being disloyal or not all that strategic. But Dinky's modelling had shaped our thinking: that uniting behind agrarian reform and promoting the interests of all farmers, fisherfolk, and rural women were the real agenda that we were upholding. In time, politics got in the way of coalition-building, and we all went our separate ways. 

 

But we continued to keep in touch, and Dinky and i would continue to collaborate on many projects. Whenever she needed a writer, or someone to assist in a session, she would call me and i would happily oblige. 

 

It was also during this time that a number of us got married. Siyempre, lahat kami, ninang si Dinky sa kasal. Mikko and I had no doubt in our minds when we decided to get married that we would ask Dinky to be our ninang. We had seen enough of the way she and Hec were as a couple - always loving, caring, respectful;  always operating as genuine partners in parenting - to know that we could model our own marriage in many ways after theirs.  

 

As newly weds, we moved momentarily to the US so Mikko could attend business school in 1998. When we arrived there, there was a care package from Dinky and Hec - a huge purple Rubbermaid box with all their hand me down pots, pans, plates, utensils from their own stint in Boston. Everything we needed to start off was there...thanks to Dinky and Hec's caring thoughtfulness. I babysat for Dino and Kit, when one summer Dinky and Hec returned to Boston for a Kennedy school reunion. (This was training eventually put to good use with my own two kids.) 

 

Fast forward to Dinky’s first tour in DSWD, i would join her team briefly as her speechwriter. But i became more involved as her Head Executive Assistant (HEA) during her second term as DSWD Secretary. I was her HEA for 3 of those 6 years. Working with Dinky in government was a whole new ballgame: with the shift in roles came tremendous responsibility as the DSWD portfolio came with a host of programs not the least of which were the Pantawid and Kalahi-CIDSS program. I came to know Dinky as an extremely exacting boss during that time. Complete staff work before any meeting or event was required. Precise timetables were followed. We were on standby 24/7 and slept next to our phones. None of us flinched when meetings were called on a Sunday. Paano pa kaya kung may bagyo, lindol o ibang kalamidad. But if she expected her EAs to work hard, it was because she worked even harder. She took radio interviews at 5am. She gave up weekends with the family so she could travel and arrive at a venue early. She often worked late into the night, as we her roommates on trips knew very well. Prince, her appointments secretary, had instructions to allocate slots on her calendar for "Private time". Of course, Private Time would soon give way to just one and then another meeting that urgently needed to happen. It was indeed a stressful time for her, and by extension, for the rest of us around her. 

 

But it was always clear to all of us that Dinky felt the enormity of her responsibility as Secretary, and that was what drove her. People's lives were at stake. People were suffering. And given the resources available to her in government, it would be unforgiveable not to step up when things needed doing. 

 

Of course, if Dinky was a warm and welcoming presence in any group, she was equally nurturing and thoughtful to those of us who worked closely with her. Lunchtime was when she gathered her team to decompress and catch up. Updated siya sa mga love life ng mga EAs. Unang-una siyang mag LIKE at comment, sa Instagram or sa Facebook. Kahit yung mga post na walang katuturan. She was that supportive. 

 

Kung pagbibigyan natin lahat ng mga samahan at mga organisasyon na gustong mag-sponsor ng Misa, magbigay-pugay at magpakita ng pagmamahal kay Dinky, aabutin tayo ng 40th day. In the past week, I've seen the outpouring of love from all her EAS, former staff, colleagues and companions in the struggle. Merong naghahandle ng calendar, comms team, tech team, merong nag-oorganisa ng Misa, bumubo ng program, nagre-record ng kanta, nagsusulat ng eulogy, maraming nangungulit at nagfa-follow up. There is a whole Dinky army that has been hard at work over the past week. All of this is testament to how much people have felt loved, heard, and understood by Dinky. This is proof of how many lives Dinky has touched, and how much people loved her in turn. I hope that Hec, Dino, Kit and the rest of the family will take great comfort in that knowledge. 

 

Most recently, i was again able to work with Dinky on INCITEGov’s project on Generative Conversations, a project premised on the importance of dialogue and authentic listening between and within groups as a means of propelling them forward in the midst of all this divisiveness. The last time i saw Dinky was at a Futures Thinking workshop. In true Dinky fashion, she was still recovering from COVID but gave the opening remarks and actively participated in the discussion for as long as she could. 

 

It was clear to all of us that Dinky was intent on giving her all for as long as she could because she felt that there was still so much more that needed to be done.  But Dinks, we know you're listening, please rest assured that the work will get done. After all, you have a whole Dinky army, touched and inspired by you over the years, who are ready, willing, and able to get the job done.  

 

love you, Dinks! I already miss you so very much. 

