Urduja is a legendary Filipino heroine recognized for her strong leadership and passion for serving the people. Deviating from stereotype about woman being weak and passive, Urduja showed that she is a ruler who can mobilize and defend her people. She is a true legendary warrior.
In the midst of sea paradise in Taytay Palawan, there is also a strong, independent and dedicated woman recognized as Urduja of Seaweeds Farming.
Gaudiosa M. Alto, 63, is the president of Bagong Pag-Asa Association (BPA), an organization guided by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IV- MiMaRoPa Sustainable Livelihood Program.
During the field visit, as the cold breeze touched her skin and splash of water lingered in her feet, Gaudiosa started to tell her story. Her stories pierced the heart and soul of the listeners. She looked straight into our eyes and sincerely told every chapter of the book of her life: every journey she had encountered, every failure she had tasted and every triumph she had reached.
As she gazed in the sky painted with mixture of gray and tangerine triggering a feeling of longing, she reminisced her experiences before the SLP Seaweeds Production.
Life dark as a coal
Life before the SLP seaweeds production was full of hardship and uncertainty.
“Mahirap po ang buhay namin dati bago ‘yang SLP, para pong laging may pangamba,” recalled Gaudiosa.
Coal mining was her primary source of income. As a coal miner, Gaudiosa’s life was full of darkness and fear. It was always like a vacuum: sufocated with emptiness and no direction.
Her life was always at risk.
“Dati po kaming nag-uuling. Para kami ay maka-survive (pinasok na namin ang pag-uuling). Ay mahirap mag-uling! Buhay ang nakataya dyan,” said Gaudiosa while trying to control the crystal clear tears from falling in her eyes.
Aside from being illegal, coal mining posed risks in her health and her environment.
However difficult life has been, she didn’t lose hope. Risks of her previous work pushed her to look for greater opportunities. With the help of Edilberto Y. Felizarte, Pamantulon Taytay Palawan Barangay Chairman, Gaudiosa discovered the opportunities offered by SLP.
“Huminigi si kapitan ng tulong sa SLP kung pwede raw bigyan kami ng hanapbuhay. Ito nga ang binigay, ang pagse-seaweads,” Gaudiosa stated.
Seaweeds: treasure in the heart of sea paradise of Taytay, Palawan
Sustainable Livelihood Program introduced Seaweeds Production in 2013. This project has been offered by DSWD-SLP to Gaudiosa since the municipality of Taytay provides a sustainable environment for seaweed production because it is strategically located in a relatively typhoon-free area having wide reef areas, extended marine coastlines and wide coastal shelves.
Aiming to improve their knowledge and skills in seaweeds farming, Gaudiosa, together with other partner-beneficiaries, undergone the six (6) day training of SLP provided by the Department of Agriculture Bureaus of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Fisheries Training Center Palawan and DSWD-SLP.
This six days of training changed their lives forever.
Asked about her life transformation, Gaudiosa answered genuinely. Her voice rattled and became more sincere. Her eyes widened as if letting you glimpse into her soul.
“Napakasaya ko po. Malaking tulong talaga pag-seaweeds sa amin. Laking pagbabago po talaga,” said Gaudiosa while posing her sweetest and sincerest smile.
She was able to breakaway from dragging and hazardous livelihood. No more sleepless nights worrying what will happen to them during their work. No more despair on things they can’t give and promise to their family. No more emptiness, risk and darkness — only light and future full of hope and prosperity.
Godsend Wealth: Benefits of Seaweeds
Treasure in the heart of sea paradise of Taytay Palawan brought illuminating light in the dark life of Gaudiosa.
Every strand of seaweeds is like a rope made of gold, a discovered wealth. Seaweeds served as the primary source of income, it strengthen the tie of relationship with her family and knitted her closely with the community.
Gaudiosa’s wealth is her family. As bread winner, she spends all her income for her family, most specially for the education of her grandchildren.
“Dito kami kumukuha ng pagkain at mga gamit na pampaaral sa aming mga anak.”
Seaweeds also transformed the lives of members of her community.
With the help of DSWD-SLP, two major associations were organized: Bagong Pag-asa and Taytay Palawan Seaweed Farmers Federation.
Gaudiosa is the president of Bagong Pag-asa. It is noticeable that all her members are all men and yet, everyone of them has high regard and respect for Gaudiosa. She really shows great leadership in the members of her association. Indeed, she is Urduja of the seaweeds production.
During the planting and harvesting season, everyone gathers together — sharing unceasing stories, unwavering hopes and never-ending laughters.
Everlasting Treasure: Sustainability of Seaweeds Production
With the success she has tasted, Gaudiosa don’t want to remain dependent on what SLP and other agencies have given them. She wants a sustainable business. She is dreaming of being in full control of seaweeds production, free from the abuse and cruelty of middle men.
“ Malaki na po ang tulong ng SLP. Pero syempre po hinihiling ko po na kami na talaga mamahala sa seaweeds. Para po hindi na kami umaasa sa mga middle man. Madalas po kasi lugi kami,” emphasized by Gaudiosa.
Seaweeds is in demand in the market all year round thus making it more sustainbale with the technical support from partner agencies in the areas of organizational development and marketing.
Victory of Urduja of Seaweeds Production
Gaudiosa like Urduja has tasted countless battles in her life but she remained standing like a true warrior. In her journey, no matter how many gigantic waves will come and collosal combats she will encounter, she will alsways give a whirl in order to protect and serve her family and her people.
For all the victories she has achieved, she is grateful to her family and seaweeds farming: the true treasure of her life. ###
