MANILA, Philippines – Putting a spotlight on the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs in the Philippines, On the President’s Orders premiered at the Active Vista’s 7th International Human Rights Film Festival in Quezon City on Friday, September 20. 

The film, the first full-length documentary on the country’s war on drugs, debuted around the same time as the 47th anniversary of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos' declaration of Martial Law.

On the President’s Orders was directed by Emmy award-winning filmmakers James Jones and Olivier Sarbil, both of whom make films primarily focused on the harsh realities of human rights violations all over the world. 

Around 1,000 invited human rights advocates joined in the screening held for the first time before a Filipino audience.

On The President’s Orders is set in Caloocan City, one of the cities with the highest number of drug-related killings. It follows the perspectives of people from both sides of Duterte's war on drugs: the police officers and the urban slum families. (READ: Central Luzon: New killing fields in Duterte's drug war)

It was also interspersed with excerpts from President Rodrigo Duterte’s speeches about the war on drugs. 

The importance of documentaries

Active Vista executive director Leni Velasco emphasized the necessity of helping the nation process the traumas and social ruptures that have come with Duterte's anti-illegal drugs campaign. (READ: 'Some people need killing': Murder in Manila part 1)

“Let us not allow the injustice of erasing our historical memory as a nation that this government has done to the thousands of victims of Martial Rule to be done as well to thousands of victims of the drug war,” Velasco said. 

Velasco also urged the audience to continue talking about the issues presented by the film and how this documentary can be a tool to combat the current administration’s portrayal of its ongoing war on drugs. 

Three years into the administration of President Duterte, the government's anti-illegal drug campaign has claimed over 5,500 lives, according to police tally. However, rights groups estimate the drug war to have claimed as much as 27,000 lives, including the victims of vigilante-style killings.

“We need to continue telling these stories,” said Velasco. “Let us resist the acts of erasures, of their stories being written out of our history and memory. We need to combat the present narrative that this government is making us believe.”

Director James Jones, though unable to attend the premiere, expressed his sentiments in a video that was shown before the film screening.

“I regret that I cannot be there with you,” he said. “But it is important that this documentary is shown in Filipino theaters, to Filipino audiences. We’re excited for you to see it.”

What comes next

After the screening of the film, human rights activists shared their insights on the docufilm in a talkback session and how truthfully it reflected the current situation in the country.  

“Mahirap ma-digest ang sine, 'no? Hindi lang man natin nababasa sa diyaryo 'yan, pero araw-araw, tuloy pa rin: walang humpay ang patayan,” Free Legal Assistance Group chairperson Chel Diokno said. (It’s hard to digest the film, isn't it? We don’t read it on the news, but, every day, it goes on: the killings haven't stopped.) 

Diokno believes that the most important thing to do is to document the incidents. 

“We may not be able to file cases now; it may not be realistic to pursue prosecution at this point – but the time will come, that day of reckoning will come, and when it comes we have to be prepared to have the evidence,” Diokno said.

Human Rights Watch researcher Carlos conde, who highlighted the importance of starting a discussion on human rights. 

“For decades, we've been bombarded with the idea that human rights is just for activists, just for leftists, for communists, for environmentalists. Well, a majority of the victims in the drug war are not those people…. Start entertaining the idea that human rights should be for all. Once you start thinking about that, you might have a better chance of making sure that this doesn't happen again,” Conde said.

For the executive director of NoBox Transitions Foundation, Ma. Inez  Feria, remaining critical during these times is important. 

“Now is the time to have these kinds of conversations with ourselves and develop the kinds of systems to put them in place, so that regardless of leadership down in the future, something like this won't happen,” she said. 

Philippine Human Rights Information Center executive director Nymia Pimentel also suggested that concerned groups and individuals should coordinate with human rights groups.

She invited members of the academe, lawyers, and law students to extend whatever forms of support they can give to groups such as Philippine Human Rights Information Center, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, and In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity movement. 

“We are opening our offices to groups who are very much willing to discuss and see how we can further collaborate and coordinate our efforts to be able to extend justice and hold those perpetrators of human rights violations accountable,” Pimentel assured. 

Promoting discourse

Velasco felt that it was important for Active Vista to be a platform for that kind of discourse, and that On The President’s Orders was an extremely relevant film to aid them in that goal. 

“With the screening of On the President's Orders, we hope to encourage you to keep sharing the stories, and keep the conversation going so that we can build a strong resistance and eventually we can find ways to change the narrative towards hope and for genuine social change," she said. 

Active Vista’s 7th International Human Rights Film Festival will feature other films on human rights, such as Ang Hupa, The Cleaners, Last Exit to Kai Tak, and The Mortician of Manila. The films will be shown in selected theaters in Quezon City and Bacolod City until September 29.

Malacañang criticized the foreign documentary as another attempt at black propaganda and disinformation. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo pointed out that the film was "overly dramatized" and "falsely portrays a dangerous Philippines and a murderous government."

The film screens at a time when the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted a resolution which outlines key actions against the rising killings in the Philippines, including those under President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

The UNHRC also urged the government to cooperate with UN offices and mechanisms by facilitating country visits and "refraining from all acts of intimidation or retaliation." 

In a press release, Dakila Media said the film is set for a wider broadcast in the United States in October. It has also been screened at various international film festivals. – Rappler.com 

Dorothy Andrada is a Mover from Roxas City, Capiz. She is currently based in Quezon City as a college freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University.

MANILA, Philippines – While the Philippines leads other countries in the region in terms of gender equality, much more needs to be done to educate all Filipinos on the issue of gender-based violence.

SPARK! Program Manager Kassandra Barnes touched on gender equality in the country as she discussed her organization's 10-month-old Respeto Naman campaign at the Social Good Summit on September 21. 

"I really believe that gender equality isn't just an issue that should concern women. It's an issue that should concern everyone. And I believe that working towards a more equal world should involve everyone – men, women, everyone, LGBTQ community," she said.

Barnes said that when they started  #RespetoNaman, they only thought of doing a one-day forum, but as the project developed and with more situations arising, they felt they needed to do more.

"As we went through the planning process and development of the project, it became apparent that the issue of gender-based violence in the Philippines is so much bigger than we realized," she said.

"Sure we have statistics that say that 1 in 3 women would have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifestime, but these statistics are limited because they are reported cases," Barnes added.

Barnes said that there were still women who refuse to report incidents of violence against them because of the stigma. This, she said, is the reason why the organization wants to continue the campaign, which will mark its first year in November.

Since its launch last year, they brought the #RespetoNaman campaign and the Don't Tell Me How to Dress exhibit, a program started by Thai model and Asia's Next Top Model host Cindy Bishop in parts of the Philippines including Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. More tours are scheduled. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SPARK! Philippines (@sparkphilippines) on Jul 18, 2019 at 4:31am PDT

Barnes said that it's about time that all people are educated on preventing domestic violence.

"We think that it's about time. It's time to take a stands on ending victim blaming, and call respect for women not only because of what they wear or how they act but because they are being human beings. We think it's time for the Philippines to say #MeToo and we say, respeto naman (respect please)."

Speaking to Rappler after the summit, Barnes said that they were planning more initiatives to sustain the campaign as its first year anniversary drew near.

With government leaders who seemed to have forgotten how to respect women, how can the campaign be put in practice? Barnes said one way, which SPARK! has been doing, is engaging local governments and their leaders to support the campaign.

"Whenever we go to any place, we always try to engage the local government and we try to find out what they are doing.... So far in all places that we've been to, the local government has been supportive. But of course, it's difficult, like expressing support and actually doing things are two different things especially with the bureaucracy of government, and the difficulties they face with their limited resources, limited capacities," she said.

Barnes added that the campaign is called "Respeto Naman" which applies to all people, regardless of gender.

"This campaign is not just about women.... It's about the entire nation. It's about calling for respect in so many different ways. Sexual harassment and assault is just one of the many things we want to talk about," she said. —Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Since 2013, #ThinkPH has been bringing people together to inspire Filipinos to think and talk about issues that matter.

This year, we want to bring people even closer. What used to be a big summit is now a more intimate gathering of like-minded people. And instead of just a one-time thing, it will now happen once every quarter and in different parts of Metro Manila.

On October 16, the first season of #ThinkPH Live is happening right at the Rappler HQ. This time around, expect more than just talks. Besides learning from thought leaders, you’ll also be able to support proudly-Filipino merchants participating in the sustainability fair. And finally, cap the day with a Live Jam session.

