Advocates to March for RH Law

Layout by Alvin Cloyd Dakis

March 28, Manila – Together with women from all walks of life, government officials, civil society partners, young people, and celebrity supporters, SRHR advocates will march to urge the Supreme Court Justices to uphold the Reproductive Health Law. Prominent among these groups are the International Youth Council (IYC) Pilipinas, the Philippine Society for Sexual and Reproductive Health Nurses, the Health Youth Policy Empowerment, the Humanist Association of the Philippines, International (HAPI), and the Philippine Health Bloggers Society. 

The march will commence at Anda Circle, pass the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines’ office in Intramuros, before proceeding to the Supreme Court in Padre Faura, and lastly to Plaza Salamanca in Taft. The march will begin at 2PM. Attendees of the march are encouraged to wear purple shirts or accessories.

“It is only humane to support the RH Law. As a humanist group, we believe that the law is scientifically sound and is geared toward human progress, poverty alleviation, and health improvement,” HAPI president Alvin Dakis said.

The RH Law, which has gone through more than 14 years of debate in both upper and lower house and has been defended both in the streets and cyberspace, was signed into a law in December 21, 2012. However, the Supreme Court placed the law under Status Quo Ante after several groups, majority with religious in nature, filed petitions questioning its constitutionality. The Supreme Court is expected to give its decision by April.

"We believe that the law is not merely constitutional - it is just and essential. Mothers are dying, young girls are getting pregnant, and the HIV is wrecking havoc in our society as we speak," PHBS president Janina Santos emphasized. "PHBS believes in advocating for health online, but we are willing to bring our fight in real life when the situation calls for it. This is that situation."

“It is more than high time to have this piece of legislation permanently put into practice. People deserve informed choice,” maintained Aljohn De Leon, HAPI Deputy Secretary.

The Victoria Court Sticker Rate

I love Victoria Court for two things: (1) their clean, beautiful  rooms (2) their advocacy for HIV awareness. A couple of years ago, Victoria Court sponsored the launch of the Red Whistle, an HIV Awareness Advocacy, which I attended with some of my fellow SRHR advocates. 

For yuppies like me, Victoria Court is a bit pricey, so when this press release came, it made me one happy chick.

Time to level up and enjoy the chic comfort this lovely place offers... now made more affordable! Find out how by reading the press release below <3 span="">

Victoria Court loves to innovate and always strives to be the first in introducing new ideas in the hospitality industry. Most of us know about the elite Black Card, Victoria Court's signature discount card that provides loyal guests a 20% discount on the room rates and 10% off on the food and beverage menu. The Marketing Team also followed up with the beloved Pink Card for the Ladies, giving them the right and power to choose. Empowering women to choose where they want to go.

Now, Victoria Court is reinventing the discount card and came up with a new, cool, hip and faster way for the guest to enjoy the Black and Pink card benefits. The discounts now come with the Victoria Court Sticker. As long as you have the Victoria Court sticker at the rear window of your car, you can enjoy the 20% discount on all rooms and 10% discount on F&B items. If you plan to stay for 12 and 24 hours, you are entitled to a 5% discount too.

Just drive and check-in at any Victoria Court Branch to get your free sticker and feel the distinction.

The Importance of Shutting Up

It was my brother who taught me how to love animals.

When I was young, he would take me to empty lots around our subdivision to catch dragonflies. He told me that there was a crocodile living in the creek near our house.  When we got older, my brother would always take me to Cartimar, this little place in Manila known for selling birds, cats, fish, and dogs. We would go around and hang out with his fellow pet enthusiasts.

Was I surprised when his interests turned into reptiles and other exotic animals? No. Was I surprised that he started going on several trips, climbing mountains, to take pictures of the local wildlife? Not one bit. Did I find it amazing that he became a resource person of a show about Philippine wilderness and whatnot? No. My brother, who has a Masters in Public Administration and who worked his butt off to get his PhD in Educational Management, has always been destined to be awesome (I'm his sister after all).

