A Tribute to Manang Pura

By: Glenford Leonillo*

We gather here tonight not only to mourn the loss of Manang Pura but to celebrate the remarkable life she lived—a life that left an indelible mark on the hearts of many and on the communities she served so selflessly.

My first encounter with Manang Pura was in 2010, during my time at the Ateneo School of Government. At the time, we were conducting research on election-related violence in Abra. In this province, long marked by struggles with electoral violence, Manang Pura stood out as a beacon of integrity and activism. Her insights were invaluable, as she had dedicated her life to safeguarding democracy in Abra.

In our conversations, it became undeniably clear how profoundly Manang Pura loved Abra. She spoke of the province not as an outsider but as someone whose heart had fully embraced it. I assumed she was a native of Abra, but to my surprise, she revealed she was from the distant province of Nueva Ecija. Curious, I asked why she was so deeply devoted to Abra. Her response was both humbling and inspiring. She spoke of answering the call to serve, of rising to meet the needs before you, and of committing wholeheartedly to a noble purpose. For Manang Pura, service was never limited by geography or circumstance—it was guided by a higher sense of mission and a steadfast belief that true dedication has no borders.

Manang Pura was the kind of person who didn’t sugarcoat anything, and I learned that firsthand when I interviewed her for a mini-documentary. The interview was dragging on, and I could tell she was getting annoyed, so I started rushing, hoping to wrap it up quickly. Then she sharply said, “Bakit ka ba nagmamadali? Don’t put words into my mouth,” in a tone so sharp I felt like running back to Manila. But when I met her the next day, she was all smiles. She explained that she hadn’t been scolding me—she just wanted to ensure her words stayed true. She even had an appointment with the Bishop that day, but Manang Pura still accommodated me, showed up, and gave her all. For her, the work always mattered more than the inconvenience.

The last time I saw Manang Pura was in 2018, when I visited her with the G-Watch Board. In jest, I teased her, saying, “Ikaw na ang Reyna ng Abra!” She quickly quipped back, “Never naman akong naging Reyna. I was always a servant.” That moment encapsulates her character. For Manang Pura, leadership was about humility and service. It was never about holding a position but about making a difference.

Manang Pura was not just a woman of faith; she was a woman of action. Her unwavering belief in the power of service and the inherent goodness in people allowed her to create ripples of change far beyond Abra. As founder of the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance (CCAGG), she epitomized accountability—not for personal gain but for the betterment of society. Through her work, she taught us that governance is not the responsibility of a select few but the collective duty of all.

Manang Pura’s legacy is a testament to the extraordinary impact one person can have when they live with purpose. Her pioneering initiatives in participatory governance, her dedication to community development, and her belief in empowering others remind us that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome with unity, integrity, and an unshakable will to serve.

Manang Pura taught us that leadership is not about position but about service. She reminded us that faith without works is empty. And through her life, she showed us the transformative power of love—love for her country, love for her people, and love for God.

Manang Pura, thank you for the lessons you have taught us, for the example you have set, and for the love you have shared. May you now rest in the arms of the Lord, whom you served so faithfully. We will miss you, but we will carry your light forward.

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* Delivered during the Virtual Parangal for Manang Pura conducted by G-Watch last January 29. See recording here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_0-2uEeCMxtE9baGZPf-nLdJR7b4E8PX?usp=sharing

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Contact Information
G-Watch Team
Quezon City
Phone:
09095685914
E-mail:
g-watch@g-watch.org