Highlighting PH’s role in women empowerment

 BY SECRETARY CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR.

Oct 28, 2024 09:26 AM 

PEACE BY PEACE

“Everyone faces up more bravely to a thing for which he has long prepared himself, sufferings, even, being withstood if they have been trained for in advance. Those who are unprepared, on the other hand, are panic-stricken by the most insignificant happenings.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4BC-65AD) 

The wisdom of the stoic philosopher from Ancient Rome, who wrote on war and conflict, applies to our modern perspective on peace. Seneca believes that by experiencing pain and suffering, one becomes attuned and more ready in facing conflicts.  In reflection, knowledge and experiences may be shared in a community and the community of nations in addressing conflicts and achieving peace, in a less tortuous way.  

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and their partners the UN Women, the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), and the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN IPR) took almost a year to organize the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS).

Delegates from over 80 countries across the globe are gathering here in Manila to participate in the three-day ICWPS which begins today, Oct. 28,  and ends on Wednesday, Oct. 30.  Delegates started arriving Friday even before typhoons Kristine and Leon clear out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

 

Women in peace building, 
 

The ICWPS gives the international community an opportunity to shine the spotlight and reaffirm the key role of women in peacebuilding at a time when armed conflict has once again taken center stage. Wars highlight the tragic cost of conflict—particularly on women and children who are the most affected by violence, displacement, and the absence of essential services. 

The event underscores the leadership shown by the country over the years in promoting the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda on the global stage. Through its National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS), the Philippines has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that Filipino women are actively involved in the peacebuilding, policy and decision-making process. By hosting the event, the Philippines is sending a clear and strong message that women are not just victims; they are agents of positive change who are instrumental to achieving lasting peace. We have endured the pains and we are in the best position to share our learnings to the world. 

The three-day conference will bring together women leaders, peacebuilders, policymakers, and advocates from different parts of the world. Among them are United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed, as well as ministers and vice ministers from 22 nations. The international gathering will focus on assessing the progress nations have made in pushing forward the WPS agenda. Discussions will center on key themes such as the role of women in peace processes, the implementation of national action plans, financing for WPS initiatives, and the intersections between gender, climate, peace, and security.

 

Capacity to bridge divides
 

In the context of ongoing global conflicts, the significance of these discussions cannot be overemphasized. In war-torn areas, women are often at the frontlines and although they are the ones who bear the brunt of violence, they are still able to rise above these challenges as they spearhead initiatives to resolve situations of conflict and bring peace to their communities. Whether organizing ceasefires, rebuilding war-ravaged towns, or advocating for human rights, women have consistently proven that they have the capability to bridge divides, unite warring factions, and foster peace — while taking care of their families.

 During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum wherein Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and I were guests to promote the ICWPS, I emphasized that lasting peace can only be achieved when women are included and given the chance to let their voices be heard. I believe that women must be given a regular seat at the table in the decision-making process and in shaping policies that affect their communities and nations.

The ICWPS will also tackle the challenges in funding and implementing the WPS agenda. As Secretary Pangandaman pointed out, cooperation between governments, international institutions, and the private sector is essential to ensuring that WPS initiatives do not remain just on paper. The conference will look at strategies for mobilizing resources to support women-led peacebuilding efforts as well as address gaps in the roll out of national action plans on WPS. With 23 side events and thematic discussions, the conference will assess the current implementation of the WPS agenda and generate recommendations to enhance its implementation.

One of the key features of the conference will be its parliamentary panel, where local legislators will engage in dialogue with their international counterparts, allowing them to learn about best practices from other nations. This exchange of ideas is crucial in ensuring that the Philippines and other countries will continue to recalibrate and refine their approaches and strategies on how they are implementing their respective WPS agenda based on emerging realities on the ground.

 

Commitment to empower women
 

As the world watches, the Philippines takes advantage of this rare opportunity to demonstrate its dedication and commitment to empowering women as prime movers in peace and nation-building. This conference pays tribute and continues the legacy of peace built by trailblazers such as Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and the late Atty. Haydee Yorac. These lady peace champions’ contributions to the nation’s peace processes have shaped the country’s approach to negotiations, conflict mediation and resolution.

We enjoin everyone to showcase our renowned hospitality, pride in our culture and acumen to forge and sustain peace. Let us show the rest of the world how they can embrace the best practices in being ready for peace (not war) without them going through the pains of those who have done so.

As the world continues to grapple with complex, violent conflicts, the ICWPS provides a much-needed platform for collaboration, innovation – and action. It is a testament to the Philippines’ commitment to the global WPS agenda and a clarion call to the international community that peace can only be achieved through the meaningful participation of all members of society — with women leading the charge in this global undertaking.