My family and I during my brother's graduation. 

My brother’s love for the local wildlife meant that he has worked to ensure that we normal people are aware of the existence of the diverse fauna endemic in our country, as well as to preserve the said exotic animals.

This love is most likely the reason for this scathing status:

A Thin Line Between Public Service and Self Service

I have always believed in that writers, regardless of whether they tell fiction or non-fiction stories, are obliged by their craft to tell the truth. Writers who are journalists are even more compelled to do so. It is their work. It is their calling. It is their mandate. But like any job, telling the truth should be done with caution. Case in point: The Quirino Grand Stand Hostage Crisis. Hong Kong has yet to forgive the Philippines for that not-so-hospitable end to the tourists. 

If there is one proof that sometimes truth can be used in the worst of ways, it is this. 

When I was in high school and during the media training for RH that I attended, one important thing was drilled onto me by my teachers and trainers: responsible reporting. This can mean several things, and here are just some ideas that can be related:

1. Accuracy is the name of the game. This means that before a writer writes he or she must check sources, get in touch with experts, and make sure that whatever and however the piece is written is not intellectually dishonest, whether you meant to do it (for agenda setting - not cool, man) or not.

2. Protect your source. This is where confidentiality comes in. Say you're writing about a crime, like the PDAF scandal. It's often very tempting to say that you got the scoop from the mistress of a senator, or a perpetrator's brother in law, but sometimes, there are more important things that sensationalizing your story with undertones of betrayal, immorality, and sex. Your source could be risking more than their relationship with the people they choose to be a snitch to, they can very well be risking their lives.

3. Some truths are not meant for public ears. There are certain information that, if made public, such as the name of your source in some high-profile crime story, the identity of a rape victim (especially that of a minor), and the location of the Philippine Orange Tarantula, especially if your source has explicitly asked you to not divulge such information because it may lead to endangering the species. 



Many people use the banner of public service to rationalize voicing their opinions and telling truths. I believe in this. But sometimes shutting up is just as important as speaking up.

If, in disseminating the truth, you have hurt or endangered other people's lives or have compromised something that is good, then you might just be self-serving instead of people-serving. And as much as good writing, a nose for the news, and an instinct to get to the bottom of an issue are qualities of a good writer-journalist, I think learning when to shut up should be given as much value abovementioned traits.

PRESS RELEASE: FAME to host Bloggers’ Night event in Taguig City

Following the success of its event last year, Friendly Alliances and Media Expression (FAME), Inc. will host another one-night fellowship for renowned bloggers from food, lifestyle, entertainment, health and wellness, fashion, photography industries on March 19, 2014, 6 p.m. at the Megaworld Showroom, McKinley Hill in Taguig City.

Dubbed as Bloggers’ Night: Tagged, the event will feature FAME brands alongside with its corporate partners and supporters.

FAME has gone a long way from having only a doctor’s passion to write – a passion that turned to a vision of spreading a word on health and wellness in the country.

Abiding by its mission to promote good health, a healthy lifestyle, sound Christian values, and professional excellence, FAME has become a trusted brand in creating quality publications and providing other services in the country.

Owned by its very own Editor-In-Chief and Publisher, Dr. Rafael R. Castillo, a renowned cardiologist by profession, FAME started by giving its doctor-readers the Health and Lifestyle (H&L) magazine, the quintessential guide for the modern-day doctor, which is FAME’s flagship publication.

Two years later, FAME expanded its publication and ventured into commercial publications. DiabetEASE magazine was launched to empower patients and their families with diabetes.

From feature and in-depth stories on medicine, FAME ventured into promoting Philippine and international tourism and empowering women with Travel Plus and Zen Health magazines.

For more than two years now, Vital Signs, one of the latest FAME publications in an eight-page newsletter-format, is seen to become the leader in medical news as it synthesizes the most recent scientific and healthcare news taken from notable sources in the field of healthcare, medicine, and public health administration read by doctors, healthcare professionals, and even legislators. 

