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==[[Lanao del Norte News]]==
==[[Lanao del Norte News]]==
'''DSWD uses statistical tools for social protection'''
'''Aliah: Mindanao's Child of Peace'''
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=58134
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/337121/aliah-mindanao-s-child-peace
*Friday, October 07, 2011
*October 9, 2011, 11:01am
:by Lorry V. Gabule
:by   MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN




ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Oct. 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development is currently using a system that would ensure that its social protection programs are implemented efficiently.
MANILA, Philippines -- Congressional Representative Aliah Dimaporo of the 2nd District of Lanao del Norte – The last name was enough to give this writer a little trepidation at being late for an exclusive interview at their family home. So, it was with a solid resolve to arrive only a few minutes after the agreed time, and a great relief to find that at the time of arrival, the beautiful Congresswoman, touted to be the crush ng bayan at the Congress floor, was still finishing up with her preparations for the ensuing photo shoot. As it turned out, all the anxiety was unfounded, as Aliah emerged from the makeup room with an engaging smile and outstretched hand, much like a refreshing breeze that swept into the room.
“Our Department is mandated to protect poor households, but given limited resources, we need to have a clear system for identifying the poor and determining where they are,” Virginia Cardona, Chief, Social Pension for Senior Citizen Indigency Program Division, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 10, said.
 
This is why the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) was developed, disclosed Cardona.
Unlike other personalities in politics who guard their thoughts and words too carefully, Aliah candidly answered the questions posed to her for this article, the angle of which is to uncover what makes her tick. “Growing up, I wanted to be an architect, because my mom (Cong. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, 1st district of Lanao) always said that she wanted a house overlooking the ocean. I wanted to build that for her,” she recalls.
This internationally accepted targeting system enables the government to objectively identify the poor by minimizing political interference in the identification process. It ensures that social protection programs benefit those who really need the assistance, and by concentrating government resources on the poor, government will have better impact at lower cost.
 
The NHTS-PR uses observable and verifiable characteristics of households as criteria for classifying households as poor, which reduces opportunities for favoring one group of beneficiaries over another.
“I also wanted to be an artist – but not the traditional kind. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a graphic artist for MTV!” she reveals. “But then, my dad says there’s no money in that, and he looked at my report card, and saw that I had really good grades in math. When I was younger, I loved math! Whenever I had free time, I would get my books and do advance work. So, he agreed that Architecture was right for me. I was looking forward to going abroad to study that,” she adds.
This can improve governance, transparency, and credibility of programs, thus, DSWD uses NHTS-PR for providing social protection programs targeting to those individuals and families who need government resources the most. This system will not only be for the consumption of DSWD, but can now be availed of by other agencies which have social protection programs.
 
Since the government will be using a unified set of criteria for identifying the poor, it becomes much easier for government to bring together all of its programs to a particular group of poor households.
So, how did she end up as a magna cum laude of Sociology at the Mindanao State University? “Ah, here comes my long story,” she grins. “When I was about twelve, according to custom, everyone was pairing me up for marriage, and I resisted. So, the condition was, I could study abroad only if I agree to an arranged marriage. That is why I ended up taking Sociology at UP Los Baños. I believe that Sociology was close to Architecture and the Arts, because the study of people also meant the study of culture. Then, my father thought that I was acting un-Muslim, so he had me transferred to Mindanao to learn more about my roots, and that was where I graduated.”  She has since obtained an MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development from the University of London’s Distance Learning Program. 
Lastly, the database of the NHTS-PR will guide them to where and who the poor are in the region and thus enable them to flow their resources to the right targets, Cardona added.
 
Cardona revealed this during the flag raising/kick-off ceremony of the National Statistics Month (NSM) of October at the City Hall Amphitheatre, here, last Oct. 4.
Back to Her Roots
Now, on its 22nd year of observance, the NSM anchors on the theme, “Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting: Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives,” with DSWD taking the lead in this year’s activities. (PIA 10)
 
Moving to Mindanao opened up her eyes to many things, she says. “First, I saw how my parents worked so hard for Lanao, and that taught me to respect what they are doing. When I was younger I would fault them for not being there, but then I saw their daily routine. Nakita ko na hindi pala sila natutulog! They would sleep at around 1 a.m., and as early as 6:30 in the morning, there would already be people outside the gates. Being in Lanao also meant that I met the mayors and the people, and I think that prepared me for the role I am playing now.”
 
