by Bon Labora
Karina Constantino-David passed away Tuesday night. She was a composer-guitarist of female duo Inang Laya – a group known for their progressive and feminist songs – from 1981 up until her death.
David was the daughter of renowned historian Renato Constantino, and devoted years of her life towards government service.
David served as undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development from 1986 to 1988 and chaired the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council from 1998 to 2000. She served as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) from 2001 until 2008.
She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the GSIS from 2010 until 2016.
She was also executive director of Harnessing Self-Reliant Initiatives and Knowledge (HASIK) – a non-government organization – from 1988 to 1998.
David was an assistant professor in the University of the Philippines, where she finished Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, from 1970 to 1975.
The former CSC chairperson was known for her advocacy on women’s rights, having served as vice chairperson of the Women’s Action Network for Development (1990-1998) and consultant to poverty and women’s program policy planning of the Asian and Pacific Development Centre.
David died at the Philippine Heart Center, according to her brother, Renato Constantino Jr.
She is survived by husband University of the Philippines professor emeritus Randy David; their children, journalist Kara David, UP Diliman Professor Dr Carlos Primo David, Nadya Melina David and Jika David; and their grandchildren, Julia, Jacinta, Xavier, Alonso, and Lila.
Her family said David’s wake will begin on May 10, 4 pm, at Dela Strada Church in Katipunan, Quezon City.
