Interpreting the 2024 Women’s Photo Contest theme—Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!—, the entry Juggling Roles by Rena S. Hermoso of the Knowledge Management and Information Systems Division (KMISD) won the top spot as announced during the National Women’s Month culminating activity of DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) on 1 April 2024.
In the winning photo is a mother, seated in a crowd during a field day on purple yam production, extending her arms to gently guide her son back to her side as he explores the venue with youthful curiosity. The full caption reads, “Women are expected to fulfill many roles at the same time with lackluster enabling mechanisms. For moms, the many social identities that they have to live by enabled them to become efficient and effective multitaskers. This month we celebrate this unique strength forged by love under unfavorable conditions — honoring the sex that ‘reared’ the nation.”
The entry Empowered Filipina for Greater Heights by Apple E. Llarena of the Planning and Monitoring Unit emerged as second place. While Leading Progress: Empowered Women in Agricultural Leadership by Irish Mikee W. Wigwigan of KMISD took third place. Coming in at fourth and fifth places were Saya sa Pagsasaka by Lara Abegail S. Espiritu of KMISD and Field of Dedication: Under Sun’s Warm Embrace by Bernadette P. Galve of the Office of the Director.
The 14 entries received for the contest were featured in the exhibit at JR Escaño Hall from 11-27 March 2024.
In his closing message, DA-BAR assistant director Joell H. Lales commended the women staff of the bureau for their invaluable contributions to the bureau, as well as the efforts of the Gender and Development Focal Point System Technical Working Group for organizing the month-long activity,
“Para sa mga kababaihan, nawa ay patuloy ninyong pahalagahan at tandaan na ang inyong kakayahan ay nagbibigay ng tagumpay hindi lamang sa inyong mga tahanan kundi sa lipunan na iyong kinabibilangan, at kayo ay nagbibigay karangalan sa ating bayan!” he ended.