We don’t just want you to learn, we also want you to meet and collaborate with people who share the same values, advocacies, and beliefs – and have fun, too! 

The format may be new but as it always has been, #ThinkPH Live will still be about tech for good. But instead of focusing on buzzwords like AI, VR, and big data, we are putting the spotlight on simple, responsible tech. We want to remind everyone of what the role of tech should really be – and that's improving the lives not just of a few but of many.

Why responsible tech? 

A lot of the advancements we’re enjoying now is thanks to modern technology.

There are now more innovative ways to diagnose and treat patients than ever. For instance, Blueprint Genetics, a company based in Finland and San Francisco has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to prescribe  personalized medicine and understand why human bodies react to different drugs and viruses.

Virtual reality has also been helping students have a high-impact learning experience. “From taking a guided tour of the Great Wall of China to examining world-renowned art in a museum halfway around the globe, these micro-experiences can shape student learning far more than an in-class lecture,” said Dr Matthew Lynch, an award-winning writer and tech advocate. 

Even shopping now is made easier because brands understand their consumers better.  They have learned how to effectively respond to our needs. EBay and Myer’s first virtual reality shop, for example, allows customers to shop just by using their eyes with Sight Search. 

But as they say, progress always comes at a cost. These same technological leaps are also being used for selfish and sometimes, even evil reasons. 

Deepfake is probably one of the scariest. It’s an AI-based technology that can alter photos and videos to make it look like something it’s really not. Hao Li, a tech expert who analyzes deepfake, said that "perfectly real, digitally manipulated videos are just 6 to 12 months away from being accessible to everyday people.” This means that our feeds, which are already clogged with fake news, will also begin showing us fake photos and videos – and it will be hard for us to tell the difference.

But forget about 6 to 12 months, here’s something we’re already part of now: Facebook continues to deal with privacy issues and data breaches since 2018 – the year we all  discovered that the private data of over 87 million users were sold to consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. The data, which they harvested through cute personality quizzes on Facebook, were used to influence the U.S. elections.

But despite all these atrocities, there’s still good in technology. And we want to highlight that – how it enables us to discover our communities, showcase our talents, pursue our passions, help those who are in need, voice our opinions, and even create movements that spark change. 

In the Philippines, we’re happy to say that we’ve been doing just that.  

BukidFresh, a small start-up company, has been leveraging tech to help farmers increase their profits by directly connecting them with the consumers. Large corporations like Coca-Cola have been going beyond digital platforms and using the simplest but most effective technology to produce packaging made up of 100% recycled plastics.   

And we want more and more organizations and companies, big or small, to follow suit. 

If you or your organization would like to be part of #ThinkPH Live as part of the panel or the sustainability fair, please send us an email at sales@rappler.com. 

Admission to #ThinkPH Live is free but seats are limited! Bookmark this page for the program and registration link. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Tree planting, orphanage visits, and feeding programs are just some of the activities companies hold annually to help communities out.

However, it will take more than just a one-day effort to create impact.

Marione Briones of the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) said firms must collaborate and strategically allocate resources for their corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Planning and commitment to the chosen cause are crucial, too.

"Understanding how to collaborate strategically where it is needed will amplify the collective societal impact of the communities of action we seek to build," Briones said during Rappler's Social Good Summit last Saturday, September 21.

Briones noted that LCF members have pooled a total of P4.4 billion for various projects.

Most companies prefer to shower the education sector with the most funds at 37%, while the environment and health sectors come in at 23% and 21%, respectively.

Entrepreneurship (4%), arts and culture (1%), and other sectors (14%) make up the rest of the sectors where companies place their CSR-related resources.

Moreover, LCF members were able to reach a total of 35.1 million individual beneficiaries.

While companies have been able to help communities, from donating solar panels to constructing classrooms, challenges in allocating funds and choosing projects remain.

Briones said most of the beneficiaries are from Metro Manila. When compared to projects in the Visayas, Metro Manila projects outnumber them by 60%. The figure is even more disappointing when compared to Mindanao at 140%.

Briones also noted that companies tend to focus on just 5 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, firms have poured much resources into poverty eradication, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, and reducing inequality.

Very few companies focus on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

"Members of the LCF are now challenging themselves to go outside their comfort zone and go to areas that need it most," Briones said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – It was Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s first and only time to speak at the Senate hearing on immunization on Tuesday, September 24. Netizens, however, said his remark was not fit for a senator. 

At the hearing, Dela Rosa asked the resource speakers from the Department of Health (DOH) and other health organizations if it was possible for vaccine manufacturers to create outbreaks so their vaccines would make more money. (READ: Dela Rosa: Are outbreaks created so vaccines make money?)

“Hindi ito related sa budget ninyo, pero nanonood kasi ako ng sine. Tatanong ko lang sa inyo, puwede ba 'yung mga lumalabas sa sine na, ‘yung mga producer ng vaccines, sila rin yung nagci-create ng outbreak para mabenta ‘yung kanilang vaccine?” he asked.

“Nanonood lang ako ng sine. Puwede kaya mangyari ‘yan?”

(This isn’t related to your budget, but I watch movies. I would just like to ask, is it possible, like in the movies, for vaccine producers to create outbreaks so that their vaccines would sell? I just watch movies. Can that happen?)

While Dela Rosa appeared to be half kidding, netizens took a swipe at him, questioning his credibility as senator.

Netizens mock Dela Rosa

Following Dela Rosa, netizens also applied the same logic to controversial issues surrounding the senator. 

Mishael Dayrit Fernandez hit Dela Rosa saying, "Are drug wars created so that you, the PNP, and your backers can make money too?"

Before becoming a senator, Dela Rosa was at the forefront of the administration's bloody drug war that killed more than 20,000 Filipinos. (READ: IN NUMBERS: The Philippines' 'war on drugs')

Facebook user Citizen Jean lectured Dela Rosa on the origin of epidemic diseases.

Last week, the DOH declared a polio epidemic after it recorded a case of the disease in Lanao del Sur. This is the country's first confirmed case after 19 years of being polio-free.

Meanwhile, Gia Santos-Lim said that the Senate is not a comedy bar.

"Ang lala ng issue, pumapatay ng tao, tapos gagamitin niyo lang na piyesa sa distasteful joke niyo?" Lim said. (This is a serious issue, people have died, and yet you still use this as part of your distasteful joke?)

What do you think of Dela Rosa's remark? Sound off in the comments! – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Public Works Secretary Mark Villar assured Filipinos during groundbreaking ceremonies at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Wednesday, September 25, that efforts are underway to lessen traffic in Metro Manila.

“For those who are worried about traffic, don't worry. It will improve much sooner rather than later,” he said.

“When we started office, we have already set out this very ambitious plan to decongest EDSA. We all know how difficult it is with the traffic, how difficult it is for the students. But I'd like to reassure you that in the next few months, we will be opening the Skyway, which will be connecting SLEX (Southern Luzon Expressway) and NLEX (North Luzon Expressway),” Villar added.

The Skyway Stage 3 is an 18.68-kilometer elevated expressway from Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak in Quezon City. It is seen to reduce travel time from Buendia to Balintawak from two hours to just 15 to 20 minutes.

The project's concessionaire is San Miguel Corporation (SMC)-led Citra Central Expressway Corporation. It is also among the key projects under the government's Build, Build, Build program.

“Can you imagine a world where you can go from Makati to UP in 30 minutes?” Villar asked. “This is the most ambitious project...to decongest EDSA. When this is finished, we will reduce traffic by a hundred thousand cars a day.”

According to estimates of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, in 2018, the average number of vehicles on EDSA reached over 380,000 a day, representing a 4.38% increase from 2017. More than half or about 65.56% of vehicles on EDSA are private cars.

The Skyway Stage 3 project is set to be completed by the 1st quarter of 2020.

Aside from this, Villar noted that other projects to improve traffic in Metro Manila are in the pipeline, such as the construction of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, and the Sta Monica-Lawton Bridge, among others.

“We're quite confident that the traffic situation will improve very soon,” Villar told Rappler.

Construction of the Skyway Stage 3, however, aggravated traffic on Wednesday after a lane was closed late Tuesday evening, September 24, causing a buildup. (READ: Belmonte warns: Traffic will get worse before it will get better)

Those who were affected took to Twitter throughout Wednesday to express their frustration, making SLEX among the top trending topics on the platform.

SLEX traffic - Curated tweets by rapplerdotcom

SMC appealed to commuters and motorists traversing the SLEX for more understanding.