 

(Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation, and unity.)

A REFRESHING PAUSE

 

By Klaus Döring

We usually give excuses such as "I don't have time" or "I'm too busy" or "I have far more important things to do". But the truth is, we don't like to pause because it is very uncomfortable!

Moments of pause (even for a fleeting few minutes) force us to realize that some of the choices we're making right now might have undesirable consequences later (e.g. That high flying career we're globe trotting for might destroy our family life, not investing in our health and fitness might haunt us when it's too late, delaying fulfilling our faith duties because of work/family might bankrupt us spiritually..etc). And none of us like to be wrong!

In the whirlwind of our modern lives, where the overwhelming demands of work, relationships, and societal expectations consume our every waking moment, it is crucial to recognize the significance of finding respite. Stepping back from the relentless intensity of our daily routines can be transformative, allowing us to embrace a refreshing pause.

According to the book of Genesis, after God created the universe in six days, he rested on the seventh day. In other words, he took vacation. So, if God rested after working for some period of time, there is no reason why man (and woman), who is finite and limited in his physical strength, should not not take a vacation. After all, man (and woman) is made to the image and likeness of God, even in His own activities.

Within the realm of constant motion and ceaseless deadlines, it may seem counterintuitive to intentionally slow down. However, the concept of taking a temporary detour from the unyielding pressure is an essential practice in nurturing our mental health. It is not a sign of weakness or laziness; rather, it is an empowering act of self-care, an acknowledgement of our own humanity, and a recognition of the intrinsic need to recalibrate our inner balance.

Vacation comes from the Latin word "vacare", which literally means, to be empty, to render oneself inoperative.

Vacation is freedom or release from tension or pressure of work; it is rest from some occupation, business or activity. Strictly speaking, vacation concerns those who are in school or studying in colleges and universities . A vacation is a break from studies. For professionals, however, furlough would be the appropriate term.

Back in the Philippines, we seldom make that distinction: "bakasyon" is actually both. Filipinos, as I learned, don't question who takes a vacation, but ask instead for what purpose a vacation is undertaken.

"All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy!" There is always a limit to physical, as well as mental, activities. One cannot just work and work all the time! Neither are we robots nor slaves! Neither should we become workaholics, so goes the modern term for those who work themselves to death. Forgive me, I am not a priest or pastor, but I learned since my childhood, that we are persons endowed by God with free will and intelligence. The will to work should always be tempered by the intelligence to rest a while to acquire new energy.

Since living in the Philippines, I learned that Filipinos are not really fond of vacations. Correct me please, if I might be wrong. Many Filipinos who really want a vacation simply prefer to stay at home. For others who could afford it, they either go to Baguio, i.e., where the breeze is cool, or realy travel to Europe or the States.

Whatever! However! Filipinos or expatriates. It's summer, although the sky tells us another story. Let's allow ourselves a break - a refreshing pause.

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Comments, suggestions, questions? Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or X- Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .

Filipino youth and mental health – are we listening enough?

Heads Up PH advocates for awareness, support

Aliyya Sawadjaan - Philstar.com

October 28, 2024 | 9:35am

forUNILAB

 

Responding to this growing concern, Unilab Foundation has started scaling up its implementation of Heads Up PH, a mental health and well-being program aimed at supporting Filipino youth.

Freepik.com

MANILA, Philippines — Broader and more open discussions on mental health remain a challenge in the Philippines despite the seemingly steady progression in recognizing, accepting and understanding mental illnesses, as well as the passing of the Mental Health Law in 2018  and continuous creation of succeeding legislations.

For the Filipino youth in particular, their desire for attention, understanding and openness about their mental health is still wanting. As a result, cases of mental health problems continue to persist and worsen among the youth. As we observe the National Mental Health Month this month, it’s high time to stop for a while, slow down and listen.

Mental health landscape among the youth

According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents, and suicide is among the leading causes of death in people aged 15 to 19 years old.

Data from the Department of Education (DepEd) for SY 2021-2022 highlighted that there were 404 recorded student suicides and over 2,100 suicide attempts.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute found that 62% of the Filipino youth who thought about suicide did not reach out for help, and only 2% of those who attempted suicide sought professional support. 

Add to this, the number of registered mental health professionals in the Philippines is relatively low compared to other countries. It currently has 5,085 registered guidance counselors, 2,417 registered psychologists, and 651 registered psychiatrists. These numbers are not enough to accommodate the growing population of the country. 

“In the Philippine public school system, there is only one guidance counselor serving 25,000 students,” says Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson, RGC, RPSy, RPm, LPT, and principal resource person for Heads Up PH, a program of Unilab Foundation.

Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson shares that the causes of mental health concerns among students are poverty, bullying, internet addiction, family and academic concerns, and the lack of mental health literacy and intervention resources.

Photo Release

Aside from not having enough guidance counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists and developmental pediatricians, she adds that access to private mental health services is expensive, adding to the troubling landscape of mental health in the Philippines.

Causes of the rising mental health concerns among students include the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty, bullying, internet addiction, family, academic concerns, lack of mental health literacy, and the lack of interventions and available resources.

Breaking the stigma of mental health

Responding to this growing concern, Unilab Foundation has started scaling up its implementation of Heads Up PH, a mental health and well-being program aimed at supporting Filipino youth.

As part of its broader mission of building healthier communities, this initiative aims to create a nurturing environment where students can receive the help that they need. It also seeks to empower teachers and other school stakeholders to recognize signs of mental health challenges among students. By opening conversations on mental health in schools and communities, it encourages students to seek help without the fear of judgement.

Together with partners such as DepEd, the Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and mental health professionals and organizations, Heads Up PH implemented its comprehensive, evidence-based approach to tackling mental health issues in schools across the country.

The Race Against Suicide Toolkit is designed to equip gatekeepers for suicide prevention in schools, as a way to address the increasing cases of mental health concerns and suicidal tendencies.

The toolkit aims to help fill the gaps on the issue of scarcity of mental health professionals in the country, the limitations on service delivery, increased reliance on remote support, and disruptions in the continuation of mental health services.

Already been piloted in several schools around the country, it includes an assessment tool, a timely intervention, and a practical referral system that is implemented end to end.

“We aim to close the loop with a strategic approach, including access to medical health professionals. As soon as tendencies or risks are detected, appropriate interventions are in place. Through this, we can also advance the conversation on mental health and wellbeing, working with other stakeholders towards our shared advocacy,” says Unilab Foundation Program and Strategic Support Director Marie Joan Urieta. 

“Some people are not informed of the signs, symptoms and tendencies for mental health concerns . . . There is also a lack of mental health literacy and help seeking behavior. Some people tend to be nervous and unprepared to handle cases of mental health tendencies. In some of the schools in the country, there are no accommodation policies, and a lack of awareness and access to mental health services. We seek to address these through Heads Up PH,” Hocson says.   

In addition to the RACE Against Suicide, training on the use of a universal mental health screener for public schools called Child and Adolescent Risk Screener is being rolled out with DepEd.

The universal mental health screening is also a way to gather data on mental health among the youth, which can be a strong basis for priority setting, and policies that are data-driven and evidence-based.

Creating future-ready citizens

Through Heads Up PH, Unilab Foundation and its partners are working together to build a strong, healthy, future-ready citizenry.

“Heads Up PH is Unilab Foundation’s culture of bayanihan in practice, where we share our strengths and put them together for a unified, cohesive solution that sustainably addresses the situation. Building a healthy, resilient youth citizenry supports nation building and a strong society. In support of healthier communities, we want to bring together organizations and individuals to build mentally healthy schools and communities, one person at a time,” Urieta says.

Heads Up PH is already in collaboration with the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, DepEd-National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) and School Health Division, and partner private schools.

Moreover, it recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CHED for the Training of Trainers Program on suicide prevention and awareness in higher education institutions.

By working together with partners in the schools and communities and fostering the proper mindset when it comes to understanding and accepting mental health, the Unilab Foundation, through Heads Up PH, is hoping to create a future that values mental health not just for the Filipino youth but for all.

 

To know more about Unilab Foundation and Heads Up PH, visit www.unilabfoundation.org/heads-up-ph.

'Pulang Araw' stars Sanya Lopez, Ashley Ortega call for justice for comfort women

 

Ashley Ortega and Sanya Lopez attend the Pandesal Forum on World War II Comfort Women held in Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City last October 24, 2024.

Kathleen A. Llemit - Philstar.com

October 27, 2024 | 12:35pm

MANILA, Philippines — Sanya Lopez broke into tears while recalling the first time she met some of the lolas (grandmothers) who were comfort women during World War II. Her "Pulang Araw" co-star Ashley Ortega revealed that it was the same scene when they first met the lolas before they filmed the ongoing war series on GMA-7. 

Sanya and Ashley were invited to the Pandesal Forum on the comfort women during World War II last October 24 held in Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City. 

"Napakabigat po ano. I mean, kanina pa sumasakit ang batok ko kaka-control ng nararamdaman ko. Artista lang naman po ako. Sa totoo lang po pero ramdam ko 'yung mga ipinaglalaban ng mga kababaihan natin dito," Sanya began. 

