Author Topic: One-on-One with Atty. Aster Cleofe Apalisok-Piollo  (Read 1594 times)

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One-on-One with Atty. Aster Cleofe Apalisok-Piollo
« on: October 24, 2007, 10:12:21 PM »
Written By Loy Palapos

Being a wife and a mother is a dual role that needs the best in a woman, for a family to succeed. If she adds a career to these twin-responsibilities, and still comes out intact, she is an achiever. If it is a career dominated by men since the time of Solomon, it must be a real feat, and she must be extraordinary, great even. But… no, she isn't superb, she will tell you. Just an ordinary girl who knows what she wants, and how to get it.

Talking to Honorable Aster Cleofe Apalisok-Piollo (AAP) is an experience in insouciant banter. Yes, there is nothing extraordinary about her (the way she dresses up and looks, her mannerisms and informal casual diatribes, and coolness even during a scorching day. Even her law office, which she occupies with her son, who is also a lawyer, (and will soon marry another lady lawyer), is a definition of simplicity. It is when you know her better, and dig the wit and wisdom she exudes, that you begin to realize her extraordinariness. She is not the dumb blonde, who cannot decipher a smile from a snort, nor the supercharged brunette, whose estrogen defies hormonal discipline, but the intelligent Filipina who has found contentment in her career and her home.

She may be a Benjamin in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, but she is not wet between the ears when it comes to the responsibilities of the elective post, and the process of legislation. As a lawyer, she is adept at the rules of the game. She holds the distinction of being the first and only Lady Lawyer Board Member in the history of Bohol's legislative body. Her qualifications preceded her election to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and the curious public won't anymore ask if she knows her job, just like what happened a few times in the past when damsels in distress tried to rule Camelot, only to find out that they had become dangling modifiers.

The problem is too high expectations for her. But this corner knows she can deliver. The first few sessions of the SP have already proven her worth as a legislator. For her, it's always her best foot forward.

LMP: Comparatively, you are a successful career woman. Do you encourage
other women to have their own careers aside from being wives and mothers?
AAP: Of course, I do. But the pursuit of their own careers should not be done at
the expense of their being a good wife and a mother.

LMP: Do you believe career-women are more fulfilled than ordinary housewives?
In what ways and for what reasons?
AAP: I don't. Fulfillment does not come from outside. It comes from within. So, it
is not the prerogative of career women to be fulfilled. People do become
fulfilled regardless of his or her status in life.

LMP: Does a wife need the go-signal of her husband when she decides to work
outside of the house? Why? What happens if the husband objects?
AAP: She has to. It is written in the bible and the family code so dictate. More
importantly, to do so would result in constant disagreements in the family
and that would be unhealthy for the children.

LMP: When a woman's career clashes with the needs of her family, what does
she do?
AAP: It depends on her priorities. Personally, my family is my priority. If push
comes to shove, I would sacrifice my career in favor of my family's needs. I
left BIR when the only position they can offer me is one with assignment in
Cebu. My children were then in grade school. They needed me more than I
need to pursue a career.

LMP: Was it really your dream to become a lawyer? What prompted you to make
this career choice?
AAP: It was. But I put it aside when I became a teacher at my father's dictate
and my mother's proddings. Then when I started to love teaching, I got ill.

Acute pharyngitis. The doctor advised me to stop teaching. Then my
husband as a witness in a case became the victim of a false accusation so
negotiations between the parties will be realized. We both cried on the
injustice done to us. We had to mediate between the parties as we did not
have the money to fight the case in court. That became my inspiration to
become a lawyer. When I became a practicing lawyer, I pledged that I will
never do to other people what they did to my husband.

LMP: It's obvious you subscribe to women entering into politics. What risks and
sacrifices does a woman have when she involves herself in politics?
AAP: She has to sacrifice her time with her family. She becomes public property.

It might result in her being estranged from her husband who may feel
inferior as against the public attention given to his wife. A strong and
sturdy personal relationship between her husband and herself should first
be forged before a woman may enter politics. Her children should also be
well secured psychologically as to be able to be left alone and stand on
their own.

LMP: What inspired you to get involved in politics?
AAP: My advocacy to stop domestic violence. I know that women tend to live on
in a violent environment because they have no economic independence. If
only we can reach out to these women help them be economically
independent, free themselves from their husband's slavery, then I'd say. I
succeeded.