“Ang proyekto na ito ay para sa kapakanan nating lahat. Konting tiis lang po. Sa pagtatapos ng proyektong ito, higit pong giginhawa ang daloy ng trapiko. Ginagawa po namin ang lahat upang matapos ang construction sa lalong madaling panahon,” the company said in a statement.

(This project is for the benefit of all. We ask for a little more patience. Once this project is finished, it will ease traffic. We’re doing all we can to finish the construction at the soonest possible time.)

Aside from the Skyway and the SLEX, SMC also operates the STAR Tollway, NAIA Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – You could hear a pin drop at the plaza in front of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). When I arrived, there was nothing but silence. Then, they came. First, a single voice through the megaphone; then, it echoed louder. The hand-made signs came in one by one, held by college students walking side by side. It was a Friday and they were not in school. They are on strike.

When you go to a rally, you expect to be greeted by angry faces and pulsating negativity enough to attract lightning. Before that day, I thought striking was only for people privileged with time. But on Friday, September 20,  a friendly face approached me and welcomed me to the group. He also congratulated me for being on my first strike. 

He is Jefferson Estela, a co-founder of the Youth Strike for Climate Philippines, comprised of college students and young professionals inspired by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg and her protests for climate action. The group first rallied for climate justice in streets around the Philippines on March 14.

On September 20, Youth Strike for Climate Philippines  joined millions of climate advocates worldwide to march again for the health of our planet. (READ: LIST: Mobilizations for 2019 Philippine climate strike)

Jefferson shared how his group tried to get the endorsement of government agencies amidst the bustle of the global movement. Not all agencies gave their official endorsement but this did not stop the group from marching. 

Across the park, I saw more youth and children arrive with their supportive parents and siblings who chose to let their voices be heard. Coming from Quezon City to Alabang, they understood that they were privileged not to feel the effects of climate change as severely as those in vulnerable communities and indigenous peoples. The strike is a necessity to them.

When the vulnerable sectors of our society are faced by imminent danger, it is out of place to call standing up for our homes and our future a privilege. The youth shouted at the top of their lungs as they raised and put their phones on full blast, sounding the alarm for climate justice. (READ: [OPINION] Why the Philippines should declare a climate emergency)

Rain started to pour during our strike. In the midst of a crowd, I saw two little girls donned in their yellow and blue raincoats. They did not take shelter. They were not afraid of the rain.

Instead, they danced and shouted with everyone, “What do we want? Climate justice! When do we want it? Now!”

CHR Chairman Chito Gascon stepped outside his office and spoke in solidarity with the youth strikers. He said that the youth play a crucial role in demanding climate justice.   

"Please know that it is important for the youth to have a voice. If our leaders will not listen, you will make them listen. You will make them act. If our leaders will not act, then our youth will act for the future,” Gascon said.

Gloria Amor Paredes of the Environmental Science for Social Change also shared to us the stories of Lumad communities in Bukidnon, where children asked her: “Ate, bakit kami 'yung kailangang laging kumilos? Hindi naman kami 'yung sumisira ng kalikasan, pero kami 'yung unang nakakaranas ng pinakamatinding epekto nitong climate change?”

(Why are we the ones who need to act all the time? We are not the ones who are destroying the environment but we are the first to feel the severe effects of climate change?)

Paredes' experience with indigenous peoples made her realize that climate change is not just about extreme weather conditions, it is also about compassion.

And that is when it really hit me. When the communities that we should be responsible for are cast aside in the name of progress, the future of the youth teeters on the edge. When we deprive the vulnerable sectors  of the cornerstone of a sustainable and livable environment, we will fall. What will be the point of our great cities, bustling economy, and the promise of a bright future then?

On my way home later that evening, I asked a jeepney driver, “Kuya, may nabalitaan ba kayong strike ng mga kabataan kaninang hapon para sa environment (Did you hear the news that teenagers held a strike this afternoon for the environment)?"

He said he did not, and I wondered if he ever will.

The strike made me feel exhilarated and positive that taking actions like this would make a difference. As I looked back at the youth strikers still shouting for climate justice along Commonwealth Avenue, my heart broke.

As positive as an experience of going on strike for the climate is, I hoped the youth would finally be heard so they would not have to go out and do it again. – Rappler.com

Wynken is the Media and Communications Associate of the Climate Action for Sustainability Initiative (KASALI). She graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2019.

MANILA, Philippines – Turning sari-sari stores into refilling stations to cut down sachet use in the Philippines won as the best solution to the country’s plastic problem during the 2019 Social Good Summit: #2030Now #InsightForImpact.

Participants Fiona Fajardo Hernandez, Nana Luz, Princess Nepomuceno, and Anthony Cabatuando represented the winning group and presented this idea in front of thought leaders, educators, policy makers, members of the local tech and startup community, and students at the De La Salle University on September 21.

The group explained that the Filipinos’ sachet culture, or the inclination to buy products in small packaging, makes it hard to address plastic pollution. With 21% of the population living below the poverty line, it’s no surprise that the average Filipino uses 591 pieces of sachets in just a year, which usually end up in the oceans.

“These are people who cannot be bothered with causes. We cannot tell them to save the environment when you are barely surviving, you save yourself and your family first,” said Hernandez of non-governmental organizations F.E.E.D. Philippines and Bicycle Scouts Philippines.

The group explained that turning local stores into refilling stations for basic necessities, such as shampoo and cooking oil, will encourage people to discontinue unnecessary sachet use even for purchases in small amounts.

“Because in turn, if these sari-sari stores would be the prime connection between the consumers [and the producers], it would be accessible to people who are unable to actually provide for themselves these [big] amounts that local supermarkets provide in bulk,” said Nepomuceno, a political science student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Luz, CEO of cloud services company Softype Philippines Incorporated and a tech entrepreneur passionate about waste management and reduction, said turning sari-sari stores into refilling stations is just the first step to eventually shift the demand from corporations.

The group also proposed to give value to discarded sachets to encourage people to pick it up as a form of positive reinforcement. They suggested that a law may be enacted that will reward citizens with 1% to 2% of the actual price of the sachet every time they pick it up.

“Just picture this: If you find something on the ground and that might be worth 2 centavos, you might pick that thing up. You use the reverse supply chain of the Unilevers and the URCs of this world to pick these things back, bring it back,” Luz said.

Four groups presented different ideas to address plastic pollution in the country. The judges were composed of the speakers of the huddle: Meah Ang See, Angela Chen, Xin Yi Wong, Dr Eric Punzalan, and Dr Alvin Culaba. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines– Hoping to make the nation better prepared for disasters, the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) will be amping up its efforts to complement science in disaster risk reduction initiatives with a new 10-story building that will house its research.

The new building will become UPRI's center for research focused on climate change and disaster risk reduction and management, as it taps into the expertise of the whole UP system. 

UPRI Executive Director Mahar Lagmay said a bigger space is needed since the whole UP system will be involved in understanding the different sectors involved in disaster preparedness and risk reduction such as agriculture, biodiversity, health, and education, among others.

"It's the entire UP system that's involved. The expertise is from different sectors. There's a lot of UP Resilience Institute fellows that can help with the resilience efforts in the country but we need a home," Lagmay told Rappler.

The new building, which will be equipped with the necessary facilities and technology, will be used to conduct several experiments and house discussions to help communities be more aware of the natural hazards that put them in danger.

"It will be a headquarters for knowledge systems on resilience to serve the entire country," Lagmay said.

The new building is set to be finished by January 2021. With 10 floors, it will be the tallest building in UP Diliman.

Do more

During the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, September 25, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar shared that the construction of the building will help in providing scientific data on climate change and disaster risk reduction and management for public use.

"In this age of climate change where natural calamities are rampant, it's very important that we develop infrastructure, capability, and knowledge to combat the incoming problem that we have in regards to resiliency.... We need to stop depending on international research and make use of our own," he added.

Relaunched in 2017, the UPRI was established as a proactive hub to empower Philippine communities through multidisciplinary actions towards resilience, with Project Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) as its flagship program.

Project NOAH maintains a disaster management platform that provides data available for everyone to use. The services that Project NOAH provide disaster managers and the public include barangay-level hazard maps, near real-time weather information, storm surge advisories in affected localities, and apps and tools that make disaster preparation easier.

Among the efforts of the UPRI is to train local government units to form local climate change action plans and comprehensive land use plans with the community. 

"When you do the plans, it cuts across all sectors. And UP has faculty that has expertise in all of these sectors…. When there are good plans for all our communities then the development can surge, not stopped or blocked by harmful events like typhoons, because the people are well-prepared," Lagmay said.

