PNoy calls for stronger resolve for change

President Benigno S. Aquino III urged Filipinos to continue to fight for the country’s goal of national progress, “to finally reap the rewards of the sacrifices of our fellow Filipinos who stood against the dictatorial government during the historic EDSA People Power in 1986.” 

In his speech during the celebration of the 27th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power (EPP) held Monday at the People Power Monument along EDSA, PNoy reminded the people that EPP brought out unity and camaraderie among Filipinos in a time of greed and selfishness during the Marcos regime. 

The EDSA People Power was a testament of the collective aim of Filipinos to regain democracy as they stood arm in arm against the Martial Law government. 

The President said that the EDSA Revolution, which serves as model for other countries also clamoring for a bloodless change in their government, should serve as mind opener to the next generations as they continue to safeguard the country’s democracy. 

He added that EDSA Revolution shouldn’t end that fateful February 25 of 1986. Instead, it should be a “continuous fight for change that would lead to national progress.” 

A significant part of the commemoration of People Power was the signing into law by the President of the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 which will give assistance to the victims of Martial Law through monetary and non-monetary compensation. 

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales said, “The thousands and thousands of survivors of the injustice during Martial Law made the ‘necessary sacrifice’ to see through the darkness.” This eventually led to the revolt that was EDSA Revolution. 

The said law, according to Rosales, will serve three purposes: to assert the truth that government is the protector of the people; to put an end to a culture of impunity; and to serve as symbol of solidarity. 

Meanwhile, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena said during the EDSA commemoration rites that the Philippines is on its way to be a Tiger economy with the concerted efforts of the government, particularly the Aquino administration, and the Filipinos in achieving inclusive growth for the country. 

He said that the EDSA People Power is a reminder that the country needs action and unity among the people to achieve progress, and for the country to finally be the “Crown Jewel of Asia.” 

The theme of the 27th anniversary celebration of EDSA People Power is, “Pilipinas Natin, Abot-Tanaw Na!” 

Information officers, called to inspire and involve people in nation-building

Information officers in Metro Manila were urged to involve people in nation building by being their source not only of information but also of inspiration. 

This was what Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA) newly-installed Director-General Jose Mari Oquiñena said during the First Meeting of the Association of Information Officers in Metro Manila (AIMM). 

He said that information officers must be able to encourage the participation of the Filipino people in nation-building by providing them with timely, relevant, and truthful information, as well as engage them in activities that will help improve the lives of our fellow men. 

The director-general also called for the active involvement of the AIMM through AIMM founder and PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza J. Baldoria in building stronger alliance with other information officers in the country. 

One of the proposals of the DG is to hold a nation-wide Information Summit tentatively scheduled in July 2013 which aims to gather all information officers in the country and reaffirm their role as responsible conveyors of information and establish a network with other information officers. 

AIMM members were also encouraged to participate in the upcoming “Bayani Challenge,” an activity under the Pilipinas Natin—the government’s campaign to build a volunteerism movement among Filipinos to effect positive change to the country. 

The Bayani Challenge is a five-day outreach activity where volunteers will build communities for their fellowmen by building and repairing schools, and conducting health missions and climate change mitigation activities, among others. 

To take place from March 23-27, “the Bayani Challenge is an action-oriented activity which hopes to develop ‘involvement’ and ‘physical presence’ among the people—a shift from being a passive audience in the country’s daily activities,” the DG Oquiñena said. 

Bayani Challenge is expected to be the biggest volunteerism event of the country as it targets to serve 35 provinces in the country. 

The Bayani Challenge is among the activities of the government’s Pilipinas Natin launched in 2011 as a response to President Benigno Aquino’s (PNoy) call for the Filipinos to work together in empowering the nation through patriotism and the Filipino concept of “Bayanihan” or working with each other. 

Pilipinas Natin aims to inculcate an “inclusive mindset” in Filipinos, the kind of thinking that includes fellow Filipinos. 

The AIMM is composed of public information officers of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila as well as NCR regional information officers of national government units whose primary tasks are to disseminate information on development programs and projects of the government, and plan and implement communication campaigns in support of development plans of NCR. 

Bonifacio’s heroism and ideals recalled during the 149th Bonifacio Day celebration

The commemoration of the 149th birth anniversary of National Hero Andres Bonifacio’s was commemorated Friday, at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Shrine in Taft Avenue in Manila City. 