It was also an incident in her hometown that made her delve deeper into the Muslim religion. “I grew up with my mom, who was Catholic until she converted because of her marriage, and I learned the Catholic prayers before the Muslim prayers. I was in the choir, I went to church. My school was Catholic. I really grew up that way, I feel like I only converted in 2007. My mom ran for the first time that year. During that hotly contested election, there were people who were harassing Muslims. It came to the point when the non-Muslims were burning pigs outside the election area. I was angry, and also really afraid of what the Muslim brothers would do in retaliation. But then I saw one woman, a wife, who simply put her hand on her husband’s arm, and the man calmed down. That is when I realized that being a Muslim woman was also empowering,” she says. “I started reading the Koran right after that, and even went to New York, to find someone to guide me through the religion. At first, I was even wearing a veil or chadar, dressing it up with clips and flowers. Then, I learned that the Koran doesn’t strictly say that we have to wear veils, only to dress modestly. So, today, you see me like this,” she smiles and gestures at her made-up face.
 
These days, pretty Aliah, who wore a Patis Tesoro gown to the recent State of the Nation Address, avers that her usual attire is casual – but modest. “In high school, I had a really short skirt for my uniform. One day, I had to visit my grandparents before going to school, and I wore a longer skirt over my short skirt. I had one in case of emergencies like those!” she smiles impishly.
 
Maturity came during her college years, when she even started a movement called Product of Peace, where she was able to send scholars to schools in Manila through athletic scholarships.  “I am a product of peace! My parents have a Romeo and Juliet story, because their families were at war with each other.  My mom would tell stories about trap door under the office of my lolo where they had to crawl under rice fields to escape the barracudas, or the soldiers of the other side. My parents fought for their love and were able to bring peace to Lanao.” 
 
The Shamcey Question
 
Aliah, who is single at 30, says that wooing her would not necessitate crawling in rice paddies. “I am looking for a simple guy who is humble.”  Then, she laughs and reveals her latest Hollywood crush to be Chris Evans (Captain America). “Before, it was Brendan Fraser.” She also names a certain single Zamboangeno Congressman as her workplace crush.
 
When asked the Miss Universe question “Would you change your religion for a man?”  Aliah grows thoughtful. “When I was younger, one of the criteria I had was that he had to have my parents’ approval. But at the end of the day, it is my call. It is a big consideration for me that my parents like him, but I would be the one living with him. Now it is just about me. My parents would have to understand that I can take care of myself, and that the man would be able to take care of me. With regards to religion, as long as we have common values, that is fine. I believe that religions may be different, but they teach the same basic thing, that there is one Supreme Being up there.”  She was executive director of the World Youth Alliance in New York, a global community of young movers and shakers, and one of the programs that she was active in was about teaching religious tolerance to children.
 
Work and Play
 
At Congress, she is three doors down from her mom’s office. “My mother’s friends would tease her, telling her to let me go. But I am actually the one who wanted to be close to her, to consult with her, even to make lambing when we see each other.” Her work is substantial, for a newbie who was elected only in June of last year. She is on several committees, including Agrarian Reform, Basic Education and Culture, Ecology, Energy, Muslim Affairs, and Rural Development, and co-authored several bills such as the Act Creating the Philippine Millennium Development Fund, and an Environmental Protection Act Prohibiting Dumping of Sewage Sludge and Industrial Waste into the Sea.
 
But she also takes time to kick back and dribble a basketball with the other members of Congress, including Cong. Manny Pacquiao. “That was before he had to stop playing basketball. I am the only girl on the team!” she proudly states. She also likes to hang out with her non-political friends, who, she says, keep her grounded.  “We like to eat out, and thank goodness too for BBM or Blackberry Messaging. That is how we keep in touch. She is also a proud owner of a bike, which she takes for a spin around the neighborhood with her brother. “Oh, here’s another out-of-the-mold thing about me. I listen to hip hop and alternative music!” she beams.
 