 

 

 

SHE WAS A SERVANT-LEADER. SHE WORKED HARD LIKE ANYONE OF US. SHE STRONGLY BELIEVED IN THE PRINCIPLE THAT HELPING THE POOR AND THE DISADVANTAGE IS KEY TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.. TRUE TO THE WORDS OF WILLIAM JAMES, THE TEST OF CHARACTER IS NOT CHOOSING THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE BUT THE PATH OF GREATEST TRACTION. SHE RESISTED THE TEMPTATION TO MAKE EASY CHOICES. SHE MADE MAJOR REFORMS IN DSWD BY LAUNCHING AND EXPANDING SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS AMIDST CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS. 

 

UNDER HER WATCH, SHE STEERED THE EXPANSION OF 4PS, KALAHI-CIDSS, SLP, SOCIAL PENSION AND OTHER SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS SETTING RESPONSIVE  INNOVATIONS AND BEST PRACTICES IN POLICY FORMULATION AND SERVICES DELIVERY. 

 

SHE WAS AN UNRIVALED OPTIMIST. ON THE 2^ND DAY AFTER YOLANDA STRUCK TACLOBAN CITY, DURING THE PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION COUNCIL MEETING, SHE DECLARED THAT DSWD WILL FLOOD THE CITY WITH RICE. I THOUGHT SHE WAS JOKING. THEN SHE GLANCED AT ME AND SAID “DO IT ASAP”, THE PRESIDENT IS COMING TOMORROW. TOGETHER WITH DIR RAMOS OF DSWD 8, WE TOOK OVER A HALF FLOODED NFA WAREHOUSE AND ORGANIZED NEARBY WOULD BE LOOTERS INTO RICE REPACKERS.  

 

TWO DAYS AFTER, SHE ASKED ME TO INSPECT A WAREHOUSE OF ONE RICE MILLER WHO OFFERED RICE TO DSWD. WHILE INSPECTING THE RICE, THE WAREHOUSE GUARD RAN TO THE OWNER TELLING HIM THAT LOOTERS ARE OUTSIDE THE GATE. SABI NI DIR RAMOS, ALIS NA TAYO, DI KAYANG PIGILAN NG MGA POLIS ANG MGA LOOTERS. BUT I REMEMBERED SEC DINKY’S PROMISE, INSTEAD OF RUNNING AWAY, I TOLD THE OWNER, WE ARE TAKING OVER THE WAREHOUSE AND REQUESTED HIM TO INSTRUCT THE GUARDS TO LINE UP THE PEOPLE AND THERE AND THEN, WE DISTRIBUTED RICE.  THAT AFTERNOON, WE LITERALLY ENDED THE LOOTING.

 

SHE WAS A FIGHTER PAR EXCELLENCE. WE WENT TO NEDA BOARD AND PRESENTED THE PROPOSALS FOR SCALING UP KALAHI CIDDS INTO A NATIONAL PROGRAM AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR 4PS. WE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A WALK IN THE PARK SINCE THOSE WERE ALREADY APPROVED BY THE ICC TECHNICAL AND CABINET LEVEL COMMITTEES. WE GOT IT ALL WRONG. PRES AQUINO WITH MATCHING WHITE BOARD STARTED ASKING POLICY AND TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ON THE PROJECTS. SEC DINKY MADE AN SPIRITED DEFENSE BUT THE PRESIDENT WAS UNCONVINCED. THE SUCCEEDING BOARD MEETINGS WERE LIKE A DISSERTATION DEFENSE AND SEC DINKY WAS THE PERSISTENT DEFENDER OF ALL. WE MADE FIVE APPEARANCES IN THE BOARD AND WHEN IT WAS OVER, SEC DINKY TOLD ME, MILO, NOW YOU KNOW THE DRILL”,  THEREAFTER, WHENEVER THERE ARE PRESENTATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT, SHE WILL JUST LOOK AT ME AND SAY, YOU KNOW THE DRILL.

 

IN FIELD VISITS, PICTURES TAKEN BY HER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT WOULD SHOW THAT AM ALWAYS AT HER BACK ESPECIALLY DURING PROJECT WALK THROUGHS OR INSPECTION OF DISASTER AFFECTED AREAS. AKALA NG IBA, YUN TALAGA ANG TAMANG POSITION KO SA LIKOD. HINDI KO SINADYA YUN. TALAGANG DI KO SYA MASABAYAN NG LAKAD. SABI NGA NI DIR CHI, SHE DOESN’T WALK, SHE GALLOPS.

 

SHE WAS A TIRELESS ACHIEVER. HER YEARS OF SERVICE WERE MARKED WITH EXCELLENCE THAT LED TO UNPARALLELED ACHIEVEMENTS. UNDER HER STEWARDSHIP, DSWD REACHED ITS APEX OF PERFORMANCE. WE HAVE ABUNDANTLY BENEFITED FROM HER EXAMPLES.

