POPCOM launches the biography of Mr. Rafael M. Salas, the first Executive Director of UNFPA from 1969

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The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launches the biography of Mr. Rafael M. Salas. “Mr. Population” – as he was affectionately known - was one of the first Filipino advocates who made the crucial links between population and development and sexual and reproductive health and rights, globally and in the Philippines.

“Parents have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and the spacing of their children,” he said in 1968 - a truly novel statement for the time. Entitled “A Millennial Man for Others: The Life and Times of Rafael M. Salas”, the book chronicles his life from his childhood days, and his achievements until his untimely death in 1987. 

Had Mr. Salas been alive today, it would have warmed his heart to see that the fruits of his efforts have finally become more evident with the passage of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act and the commitment of the present administration to reproductive health and family planning as evidenced by the revamped National Program on Population and Family Planning and the President’s Executive Order to end unmet need for family planning.

NEDA Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia welcomes guests to the Rafael M. Salas Book Launch.

Undersecretary and Executive Director of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) said that “POPCOM has been constantly bringing into the consciousness of the Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Filipino people alike the seeds of development work that Mr. Salas planted when he drafted the Executive Order (EO) that would create POPCOM in 1969. In step with the new millennium, POPCOM will soon launch the “Kaunlarang Pantao” Award, using Paeng Salas’ inspiration of development for the people. “

Mr. Salas was also the first Executive Director of UNFPA. He oversaw the birth of the organization in 1969, nurtured it with care, and imbued it with his foresight and vision. Under his leadership, the agency grew from a relatively small body to the world’s largest provider of multilateral development assistance on population dynamics through the prism of sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality. As UNFPA Executive Director, Mr. Salas carried the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, the highest UN officeaccorded to a Filipino even up to today.

“It is an honor for us to carry on Rafael Salas’ legacy at UNFPA in this historic 50th anniversary year of UNFPA and the 25th anniversary year of the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), where Mr. Salas’ vision became a global consensus when 179 governments including the Philippines agreed on a call for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, and safe pregnancy and childbirth services,” said UNFPA Representative in the Philippines, Iori Kato. 

UNFPA Country Representative Iori Kato, Ambassador Carmelita Salas and POPCOM Undersecretary and Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III after the launch of the biography of Mr. Rafael M. Salas.

Mr. Salas’ legacy continues to this day. Later this year in November, the Governments of Kenya, Denmark and UNFPA are convening a global summit in Nairobi to mark the 25th anniversary of the ICPD, for Member States to express their renewed political and financial commitments towards the promises that they had made in Cairo 25 years ago to support women empowerment through three transformative results: ending unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths and ending gender-based violence. 

The book launch marks the 91st birth year anniversary of Mr. Salas and is a venue to continue his legacy as national influential figures in Philippine government, business and civil society gather and take the opportunity to articulate the country’s commitment to Nairobi.

The event will also feature a photo exhibit at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary, of the NEDA, giving the opening statement, followed by a panel discussion on the life of Mr. Salas with Dr. Mercedes Concepcion, and the authors of the book: Mr. Jose Dalisay and Ms. Menchu Sarmiento. Sec. Ernesto Pernia will turn over the book to Mrs. Carmelita Rodriguez Salas who will give a statement. 

‘Aawitan Kita’ star Armida Siguion-Reyna launches biography : “Armida: Unfinished Memoir –The Singer And The Song”

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Best known for her multi-awarded musical TV show “Aawitan Kita, veteran actress-singer Armida Siguion - Reyna launched her highly anticipated biography last Tuesday (February 24) at Whitespace, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.

Each page of "Armida" is filled with rich details of her vibrant life told by Armida heself side by side with an account penned by Nelson Navarro titled "The Singer and the Song."

The strong woman spent most of her life sharing the joys of music to her fans, Armida, is a Filipino celebrity, singer, film and stage actress, producer, television show host, and former chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board during the Estrada administration. 

Her long-running musical TV show “Aawitan Kita,” has bagged numerous awards. With her lawyer-husband, she formed Reynafilms.

The unveiling of Siguion-Reyna’s biography, the book “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” serves as a celebration in honor of her legacy as a pillar in both show biz and public service. 

Looking back at a wonderful life, a homage to this inimitable woman, “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” is written by journalist Nelson Navarro and edited by her daughter Monique Villonco. 

“It gives readers an inside view of her private thoughts about her public and professional relationships with behind-the-scenes revelations; her one true love, her fears, her strengths. It’s her backstory,” she said. The book includes anecdotes on Armida’s childhood, her first relationship, her marriage and her family.

“It’s like a back story of her life. While I was editing the book, I saw her strengths, weaknesses and how passionate she is with her work,” Monique shared.

“My mom has always been surrounded by controversies, left and right, but she was fearless, she will always fight and stand for what she believes in. She would also always defend us and her friends no matter how unpopular they were,” Monique said.

Monique said, the book “breaks the rules of how traditional biographies are presented, just as my mom has been doing throughout her life.”

Armida’s biggest strength is her love for her children and her late husband Atty. Leonardo T. Siguion-Reyna. Monique noted how mom was driven by being “independent-minded.” “In the family, she has been the disciplinarian (but she) will always support us in all kinds of journey we want to achieve. Daddy was mom’s true champion. He would always say ‘yes’ to her requests,” Monique added.

The book launch was a reunion of the most respected names in entertainment and also in politics. Apart from family and friends, present at the event were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Manila Mayor Joesph Estrada, Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero with wife Heart, Irene Marcos- Araneta,Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Lily Monteverde, Marichu Maceda, Tony Boy Cojuangco and Gretchen Barretto.

Also spotted during the launch were celebrities Susan Roces, Robert Arevalo, Barbara Perez, Tirzo Cruz III, Ricky Davao, Bimbo Cerrudo, Pen Medina, Amy Austria, Lucy Torres and Gina Alajar.

The book will allow the public a glimpse of the real Armida. Looking back at a wonderful life, the book “Armida: Unfinished Memoir–The Singer And The Song,” is published by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.

It is available at ABS-CBN Store and in National Bookstore branches.

More photos at Arts Travel Magazine facebook page.