So what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars, come along, and tag your blogger-friend! You surely don’t want to miss this year’s Bloggers’ Night event as exciting prizes await all attendees courtesy of FAME’s major sponsors and surprise guest appearances and performances.

We hope to see you at our best event ever! 

For more details visit any of our fanpages: www. facebook.com/HealthandLifestyle, www.facebook.com/ZenHealth,www.facebook.com/DiabetEase, and www.facebook.com/TravelPlusMagazine.

For inquiries, concerns, and comments, contact Godfrey Santos at 0917-8787367  or Mica at 0908-4985066.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

CODSWALLOP is going to be here! See you, fellow bloggers! ^_^

On Learning, Perceived Stupidity, and How I Want My Future Kids to Learn Math (if I ever have them)

Like any poor, unsuspecting soul, I am destined to fall in love… most probably with a guy that is wonderfully good in Math (and probably flawless Grammar and a damn good conversational skills). In fact, about a year ago, I was in a relationship with such an individual. Why those specific qualities? Because years from now, if I do decide to get married and have kids, I would find it a relief to just cry out, “Mahal, the kids are asking about quadratic equations again!” And the then-love of my life will come and rescue me from the confusion brought about by numbers and letters and rules and logic, for which I shall reward him with passionate kisses. Sounds like a fairy-tale ending to me.


We had an almost-love affair, Math and I. I liked Math when I was in primary school, but the people around us never really helped the relationship. The trauma of that almost-love affair has left me afraid of numbers. Typical sad, tragic, love story. I distinctly remember when I started to fear Math. I was doing homework and my parents were hovering above me like vulture waiting for a tiny animal to succumb to death. I wrote the numbers of my addition problems on my notebook, big and bold and uninhibited by the green lines which made little squares on the paper.

Story of my life: Understanding Math questions was miracle enough for me.

My mother hit my hand with a ruler, told me to write inside the little boxes, pointed out that my 4’s looked like 9’s, that my 7’s looked like 1’s. I tried again and again to do as she said, but it frustrated me to no end that I knew how to add the (damn) numbers, but my tutors were badgering me with what I thought were inconsequential things. It ended with me crying my eyes out and never finishing the homework.

I felt stupid.

Inclusive Education and Feeling “Bobo”

“I am stupid.” This was what I was made to feel in high school. Being among the top students sometimes made you feel that way – yes, even when you were in the group of best students because you’re supposed to be one yourself.

When I attended the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation’s Kapihan Session on Inclusive Education and Cultural Development  along with other Greatness of Spirit (GOS) Ambassadors and we were asked what “inclusive education” meant to us, this was the first thing I thought of: that if you were perceived to be stupid, many teachers would just give up and let you be. Even your parents would just sigh and admit to their child’s incapacity to learn. Your peers weren’t far from imitating these reactions.

Because of the lack of resources, many teachers just give up on the "bobo" student and focus their efforts on giving the best opportunities to the "smarter" ones. This is pretty obvious in many public schools. 

Being called “bobo” made me afraid to approach teachers whose job was to help me learn. Being called “bobo” and the perception that I was “bobo” made me afraid to approach my smarter classmates because they may laugh at me. In other words, being called and perceived as “bobo” made me more “bobo” because I couldn’t learn and I was afraid to find help to learn. How I survived high school, how I survived the DOST program, I still can’t completely explain. Maybe it was a miracle. Maybe it was because, despite what people say behind my back and to my face, I realized I wasn’t stupid – only lazy and lacking the proper motivation.

Inclusive Education, to me, is giving equal opportunity to learn to everyone, regardless of financial status, physical abilities and mental aptitude. In the high school that I went to, almost all the opportunities to excel were given to us, the top 2 sections. This is probably because of the lack or resources. God forbid that it’s because the system has given up on the ones who are more difficult to teach.

Educators should not give up on “slow” students, because really, these students are not slow – they only need a different way of learning, a bit more TLC than the “smarter” ones need, and sometimes, a teacher who would delve deeper into whatever it is that is hindering the learning process.