She currently plays Teresita Borromeo, a bodabil (vaudeville) star from a wealthy family who catches the attention of the ruthless Japanese Imperial Army Colonel Yuta Saitoh (played by Dennis Trillo). 

"Naiiyak ako. Sa totoo po, ganito rin po 'yung naramdaman ko noong una ko silang nakasama." 

“Pasensiya na po kasi nu'ng nakausap ko sila, sobrang durug na durog din po ako. Sobrang sakit po sa puso na marinig ‘yung kuwento nila," she added. 

Sanya recalled meeting two of the lolas when she visited the organization Lila Pilipina. 

“Isa po sa mga tumatak sa akin doon ‘yung kuwento ni Lola Isang (Narcisa). Sabi niya po, kapag nakikita niya ang mga kabataan ngayon, ‘masaya sila, kung siguro ako ‘yun ngayon, siguro ang saya-saya ko.’ Doon ko na-realize na sobrang suwerte pala ng henerasyon ngayon, na hindi natin naranasan ‘yung naranasan nila nu'ng panahon ng Hapon. Napaka-palad po sobra natin na hindi natin naranasan ‘yun," Sanya said in tears. 

She also appealed for justice because there are only a few lolas who are alive today.

"Nakakalungkot po na dalawa na lang po sa kanila ang natitirang buhay. Kailan kaya nila matatanggap ang hustisya na nararapat para sa kanila? Kasi konti na lang sila, so kailan pa, 'di ba po?" Sanya said. 

Ashley agreed with her co-star. She also recounted her own experience meeting the lolas because she is also among the actresses tapped to play a comfort woman. 

Ashley plays Sister Manuela Apolonio, a nun who was dragged by Japanese Imperial Army soldiers when they saw her inside the church to be one of the comfort women. 

"Noong una, kinabahan talaga ako kasi magiging honest po ako. Hindi pa ako masyadong aware sa lahat ng mga nangyari sa comfort women. But I am really grateful na na-meet ko 'yung mga lolas. I was heartbroken.

"Tama sinabi ni Ate Sanya. Lahat kami nag-iiyakan kami noon. May kasama kaming creatives and press, pati sila naiiyak, hindi lang kaming mga artista ang gaganap ng role nila," she recalled. 

She noted that just like her, she has read feedback and comments from young people who were like her who had limited knowledge about the events and atrocities of World War II in the Philippines. 

"Ngayon lang nila nalalaman na may ganito palang nangyayari during World War II. 'Yun ang gusto talaga namin iparating sa mga hindi pa completely aware sa mga pinagdaanan nila.

"Now I am happy na 'yung mga students siguro na nalaman na nila ang mga nangyari and I think it's about time na you know isalaysay namin 'yung mga istorya ng mga comfort women. Para hindi maulit ang nangyari noon at para mabigyan ng hustisya 'yung mga comfort women natin," Ashley said. 

She agreed with Sanya and the calls for justice for comfort women, many of those still alive are yet to receive them. 

Ashley noted that as an actor, she felt the raw emotions felt by the comfort women while playing her role. 

"'Yung mga iba hindi pa nakakatanggap ng hustisya at 'yun siguro 'yung pinakamasakit na pwedeng maramdaman nila. Kasi kami bilang mga comfort women (in the show), alam mo 'yung parang naranasan din namin 'yung naranasan din namin 'yung naranasan nila? 'Yung mga eksenang mabibigat talaga, na iniisip ko every after scene na, 'Grabe nangyari talaga ito. Hindi lang pala ito teleserye.' So what more pa kaya 'yung mga totoong comfort women na talagang pinagdaanan nila 'yun. So talagang masakit talaga sa puso," she said. 

Ashley is happy that the cast and their show "Pulang Araw" can be a voice for the comfort women and victims of World War II. 

"I'm happy na naging voice ang 'Pulang Araw' at naging aware ang mga kabataan natin kung ano ang nangyari hindi lang sa comfort women story pero 'yung mga nangyari talaga noong giyera. Napakaraming Pilipino ang nag-sakripisyo at lumaban," she said. 

"Pulang Araw" currently airs on GMA-7 after "24 Oras." It remains in the Top 10 most streamed show in Netflix Philippines since it premiered last July 29. —

'Leon' gains strength over Philippine Sea, likely to become typhoon

 

Satellite rendering shows Tropical Storm Leon taken as of 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2024.

Kristine Daguno-Bersamina - Philstar.com 

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Leon (international name: Kong-Rey) has slightly intensified as it continues to move westward across the Philippine Sea.

As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, Leon was spotted 1,000 km east of Central Luzon.

Bearing peak winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 90 kph, Leon is moving westward at 20 kph.