Aliah may have a long way to go, but she is definitely off to a good start, with a good head on her shoulders, and a healthy balance between work and play. Her father’s daughter, she may be, but she is also truly her own remarkable person.


==[[:Category:Lanao del Norte, Philippines Photo Gallery|Lanao del Norte, Philippines Photo Gallery]]==
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Revision as of 15:31, 9 October 2011

List of Municipalities in the Lanao del Norte Province within Region X in the Republic of The Philippines
Bacolod || Baloi || Baroy || Kapatagan || Kauswagan || Kolambugan || Lala || Linamon || Magsaysay || Maigo || Matungao || Munai || Nunungan || Pantao Ragat || Pantar || Poona Piagapo || Salvador || Sapad || Sultan Naga Dimaporo || Tagoloan || Tangcal || Tubod (Capital)
Cities in the province of Lanao del Norte: Iligan City

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Lanao del Norte Province, Philippines

Location of Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Lanao del Norte is located in the island of Mindanao and is within Region X-Northern Mindanao.

History of Lanao del Norte, Philippines

This article was copied from Wikipedia Verbatim.

The term Lanao is derived from a Maranao word “Ranao” meaning a body of water. “Maranao” means lake dweller. They are the natives of the place occupying the land around Lake Lanao, which is situated at the central part of Lanao del Sur. Lanao, applies to the entire area before its division. When it was divided into two provinces, the southern portion became Lanao del Sur and the northern part became Lanao del Norte.

Dansalan, Marawi City’s old name, was explored by the Spaniards as early as 1639. It is said that at that time, Marawi was already the citadel of Malayan-Arabic culture in Mindanao. Feeling the pulse of strong refusal among its inhabitants to adopt Christianity, the Spaniards abandoned the project of colonizing the area. Dansalan, physically speaking, would have satisfactorily qualified to become a town or municipality during the time of said exploration based on the Spanish Policy of “Ecclesiastical Administration” except for one factor - religion.

Attempts were made later by foreigners to capture Lanao but fierce and fanatical resistance of the Maranaos to colonial rule made the planting of Christianity in Dansalan an unlikely outcome.

A strong Spanish expedition to conquer the Maranaos was fielded in 1891 during the time of Governor General Valeriano Wayler, but this force was driven back to Iligan after failing to capture Dansalan. In 1895, Governor General Blanco sent a stronger force to take Marawi. Superior firepower forced the Dansalan defenders to leave the city. Here the conquerors established the garrison that remained until the outbreak of the Spanish – American War in 1898. Spain claimed this event as its victory but the verdict of history revealed that while the Spaniards were able to erect a garrison in Dansalan, they failed to conquer its people who stubbornly refused to adhere to the colonial yoke of Spain. Muslim religion and Maranao culture remained intact and untarnished.

On May 24, 1904, the American Colonial Government proclaimed Dansalan a regular Municipality. The Philippines was still under the Commonwealth regime of the Americans when Dansalan was chartered into a city in 1904. In 1942, the Japanese troops invaded Northern Lanao and established their own garrison. In 1945, following a three year occupation by Japanese forces, troops from the 6th, 101st, 102nd and 108th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Constabulary and Maranao guerrillas attacked the Japanese garrison in the Battle of Lanao. The guerrillas attacked using traditional Maranao Kampilan, Barong and Kris swords. Eventually, the Japanese were defeated, however Dansalan was not renamed to Marawi City until June 16, 1956.

Republic Act No. 2228 divided Lanao in to two (2) provinces giving birth to Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. The new province was inaugurated on July 4, 1959 making Iligan City as the capital. The Salvador T. Lluch was the first Governor. The second was Honorable Mohammad Ali Dimaporo, from January 1960 to September 1965 when Governor Dimaporo ran and won the congressional seat of the province. By operation of the law of succession, the Honorable Vice Governor Arsenio A. Quibranza became the third Provincial Chief Executive. By mandate of his people, Governor Quibranza was elected Governor in 1967 and almost unanimously was re-elected in 1971 and again in 1980.

