CONGRATULATIONS TO The Woman In Government Service Awardee!
Bae Soraida Sabdullah Sarigala is a Meranaw Radio Broadcast Journalist for three decades, an advocate of peace, women and youth empowerment and a promoter of Meranaw culture preservation. She is a government media worker that connect the bridge of communications between the government and the people or the community and even extending a selfless help to the needy and less-privileged constituents.
Bae Soraida was born on July 14, 1968 in Baloi, Lanao del Norte. The eldest daughter of Late Sultan a Romapenet Sabdullah Maruhom and Late Hadja Rahma Rangaig Malawani. She graduated top 1/valedictorian in Saduc Elementary School in 1980, and with high honor graduate in Mindanao State University (MSU) – Baloi Community High School in 1984. She obtained her BS International Relations and Master of Public Administration in 1990 and 2007, respectively, all in MSU Main Campus, Marawi City. She pursued Bachelor of Laws and Doctor of Public Administration in the same university but due to her hectic schedule, she did not finish. She, however, successfully managed what is mandated to her as multi – tasking public servant.
Bae Soraida’s first entrance to public service was with Marawi Cable Antenna Television Channel 6 in 1991 as Chief Editor, then as Senior Clerk at the provincial Governor’s Office while, at the same time, working as part- time Production Announcer at DXSA AM Station in 1993. She was a part – timer in DXAD AM station from 1996 to 1999 while doing her regular articles as Staff Writer of the Meranaw Magazine “Tomanor.” She transferred to a state – run radio DXSO Radyo Pilipinas Marawi in 1993 as Broadcast Program Production Announcer I. She was appointed as Acting Broadcast Station Manager in 2015 before her promotion to Senior Announcer in 2017. Up to now, she is managing this undermanned public office and even making it closer to the “people of the lake” (Meranaw) and nearby provinces despite of having a difficult time in balancing the duties of a media practitioner and a traditional leader carrying traditional title of Meranaw royalty. Her dedication to service and advocacies bring her membership to important Local Special Bodies. She has community organizations that gave her recognition both locally and nationally, including the National Stakeholder Award (in the promotion of peace) from the Philippine National Police and then from the Philippine Army — both received in their main offices in Metro Manila in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
One of her considered best success stories is the “first of firsts” that she did, including the 1st ever Meranaw Musicians Summit and 1st Rinarinaw ko Kalilintad (Peace song writing) competition. These are successfully conducted in partnership with the Task Force Bangon Marawi and the Local Government Unit of Marawi.
The first organization of local radio and television broadcasters, Marawi Broadcasters Association, where Bae Soraida is the president, is also an active partner of the government and the community in public service and community concerns promotion. As co – convenor of the first organization of Meranaw Traditional Women Leaders (Federation of Women Royalty of Lanao), she is supportive of the group’s women empowerment, peace promotion and cultural preservation advocacies.
A free public service through a three – day medical missions had been contentiously conducted in the DXSO ground on its yearly anniversary celebrations that first started in 2015 when she was first given the chance to lead in a government radio. One of Bae Soraida’s recent contribution to social good is the initiative dubbed as “#PANONsaDXSO Tulong Laban sa COVID – 19” that served more than 500 families and individuals affected by the implemented enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). She believes that in these trying times, public servants should strengthen their efforts in performing their responsibilities to the community and give extra attention to the needy and less privileged constituents.
After the series of assessment, Bae Soraida rose at the top among equally awesome nominees for Women in Government Service Awardee. The nominees were scored based on the following criteria:
Leadership
She has demonstrated leadership by using her abilities to develop or improve a program or service to her community or organization. Her contributions required cooperative efforts of other individuals, departments, and agencies. She has successfully demonstrated her abilities as an individual a team member, and a leader. She has demonstrated a willingness to serve and assist other women in their personal and professional development and contributed to the successes of others as well as her own.
Community Commitment
The candidate has demonstrated a commitment to her community by sharing her time and talent in ways that benefit the community or individuals within it. She has demonstrated exceptional personal commitment to civic endeavours outside of her professional obligations.
Educational Accomplishment
The candidate has demonstrated a commitment to life-long learning and expansion of her own personal and professional resources, for example she has sought an expansion of knowledge by pursuing a formal degree plan or by participating in selected educational opportunities specific to her career and position.
Volunteerism Engagement
The candidate should have a “sense of volunteerism” both in her work and her community to serve the people. Her willingness to lend free services to people cannot just measure because she loved volunteer engagement.
•Leadership 25%
•Community commitment 25%
•Educational Accomplishment 20%
•Volunteerism Engagement 30%
•Total 100%