LMP: You just made history. You are the first and only Lady Lawyer who has won
a seat in the Bohol Provincial Board. How does it feel being so privileged?
AAP: I don't feel privileged. I didn't realize it until you said so. I feel burdened.
As a lawyer, more is expected of me. I hope I'll be able to live up to those
expectations.

LMP: If there is a role-model in your development as a girl, as a woman, as a wife and mother, and as a career lady, who would that be? What influences
have you derived from him/her/them?
AAP: My mother. She was my yardstick. But I said to myself, I will be better than
she was, as a mother, as a wife and as a career woman.

LMP: Compared to the other board members, do you feel you have an edge over
those who are non-lawyers?
AAP: Only on legal matters or issues that need legal views. Otherwise, we are all
equal. Each has a contribution to make.

LMP: I have learned that you have been selected Chairperson of two SP
Committees. What are they, and what are your plans/projects to make a
specific committee (please, specify separately) at par with what the public
needs?
AAP: I am the Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Family Welfare and
the Committee on Justice and Human Rights. As chairperson of the
Committee on Women and Family Welfare, I will work on the passage and
approval of the implementing rules and regulations of the Children's Code,
the GAD Code, the institutionalization of the Bohol Crisis Center, and a
province wide information dissemination on the provisions of R.A. 7610, as
amended by 7682, R.A. 9208 and R.A. 9262.

As chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, I will work
for the honoraria increase of the Barangay Health Workers and work with
the IBP for the review of the pending cases of the prisoners at the BDRC.

LMP: Is your political career a life-long involvement? If people believe that you
are ripe for a position higher than what you have, would you indulge them
and seek a bigger position? Why?
AAP: As of now, I have not thought of that. I am still bewildered with my work
that thinking of this work being life-long scares me!

LMP: What were some of your apprehensions before you won an SP seat? Now
that you are a legislator, are there some anxieties you need to address?
AAP: Before I won, I had no fears, I took everything in stride as I believe that if
God wills that He will make me a legislator to serve His people, then I will
win. I did my best, God did the rest. I have no apprehensions as a
legislator, as I lift up to the Lord, everything that I do. He will help me as
He made me a legislator.

LMP: Did you find adjusting to a new status cumbersome? Are there some
problems you now face, caused by your position? What are they, and how
do you cope up with them?
AAP: It is cumbersome to try to please people when deep in your heart, you
don't feel like pleasing them, especially so when you know that you are
being exploited and they are dishonest with you. I am also making a
juggernaut of my time as practicing lawyer, legislator, wife and mother. It
is good that my son, Arturo Piollo II (Jed) a lawyer, is taking care of
some of my cases and our law office. My son-in-law, Bong (Tibbs)
Bullecer, handles my BMS office, shields me and prevents me from
speaking my mind.

LMP: What are some changes, if any, you would propose to the incumbent
legislative body, especially in terms of relating to the executive
department?
AAP: As of now, I don't see any need to change. There is a good cooperative
and collaborative relations between the executive and legislative branches.
This should be maintained. This will redound to the benefit of the province.

LMP: What are some legislations that you would prioritize in your first term,
particularly in terms of giving solutions to current problems in the province?
AAP: Other than what has already been stated in answer to Q no. 11, I have
nothing else to add. I may not be able to do my other plans in so short a
time as 2 and ½ years.

Atty. Aster A. Piollo's charisma springs from her ability to decipher wisdom from innocence, and a convivial presence that does not intimidate. Yet, she can be tough without losing her feminine touch. She could sting when the need arises, on occasions when she confronts uncalled for braggadocio and high-handed arrogance. Notwithstanding rare moments that conjure a hint of firmness, Atty. Piollo always exudes the demeanor of an ally and a friend.

We have been apprised of neophyte legislators thrown into an arena they are not appropriately equipped: for instance, a lady newcomer who only learned parliamentary procedure after a series of debacles, amidst supressed chuckles of her colleagues and some session observers. In the case of Atty. Piollo, there is no such thing as feeling the waters, for she is a dock in her pond. Not a pariah longing to belong.

A Lady Lawyer, who could provide woman's wisdom in a male-dominated realm, is a shot-in-the-arm. Board Member Aster A. Piollo deserves three terms at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

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Re: One-on-One with Atty. Aster Cleofe Apalisok-Piollo
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2007, 01:54:56 AM »
Thanks a lot for sharing this, Mike!  I enjoyed reading this.  She is an inspiration! 

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