Heavy rains, severe winds

Depending on its proximity to land during its north-northwestward movement, Leon’s outer rainbands may affect Extreme Northern Luzon. 

PAGASA said the storm may reinforce the southwesterly windflow initially triggered by Tropical Storm Trami (formerly Kristine), bringing possible rains to parts of Visayas, Mindanao and the western section of Southern Luzon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may be raised in parts of Cagayan Valley and the northeastern Bicol Region as early as Sunday night or by Monday.

Signal No. 2 could also be issued if Leon’s path brings it closer to land. 

The following areas are likely to experience gusty to gale-force winds in the coming days:

Sunday, October 27: Palawan, Romblon, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, parts of Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Camiguin.

Monday, October 28: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Batangas, parts of MIMAROPA, Bicol, Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

Tuesday, October 29: Aurora, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Camiguin.

Sea conditions

PAGASA warned mariners of hazardous sea conditions and risky travel for small vessels, including motorbancas in the following areas:

Up to 4 meters: Seaboard of Batanes

Up to 3 meters: Seaboards of Kalayaan Islands, Babuyan Islands, northern and eastern Cagayan Valley and Catanduanes

Up to 2.5 meters: Western seaboard of Palawan, Batangas, Bataan, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos region, Aurora, northern mainland Quezon and Camarines Norte

Up to 2 meters: Eastern seaboard of Dinagat Islands

Track, intensity outlook

The state weather bureau said Leon is expected to continue moving westward on Sunday, before shifting to a northwestward path from Monday through Tuesday.

It is projected to intensify, possibly reaching the severe tropical storm category by Monday and typhoon category by Tuesday. 

Leon’s current trajectory keeps it distant from the Philippine landmass, but it could pass close to Taiwan or Japan’s Ryukyu Islands later this week.

JUST A LOAN

 

A loan is money borrowed from a bank or other financial institution. The borrower agrees to repay the principal amount, plus interest. But this should not be my topic.

Sweet words are easy to say; nice things are easy to buy; but good people are different to find. Life ends, when you stop dreaming; hope ends, when you stop believing; friendship stops, when you stop sharing. A good friend of mine sent me this quotation. I commented back: So very true and very well said!

Our life is borrowed - from God. No rental charges are collected from us. Many of us have forgotten this and live life to the fullest. Our life is equal to a book from a library that lends one. But how insatiable and unbearable are we in disdainful acting towards life and therefore to ourselves? Remember: life is just a loan!

My life is on loan, like money borrowed from a bank. God is the lender, and He retains the right to call in the loan any time. Though I am responsible for taking care of it, I do not own this life; it is borrowed. Why should I fear its loss or the loss of anything else in this world when I must surrender it all anyway?

Life seems to be nothing, just being ready to riddle one with bullets. Life seems to be nothing, just being broken through indifference and unreliable and immoral behavior. Life seems to be nothing for those people who don't understand cries from the heart of other people around them - cries for their hearts and families, for justice and for many other things.

Life with all its ups and downs, is just a loan, but for many of our fellow creatures it just seems to be nonsense to be littered like a dump. And, if people try to survive, especially during these days, and if they just experienced (once more!) indifference, arrogance, ignorance or cheating by whomever - they will give up! 

I can assure you that every one of us can at first help in prayers and in reading the bible. "Proverbs" is the probably most down-to-earth book in the bible. Its teachings prepare you for daily life, the street and the market place. The book offers warm pieces of advice you get; practical guidance for making your way on earth. Proverbs covers any kinds of questions you might have right now. Anybody can relate to the generalities of Proverbs, because this book simply tells how life works most of the time.

While writing this piece, I observed that more and more people struggle through life: tired, hopeless, experiencing their rock-bottoms, believing in fallacious "people" around them. I also observed a lot of people living a thief life, as if it has been giving them without limitation.

What does it mean when life is a loan? That means your spouse, parents, friends, children and yes, even you (your very existence) will be taken from you at some point. You may believe in God, you may not. There may be an afterlife, there may not but all life as you know it will end. We are all on loan and death is how we repay the debt.

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or X - Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .

Diplomats for a cause

In the name of charity, international ambassadors and their spouses grace the runway wearing pieces from SM Retail’s beloved brands

BY JOHN LEGASPI

Oct 26, 2024 02:04 PM 

Maintaining peace, fostering good diplomatic relations, and representing their home country’s values are some of the responsibilities of foreign ambassadors and diplomats. Apart from their work at the embassies, they are also known for immersing themselves in their host country’s heritage through various events, whether cultural or philanthropic. A testament to this is the “Diplomats For A Cause” charity gala.