Part of the institute's coverage is Manila City, where they work with Mayor Isko Moreno in crafting plans to make the city disaster-resilient.

"There [are] new technologies that are now available and we're going to apply it to make Manila, the capital of the Philippines, resilient. Hopefully, when the other mayors see what UP can do to help, maybe they can emulate and copy what was done in the capital city of Manila," Lagmay said.

Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda noted that the construction of a resilience institute building gives a robust environment that is impartial to politics and where studies on disaster risk reduction and climate action can thrive. 

"Resilience starts from science. It therefore is a natural resident of academe. When you grow science for an academe, [it] is less politically influenced. And there you can expect greater positive results," he said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Student groups from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman slammed the fraternity-related violence and impunity inside the campus through a mobilization protest on Thursday, September 26.

The protest came after the alleged leaked conversations of UP Sigma Rho Fraternity members went viral online Wednesday morning, September 25.

The screenshots show conversations among the fraternity members and photos of the hazing – from images on the procurement and brandishing of a paddle, to a group of persons preparing for what seemed to be a hazing ritual. The photo that sparked outrage online was that of a person whose face and arms were covered with bruises.

Among the names mentioned in the leaked conversation was that of UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) Councilor Tierone Santos. With his alleged involvement in the hazing activity, the USC has put Santos under preventive suspension pending further investigation.

This leaked message thread comes on the heels of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio’s death due to injuries caused by hazing. In the ensuing days, 3 more PMA cadets would be reported to be hospitalized for suspected fraternity-related violence. 

A culture of impunity

Several students from the UP College of Law were also linked to the alleged conversation, stirring up condemnation from within the law school’s student body.

“I cannot stomach the fact that these students will soon become lawyers, and early as now they are already violating the law,” said Xandi Pascua from UP Law Student Government during the mobilization on Tuesday, September 24.

According to Belle Ginez, Chairperson of UP Alyansa, the mobilization aimed to express their groups’ strongest condemnation of frat-related violence and the impunity that existed within schools. Ginez said that frat-related violence has killed and endangered so many students, but no one is truly held accountable because of impunity.

In a statement, the UP University Student Council said it was condemning all forms of violence inside and outside the university.

"Such violent cases are no different from perpetrated violence by repressive state apparatuses such as the PMA’s recent case of hazing that led to the death of 20-year-old Darwin Dormitorio," the statement read. (READ: PMA cadet died due to hazing – police)

According to the student body, such incidents were rooted from the macho-feudal culture pervasive in various institutions and formations.

"With this macho-feudal culture in formations, it is seen that a prime is put on an individual's selfish interest of asserting dominance and power over others, rather than on the well-being and growth of the individual's fellow members," the statement added. 

Other student organizations from UP also condemned the alleged hazing incident. According to STAND UP, hazing should be abolished, fraternity-related violence should be ended along with the culture of impunity.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ support group Babaylan called for the abolition of all fraternities and an end to an inherently violent culture.

BUKLOD CSSP called on the student leaders' respective student councils to impeach the ones involved in the hazing and asked the administration to penalize them as required by law.

Last year, leaked online conversations of Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity ignited a national media firestorm over violent misogynist, homophobic, and Islamophobic remarks.

The leaked chats and proximate altercations with Alpha Phi Beta fraternity drew widespread condemnation from the UP community, from official statements to walkouts, prompting the resignation of 3 UP student council members and even a verbal “frat war” of the rival fraternities’ senior “brods” within the Philippine Senate.

“Today, we are drawing the line. We will continue fighting until those who should be held accountable are brought to justice and until this culture of violence is once and for all ended,” said Ginez.

Ginez said  that while more people were now more aware regarding the issue of fraternity-related violence, their next aim was to get more students to be actively involved in the clamor for accountability from the governing jurisdictions.

“As we move forward in our fight against this culture that exists in our society, we hope that we see concrete and immediate actions from the administration and institutions involved,” concluded Ginez. – With reports from Carlo Acilo/Rappler.com

Jaia Yap and Carlo Acilo are Rappler interns.

MANILA, Philippines – When University of Santo Tomas (UST) graduate Federico Peralta IV topped the September 2019 physician licensure examination, people who knew him and his siblings might have had one thought in mind: It runs in the family.

Federico, the youngest of 3 siblings, sustained the legacy of his sisters Ana Bianca Eloise and Ana Eryka Elaine who were both among the top 10 passers in the same exams in 2015 and 2017, respectively. 

Their parents, Eric and Ana, are both doctors – Eric is an anesthesiologist while Ana is an obstetrician-gynecologist.  With their children off on their own journey as doctors, the parents said they were now signing off as “training coaches.”

“The road Ana and I traveled as parents to these three has been long and bumpy. At this point, we can securely rest on the belief that their wings are already strong enough to make it excellently on their own,” Eric proudly said in a Facebook post. 

Inspiration at home

Federico and his siblings' interest in the medical profession was natural, as they saw their parents at work.

“Ever since when we were still kids, I think we have always wanted to become doctors. We were often exposed to the life inside the hospital.  My parents were still resident doctors when we were young. That is why we also go to the hospital and observe operations if we have no class in school,” Federico said.  

His sisters followed their parents' professional path, and excelled in medicine school, both graduating magna cum laude. 

When he decided to take the same journey, he would seek help from his sisters whenever he encountered difficult concepts while studying. 

“As their little brother, I have been watching them my whole life; and I have seen how they fight and conquer mountains. They have been [my] idols since time immemorial," Federico said.

His eldest sister Ana Bianca Eloise is an internist while Ana Eryka Elaine, like their mother, is an obstetrician-gynecologist.

"Being topnotchers in the physician licensure exams, I have always been pressured and felt that I have to exert greater effort to catch up to [their] achievements. Nevertheless, I am thankful for both of them every single day,” Federico said.

He also recalled the multiple sacrifices that their parents had to go through as they tried to balance parenting with their equally demanding professions. 

“I cannot count the number of times that we were supposed to go out as a family, super excited and everything, this and that, then someone will suddenly call my dad on his phone telling him there’s an emergency.  There was even a time when we had just parked at the mall, then we had to go home immediately because my father has an emergency case,” Federico said.

Passion to serve

Federico said that he ventured into medicine with eyes wide open. His dream of becoming a medical doctor also stemmed from his thirst for greater knowledge and his dedication to help save as many lives as possible – something his parents had inculcated in all of them.

“My parents also made sure that I understand that being a doctor is not just about the monetary gain, and that the real essence of this profession is more of being committed to lifelong learning and being compassionate to those who need us most,” he said. 

Federico consistently ranked first in their batch every year. He graduated as batch valedictorian and was also the clinical clerk of the year, rector's awardee for academic excellence, and summa cum laude with meritissimus during his oral revalida. 

“When my eldest sister made it to the top 6, my family was of course very happy. Medyo wala pa pong pressure sa akin that time (There wasn't pressure on me at that time),” Federico recalled. 

But when his other sister placed 5th in the physician licensure exam two years later, Federico recalled how the people around him started to raise their expectations.

His friends would jokingly advise him that with the exemplary performance of his sisters, he only had ranks 1 to 4 to fill in when his board exam comes. 

“Of course, instead of giving in to pressure, I used that to motivate myself to study especially during the wee hours of the night – when I'm on hospital duty while people are sleeping,” Federico shared. 

Tips

His journey to medical school, just like for many, wasn’t always smooth-sailing but he was assured of the support and love of his family. 

“In terms of academics, it was very demanding. Classes would usually start at 7 am and end at 6 pm. When I arrive home, I have to work hard to study for 2 to 4 quizzes the following day. The cycle then repeats,” Federico added.

He said his only competitor was himself and that he made sure to improve and do better every time. He also had to forego with things he enjoyed so he would have more time to study. 

“Regardless of how great you are, there will be lots of moments in med school when you would feel down especially when you did your best to study and even pulled an all-nighter but  still get a failing mark. And I believe this is true for other courses too,” he expressed. 

Another milestone 

During the board exam, he stressed how it was thrice more difficult than he expected, so he wasn’t expecting to be part of the list of topnotchers anymore. But he kept praying to do better.  

He received a call from the dean of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery who told him the good news. When he learned that he made it to the list – and 1st place at that – he was totally surprised and dazed for a few minutes. 