Attended by government officials both from the national and local units, literary luminaries, artists, descendants of the hero, and students, among others, the event served as a tribute to Supremo Andres Bonifacio’s heroism in fighting for the country’s liberation from the Spanish colonizers. 

The celebration was also a re-introduction of Bonifacio as a hero with dignity and high ideals. 

National Artist for Literature Dr. Virgilio Almario, in his speech, said that Bonifacio was not “just a person who made use of brawn and violence to liberate the country from the Spaniards, but he was a man of honor, valor, and high ideals who was guided by his strong background in philosophy and the arts—qualities not usually mentioned in history books.” 

Almario also added that Bonifacio’s idea of "independence" “transcends the French concept 'libertad' which aims for radical political and social reforms, as seen in the works of French philosophers Rousseau and Voltaire.” 

Dr. Almario explained that Bonifacio’s concept of independence or “kalayaan” as espoused by the katipuneros (members of the Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga anak ng Bayan) is the complete independence of the Filipinos and the country itself from the control of Spanish forces. 

“Bonifacio, a man of letters and ideals, was a man ready to kill and die for the sake of the country’s independence,” Almario added. 

According to National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr., Bonifacio was guided by the virtues of honor, nobility, dignity, and respect as seen in the “Kartilya ng Kalayaan,” the guidebook used by members of the Katipunan where the group’s rules and principles are written. 

De Leon said that like Bonifacio, every Filipino strives and should strive for the three goals in life, which are to have freedom (kalayaan), justice (katarungan), and honor (karangalan). 

He added that the celebration is an affirmation of our support to these lofty goals every Filipino should strive to attain. 

The 149th birth anniversary celebration of Supremo Gat Andres Bonifacio in the Gat Andres Bonifacio Shrine in Taft Ave. in Manila City was preceded by flag-raising ceremony and the wreath-laying ceremony by government figures and art luminaries. 

Mayor Alfredo Lim of the host city, Manila, welcomed the participants and guests in the said event. 

Feature: Quezon City: The “Great, Green, Growing” city of the Metro

During the “Kabuhayan 2012”, this year’s National Livelihood Trade Fair held last November 8-11, 2012 at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall, different regions, provinces, and congressional districts of the country showed the best they have to offer in terms of products, services, and tourist destinations. The fair also served as a venue for the promotion of the local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) that invigirote local and national trade.

The event saw the different facets of Filipino culture and tradition—through arts, crafts, fashion, cuisine, and other specialty products hand-crafted by Filipino artisans, as well as services and local tourist spots— all of which demonstrate Filipino creativity, artistry, and ingenuity at its finest.

The affair which was organized by the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) was a “great opportunity for promoting quality local products from the different regions of the country which are usually enjoyed by the locality’s visitors, tourists and locals,” according to QC Vice-Mayor and CSFI chairman and president Ma. Josefina Belmonte.

The Quezon City (QC) government, being one of the participants of the said event, had its own way of promoting its own cultural heritage. Brandishing the theme “Great, Green, Growing”, the QC made use of the 3Gs to best present the three essence of the city.

According to Ms. Marlyn S. Siapno, officer-in-charge of QC’s Sikap Buhay Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives Office, the theme highlights the best of the city—from products, natural endowments, man-made creations, old and new business establishments, etc. – all of which piece together the city as the “Place to be”.

“’Great’”, Siapno said,  “refers to the city’s rich history with its shrines, monuments, and national and cultural sites such as the Tandang Sora Shrine, Pugad Lawin Shrine, Sto. Domingo Church, and EDSA Shrine, among others, as testament to this.”

She also added that the city’s area of over 16,000 hectares contributes to the city’s greatness. QC also has the bigget population in the National Capital Region with 2.6 million inhabitants, according to a 2007 census.

“Green” describes the city being the “greenest city in Metro Manila”, according to Siapno. Places such as Quezon Memorial Circle, La Mesa Eco Park, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife, and the UP Arboretum make up for that green portion of the city. QC has also been very active in green initiatives in support of the government’s, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, environment programs.

From an entrepreneural perspective, Siapno said that “QC is continually ‘Growing’”. “QC supports old business establishments such as Kamuning Bakery, Lechoneros Association, New Polland Bakers Fair (since 1962), etc. which continue to offer quality products and whose existence are intertwined with the city’s history,” she added.