Led by SHOM (Spouses of Heads of Mission) and SM Retail, the charity gala took place at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel on Oct. 8, 2024, shining a spotlight on Filipino fashion and its potential to uplift marginalized communities. The diplomatic community, Filipino cultural identity, and MSME-driven retail ingenuity all came together to show their support as ambassadors, diplomats, and their spouses gamely took to the runway, modeling pieces from SM Retail’s Kultura, SM Fashion, AXCS, and Fashion Forum. 

Consul General Fortune Ledesma of Monaco wore a terno top and matching skirt, featuring intricate cutwork embroidery from Kultura; H.E. Constance See - Ambassador of Singapore, Silk cocoon embroidered top with inabel and piñasilk weaves overlaid on matching skirt from Kultura; and MME Indri P. Akyol - Spouse of Ambassador of Turkiye, wore the Kimona reinterpreted with matching overskirt in a graphic floral print from Kultura

Kicking off the style fest were foreign dignitaries in Kultura pieces. The ladies were visions of class and sophistication, wearing dresses with uniquely Filipino design elements. Spotted on the runway were terno pieces adorned with floral embroidery, while Filipiniana ensembles were made more striking with intricate lace skirts. The blazer-terno hybrid pieces merged the traditional with the contemporary through their sleek silhouettes and use of local textiles. 

H.E. Michel Monique M. Parys - Ambassador of Belgium, Barong with handwoven kalinga weave in Belgian flag colors from Kultura; H.E. Christian Halas Lyster - Ambassador of Norway, Barong with geometric-patterned embroidery from Kultura; Apostolic Nuncio Charles John Brown of Holy See, Vatican, Black and white contrasting embroidery on Barong from Kultura; and H.E. Kazuya Endo - Ambassador of Japan, Modern embroidered barong with mandarin collar from Kultura

The gentlemen looked dashing in barong attire. In addition to classic barong styles, the male foreign dignitaries showcased modern interpretations of this traditional piece, featuring vibrant local tapestries and bold designs with bright colors and various geometric and callado motifs.

Glamor reigned supreme on the runway as female guests modeled elegant gowns from SM Fashion Forum. Adding sparkle to their gowns were exquisite accessories from AXCS’s “Karutora” collection. 

MME. Maria Elena Urriste - Spouse of Ambassador of Argentina, Handpainted and beaded satin cape over matching terno gown from Kultura; Mme. Prof Dr. Denise Brühl Moser - Spouse of Ambassador of Switzerland, Elegant Gown by SM Fashion and Accessories from Karutora at AXCS; H.E. Dr. Titanilla Tóth - Ambassador of Hungary, Stunning blue gown from SM Fashion. Accessories by Karutora available at AXCS

It was captivating to see Philippine fashion apparel and accessories worn by foreign dignitaries. The event amply demonstrated the global reach of Philippine retail design. The foreign dignitaries enjoyed this brief departure from their “regular programming,” transforming into “United Nations of models.”

 Tessa Prieto and Gracie Go; Mme Roswitha Brieger Amb Johann Brieger of Austria

In addition to the fashion show, there was also a silent auction of Filipino artwork to support marginalized communities in the country. SHOM and the SM Group have done much to promote grassroots welfare, and this collaboration is just the latest effort. What was unique about the event was how it brought together foreign ambassadors and their spouses, heads of international institutions accredited in the Philippines, and ranking diplomats with their families—all ready to walk the catwalk in support of various advocacies. 

Ambassador of Japan Kazuya Endo, Kasue Salud, and Mme Akiko Endo of Japan

Over the years, SHOM has dedicated its efforts to vulnerable women, children, and persons with disabilities across the country. It was a natural fit for them to partner with the SM Group. With SM Retail and Kultura, not only was national cultural identity and homegrown fashion on display but there was also strong support for local artisan communities and MSMEs, which form an integral part of Kultura’s regular supply chain.

Bayanihan spirit is alive and well; will live on to the next generation

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Oct 26, 2024 07:53 AM 

 

The bayanihan spirit has again sparked kindness, generosity, and volunteerism even before weather disturbance ‘Kristine’ turned into a tropical storm, and yesterday, as a “severe tropical storm” raising wind signals in 43 areas as of 5 a.m., Oct. 25.

Our strong sense of community to offer help to strangers when disaster strikes has been cited as the spine that raises our resilience to return to our lives before a flood, earthquake or volcanic eruption.

That has been recognized at the recent Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) hosted by the Philippines, Oct. 14-17, 2024, an event spearheaded by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). “Kamal Kishore, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, called our country a ‘lighthouse to the world’,” wrote Manila Bulletin columnist, Antipolo Mayor Jun Ynares, who was one of the speakers.