 

HER HUMBLE WAYS RAISED THE BAR ON HOW GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN OFFICE AND IN PUBLIC. HER ENTIRE GOVERNMENT SERVICE HAS NEVER BEEN TAINTED WITH WRONGDOING; NEITHER WAS SHE INTOXICATED WITH POWER. SHE MANAGED TO KEEP HER CHARACTER UNBLEMISHED TILL THE END.

 

WE LOST A TRUE PATRIOT. SHE HAS RETUNED HOME. SHE WILL BE TRULY AND SORELY MISSED. THANKS SECRETARY DINKY FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES.

 

TO ATTY HEC AND TO THE JULIANO-SOLIMAN FAMILY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING SEC DINKY TO DSWD AND TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES.

MILO

But Dinky, my ever-present companion in this pilgrimage of life, once again reminded me to be brave and trusting in facing death."

My deepest condolences to Hec and children. Thank you for sharing Dinky with all of us.

https://www.thediarist.ph/the-time-i-spent-with-my-sunflower/

I met Dinky many years ago when I was still executive director of Makati Business Club (MBC). At the time, there were few opportunities for the business community to interact with Civil Society. Though we hadn’t met yet, we were on the same side of the fence fighting a common enemy – authoritarianism, injustice, rising poverty, and a failing economy. We were also fighting for a common cause – the return of democracy, accountability and transparency in governance and government, and the return of good government. We had to all get involved in nation-building in that immediate post-People Power One period. The organizational cultures of NGOs and the Business Community were very different and this is where Dinky played a major role. She was basically the bridge between our two communities; she was the one who could both understand and communicate each group’s perspectives to each other. While it is easy for groups to agree on what they are against, it is far more difficult for those same groups to agree on what they are for. We did not always understand each other but Dinky had that special skill of bridging our views so we could move towards common objectives. This was the way it was from the People Power I to People Power II period. Post-People Power II, Dinky’s role of being a bridge took on a new role when she crossed over to government. Here she used her considerable skills and energy to drive a development strategy in her role as DSWD Secretary. But even as she was effective in her role, she never lost sight of the need for good governance. Her joining Hyatt 10 reflected that view as she exited government. Her re-entry into government during the Aquino Administration gave us another opportunity in the business community to work with her. When natural disasters hit, we would work closely with DSWD, especially when they set up NROC right after Super typhoon Yolanda. We also liked how Dinky worked to introduce technology into DSWD’s projects. We especially liked introducing her to GCash to use digital cash payments for the Conditional Cash Transfers. Imagine the efficiency and reach of these cash transfers when they were technology-enabled. Dinky was always so full of energy, especially when reaching out to help people. I recall Corie and I even bumped into her in Bohol a few weeks after the earthquake struck in 2013. I learned Dinky was also in Bohol and before we knew it we were invited by her to visit the relief packing centers in Bohol with the Governor, Australian Ambassador, and the World Food Programme. It was a great day watching Dinky in action, inspiring and encouraging the volunteers in the packing centers who were preparing two-week food packs for families. As natural disasters began to strike with more regularity starting in 2013, the private sector through our Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) worked closely with Dinky and DSWD to transport the relief goods. DSWD provided the goods while we handled logistics. It was a great partnership which continues to this day. Finally, by the time this pandemic struck we found ourselves working together again in this CSO Collab network. Like-minded individuals and organizations were brought together again by Dinky and Marissa to coordinate efforts. We started by comparing our respective feeding programs and making sure that we didn’t duplicate areas and sectors so we could all extend our reach. Later on this evolved into working together to think through how to get people vaccinated. This led us to enter into a partnership among NGOs and some LGUs to improve their vaccine microplans. The common denominator was always Dinky. She connected people and enabled us to understand each other and to see each others’ point of view. Her facilitation skills were unparalleled. We will miss Dinky, not only because we lost a friend but because we lost someone who represented decency, honesty, and integrity, values in such short supply these days. 

Farewell Dinky, our bridge and builder of bridges.

In her passion to support people and her beloved country,  Dinky often took difficult paths and skipped comforts.  One other occasion when I witnessed her physical exhaustion and pain was on the caravan march in 2000 welcoming the Jubilee marchers, including a number of the Sumilao farmers and other sectors who had done the jubilee walk from Mindanao.  The bulk of the NCR group gathered for the salubong at Monumento but Fr. Robert Reyes invited others to meet the Jubilee marchers earlier and accompany them starting in Valenzuela.  Knowing Fr. Robert and how this would become a run instead of a walk, I firmly declined.   But Dinky, and also Risa Hontiveros were eager to welcome the marchers with Fr. Robert.   Some hours, later, after traversing the length from Monumento  to the march’s destination at  DENR on Visayas avenue, we came upon Dinky sitting with her painfully cramped legs outstretched on the  center island near DENR.  Pagod talaga!  But this was literally her willingness  to  walk  the talk, and go the extra mile with the communities.