Aside from the old, the city also supports the new and young entrepreneurs that sell fashion accessories, bags, gifts and house wares made from recycled materials as well as indigenous weaves and ethnic and occult-inspired items such as those made by establishments and institutions such as Key Chains, Charms & Other Novelty Products, Rags2riches, Tribu ni Jerry, Kamay Kraft Cooperative, and QC-BJMP Ladies Dormitory, among others.

In its exhibit, QC also has an interactive area where all the city’s tourist destinations which include iconic heritage sites such as churches, monuments, museums, and art galleries. The virtual hub also promotes green destinations which guide prospective visitors through the city’s “green belt” from the Quezon City Memorial Circle all the way up to the La Mesa Eco Park.  Even growing lifestyle destinations are also included such as  shopping areas, dining and entertainment areas like the ones in Tomas Morato, West Ave., Eastwood City, etc.

All these are just a glimpse of what Quezon City can offer. Through its massive tourism promotions, cultural heritage preservations, green initiatives, and entrepreneur programs, QC promises to live up to its vision of being the great, green, and growing city of the metro. 

Gender Roles and the Civil Service

The Philippines has gone a long way in the area of gender equality as compared to many of its Asian counterparts. The rather ―more radical‖ perspective of Filipinos on gender relations has consistently placed the country among the best countries in terms of gender equality. As a matter of fact, according to a recent World Bank study, the Philippines ranked sixth out of 129 countries in gender equality. Also, in the 2011 Global Gender Gap rankings released by the World Economic Forum, the Philippines ranked eighth best country in the world. Most recently, in the 2012 Social Institutions and Gender Index, the Philippines ranked 12th out of 86 countries.

Over the years, Philippine society has witnessed an evolution and a series of radical shifts in the roles assigned to the two sexes: male and female. During the pre-colonial period, women were highly regarded by the indigenous communities as they usually take the role of spiritual leaders, healers, and wisdom-keepers—in the form of the babaylan-- who provide stability to the community’s social structure.

The coming of our first colonizers changed the landscape in Philippine culture, practice, and even tradition. The society became highly patriarchal, pre-assigning men in vaious leadership positions: in the family, in government service, and even in religious organizations. Women assumed domestic roles, primarily concerned with the household chores. While men were valued by how much they could provide for the family, a woman’s worth then was judged by how well she could cook, clean the house, or take care of the kids. The society was clearly male-dominated, with women always being the abiding and subservient wife and worrisome mother. There was a clear asymmetry then in the culturally constructed gender roles. 

However, this scenario has changed dramatically over the years as great women have emerged in different fields and professions-- in the academe, business, and even in government service. More women are now holding managerial and supervisory positions in the public and private sectors; unemployment rate is lower in the female population as compared to men, with 32.4 percent unemployed women compared to the 67.6 percent of the total underemployed men according to the National Statistics Office as of October 2011; more women are holding legislative and judicial posts than ever before, not to mention our two female presidents. What had been a man’s world quickly transformed to both men and women’s world.

But despite these positive developments in gender relations, the country is still beset with problems such as domestic violence, crimes against women, gender stereotyping, discrimination, and double standards in the community and the workplace. In a World Bank report entitled ―Toward Gender Equality in East Asia and the Pacific,‖ domestic violence is still ―unacceptably high‖ in the country as up to 5.6 million Filipino women have been abused by their partners. The report, which studied gender gaps in the area of economic opportunities, influence in home and society, and access to human capital and productive assets across the Asia-Pacific region, also said that women in the Philippines are paid less than men for doing similar work, earning 76 cents for every dollar that men earn. Not surprisingly, Filipino women are also said to be more likely to work in small firms and in the informal sector, and in lower-paid occupations. Some companies would even have bias in hiring pregnant women as these companies wouldn’t want to risk lower productivity and higher expenses caused by expected maternity leaves. 

News on violence against women still abound in the dailies and the broadcast media with rape and human trafficking being the top crimes where women are the usual victims. Many sexual harassment cases in the workplace are filed by women. Women are the usual targets of drug syndicates as shown in the November 2010 data by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency where 62% of those charged in other countries as drug mules were women while 38% were men. At home, between the working parents, the wife/mother is still expected to do the household chores and other home-related tasks. Clearly, there is still a disparity in our country’s and the citizens’ treatment of the female gender. 