(At first, I thought she just called to comfort me but when she revealed the good news, I couldn’t really believe it. I was dazed for 5 minutes. I first called my mom who I overheard crying over the phone after she learned about it.)“At first I thought she just called to comfort me, but then she revealed the good news and hindi po talaga ako makapaniwala. Natulala lang po ako for 5 minutes. I first called my mom na medyo naririnig kong naiiyak po nung nalaman," he narrated. 

With the milestones he had achieved so far, Federico felt humbled and blessed to gain the coveted recognition. He hopes to uphold use his skills to be of service to the community and the country.

He attributed his success to his family who has been there to support him in every step of the way. He also hopes to emulate the hard work, integrity and compassion that his parents have shown in their lives as medical doctors. 

“I know it's not an easy task raising 3 children especially that all of us chose to pursue the path of medicine.  I feel honored and blessed to have both of them,” Federico said.

The next step

Federico aspires to be a general surgeon and plans to subspecialize in minimally invasive surgery.  

He has some unsolicited advice to aspiring medical doctors, who he hopes to inspire as well. 

“Make sure that your desire to be of service to other people is greater than anything else since entering this profession is not without sacrifices. It is always a shared decision with your parents," he said. 

In times of doubt and confusion, he speaks of a timely reminder: "For as long as you remember why you started, you will never lose track of your goals. There is nothing more beautiful to be in a position where we can give more than we can take." – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – How can we mainstream gender issues and promote gender equality? Where do women's rights intersect with LGBTQ+ rights when we talk about gender inequality?

These were some of the questions raised by advocates during the Social Good Summit gender equality Huddle session on Saturday, September 21.

Highlighting the importance of the Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality, advocates explained the challenges of ending gender inequality and including LGBTQ+ issues in the global conversation. 

While the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals carry gender equality as one of its core tenets, it is limited to women's rights, leaving behind a huge gap in the framing of solutions to "leave no one behind."

Rethinking GAD

In the Philippines, the current gender equality policy being implemented is the Gender and Development (GAD) budget policy under Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women. The policy aims to allocate 5% of the local government unit's (LGUs) internal revenue allotment for gender development projects. 

However, local government units are struggling to grasp where and how to fully make use of this budget. (READ: Oh my GAD: PH allots billions for gender, dev't)

Maica Teves, executive director of gender and development organization SPARK Philippines, pointed out how most of these projects are wasted on activities such as Zumba and women's night that add little to no value to the cause. 

In recent years, the Commision on Audit has flagged different government bodies' misuse of GAD budget for non GAD-related activities. 

Advocates have called this out, saying the budget should have been used in line with the GAD Agenda and the GAD Plan, a systematically designed set of programs, projects, and activities with a corresponding budget that respond to the gender issues and concerns of a particular government agency or unit and its constituents.

The Philippine GAD policy was implemented to address issues of discrimination and gender-based violence in the society. A similar struggle is being fought by the LGBTQ+ community.

While the existing GAD code limits its scope to the women sector, advocates believe the policy must recognize all genders. 

LGBTQ+ and gender equality

The LGBTQ+ community, after not being included in the implementation of GAD, resorted to lobbying for a separate bill or the SOGIE equality bill. The bill hopes to address gender issues specific to LGBTQ+ rights but intersecting with women's rights. (Read: SOGIE equality in the Philippines)

As of this writing, there are around 22 to 25 LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination ordinances adopted by various LGUs in the country. So far, only two LGUs have implementing rules and regulations (IRR) in place. 

Nicky Castillo, LGBTQ+ rights advocate and coordinator of Metro Manila Pride, emphasized how IRRs are important in the actual implementation of the ordinances.

"Kahit may mga batas in place, hindi pa rin tapos ang trabaho natin as citizens. Kailangan kumakatok tayo sa mga gobyerno lalo na hindi pa siya institutionalized," Castillo said.

(Even though there are existing laws in place on the protection of the LGBTQ+ community, our duty as citizens is far from over. We need to alert the government especially because the policies have not yet been institutionalized.)

Hurdles and solutions

Julia Abad, executive director of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment, pointed out that GAD is a policy that looks good on paper but is lacking in terms of implementation. 

"In businesses, we ask them if the women are encouraged in their workplace. They always answer yes, but the policy is not institutionalized with them. If it is institutionalized, the environment will be more welcoming," Abad said.

Despite placing 8th in the 2018 Global Gender Gap Index, the country's implementation of gender and development policies are not standardized and are often open to interpretation by public officials who are implementing them.

Abad added that these interpretations can come from nuances on gender issues, especially in professional workplaces where women are not given equal opportunity for career advancement unlike their male counterparts. (READ: Is the Philippines really gay-friendly?)

"While women are more educated, they are given 'women' tasks like entertaining guests, organizing things, planning menus, etc," Abad said

To address this, Abad believes that SOGIE education is a first step in dismantling cultural stereotypes against both sexes, and getting a better understanding of gender identity and gender expression. (Read: 3 ways companies can promote SOGIE equality in the workplace)

This situation is not exclusive to women as the LGBTQ+ community experiences the same cultural stereotypes. Among the common stereotypes are cases where LGBTQ+ are discriminated against in academic institutions and even in the workplace. 

Castillo emphasized the need for a mass cultural change when viewing LGBTQ+ issues in order to correct an imbalance in the society wherein the LGBTQ+ community has been discriminated for the longest time. (READ: [OPINION] The extra struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in Mindanao)

Homophobia and transphobia often lead to gender-based violence and discrimination occurring in different parts of the world.

In the Philippines, the Philippine Hate Crime Watch recorded around 164 cases of murdered LGBTs from 1996 to June 2012. These cases however are underreported due to fear and intimidation. (READ: LGBTs push for end to hate crimes)

Contrary to popular belief that the LGBTQ+ community is asking for special rights, they are fighting for equal rights based on their experiences of discrimination.

"[Gusto natin] 'yung lugar na hindi tayo pinapatay dahil dito, at hindi tayo tinatanggal sa trabaho o [hindi] tinatanggap ng trabaho, o pinapaalis sa eskwelahan, o nakakaranas tayo ng psychological and medical force para ma-'pray the gay away,'" Castillo said, enumerating the forms of discrimination that LGBTQ+ members face.

([We want a place] where the LGBTQ+ members are not being killed, not being rejected from their jobs or not getting fired, or getting expelled from school, or encountering psychological and medical force so that they can "pray the gay away.")

Vaughn Alviar, chairperson of the Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas, believes that discrimination exists in various forms. 

He said that educating people on gender and development using the bottom-up approach is needed in order to properly tackle the issue and implement existing laws. This involves looking into marginalized communities and the issues that greatly affect them. (READ: ‘Why not just Homo sapiens?’: Senators confused by LGBTQ+, SOGIE)

"You have these many forms of discrimination – micro and macro – in those boxes. It's time to revisit those boxes. And then you will see why it's important to close the gender gap," Alviar said.

Why is ending gender inequality important?

Castillo said that addressing the gender discrimination problem is necessary because it is humane and it is the right thing to do. Gender discrimination, after all, can lead to mental health issues among the LGBTQ+ community. 

"People should be able to live a dignified life," Castillo said, citing a section from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Zelpha Bombais, press and cultural attaché of the Austrian Embassy, acknowledged that gender discrimination is a global struggle, citing Austria's case study on gender-based violence. She added that gender inequality hinders the development and productivity of half the world's population.

The European Union (EU) displayed a score of 41 in the inaugural SDG Gender Index in 2019. Scoring 59 or less means that the country ranked very poorly in addressing gender issues.

Despite the low score, Austria, a component of the EU, is one of the countries slowly taking action on gender issues especially with their recent passing of same-sex marriage. 

Castillo emphasized that the grassroots approach to educating people on gender issues must go hand in hand with policy making in order for people to make informed decisions that will benefit women and LGBTQ+ sectors. 

"Educating communities is important so they will further understand the relevance of gender and development. People may also urge their LGUs to push for more effective measures," Castillo said. – Rappler.com

Looking at the comments that arise every time someone mentions being pansexual, I feel pretty lucky that all they can come up with are half-assed jokes about frying pans. It's hard to take someone seriously when that's the limited extent of their creativity.

Being pansexual, in some ways, is easier than being gay, or bi, or trans. Most people don't know what the word even means, or the years of history behind it. Most people can only come up with weak jokes about pans, rather than muster up the vitriol required to make me doubt myself. With a lesser known identity comes less understanding, and while that hurts in some ways, in others, it just means they don't even know how to hate me. I get the privilege of rolling my eyes because they don't even know what I am – like someone saying they hate cats while pointing to a fox. 

