Press Release
January 27, 2009

LOREN PAYS TRIBUTE TO 'YAYA' IN VISIT TO HOMETOWN IN PAOAY

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte - Sen. Loren Legarda paid a moving tribute to her life-long "yaya" or nanay in a sentimental visit to her sleepy hometown here yesterday (January 25) as symbolic of the loyalty, steadfastness and industry of the Ilocanos and the Filipinos in general.

In a visit to this town, marked by ancient Catholic traditions and distinctive local culture, Loren said that her "yaya", Felicidad Bagayas, whom she called "Nanay Fely", was responsible, along with her mother Bessie, for a strict and disciplined upbringing that gave her the inspiration to devote her life to public service.

"We all owe our blessings to particular individuals whose care and dedication have shaped our lives. To me one these individuals is my life-long yaya who took care of me since my birth, and who taught me by example the virtues of love, loyalty and family devotion that is the bedrock of the Filipino character," said Loren.

Loren spoke to a group of civic leaders, teachers, students and town leaders at the Paoay civic center after attending mass at the imposing, centuries-old Paoay Catholic church. She was on her way to Vigan City to participate in town fiesta ceremonies and to speak with women leaders about various communal and educational projects.

Loren, who will turn 49 this year, said that Nanay Fely took good care of her since her birth in 1960, accompanying her to her kindergarten school up to college at the Assumption in Manila, preparing her clothes and packing her school paraphernalia, and now she also takes care of her two boys.

"I can never express fully my appreciation and gratitude to Nanay Fely, who has been a second mother to me," said Loren. "To me she personifies the strong character values that mark the Ilocano woman, and our women in general, who sacrifice their lives to bring up a family we can be proud of that contribute not only to family success but also to the general welfare and development of the nation."

According to Loren, the Ilocano woman's character is most revealed by the Filipino heroine, Gabriela Silang, who with her husband, Diego Silang, staged an uprising against the abusive and exploitative practices of the Spanish authorities during the Spanish regime in the Philippines.

"Love of country, fidelity to freedom and human rights, dedication to the welfare of the community and the nation, are the offshoots of the laudable Ilocano virtue of loyalty and devotion to the family, making our society more stable, peaceful, progressive and harmonious," said Loren.

She averred that the productiveness of the local industries, typified by the locally woven Ilocano blanket, various other handicrafts and consumer products is a manifestation of the innovativeness and strength of character of the Ilocano and Filipinos in general.

In her speech to the local leaders, Loren exhorted them to "develop and propagate these virtues as these are the qualities that would carry us through the present hard times occasioned by the global economic meltdown," said Loren. "These virtues will not only reinvigorate our spirits, they will propel us to the summit of prosperity, unity and general happiness as one nation committed to the general welfare."

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