“What impressed the UN official was what he called our country’s approach of “walking across sectors.” He was referring to the “inclusive” strategy of dealing with disasters where all stakeholders pitch in and help in order to mitigate the impact of adverse events triggered by climate change. He said the Philippines’ collaborative approach has put us ahead in disaster risk reduction initiatives. In a way, the UN official was paying tribute to our spirit and culture of bayanihan,” Ynares said in his column, “Bayanihan as disaster management model.”

On Oct. 23, after a night of strong winds and rains which caused flooding in the south, especially in the Bicol Region, we all woke to “bayanihan” in action.  In social media, the photos of people being rescued or negotiating deep floods transmitted the call for help. 

When former Vice President Leni Robredo, chairman of Angat Buhay Foundation and Kaya Natin Movement member, posted a call for help, donations in cash and kind flowed in. Among the first to respond was Bacolod-based Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) which immediately activated the production line of Mingo Meals, sending boxes of the nutritious meals to Naga City.  

Generous citizens immediately sent donations and 10 hours after the post, the Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership recorded more than ₱4 million in donations.  As of 8 a.m. of Oct. 25, the donations had reached ₱13.4 million.

More than two dozen non-profit organizations initiated fund raising drives and donations of food and dry goods for the victims of severe typhoon Kristine, which had dumped extraordinary amounts of rains in many areas after it developed into a tropical depression on Oct. 21 and made landfall in Isabela as a severe tropical storm on Oct. 23. It then crossed the northern part of Luzon toward the West Philippine Sea.

It is good to see the strong signs that the bayanihan spirit will live on to the next generation.  More than 30 youth groups and school-based organizations have activated fund-raising and volunteer drives to help victims of the typhoon from different sectors, like farmers, fiskerfolk, and indigenous people. Among them are the Agham Youth; Angat GenC; ASEAN Youth Advocates Network; Franciscan Youth- Tabontabon; Kaya Natin Youth-Lucena; Tulong Kabataan; Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines; Youth Ambassadors of Albay; and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP).

On the sidelines, away from social media, neighbors extended help to neighbors, offering spaces to sleep for the night, and sharing meals and warm clothing.
Amid the rage of nature, it was good to find the spirit of bayanihan still alive and well among us.

Mind, body, and soul

Understanding the fifth wall through dance at the Fifth Wall Fest

BY POCH EULALIA

Oct 26, 2024 08:43 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• To see the human body move and bend in ways that seemed physically impossible was truly a surreal experience. 

When the human body moves, its sole purpose is to get us from point A to point B. In this fast-paced world, we set our goals to get tasks done as fast as possible. We are steadfast in continuing the daily grind, focused only on partaking of the hustle culture that puts food on our tables. When was the last time we ever got to sit down, take in the sights, and appreciate the earth’s bounty? Have we ever given ourselves the time to break through the fifth wall?

OLDEN BEAUTY Doña Sisang's home served as the venue for this year's Fifth Wall Fest

By now, we are more than likely aware of what it means to “break the fourth wall,” thanks to characters like Marvel’s Deadpool, Ferris Bueller, and Fleabag, who all break the fourth wall by constantly making remarks and acknowledging the audience. We can trace back the concept of the fourth wall down to French philosopher Denis Diderot. He visualizes the idea of the fourth wall keeping the audience separate from the performers. What then is the fifth wall?

 

For dance artist Madge Reyes, the fifth wall stands as an imaginary barrier that guests pass once they leave a venue after a cultural experience and return to their daily lives. Think of it as attending a concert, screaming to your heart’s content as you hear your favorite artist belt out the tunes you love, and heading back home after an electric night. You leave feeling changed, often for the better, as if you had been in a life-altering experience and can never go back the same. It’s this euphoric feeling that fuels the creativity behind her project, the Fifth Wall Fest.

MOVING EXPERIENCE Within the very confines of Doña Sisang's home, the art of dance fluorished as workshops were held to encourage people into expressing themselves through movement

Just recently, the Fifth Wall Fest held its fifth edition following the theme, “The body is home.” Starting out as an online format during the pandemic, the Fifth Wall Fest has since evolved to a literal “home” experience by having its venue take place at LVN Pictures president Narcisa “Doña Sisang” V. Buencamino-de Leon’s historic residence along Broadway Avenue in Quezon City and transforming it into the “Fifth Wall House.”