Very recently, I've moved to a country where LGBTQ rights are leagues better than others. Canada has provided protection for the queer community for years, and clearly the country hasn't fallen apart, so I see the handwringing over Filipino queer rights as exactly what it is: Another in a long list of ways the Philippine government has failed its people, like our terrible transportation system or corruption in the government. I've seen what it looks like to give rights and protection to queer people, and it looks like a good life for everyone involved.

I've been pansexual for longer than I've been in Canada. I've been pansexual since I was a teenager. It's not some new suit I'm trying on; it's a reality I've lived with for years, and one I am happy to live with. It's a word and an identity I discovered looking for ways to quantify how I felt about others. 

I love deeply and dearly. I'm so full of love that I don't know what to do with it. And over my years I've realized that that love isn't exclusive. I'm a sexual being, and my feelings both physical and emotional are not limited to one kind of person.  

Pansexuality has helped me define the kind of love I feel: for a person, not a body. I have preferences like anyone, but I am not going to look at a cis woman or a cis man, a trans woman or trans man, or even those that identify as non-binary, and decide that a body or an identity will bar me from the love of my life. I'm terribly romantic, and that sort of attraction exists in my soul as much as my body. Neither my body nor my mind and soul discriminate when it comes to those who would love me in return. I do not have to fear falling in love, like others who see a body and feel real love and think they have to kill it.  

And being pansexual? It's the version of me that exists without fear. It is the version of me that wasn't threatened into heterosexuality by a family, a society, or a religion. It's the version of me that knows I don't have to be afraid because a kinder world exists for people who love. It's the version of me that exists because I know people love and accept me, and I am capable of loving others as a result of that.  

Being pansexual means I love. And in the face of that, a few bad jokes about pans seems tame in comparison. They don't even know what I am, or understand who I am, and they don't know what they've lost, growing up judged and afraid. Why would their jokes matter? – Rappler.com

Motzie Dapul is a writer/artist/animator from Quezon City currently pursuing a media career in Canada. She graduated from De La Salle-College of St Benilde in the Philippines and Sheridan College in Canada. She has independently published works such as the Pinoy Monster Boyfriend and Girlfriend Anthologies, and has animated on TV shows such as My Little Pony. 

LAGUNA, Philippines – For the better part of a decade doing volunteer work, Che Abrigo had witnessed the plight of marginalized farmers firsthand. 

She wanted to serve the farming communities better, but she didn't believe in giving them dole-outs, as many volunteer groups would tend to do. She instead offered farmers actual livelihood. Their collaboration gave birth to Sierreza.

Sierreza is a zero-waste artisan store and café, where one can purchase organic food items, off-menu products like in-house fruits and vegetables (both fresh and processed), and indigenous handicrafts.

The café was devised as artisan primarily “to give customers a choice.” The service crew makes sure that none of the fresh items go to waste – they turn them into dried and processed goods. In line with its zero-waste campaign, the store sells baskets and bottles in place of plastic bags and containers.

Their menu is flexible, since their food items depend on the products available from the farming communities they work with. They give full prerogative to the farmers in choosing what products to plant. “If we really want to empower the farmers, they will plant whatever they want, and then we will make something out of it,” Abrigo said.

Sierreza started its operations in August 2018 in a location roughly 15 minutes away from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna. It now has a second store at the popular Maginhawa Street in Diliman, Quezon City, which opened in July. The 8 service crew members who work alternately between the two branches travel to the provinces every week to get their products directly from partner communities.

Currently, Sierreza is partnered with communities from Sierra Madre, namely in Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal; San Ysiro, Antipolo; and Sitio Masla, Gen. Nakar, Quezon. Although the store has earned recognition for working with indigenous communities, Abrigo explained that they are not limited to this demographic, but will make sure to prioritize helping the marginalized.

Sierreza is also forging partnerships with new communities in Rizal, Bulacan, and Pampanga, and Abrigo hopes to open a new Sierreza branch.

With farmers taking the hit for the recent rice crisis, an effect of the rice tariffication law, Sierreza is making efforts to incorporate into their menu rice that are sourced from smaller, affected communities. Abrigo said Sierreza plans to develop formal partnerships with at least two rice farming communities which they can assist hands-on.

When asked about the tariffication law, Abrigo called on consumers to consider how farmers are being affected and rethink their opinion about food: “Are they (vegetables and rice) really expensive? O masyado lang tayong namulat na kailangan ang gulay, dahil galing 'yan sa mga maralitang magsasaka, dapat mura lang yan?” (Or have we simply gotten used to the idea that vegetables, just because they are sourced from poor farmers, should be priced cheaply?”)

Community-supported agriculture

Sierreza considers “community-supported agriculture” as the heart of their operations. The store promotes mutual support between the customers buying the products and the farming communities. “We support them through demand, they support us through safe food. At the same time, they’re also protecting [their environment]. That’s also for us indirectly,” Abrigo said.

Abrigo hopes for agriculture-focused volunteer groups and social enterprises to see beyond the marketing aspect when dealing with marginalized farmers. The Sierreza team makes it a point to establish rapport with the communities they work with by actually getting to know their partners through immersion and frequenting the communities to check up on them. 

“They need empowerment. They need to see themselves as important again. 'Yung mga katutubo farmers na tinutulungan namin (The indigenous farmers whom we help), they are starting to dream for themselves. That’s how you know that you’re doing something right.”

Sierreza also teams up with agriculture experts to conduct workshops for the farmers. Abrigo hopes Sierreza can impart this immersive and collaborative approach to other groups that wish to help local farmers.

Abrigo reiterated that Sierreza does not chase after money nor popularity. It is founded on advocacy, and exists to educate the public about matters concerning marginalized farming communities. She said she does not receive any profit from the sales. Aside from the necessary operational costs, the rest of the profit goes back to the communities, providing farmers substantial income.

“We want to make the farmers heard,” she said. “Kailangang maibalik 'yung consciousness nating consumers [sa] saan nanggagaling at sinong naghihirap para ma-produce 'yung pagkain na nasa harap natin (It is necessary to revive our consciousness as consumers about where our food is from and who have worked hard to produce the meals we eat)." – Rappler.com 

All photos from Sierreza’s Facebook page

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Rowena Maynes Garcia, Teacher III in Baguio City National High School, believes that love and skills work together to produce a masterpiece. Having her share of hardships and joys in life, she keeps this philosophy in mind to make people around her – especially her learners – love learning and live life.

“Maganda po magturo si Ma’am Whengkie, sakto sa time. Naituturo niya nang husto ang lesson. Isa siyang ehemplo. Pangarap ko maging teacher dahil siya ang idol ko. Tinuturuan kaming maging positive sa aming dreams. Inspiring ang kaniyang mga kuwento, tula at kanta,” Grade 7 learner Jannica Campos Yassan shared.

("Ma'am Whengkie's teaching skills are great and timely. She's able to teach the lesson very well. She's a role model. I aspire to become a teacher, too, because she's my idol. She teaches us how to be positive in dreaming. Her stories, poems, and songs are inspiring.")

Teacher Whengkie loves telling stories she created to her students, reciting poems she wrote, and singing songs she composed. For her students, these skills make her an incredible science teacher.

She begins her classes by singing songs to set the mood and to make her learners feel that science is a subject one should not fear. Then, she tells stories related to the topics she discusses.

If her learners get involved in infractions of dishonesty, Teacher Whengkie gently reprimands them by reciting her poem, “Iba’t-ibang Mukha ng Tagumpay,” which makes them realize their wrongdoing and learn the value of honesty.

“She is an angel who came to our lives to educate every student she would meet and inculcate in our minds that we should not only be academically competent but also spiritually active,” wrote her former learners of Ednas School in Dagupan in their yearbook.

“As a teacher, she is a wonder woman, well-organized, jolly, and energetic. As a friend, she is loyal and can keep secrets,” Teacher Sharon Lyn Sindayen said.

Teaching it seems was Teacher Whengkie’s destiny,  but it was not her first choice. She wanted to be a carpenter but her childhood adventures led her to become a teacher. She also shared how she would gather her playmates in front of a wall in their house and teach them the alphabet using charcoal. They would dance and sing, and her leadership qualities positively influenced people.

Teachers Margarita Martin and Judith Costales agreed: “Buhay na buhay sa lahat ng pagkakataon ang pagiging considerate ni Teacher Whengkie. Lahat ng magagandang katangian ay nasa kanya – active, mabuting leader, and  approachable.”

("Teacher Whengkie is always considerate. She possesses all the positive traits: active, a good leader, and approachable.")

