Tanauan, Leyte -- Women's groups from Tanauan, Alang-alang, Carigara, Samar and Biliran joined forces to celebrate Women's Month at the Tanauan Civic Sports Center, Canramos, Tanauan.

On March 27, 2009, the women's groups welcomed The National Council on Filipino Women (NCFW) President Alberta "Moling" Quinto and fellow woman leader and advocate Ms. Terry Somera.

Moved by a common cause on celebrating "Babae yaman ka ng Bayan," the women were made aware that what they had been doing all along was a practice of womenomics a concept and a development strategy to alleviate poverty and intensify women empowerment at the national, regional and local levels.

The WOMENOMICS combines the words "women" and "economics", developed during an international conference of world economists in 2006. It means giving economic value to women's contributions in the global economy.

Women of Tanauan were also given tribute by the speeches of the guests present.

Based on the speech of Leyte Governor Jericho "Icot " Petilla, he said that Tanauan has produced many professionals and that most members of the Region Eight Administrators' League (REAL) are coming from Tanauan.

In the same event, Tanauan Women's President Ms. Olive Tiu handed Tanauan SB a Women's Development Code for adaptation.

Mayor Roque Tiu for his part also vowed support to the women's cause in Tanauan. He was also cited for the LGUs responsiveness to the needs of women in the town of Tanauan.

The speeches delivered by PAGCOR Vice President Remedios Petilla and Leyte Governor also pointed to the fact that the future of the world economy lies increasingly in female hands.

The governor stressed that successful family life lies in the hinge of the woman in the family.

He urged the gathered women never to underestimate themselves as their roles are significant in the foundation of families and communities.

Presently, the women of Tanauan have been getting their share of livelihood opportunities to assist the male breadwinners in the family, according to one woman attendee from one of the 59 barangays in Tanauan.

She revealed that women in her barangay know how to weave mats as their livelihood.

Some though devote their time to cooking dishes and preparing snack and other food items which are rationed to the teachers and to working mothers in their barangay.

When asked who was taking care of the children as almost all women trooped to the gym, their reply: "An mga tatay." (in English : Our men, the fathers).

Still other women brought their nursing kids and one young toddler enjoyed the 'woman-bonding' by dancing gamely with the older women in her midst.

In the afternoon, the women held a Women Skills Olympics, where they showcased their talents in mat-weaving and cooking.

They also had socials and dancing through the instructions of Somera they executed dance steps and other stress debriefing rites and activities.