Known as one of the pioneer woman leaders in the Cordillera, prominent public servant Edna Cuyopan Tabanda took center stage on Jan. 28 when her children and grand children prepared a thanksgiving celebration marking her 80th birthday at the Baguio Palace Hotel.
Tabanda, who served as a councilor and mayor of La Trinidad, Benguet and vice governor of Benguet province, was born on Jan. 28, 1944.
Having dedicated her life to public service for more than four decades now, Tabanda who became a household name for her campaign slogan as “Ina ti Umili” has championed the promotion and recognition of women and children’s rights and welfare, which remain to be one of her advocacies as a private citizen.
Currently the co-chair of the Regional Development Council-Cordillera, Tabanda was thankful that the event prepared for her by her children and siblings was attended by immediate family members, friends, former colleagues in public service and workmates in civic groups she was and still involved in.
Among the dignitaries who graced the event were Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and former Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan with the latter commending Tabanda for her dedication to public service even as a private citizen.
The woman leader has planned to attend the recently-held 14th Igorot International Consultation (IIC) in New Zealand being the president of the Igorot Global Organization-CAR, but she had to cancel at the last minute since she had important guests arriving on her thanksgiving event.
Her family members said the event was a thanksgiving to the Almighty for blessing her with 80 years of fruitful life. They and all the well-wishers present are hoping she will continue with the kind of service she has been known to render for the community and the people.
