Last Monday the 8th was again observed as International Day for Women a day within the International Women’s Month of March. While it is fitting to give tribute to the female of the species at the same time it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth to think that in this new millennium the world still needs to observe a day for women.

        Does that mean the rest of the year is for men to continue abusing, exploiting, shackling women? As long as we have this special day and month for women it would mean to me that Venus’ army all over the world, including me, is still suffering from all manner of physical, political, economic, social, financial, cultural, psychological, intellectual oppression.

        The following is the full text of the treaty of United Nations member states to uphold the rights of women. CEDAW is the second most ratified treaty in the United Nations, next to the one on children’s rights:

        “The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women.

        The Convention defines discrimination against women as “...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”

        The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women’s equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education, health and employment.  States parties agree to take all appropriate measures, including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

        The Convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations.  It affirms women’s rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality of their children.  States parties also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of women.”

        At least every four years member states are committed to submit national reports on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations. ( More on Cedaw next week.)

        (Oppressed) Women of the world unite! We have nothing to lose but our chains.

        Chill Out places and events

        To ensure cool summer days and nights why not make Coldshack your sheltering sky for chilling out. Coldshack is the only proper ice cream parlor in Naga. Located in between Kopiroti and Chicken Bacolod along Magsaysay Avenue the ice cream haven has been serving fruits in ice cream concoctions since 2008.

        This Saturday treat yourself to a different kind of high, ballet high, that is. Lisa Macuja Elizalde and a full support of her dancers from Ballet Manila will treat the City to a night of ballet, called “Some Enchanted Evening.”

        The venue is the Doña Dolores Convention Center, Villa Caceres Hotel on March 13. The show will start promptly at 7 pm. Dinner and meeting/greeting with the country’s premiere ballerina will follow after. Tickets are at 1,000 inclusive of the dinner.

        In Legazpi City a mass book launching is slated on March 12 & 13 in the Museum of Legazpi (at the back of the city hall). To be sold at discounted prices are books in Bicol, about Bicol, and/or by Bicolano authors like Ma. Lilia F. Realubit, Luis Cabalquinto, Zeus A. Salazar, Elmer A. Ordoñez, Kerima Polotan, Bienvenido Santos, Socorro F. Tate, Marne L. Kilates, Carlos Ojeda Aureus, Maryanne Moll, Higino A. Ables, Joaquin G. Bernas, Zita M. Tijam, Soliman M. Santos, Edgar E. Escultura, Angela Manalang Gloria, Eduardo Olaguer, Jose V. Barrameda, Homobono B. Calleja, and many more.

        “About 300 book titles will be available. Meet and get to know the authors. No ceremonies whatsoever and absolutely no speeches; it will be selling and buying right away. Instead, there will be roses, beer, baduya. Poetry will be read. Songs in Bikol, their very own, will be sung by Abkat and Arnold Logoc. Drop in between 9 am and 6 pm.” So goes the invi given to me by my ex Kalikasan Press boss and long lost friend Gode Calleja. Saw him and his wife Mia in Chef Doy’s last Monday. What a pleasant surprise it was to see Gode after almost two decades. And what a delight to learn that he is still into publishing Bicol books even if he is in Ottawa most of the time. Good to know you still rock Gode!

        Grace Inocentes of RMN-DWNX, KBP Chairman Emman Llagas, Daphne and I caught the recent launch of Crocs’ new Crocsband collection at the SM Activity Center. We had fun rocking time getting Crocs tattoos, mobile charms, funny photoshoot with printout at the instant photobooth by Ely’s and watching the mini concert of the Spear band.

        Crocsband is the new line of comfy but trendy footwear by Crocs. Available in cool colors of white, blue, yellow, pink and red, the Crocsband collection looks like trainers with a twist. Join the band. Get your latest Crocs from their store at the groundfloor of SM or at the Avenue Square.

        March celebrants

        Best wishes to these cool March birthday celebrants: March 9, Leah Abustan Ramirez; March 10, Rene Laceste and John Lesaca; March 11, Jane Barrameda, GM of Casureco 2 and Third Sto. Domingo, 3rd baby of Che & Doy; March 13, Peaches Gallegos and Mark Cayetano of Unilab. God bless you all!!!