Where does the government come in the picture insofar as gender responsiveness in concerned? How can civil servants play a role in creating a gender fair and even a women-empowered society?

A few years ago, a law banning discrimination against women, and recognizing and protecting their rights was signed and enforced in the country. This law known as Act 9710 or Magna Carta of Women was aimed at promoting gender equality and women empowerment in the country. The law also sought to ensure the equitable participation and representation of women in government, political parties, the civil service and the private sector while seeing to it that women are protected from all forms of violence. It also mandated the establishment of violence against women’s desks in every local unit and barangay. In education, the law requires that all educational materials and curriculums that tend to stereotype women be revised.

Also, women in marginalized sectors are guaranteed all civil, political, social and economic rights recognized, promoted and protected under existing laws. 

While the Magna Carta of Women has proven to be a milestone in the further promotion of gender equality in the country, there also has to be a paradigm shift in the roles of civil servants most specifically that would usher change in a seemingly problematic and still gender discriminating society. Civil servants must lead in the practice of gender responsive, accessible, courteous, and effective public service. And this has to start in the mindset. 

Government offices should see to it that its employees know their duties and responsibilities and perform these well. Aside from this, the government should provide continuous learning to the employees, from those with lower ranks to those holding managerial positions, through various trainings and workshops that would widen the horizon and further improve their knowledge and skills. Likewise, there should be a clear set of rules and regulations in each government agency that would guide the conduct of actions of civil servants—all for the promotion of integrity and committed service.

Being a civil servant myself, I have been wondering how I could be truly of service to my country and my countrymen. While not earning that much compared to those in the private sector, I believe true service means delivering beyond what is expected of me at work. This ―extended‖ service doesn’t necessarily mean working beyond the work hours, but it does mean giving my 101 per cent or more in every single work that I do—meaning delivery of quality output that would eventually benefit the country.

In my line of work as information officer, simply making sure that relevant information-- whether public announcements, breaking news, or government programs – reach the people the best way mode I could to educate and empower them through accurate and impartial knowledge/information. 

On a more personal way, being the embodiment of a respectful, honest, dedicated, and responsive civil servant through actions exemplifying such traits is one way of making others look up to civil servants. By having model government employees, more would be enticed to work for the government simply because it is made of honorable people, and because it is an honorable job. 

While so much has to be done in the world of public service and amongst the employees, positive change could be achieved first through good governance. By being open to new learnings and with the willingness to change old practices like those of the traditional and partial views on gender, for starters, the country is set to witness a dynamic social and economic transformation.

Sto. Domingo Church, La Naval de Manila Shrine declared by the National Museum as National Cultural Treasures

The Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City (QC) and its liturgical objects were officially declared by the National Museum as National Cultural Treasures during the opening of the annual celebration of La Naval de Manila held October 4. 

The public declaration also coincided with the traditional enthronement ceremonies of the canonical image of Our Lady of the Rosary (or the Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario), La Naval de Manila at her shrine also at the Sto. Domingo Church. 

The declaration, according to the National Museum, recognizes Santo Domingo-La Naval both as an institution and a structure, as well as a repository of modern art. 

A National Cultural Treasure is a cultural property, a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to the country. 

Also, archaeological objects are qualified to be declared as National Cultural Treasures for its outstanding value to the history and identity of Filipinos. 

It also has historical significance because of its association with prehistoric events and past industries that are the foundation of the Filipino culture. 

Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner, O.P., prior provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province and chancellor of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) formally accepted the declaration handed by Dr. Jeremy Barns, Director of the National Museum. 

He said that “the Church serves as an heirloom of the Filipino people.” According to him, the treasure “is not just a treasure of the Catholic faithful, but of the entire nation.” “This place is where the heart of the nation belongs,” he added. 

According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the original church structure, which was of Gothic structure architecture, was previously located in Intramuros, Manila and managed by the Dominican Order. 

After the structure collapsed in 1589, it was reconstructed with concrete materials. 

In the 1960s, the Sto. Domingo Church was relocated to Quezon City after massive destruction caused by Second World War. 
It also became the new national shrine of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila. 