In 1999, Teacher Whengkie graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education major in General Science from St. Louis University. She became a CHED scholar because she was in the Dean’s List. The stipend and the tuition discount sustained her in college.

“One of the happiest moments of my life was when my dream came true, ang maging (to become a) teacher. I am the 4th of 6 siblings and I am the only one who finished a degree, thanks to my sister Irene who saw my determination and loaned the needed money to register at St. Louis. I did not waste the opportunity. Life was hard, we were poor,” Teacher Whengkie said.

Teacher Whengkie personifies a masterpiece of love and skills working together. She continues singing songs, writing, and reciting poems, and telling stories that bring positive impact to her learners and colleagues. She truly loves learning and lives life to the fullest.

“It was sheer sipag at tiyaga. Nakakamit ang tagumpay hindi lamang sa katalinuhan kundi sa iyong pagpupursigi at pag-priority sa pagtulong sa pamilya na maiahon sa kahirapan,” she concluded.

("It was sheer hard work and perseverance. Success is attained not only through intelligence, but also through determination and making your family rise from poverty a priority.) – Rappler.com

Melvin C. Magsanoc is Teacher III at the Baguio City Division of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

MANILA, Philippines– What do you know about SOGIE?

While some know that it means sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, others may still not be fully familiar with the term and what it entails, especially as the passage of the SOGIE equality bill is being pushed  in Congress.

At the 2019 Social Good Summit huddle on gender equality, advocates discussed the challenges of mainstreaming gender issues and brainstormed solutions that would help forward the cause.

Participants Bianca Lacaba and Aella Potestades represented the winning group at De La Salle University on September 21, and highlighted the need to set up intimate discussions to break down misconceptions about SOGIE and the SOGIE equality bill, which seeks to provide protection for the LGBTQ+ community. (READ: A look at SOGIE anti-discrimination laws around the world)

Potestades pointed out that people need safe spaces offline since discussions on social media may alienate individuals who may be allies if given the chance to be educated on the matter. (WATCH: What you need to know about SOGIE)

“The discussion about gender on social media specifically is very hard for some individuals. Every time someone asks a question or say something different from the majority opinion, they get cancelled by a lot of people,” she said.

“We find that very hard for people who want to join the movement but do not have the pipeline to join it. That's why we want to create safe spaces offline to allow intimate conversations in coffee shops with people who are interested to know,” Potestades added.

These intimate discussions, which will be held in small cafes, will gather friends and people interested in understanding the cause and unlearning the stereotypes that one may have associated with the LGBTQ+ community.

Potestades noted that understanding SOGIE might be difficult for some because their understanding of gender was limited only to male and female, disregarding the other members of the spectrum who experience different forms of discrimination based on their gender and sexuality.

“We think that the only way we can bridge that gap is if we create more spaces where there is more chance for us to be intimate with each other, where we can have a personal stake in other people's struggles even if we don't go through the same struggles,” Lacaba added.

The intimate discussions could be a platform for people to share their personal experiences and the influences that might have affected their perspectives on SOGIE.

Lacaba and Potestades hoped that these intimate discussions will later be replicated in other communities, with the next phase being a training for facilitators of these gatherings for proper moderation. These discussions might even be done with the help of local government units and corporations for a much wider reach.

“They can bring the discussion on unpacking toxic masculinity in their own communities so that we have more people onboard who would be able to understand that the effects of toxic masculinity goes across the board and is not just applicable to a few individuals in our communities,” Lacaba said. 

Seven groups presented different ideas to help address gender inequality in the country. The judges were composed of the panelists of the huddle: SPARK!’s Maica Teves, Austrian Embassy’s Zelpha Bombais, Metro Manila Pride’s Nicky Castillo, Bahaghari Conversations’ Vaughn Alviar, and Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment’s Julia Abad. – Rappler.com

"Doc, ano po ulit ibig sabihin ng critical phase (Doc, what does critical phrase mean again)?"

Outside, the rain thundered on the cheap, deserted mall where the clinic was. She had carried her son through the rain, determined to have him checked after two days of blood counts revealed a malady that defined fear among generations of Filipino children – stories of classmates swelling up, blood bursting from their nostrils, dead in a few hours.

That kind of story persists today. "May namatay na po siyang kaklase eh (A classmate of his already died)."

In Cavite, the numbers are literally calamitous. Yet, amid the sensational stories of death is the struggle to explain the disease's nature, that not all dengue cases warrant hospitalization, that it is the most dangerous when the fever is gone. As a student, I witnessed one pediatric consultant explain the natural history of dengue through an illustration – in English, of course – in the emergency room. (READ: DOH declared national dengue epidemic)

I blinked at her question. I unknowingly reverted to the medium of instruction used not just in medical school, but also in basic education, where students get penalized for speaking vernacular in English classes and places designated as "English Zones."

She looked at me, her smallness magnified by the white coat I wore. She asked for an explanation she could understand. Far from being the meek submissive most patients have learned to become, something motivated her to cross that divide to tell me an important reality: Not everyone understands language the way I do. (READ: What is dengue, and why is it so widespread this year?)

Language is more than just words. It is the medium of thought. It is the highway through which we arrive at destinations within our minds, giving names to things, principles, and ideas. The typical story of most Filipinos is this: We were raised speaking vernacular at home and in the streets, only for school and society to hammer into us that speaking fluent English is the pinnacle of erudition and respectability. Using vernacular, say as a presenter in a medical grand rounds, is like being that Turkish astronomer who wore his native clothes in The Little Prince: a practical joke.

Yet most of our patients – and even some doctors – resist the complete acculturation of this colonial heritage. Our thoughts and conversations incorporate English terms in local syntax. We are exposed to mass media cluttered with untranslatable terms that merge itself into the canon of common slang, producing a mix of local tongues with English.

Grammatically and phonetically "correct" English, on the other hand, is still seen through the lens of the socioeconomic divide. Being an MD allowed me to cross that barrier deep enough to have a competent grasp in English. But it also placed me on the other side, assimilating concepts in a tongue not used by many patients. To them, the journey prematurely ends at the level of perception. English remains an alien world where they only gain rudimentary access. It is treated as a sign of ascendancy in a society oppressed by that invisible ghost: the ghost of inequality. (READ: [ANALYSIS] Dengvaxia scare: How viral rumors caused outbreaks)

"Ma'am, ang critical phase ang phase na nagsisimula sa ikatlo hanggang ika-apat na araw ng dengue, kung saan nawawala na ang lagnat," I spoke, hoping communication would occur through careful structuring. (Ma'am, the critical phase is the phase that starts on the 3rd or 4th day of dengue, where the fever disappears.)

"Ito po ang babantayan natin: pagdurugo ng ilong, dugo sa dumi, pagmamanas, sakit ng tiyan, pagsusuka. Ilan lamang ito sa warning signs. Posible po siya maospital kapag lumabas ito," I continued. (We should watch out for: nosebleeds, blood in the feces, swelling, stomachache, vomiting. These are just some of the warning signs. He could be hospitalized if he shows these symptoms.)

"Naku, 'wag naman po sana doc (Oh no, I hope not, doc)." She shivered. I realized that her understanding of "critical phase" is based from the tagalog kritikal, which bears a more ominous connotation. Fear easily replaces nescience in the hearts of common folk. A buried question unearthed itself:  Doc, is my son in critical condition?

"Sa ngayon, hindi po. Titignan ko po ulit siya bukas kasama ng panibagong blood count." (At the moment, no. I'll check on him again tomorrow along with a new blood count.)

They left the clinic after some more explanations. I'd see them again the following day, mother and son braving the monsoon, determined to see this through even if it was easier to pretend that everything was alright.

Language is a galvanizing force in society, especially one divided between those who glorify and benefit from ignorance, and those who challenge elitism, not with a knuckled fist and a slew of curses, but with a clear message that crosses barriers. This was what she did in her request for a better explanation: She refused to feel helpless.

They say medicine requires passion for learning. It is not enough. Medicine requires passion for learning so we can use it to empower patients afflicted not just with physiological disease, but with the greater societal ills that keep them sick. The language of medicine should connect with the language of the people. – Rappler.com

JM Deblois, 28 years old, is a physician currently training in family and community medicine.

MANILA, Philippines – Instead of holding onto their steering wheels, hundreds of jeepney drivers nationwide held up banners and joined the transport strike on Monday, September 30, to renew their call to junk the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) modernization program.

The protest was led by transport groups Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization. Organizations like Gabriela, Anakbayan, and Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan, among others, also joined in the protest. 

