We live in the communities we serve. We were officially formed when Maypole women funded 500 USD for our research on gender-based violence in a conflict affected and geographically isolated community in Northern Mindanao. From the study, we realized we cannot just accept what our cultures and society want. If our people are to survive, we have to change it to become more humane while also celebrating the many aspects of our identities that are good as they are in line with respect for all peoples and nature. Since then, with various small but critical support from Women’s Fund Asia, MEEDAN Foundation, SHAPESEA, Internews and Zonta Greenhills, we have conducted feminist capacity-building activities, community outreach awareness activities, campaigns and research activities. We are located in several areas in the Philippines through our local coordinators and area partners.
Who we are
OUR LOCAL AREA COORDINATORS ARE OUR POWERHOUSE. Aiming for direct outcomes level achievements, we work on the ground for results that benefit the lives of community women and girls directly.
Mica Kaddaring: Yakan-Basilan first cluster
A municipal rural health unit nurse for 10 years, a promoter of the use of media for women’s rights and young mothers’ health advocacy since 2016, and a Lalang founding member for Basilan, Mica is a talented storyteller. Mica plays a critical role in ensuring the health of her municipality while also fulfilling her passion to serve through Lalang’s outreach activities to empower the young mothers with health and rights awareness.
Rica Cunto: Higaonon -Lanao del Norte/Iligan City
Rica is one of the founding members of Lalang Hu Mga Laga when it began the discussions on early marriages in 2018 and the study on gender-based violence and child marriage practice in 2020.
Myrah Sahid: Maguindanao- Maguindanao del Sur/Cotabato City Areas
Myrah finished her BS Agricultural Biosystems Engineering and is reviewing for her certification exam. Young woman community facilitator for community-based activities of BARMM and civil society organizations, Myrah has been focused on Lalang’s critical research activities in 2023 and creatively thought of the youth-friendly way to start empowering conversations for early marriage prevention among young women.
Noor Sefa Francisco: Tausug-Tawi -Tawi Province
A licensed teacher and a community affairs staff for the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) in Tawi-Tawi province, Noor finds time to help in community activities that combines her dedication to the BWC mandate and Lalang’s mission.
Adelwisa Kaddaring: Yakan- Basilan second cluster
A graduate of criminology and licensed to practice this profession, Adel supports the coordination of research and outreach activities.
Pamela Angeles: Chavacano-Zamboanga City
Bambie Angeles: Chavacano-Zamboanga City
Pamela and Bambie are sisters and health workers reaching out to the young mothers and girls in the isolated barangays, promoting safe pregnancy among early married mothers and prevention of early marriages and unions.
Efrilyn Adlawan: Dibabawon-Davao Areas
Graduating from her BA Communication and Media Arts degree from University of the Philippines Mindanao, Efrilyn is dedicated to reaching out to early married girls and promoting awareness on the need to end the child marriage practice in indigenous communities.
Merry Grace Sanico: Higaonon- Misamis Oriental/Claveria
Merry is a founding member in Claveria, Misamis Oriental and had led several community-based feminist learning sessions in her area from 2021 to 2023.
Memory Lazo: Banao: Cordilleran/ Cordillera Areas/North Luzon
The lone local area coordinator from the North is an athlete and full time public high school teacher who brings in her dedication to indigenous cultural heritage and women’s empowerment mission from Lalang into the classroom and in her community.
Carmela “Keen” Liboon Rodriguez: Iraya/National Capital Region
Keen is a descendant of migrant indigenous families from Southern Luzon and Mindanao. She helps in Manila-based and social media work of Lalang.
Director: Carol Dawonlay
CAROL is of Teduray (Cotabato) lineage and is married to a Higaonon (Lumad in Bukidnon). Her late husband was Cordilleran (Abra-Kalinga). Carol teaches communication courses at the University of the Philippines Mindanao campus while also rendering service as a Gender Consultant for various organizations. She specializes in Gender and Communication with thematic focus on women and the environment; reproductive health; gender-based violence prevention and response; child, early and forced marriage; indigenous women‘s, girls’ and non-binaries’ rights; maternal and neonatal child health and immunization; women’s political empowerment; and, women, peace and security. In 2021, Carol received the Bravo Award for Arts, Culture and Heritage from Security Bank and Zonta Makati. She is currently completing her dissertation for the Doctor of Communication program at the UP Open University.
Humanitarian, Climate Action and DRR Advisor: Divina Gracia Baclig
Divina is a dedicated professional with more than ten years combined experience in research and project implementation, specializing in the humanitarian-development nexus, resilient livelihoods, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, early warning early action/anticipatory action/forecast-based financing, and risk-informed shock-responsive social protection (cash interventions). She is a Master’s candidate at the University of the Philippines Baguio pursuing Social and Development Studies. She is also a mother to two wonderful kids.
Outreach and Events Advisor/General Coordinator: Carina Rodriguez
CARINA is a social entrepreneur, trainer and consultant with over 30 years experience in Livelihood, Community Development, Retail Management, Audit, and Corporate Education and Training. a low-cost renewable energy enthusiast. She supports women-led community business ventures by helping them find local markets. She is an accounting graduate, with a masters in educational management. Her passion for Environment led her to develop her own version of PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATOR of which she plans to share for to everyone who needs it. She also developed a multi-purpose personalized paper bag that can carrying more than 20 kilos load but 100% recyclable and compostable to protect MOTHER EARTH and those living in it from the harm of PLASTICS.
Lalang Hu Mga Laga -Stories of Women 