During the creation of the autonomous Philippine Dominican Province in December 1971, the church was placed under the care of the Filipino Dominican priests. 

Sto. Domingo Church was canonically established and was declared a parish church on February 23, 1972. 

For the parishioners, the church is not only a cultural treasure but also a refuge of the poor. 

Santo Domingo, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, is the first National Cultural Treasure in Quezon City and the 72nd place in the country to be declared as such. 

The La Naval festivities will continue for nine days with Eucharistic celebrations, novena prayers, and the rosary. A grand procession of Our Lady of La Naval will be held on Oct. 14. 

Feature: Green, leafy diet, and the healthy Filipino

The folk song “Bahay Kubo” has become a popular Filipino household song because of the distinct picture it paints particularly about Filipino rural life. The song’s upbeat tempo makes it more memorable to the average Filipino listener. But what makes the song truly popular is its rhythmic yet humorous listing of agricultural products commonly seen in the “bahay kubo” -- the pre-globalization representation of the average Filipino home.

“Singkamas, talong, sigarilyas, kamatis, sitaw, bataw, patani. . . .”

The song should be made popular again-- at least this month of July-- as the National Nutrition Council (NNC) is spearheading the country’s celebration of Nutrition Month. Not surprisingly, the agency has chosen the eating of vegetables as the official message of this year’s celebration. The exact theme of the 38^th Nutrition Month is: “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain.”

This year’s celebration has these objectives: to increase vegetable consumption as part of a healthy diet to address micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases; and to promote vegetable gardening as a source of additional food and income, and to increase demand for vegetables to help local vegetable farmers.

This year’s focus on vegetables stems from the recent studies by the Food and Nutrition Research Institutes (FNRI) that over the past 30 years, Filipinos have been eating less vegetables. FNRI said that from 145 grams of vegetable consumption in 1978, Filipinos eat only 110 grams (2008 study) on the average, or only about 2 servings of vegetables every day. Infants 6-11 months old had an intake of only 2 grams of vegetables, while 1 year old children had an intake of 8 grams per day on average.

This is alarming considering that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), low fruit and vegetable intake is among the top ten risk factors for global mortality.  WHO recommends eating a minimum of 400 grams of vegetables and fruits per day which is equivalent to 5 servings, with 3 servings of vegetables per day.

The FNRI also reported that only 67.7% of Filipino households have vegetable gardens or fruit trees. Having a ready supply of vegetables in the household or school backyard could actually help reduce malnutrition and alleviate hunger among the poor families.

What are the benefits of including vegetables in our daily diet?

Fruits and vegetables are considered very healthy, and nutritionists have always advised people to have a high-vegetable diet. Vegetables are a good source of dietary fibers that aid in proper digestion and may help lower calorie intake which help in maintaining healthy weight.

They are also a rich source of micronutrients --  vitamins A, B, C, E and minerals such as selenium, iron, zinc, inositol, biotin,  etc. which promote physical and mental growth. They also contain antioxidants and protectants such as carotenoids, lycopene and phytochemicals which can help strengthen the immune system, improve skin texture, and fight premature ageing.

For young children, vegetables are important sources of vitamin A and iron which are important nutrients that improve children’s immune system, growth and development. 

What makes Filipinos dislike vegetables?

Some Filipinos do not eat vegetables because of different reasons: Some are not just used to eating veggies since childhood, usually because family members do not consume vegetables as well; others find the texture unpalatable for their taste; some just have a limited knowledge of the dishes that could be made from vegetables; and others find vegetables expensive especially in urban areas where greens have to be bought in the countryside.

Having readily available vegetables and fruits is one of the goals of the NNC as this will make Filipinos include greens in their diet. This is also the reason why NNC is promoting the planting of veggies in the backyard and schools.

The Concepcion Elementary School in Marikina City has already started this activity last July 2 when school children planted vegetables in their school yard.  Thousands of school children are also expected to do the same as the Department of Education issued a memorandum encouraging “all schools to celebrate Nutrition Month with the simultaneous planting of vegetables as part of its share to promote consumption of vegetables among children as part of a healthy diet.”

Let us celebrate Nutrition Month this year with a festive gustatory banquet of vegetables and fruits as we fill our body with the necessary nutrients for better growth and development! (RJB/AKG-PIA-NCR)