But at the same time that she was ready for the hard, and long and winding road, she also tried to bring happiness, ease and even fun to situations and processes.  I want to borrow the words of our friend Josephine who said of Dinky, that “she did her mission in life with joy, and brought flair and sunshine in all her ways”.  And it was wonderful that  Dinky was like the medium being the message.  She was the embodiment of  gladness with her vibrant clothes, color in hair and exotic jewelry.  

One gift I received from Dinky  that was especially for me was an autographed photo of Sharon Cuneta.  There was a brief sweet dedication of Sharon to me written with gold pentel pen.  Dinky and Hec had been classmates of Kiko Pangilinan at Harvard KSG, and Sharon had accompanied him there.  But it was just like Dinky to remember that I was a fan of Sharon and bring back that photo. She  laughingly said that Kiko was quite amused about my fandom.

So I am among countless friends in various communities that Dinky was able to  bless with her caring.  What can I say further then, but something that I learned from the madres (religious sisters):   Gratitude is the memory of the heart.

Maraming salamat, Dinky.

 

Memories of Karen Tanada, October 3, 2021.

The first is from the early 70s when Bong Malonzo and I met a young and slender Corazon Juliano at the office of Denis Murphy on UN Avenue. This was Dinky the community organizer who, along with Tessie Banaynal of Lanao and later Cebu, blazed trails for young women in the very macho world of community organizers training. The high casualty rate of CO trainees was a cause for boasting—matira ang matibay--for only the crème de la crème among trainees, survived. And survive Dinky and Tessie did, survive and flourish.

I mention community organizing for this was the template that produced an early generation of activists in the furnace of Tondo. The La Tondena strike, after all was the first effective act of open defiance against martial rule. Tondo produced the urban poor icons of ZOTO—Trinidad Herrera, Fred Repuno, David Balondo. It also signaled early ecumenism when Catholics and Protestants came together in the Philippine Ecumenical Council on Community Organization (PECCO) board.

The hard-earned lessons of community organizing informed the later decades of Dinky’s life—from CO and NGO work (that included forging an agrarian reform coalition) to her crossover to government service: one, her being so grounded, two, talking the talk and walking the walk with the poor of the earth, three, taking defeat stoically, using it as a lever for future action, four, coalescing disparate forces of the mighty and the marginalized in order to move forward. Dinky left a legacy in the CO world as founder of COPE and CO-Multiversity. 

The second anecdote goes back decades ago when Dinky was on official travel to Canada along with Karina David and Remmy Rikken. According to Karina, Dinky was headed for her morning bath unaware that the hotel shower was state-of-the-art. Water would sprinkle from on top but would also spurted from all sides and since it was built for tall Caucasians, the water literally blasted the petite Dinky’s head, Flustered, she got over the initial shock and came to breakfast grinning, with a soggy head. We were howling with laughter when Karina shared this tale with Pilipina. Through accidents, adversity and good times, Dinky glowed like the sunflower that she was.

For my final anecdote I turn to Dinky in government as DSWD secretary, specifically to the 4Ps program— Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program--which succeeded under Dinky’s shepherding. There were many detractors—that 4Ps was a grand doleout, etc. But for someone who affirmed self-awareness, self-reliance and self-empowerment for the poor—the 4Ps could never be a doleout. Surveys and studies attest to this but I have my own story.

In a Zamboanga City barangay, a woman suffered 16 years of her husband’s drinking and abusive behavior in silence. He would throw her Avon cosmetics onto the streets, sabotaging all her efforts at fund raising. As a bus conductor, his drinking meant there was never enough money for the family of four children who pleaded with their mother, please leave him. But she did not because she loved him. Instead she persevered, becoming a 4Ps leader and hosting parenting sessions at home. Wonder of wonders, her husband overheard the discussions, eventually stopped his drinking, and became a new person—the caring husband and father she truly deserved.

Though later I met Dinky infrequently I knew that she would always stay true to her roots of class and gender--a hallmark of Pilipina. Sisterhood had to be a touchstone of social change and class solidarity was always a constant. Class and gender needed to inform and infuse each other. Dinky hardly talked about this because she lived it. 

Feeding the body also meant feeding, and freeing, the soul. Empowered women, transformed men, joyous families—this, for Dinky, was the meaning of 4Ps. Not just for the privileged and/or lucky few but for every woman.

Salamat, Dinky, at paalam, hermana y companera.

Jurgette Honculada
Sept. 24, 2021
Zamboanga City