The PUV modernization program, which will phase out jeepneys that are at least 15 years old and replace them with Euro 4-compliant vehicles that can run on renewable energy, is set to be implemented in 2020. (READ: Is the PUV modernization program 'anti-poor?’) 

Since the modernization plan was first introduced in 2017, Piston and other transport groups have maintained their stance that rehabilitating public utility vehicles would be more cost-effective than replacing them.

According to Piston national president Mody Floranda, the modernization program will only cause loss of livelihood to around 174,000 small-time operators and 600,000 jeepney drivers. 

The Department of Transportation had questioned Piston's motives in the past, saying that the group disengaged with the government and refused to hold a dialogue with them after the PUV modernization program had taken shape.

According to Piston, Monday's nationwide transport strike was widely successful. Despite contradicting statements from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Piston claimed high participation rates in Rizal (70%), Alabang (90%), Navotas (90%), Davao (95%), Southern Tagalog (95%), and Angeles, Pampanga (100%).   

Students from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) also joined the protest to show solidarity to the jeepney drivers and operators. 

"This program claims to modernize our jeepneys, but at the expense of the ordinary Filipino who commutes every day. The franchising guidelines state that only modernized jeepneys will be allowed to obtain a franchise, but will cost millions of pesos to operate a jeepney," the Center for Nationalist Studies-UPLB said. 

Here are other photos from the nationwide transport strike: 

Metro Manila  

Baguio City

Calamba, Laguna 

Los Baños, Laguna

Some national government agencies and local government units responded to the nationwide transport strike by offering free rides to affected commuters. Classes were also canceled in some areas and schools due to the transport strike. – with a report from Loreben Tuquero/Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Do you want to travel like a local? A Philippine startup is striving to offer this experience to travelers while helping local residents promote sustainable tourism in their communities.

Tralulu is  a digital booking platform that connects travelers around Southeast Asia to "quality local guides" who can provide them with an authentic travel experience.

“Behind every responsible adventure, jobs are generated, and nature is further protected.... Tourism, if done hand in hand with communities, is one of the best ways to redistribute wealth from higher income cities globally to the lower income countryside,” said Tralulu CEO Andrew Cua, who stressed the importance of local residents in promoting sustainable tourism. 

Tralulu provides an avenue for tourists to immerse in a community’s traditions and culture. It aims to promote communities that are not well known for tourism, especially in countries like the Philippines more popularly known for beach destinations.

Tralulu offers different travel experiences in several locations in the Philippines including Binondo, Poblacion, and Quiapo. it also provides tours in indigenous peoples communities such as the Abelling and Aeta tribes in Tarlac. These tours give the tribes another source of income, further sustaining the livelihood and culture heritage of these communities.

Empowering local guides and communities

Quiapo resident Dennis Barcelo  is one of the local guides tapped by the startup. Barcelo gives tours like food crawls around Binondo and Quiapo, and knows the best spots for local delicacies and cultural heritage spots.

Barcelo said that the digital platform helped give a boost to tourism in Manila by offering tours in underrated tourist spots. One such destination is the Muslim quarter of Quiapo, where one can find the Manila Golden Mosque and Cultural Center. There are many Muslim eateries around the area, as well as small shops .

“Dati, puro students lang ang pumupunta rito, para sa mga school projects nila. Pero ngayon, pakonti-konti [the Muslim community is] accepting tourists here. Mas kumikita na sila sa pagbebenta ng mga pagkain at souvenirs,” Barcelo said.

(Before, students were the only ones who came here for their school projects. But now, the Muslim community is slowly accepting tourists here. They are earning more now from selling food and souvenirs.)

The tours serve as a way of preserving and sharing the communities’ culture. Barcelo pointed out that the rich culture of Manila should be kept alive through tourists’ authentic experiences from the tours.

Having been a tour guide for several years, Barcelo shared how Tralulu helped not only in showing the beauty of Manila but also in giving local guides a steady source of income. 

“It brings food to the table,” he said.

Cua explained that the company currently operates through profit sharing with tour operators and partners. Local guides and operators can equitably share the rewards with the locals and the communities. Unlike popular travel agencies, local guides can eventually earn a bigger share of the fees from travelers.

“With this new model, there is enough for everyone with each individual rewarded based on one's contribution and effort,” Cua said.

Through the digital platform, Barcelo obtained regular customers for his tours. He was also able to establish long-lasting connections with his customers through the platform's feedback form.

“Ang saya ng feeling 'pag bumabalik ang mga tao sa 'yo. Sila pa 'yung nagcocontact sa akin pero nakikilala muna ako sa Tralulu so nagpapasalamat ako sa Tralulu,” he said.

(It feels good when people go back to you for more tours. They directly contact me but they first knew about me through Tralulu so I want to thank Tralulu.)

Local restaurants are also benefitting from the Tralulu tours. Cua said that one of the staple tour experiences are food crawls in Binondo and Quiapo. They currently aim to co-design food experiences and community-based ecotourism experiences closely with heritage neighborhoods.

The future of sustainable tourism in Manila

Barcelo said much can be done if local communities work hand in hand with local governments to promote tourism in their areas. He highlighted Manila Mayor Isko Moreno's plan to develop a “tourist circuit” that links the cultural heritage sites across the city. Such efforts, coupled with digital platforms like Tralulu, might help showcase the amazing tourist sights in communities. (READ: Isko Moreno wants to develop 'tourism circuit' in Manila)

“They should expand the idea of Manila to the international community and more foreign tourists can come here. We will do this to bring Manila back on the map,” Barcelo said.

“Manileño ako at proud ako maging Manileño. Sobrang mahal ko ang Manila na dapat malaman ng mga tao ang kagandahan ng Manila (I’m from Manila and I’m proud of it. I love Manila and people should know that this place is beautiful)," he said.

Want to promote tourism in your community? You can become a local guide through Tralulu's website or message them on Facebook.  – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Is physical punishment an effective way of disciplining one's children?

In light of the International Day of Non-Violence, educators worldwide aim to promote a universal culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding. Part of advocating non-violence includes questioning the use of physical punishment to discipline children.

The issue of using physical punishment at home has been a long-standing issue in Filipino culture. A 2011 Pulse Asia Survey showed two in three Filipino parents use corporal punishment to discipline children 16 years and below. Save the Children also conducted a study in 2005 that revealed 85% of children were punished in the home, and that 82% were hit on different parts of the body.

Corporal punishment at home has also been tackled on the level of public policy. In 2016, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, and Nancy Binay—all mothers – filed separate bills to promote the "positive and non-violent discipline" of children. Both the Senate and House passed versions of the bill that aimed to ban corporal punishment against children in 2018. However, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to veto the bill earlier this year.

Here's what Filipinos online had to say about the issue.

Physical vs verbal

Netizens had contrasting opinions on whether physical or verbal punishment was more effective in disciplining children.

A few users argued parents should talk to and reason out with their children instead of resorting to physical means. Daniel Dela Cruz said children are either old enough to listen to reason, or too young to understand why their parents are hurting them. (READ: Study shows spanking boosts odds of mental illness)

"By using reason, you can expect your child to experience a big leap forward in common sense," he said.

Dennis Molina stated setting a good example for one's children should suffice. "If children follow you only because they are scared, then that is not discipline," he said.

On the other hand, several users still felt physical punishment was the best way to go. Users felt children who were physically punished were more disciplined and obedient, whereas children who were spared from such punishment were more disrespectful.

A matter of balance

A number of netizens believed parents should find a balance between physical and verbal means of disciplining children.

Joe Dela Cruz condemned spanking children "to a pulp." He admitted he would resort to physical punishment though if things got out of hand.

"[Physical punishment] helps take a point across in a way simple talking can't do. I do not recommend it but I won't hesitate to do it especially when things get really unreasonable," he wrote.

Other users were wary of the dangers of verbal abuse as well. Netizen Patrick Chua Co believed physical punishment accompanied with an verbal explanation will not "ruin" children, and can serve as "preparation for their adult lives."

"A parent with an abrasive mouth will do more long lasting damage," he said.

A number of netizens also stressed the difference between discipline and punishment, as well as discipline and abuse.

Other netizens ultimately felt what was important was that children understood the consequences of their actions, and that parents could discipline however they see fit. "That does not necessarily include physical punishments," Leonardo D. Barua wrote.

Here's what other users had to say about the issue:

On physical punishment - Curated tweets by rapplerdotcom

What do you think about using physical punishment to discipline children? – Rappler.com