I know this because I am now a teacher – albeit I don’t teach Math. I teach English, which is huge source of frustration to my students because it could either make or break their dreams.

How Learning Can Be Different

Ramon Magsaysay Awardees Doctors Christopher and Ma. Victoria Bernidos talking passionately about the Dynamic Learning Program.

During the Kapihan Session at the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, I was lucky enough to have been able to join the discussions with two Ramon Maysaysay Awardees, Dr. Christopher Bernido and Dr. Ma. Victoria Carpio-Bernido. This power-couple received their doctorate degrees in Physics in the State University of New York and came home on top of their game as heads of the National Institute of Physics  at the University of the Philippines. They left UP to move to Jagna, a poor municipality in Bohol, to manage a school that had seen better days. Instead of giving up, the Bernidos came up with a student-centered approach to education that changed the Bell Curve of student performance, allowing the majority of students to excel, even in difficult subjects such as math and science. They call it the Dynamic Learning Program.

The result? An increase in the passing rate in the UPCAT, better known as one of the bloodiest entrance examination in the history of entrance examinations. 

The result A dramatic shift in the bell diagram of student performance: Those who excelled increased in numbers. And more importantly, those who would traditionally be called bobo realized that, yes, they can learn just as much as the next person. Wow. I wish I  could have realized that when I was younger.

Dear DLP: Where have you been all my life (or at least when I was struggling with freaking Trigonometry)?!

Apparently in Jagna Bohol. 

It's a Teacher's Job: How "bobo" can be "better"

As a teacher, I've had three realizations:

1. Never call a student "bobo" and discourage others from doing so - including fellow teachers, the students' parents, and their peers. They may just have different learning needs and the conventional stuff don't work for them. Some students are just lazy, and not necessarily stupid. Case in point: me.

2. As teachers, we must either (1) have the belief that every person has the potential for growth and learning (and it is our job as educators to help them harness it) or (2) leave our natural tendency to insult people's intellect once we don our teaching persona. I'm working on the former.

3. If you just want to impress people, don't be a teacher. The classroom may be your kingdom, but like the best of leaders of a democratic nation, your job is to ensure that you are people-centered, not self-centered. That means the students should be the ones doing most of the action.

The challenge for me, and for all teachers for that matter, is putting these realizations into practice, and hopefully to prove that there are no stupid students, only ineffective methods of teaching.

GOS Ambassadors with the Bernidos and Filipino writer and educator, Mr. Isagani Cruz. Photo from Mr. Yzak Vargas's album.

Kilig moment because I'm standing next to THE Isagani Cruz. #ChineseEyes Moment. Photo by Sir Photographer and Albert Einstein the Cam.

Read more about the Bernidos, DLP, and Mr. Isagani Cruz here:

Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation

Dynamic Learning Program

Mr. Isagani Cruz

March 11, 2014

I was supposed to write about reproductive health, about inclusive education. I was even supposed to blog about what words of wisdom I want to be known when I die. I'm writing this instead. I wish I wasn't, but I don't get everything I wish for, do I?

Ang puta ay

(kinakamay at hindi kinukutsara,)

ay kinakantot ngunit

hindi

minamahal. 

Ang puta ay ang kanyang pwerta 

at hindi ang kanyang pagkatao;
hindi ang kanyang 
kabutihan
o talino;
siya ay ang 

kanyang ari

at ang kanyang ari ay hindi kanya.

Ang puta ay hindi nabubuhay 

sa labas nang sarap

at nang libog

at nang pangangailangan;

hindi nabubuhay sa labas

nang mga nakaw na sandaling 

itinatago sa dilim nang gabi.

Ang puta ay kinakantot 

nang walang pagmamahal

o sa pagmamahal na tali

sa pagpapanggap.

Sapagkat walang pangalan ang puta -

kundi minsan

ang pangalan nang iyong minimithi.

Ang puta ay

(kinakamay at hindi kinukutsara,)

ay kinakantot ngunit

hindi

minamahal.