In 1977, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Resolution No. 805 series of 1977 of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Parliamentary Bill No. 586) sponsored by Assemblyman Abdullah D. Dimaporo, into Presidential Decree 181 transferring the province's capital from Iligan City to the municipality of Tubod.

In October 1984, inaugural ceremonies were held to celebrate the occasion of the transfer of the Provincial Capitol from Poblacion, Tubod to the Don Mariano Marcos Government Center (now Governor Arsenio A. Quibranza Provincial Government Center) at Pigcarangan, Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

By virtue of the power and impact of the People’s Power Revolution at Edsa, Manila on February 25, 1986, local government all over the Philippines changed the political atmosphere overnight. Lanao del Norte became one among the many provinces affected by the sudden changes brought by the “Snap Election” on February 1986. Local heads of offices and employees particularly those holding political positions were destabilized but with the installation of President Corazon Aquino as president, OIC Atty. Francisco L. Abalos became the appointed governor of the province on March 3, 1986. On February 2, 1988, Atty. Abalos was elected as governor of the province.

In the Synchronized National Election of May 11, 1992, Congressman Abdullah D. Dimaporo, a legislator and economist, was elected Provincial Governor. The Provincial government embarked on a comprehensive planning and set the groundwork for the development of the province

In the 1998 national and local elections, Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, wife of Governor Abdullah. D. Dimaporo was elected as Provincial Governor. Despite the outbreak of the conflict of the MILF and the GRP in Kauswagan last March 2000, through the provincial government's effort, peace and order was restored in the province.

The Provincial Government was also able to bring the province into the limelight with full media coverage, through the hosting of the First Mindanao Friendship Games at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod on November 11-15, 2001. Participants came from all over Mindanao representing the various LGUs in the island. The event was opened by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.


People of Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Total Population of Lanao del Norte

Local Government Unit LGU of Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Elected officials of Lanao del Norte for the term of 2010-2013
Elected officials of Lanao del Norte for the term of 2007-2010

Businesses in Lanao del Norte, Philippines

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Lanao del Norte, Philippines supports Philippine Cycling

Philippine Cycling is about cycling in the Philippnes. Philippine Cycling helps promote bike races, cycling clubs, bicycle tours, and the development of bicycle trails. Activities are coordinated with bike shops and cycling clubs throughout the Philippines to promote the fun of riding bikes. Philippine Cycling will be coordinating events with tour of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Road biking and mountain bikings will be promoted by Philippine Cycling.

Real Estate or Properties for Sale or lease in Lanao del Norte, Philippines

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Churches, Mosques, or Places of Worship in Lanao del Norte, Philippines

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Schools in Lanao del Norte, Philippines

The name of your school in Lanao del Norte can be listed here. You can list it like this:

  • Name of School. Private or Public. It can be an elementary school, high school, college.
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Economy of Lanao del Norte, Philippines

About 41.13 per cent of the province's total land area is devoted to agricultural activities and 21.07 per cent is classified as forestland. The province is suitable for all kinds of crops. Its major agricultural products are rice, corn, coconut, banana, coffee, ginger, cacao, legumes, vegetables, livestock and poultry, rootcrops, exotic fruits and nuts.

  • If you have an article that talks about the improvement of the economy of Lanao del Norte you can post that article here. If you come across any news item that talks about the economy of Lanao del Norte, you may post it here. Of course you have to reference the writer of the article. Any improvement to transportation, power and service usually improves the economy of the community, so go ahead and report that too.

Transportation facilities of Lanao del Norte

An airport is located at Baloi, Lanao del Norte which is about 76 kilometers from the provincial capital and 20 kilometers from Iligan City. It is classified as a secondary airport with a concrete/asphalt runway of 30 lineal meters. This was closed to traffic in 1992 to undergo major rehabilitation work. It was officially opened for operation in May 1997 however, no commercial flights are using the airport since its navigational facilities are yet to be installed.

Natural Resources of Lanao del Norte, Philippines

This page needs some articles about the natural resources of Lanao del Norte. Where does the energy source of this city come from? Are there any mining industries? Rivers and tributaries are part of the natural resources.

