Unsung Heroine: Ka Tonyang

Overseas Filipino Workers do not just work and earn to death in other countries. Many serve the needy OFWs without expecting anything in return like Tonette Binsol or Ka Tonyang. They are the unsung Filipino heroes and heroines abroad who just serve endless to the point of neglecting their own health. Ka Tonyang died of a stroke. Now, I would like to give way to the article about her by Nathaniel Duenas, architect and now living in the United States who knew her personally:

Tonette Binsol (or Ka Tonyang) was studying and living in Japan in the late 80's when we first met in the internet. She created the scholarship program for several indigenous children in the Zambales and Sierra Madre and (which was) later spread to other indigenous peoples all over the country. Her love for her ancestral country(folks) was genuine and her knowlege was shared to all.

Ka Tonyang was synonimous to 'Mother Theresa' (whose) compassion and kindness to the (oppressed) and in need (are legendary). She championed the 'working Pinays in Japan' and created a network of worldwide concerned OFC through Fil-IT which later on expanded to other e-groups of OF/OFWs.

We had worked together since 1985 creating several 'internet cafes' in the provinces and remote locations allowing students and kids access to the free yahoo email and communicating concerns and issues on livelihood, education, communication, elections, enterpreneurship, and the advancement in technology.

Tonette has helped thousands of indigent children especially the Aetas and other indigenous tribes in realizing their dreams to elevate themselves to a higher and rewarding way of life. She gathered used computers from Japanese banks and financial institutions and crated them in shiploads to various locations in the Philippines. Her dreams of generating a new breed of Pilipinos came true from every individual she touch.

I recommended her for a University of Stanford Grant in 1999 but her commitment to the far reaches of the OF/OFWs (was consuming) her time - managing dozens of egroups and websites, seeking financial assistance and investors to assist the less fortunate and those neglected by OWWA left on their own at the mercy of their foreign employers.

Tonette pioneered the OF/OFW empowerment through self-reliance with the generosity of the Japanese people and the contributions of the worldwide audience of concerned citizens.

Ka Tonyang will always remain in the hearts of our people. May her tribe flourish in those who believe in her cause.

Goodbye my good friend, hope to see you soon.

Nat