 

What unfolded over a recent weekend was a series of programs, shows, workshops, and art performances that left guests stunned and lost in another realm. Having the venue take place in the ancestral home added a layer worthy of curiosity, as it leaves guests curious not only about the happenings, but also the lives of those who lived there. Each room had different things going on throughout the two days. You either found yourself joining in the many dance workshops, led by the likes of the Alexander Whitley Dance Company, Alvin Collantes, featuring Hideki Ito, and Magis Creatives Spaces, prompting you to enter a daze and lose yourself to dance, or as an observer mesmerized over the activities lined up in the festival. In one of the rooms, dance films with art house vibes, both foreign and local, would play throughout the day in a nearly pitch-black setting. In each of these settings, to see the human body move and bend in ways that seemed physically impossible was truly a surreal experience. 

HAPAG KAINAN, mixed media, by Rinsfud, 2024

Also worth noting were the otherworldly art installations set up in various areas of the house. One particular piece that stood out was Hapag Kainan by Rinsfud. Displayed on a large table that acted as the stage where all forms of life gathered were an array of plants, fruits, and garlic symbolic of the stages of the ongoing transformation on our tables from the perspective of farmers, cooks, and the consumers (us, the audience). 

 

True enough, going through the happenings of the Fifth Wall Fest was quite an ethereal experience that continues to linger. It has left memories of a movement led by people who felt passionate about their craft and eager to share it with the world through an avant-garde format. Don’t miss out on the sixth edition that’s coming up and you might just leave the festival feeling like a changed person. 

How NightOwlGPT will protect endangered languages

BY ANNA MAE LAMENTILLO

Oct 25, 2024 05:03 AM 

NIGHT OWL

In the world today, a silent crisis is unfolding: the rapid extinction of languages. UNESCO estimates that approximately 40 percent of the world’s 7,000 languages are at risk of disappearing by the end of this century. This is more than just the loss of words and grammar; it is the loss of entire cultures, histories, and identities. As these languages fade, so too do the voices of the communities that speak them, along with the rich cultural knowledge they carry. 

In this critical moment, NightOwlGPT is stepping forward with a mission to preserve endangered languages and ensure that linguistic diversity continues to thrive in the digital age.

 

Language extinction

Language is much more than a means of communication. It is a repository of a community’s collective memory, encompassing its traditions, beliefs, and values. When a language dies, we lose not only a way of speaking but also a unique worldview, a piece of human knowledge that may never be recovered. 

This loss is particularly devastating for marginalized communities, who often find their languages pushed aside by dominant global tongues like English, Spanish, or Mandarin. 
Currently, nearly 3,000 languages are endangered, and every two weeks, one of these languages goes extinct. The factors contributing to this alarming rate of language loss include globalization, migration, and the adoption of dominant languages for economic or social mobility. 

In an increasingly connected world, speakers of minority languages may feel pressure to abandon their mother tongues in favor of more widely spoken languages. This is where NightOwlGPT comes in.

 

NightOwlGPT’s mission
 

NightOwlGPT is an AI-driven platform with a bold mission: to democratize AI technology and make it accessible to even the most marginalized communities. 

By focusing on language preservation, the platform seeks to protect the cultural diversity that is at risk of being lost forever. Through real-time translation, cultural competence features, and interactive learning tools, NightOwlGPT empowers users to not only communicate in their native languages but also pass these languages on to future generations.
At the heart of NightOwlGPT’s mission is the belief that AI can be a powerful tool for social good. The platform is designed to support endangered languages by offering real-time translations for languages like Tagalog, Cebuano, and Ilokano, with plans to expand to over 170 languages globally. 

By embedding cultural insights and language tips into its translations, NightOwlGPT goes beyond merely providing word-for-word conversions — it helps users gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context behind each language, fostering respect and appreciation for linguistic diversity.

 

The role of language 
 

Language is a critical component of cultural identity. It shapes the way people see the world, relate to one another, and maintain a sense of community. When a language disappears, the cultural fabric of a community begins to unravel, weakening the bonds of social cohesion and shared heritage. For indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups, language is often the last stronghold of their identity, a link to their ancestors and traditions. Losing that link can be disorienting, particularly for younger generations who may struggle to understand their heritage.

NightOwlGPT’s platform aims to reverse this trend by making endangered languages digitally accessible. Its interactive learning tools allow users to engage with their languages in meaningful ways, strengthening cultural continuity, and ensuring that these languages are not only preserved but actively used.

 

Solution for the future
 

NightOwlGPT recognizes that the preservation of endangered languages is not just about saving words — it’s about preserving identities, histories, and cultures. By democratizing AI and making its technology accessible to marginalized communities, NightOwlGPT offers a solution to the crisis of language extinction. The platform empowers individuals to protect their linguistic heritage while ensuring that the next generation can learn, use, and celebrate their native languages in an increasingly digital world.  

In a time of rapid change and growing digital connectivity, NightOwlGPT’s mission to preserve the world’s linguistic diversity is more important than ever.