Tourists Attractions of Lanao del Norte, Philippines

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Festivals, Fiestas and Traditions of Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Every city or municipality has some sort of a festival or tradition that is celebrated every year. In the Philippines almost all barangays that are predominantly populated by Christians celebrate fiesta. Tell us about the festivals, fiestas and traditions of Lanao del Norte.

Philippine News

Updated: February 5, 2024

Unity and Progress: Philippine City Mayors Advocate for Collective Advancement

In a compelling call to action, the head of the Philippines’ 149-member city mayor’s association emphasized the critical need for unity to foster continued national progress, peace, and prosperity. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, serving as the national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, voiced the association’s support for the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s vision of a harmonious country, one that maintains its trajectory of achievements in vital societal areas.

>>> READ MORE

Sports News: updated 11/10/21

Kaya Iloilo sweeps Group B in Copa '21

MANILA – Kaya Iloilo pipped Mendiola with a 6-0 beating on Wednesday night to complete a sweep of Group B action in the Copa Paulino Alcantara at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona.

A Jovin Bedic brace in the first half set the tone for the inaugural tournament champ even as the club netted three goals in each of the two halves to seal the top seed in its group ahead of the semifinals next week.

Bedic capitalized on an erroneous Mendiola attempt to keep the ball out of his reach and quickly raced inside the penalty box to open the scoring for Kaya Iloilo in the 11th minute.
PNA

Your Story about Lanao del Norte, Philippines

Tell your story about Lanao del Norte. You can talk about the good things in Lanao del Norte or simply talk about the past. You can talk about the eco-system of Lanao del Norte. What is the local LGU doing about the preservation of your natural resources The topic can start here and once it gets bigger it can have a page of its own in Z-Wiki. It's all up to you.


Lanao del Norte News

Aliah: Mindanao's Child of Peace

by MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN


MANILA, Philippines -- Congressional Representative Aliah Dimaporo of the 2nd District of Lanao del Norte – The last name was enough to give this writer a little trepidation at being late for an exclusive interview at their family home. So, it was with a solid resolve to arrive only a few minutes after the agreed time, and a great relief to find that at the time of arrival, the beautiful Congresswoman, touted to be the crush ng bayan at the Congress floor, was still finishing up with her preparations for the ensuing photo shoot. As it turned out, all the anxiety was unfounded, as Aliah emerged from the makeup room with an engaging smile and outstretched hand, much like a refreshing breeze that swept into the room.

Unlike other personalities in politics who guard their thoughts and words too carefully, Aliah candidly answered the questions posed to her for this article, the angle of which is to uncover what makes her tick. “Growing up, I wanted to be an architect, because my mom (Cong. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, 1st district of Lanao) always said that she wanted a house overlooking the ocean. I wanted to build that for her,” she recalls.

“I also wanted to be an artist – but not the traditional kind. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a graphic artist for MTV!” she reveals. “But then, my dad says there’s no money in that, and he looked at my report card, and saw that I had really good grades in math. When I was younger, I loved math! Whenever I had free time, I would get my books and do advance work. So, he agreed that Architecture was right for me. I was looking forward to going abroad to study that,” she adds.

So, how did she end up as a magna cum laude of Sociology at the Mindanao State University? “Ah, here comes my long story,” she grins. “When I was about twelve, according to custom, everyone was pairing me up for marriage, and I resisted. So, the condition was, I could study abroad only if I agree to an arranged marriage. That is why I ended up taking Sociology at UP Los Baños. I believe that Sociology was close to Architecture and the Arts, because the study of people also meant the study of culture. Then, my father thought that I was acting un-Muslim, so he had me transferred to Mindanao to learn more about my roots, and that was where I graduated.” She has since obtained an MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development from the University of London’s Distance Learning Program.

Back to Her Roots

Moving to Mindanao opened up her eyes to many things, she says. “First, I saw how my parents worked so hard for Lanao, and that taught me to respect what they are doing. When I was younger I would fault them for not being there, but then I saw their daily routine. Nakita ko na hindi pala sila natutulog! They would sleep at around 1 a.m., and as early as 6:30 in the morning, there would already be people outside the gates. Being in Lanao also meant that I met the mayors and the people, and I think that prepared me for the role I am playing now.”

It was also an incident in her hometown that made her delve deeper into the Muslim religion. “I grew up with my mom, who was Catholic until she converted because of her marriage, and I learned the Catholic prayers before the Muslim prayers. I was in the choir, I went to church. My school was Catholic. I really grew up that way, I feel like I only converted in 2007. My mom ran for the first time that year. During that hotly contested election, there were people who were harassing Muslims. It came to the point when the non-Muslims were burning pigs outside the election area. I was angry, and also really afraid of what the Muslim brothers would do in retaliation. But then I saw one woman, a wife, who simply put her hand on her husband’s arm, and the man calmed down. That is when I realized that being a Muslim woman was also empowering,” she says. “I started reading the Koran right after that, and even went to New York, to find someone to guide me through the religion. At first, I was even wearing a veil or chadar, dressing it up with clips and flowers. Then, I learned that the Koran doesn’t strictly say that we have to wear veils, only to dress modestly. So, today, you see me like this,” she smiles and gestures at her made-up face.

These days, pretty Aliah, who wore a Patis Tesoro gown to the recent State of the Nation Address, avers that her usual attire is casual – but modest. “In high school, I had a really short skirt for my uniform. One day, I had to visit my grandparents before going to school, and I wore a longer skirt over my short skirt. I had one in case of emergencies like those!” she smiles impishly.

Maturity came during her college years, when she even started a movement called Product of Peace, where she was able to send scholars to schools in Manila through athletic scholarships. “I am a product of peace! My parents have a Romeo and Juliet story, because their families were at war with each other. My mom would tell stories about trap door under the office of my lolo where they had to crawl under rice fields to escape the barracudas, or the soldiers of the other side. My parents fought for their love and were able to bring peace to Lanao.”

The Shamcey Question

Aliah, who is single at 30, says that wooing her would not necessitate crawling in rice paddies. “I am looking for a simple guy who is humble.” Then, she laughs and reveals her latest Hollywood crush to be Chris Evans (Captain America). “Before, it was Brendan Fraser.” She also names a certain single Zamboangeno Congressman as her workplace crush.

When asked the Miss Universe question “Would you change your religion for a man?” Aliah grows thoughtful. “When I was younger, one of the criteria I had was that he had to have my parents’ approval. But at the end of the day, it is my call. It is a big consideration for me that my parents like him, but I would be the one living with him. Now it is just about me. My parents would have to understand that I can take care of myself, and that the man would be able to take care of me. With regards to religion, as long as we have common values, that is fine. I believe that religions may be different, but they teach the same basic thing, that there is one Supreme Being up there.” She was executive director of the World Youth Alliance in New York, a global community of young movers and shakers, and one of the programs that she was active in was about teaching religious tolerance to children.

Work and Play

At Congress, she is three doors down from her mom’s office. “My mother’s friends would tease her, telling her to let me go. But I am actually the one who wanted to be close to her, to consult with her, even to make lambing when we see each other.” Her work is substantial, for a newbie who was elected only in June of last year. She is on several committees, including Agrarian Reform, Basic Education and Culture, Ecology, Energy, Muslim Affairs, and Rural Development, and co-authored several bills such as the Act Creating the Philippine Millennium Development Fund, and an Environmental Protection Act Prohibiting Dumping of Sewage Sludge and Industrial Waste into the Sea.

But she also takes time to kick back and dribble a basketball with the other members of Congress, including Cong. Manny Pacquiao. “That was before he had to stop playing basketball. I am the only girl on the team!” she proudly states. She also likes to hang out with her non-political friends, who, she says, keep her grounded. “We like to eat out, and thank goodness too for BBM or Blackberry Messaging. That is how we keep in touch. She is also a proud owner of a bike, which she takes for a spin around the neighborhood with her brother. “Oh, here’s another out-of-the-mold thing about me. I listen to hip hop and alternative music!” she beams.

Aliah may have a long way to go, but she is definitely off to a good start, with a good head on her shoulders, and a healthy balance between work and play. Her father’s daughter, she may be, but she is also truly her own remarkable person.

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