CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, THE LVF WAY!

History has shown  that women were treated as subordinate to men, a follower, lacking the capacity to lead and is often a victim of injustices be it in the, workplace, in public spaces and even at home, a place where everyone should feel safe and secure. In this celebration of Women’s Month anchored to its theme “I Am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights” with the hashtags #IWD2020, #EachforEqual, the Laura Vicuna Foundation (LVF) has honored the mothers of Taguig, conducted a self-esteem and gender sensitivity sessions to LVC girls to bring to light the issues women are facing in today’s generation.

HONORING OUR WOMEN IN TAGUIG

March 7, 2020.  As a celebration of International Women’s Day 2020 ( #IWD2020), Laura Vicuna Foundation honors women in Pinamana Site, Brgy. Napindan, City of Taguig. LVF staff advocated gender equality for we believe that an equal community is an enabled community.  This homage acknowledges women’s significant contribution to society  in the fields of politics, entrepreneurship, business, science and technology, medicine, arts, especially in home management  and all other encompassing roles where women have had a vital influence and impact. The session tackled the importance of parents’ roles especially in nurturing them with the loving warmth, care and guidance of a mother in rearing her children. They even shared that it is important to inculcate to the them (children) good values, respect to both men and women and empathy as early as they are. Reflected on the sharing of parents is that it is also important to treat their children fairly, without bias and judgment.This is also an avenue for the mothers that domestic work is not just “housewife LNG po”, as what they would answer, often associated with shame, discomfort, uncertainty and depreciative. To be a full-time mother, attending to children, to the husband and managing the household is something they should be proud of for the reason that preparing the future generations of this country lies in the palm of their hands. This advocacy on gender equality is an LVF call for equal sharing of unpaid and domestic work, shared parenting, and active participation of women in the decision-making process in the home, community and government to bring into light the unmet gender parity. Parents also believed that to introduce God to their children, as part of their life, is  essential. In promoting gender equality, let us anchor in the faith that men and women, in God’s image and likeness are created equal in dignity, by doing so, making them reciprocal partners thus making this world better and humane.

I AM GENERATION GENDER-SENSITIVE!

As part of the celebration of the Women’s Month with the theme “#EachforEqual”, a Gender Sensitivity Seminar was given to the LVC girls on March 24, 2020 at LVC Center in Cubao Quezon City by LVF Social Worker, Mr. Ryan Azucena. The said seminar forms part of the BRAVE (Boys Reject Abuse and Exploitation and  the GREAT (Girls Reject Exploitation, Abuse and Trafficking) Seminars. The GREAT Seminar though uses a different approach as women are the primary victims of gender violence in society. In a patriarchal society which is influenced by the culture and traditions were women are considered as inferior or subordinate to men; deprived of their rights which limits the opportunities for development. In a state that believes that “everything that happens within the four walls of the house is considered as personal matter and no outside intervention is encourage” puts the life of women in danger.  We emphasized to the girls the different norms, traditions and customs that deprived their rights as women and as a human being created by God with worth and dignity.  Part of the session, the girls were given a workshop, they were divided into two groups (rural and urban) and was instructed to list all the activities of a mother and a father in a whole day.  At the end of this workshop they realized the value and role of a mother having a lot of activities and work for a longer hour and only considered as reproductive role were not recognized as work, undervalued and unpaid.  Compared to the roles of men as productive role as the tasks that related to production of goods and services which contribute to the economy. Included also in the session are short films that portray the different roles of women in society, these films which included commercials, testimonies and experiences of some women and how they succeeded in their chosen field that inspired  the girls  to dream for their future. Added also in the session is the different social institutions that promote gender stereotyping consisted of: family, the state and the role of media. This session is very helpful to the girls in their healing and recovery brought by their traumatic experiences for them to realize their worth as a person and empowered them to fight for their rights not only as a woman but also as a human being created in the image of God.

NOT JUST ANY GIRL, I AM EMPOWERED!

Meriam-Webster dictionary has defined Self-esteem as a confidence and satisfaction in oneself, furthermore, psychology suggests that it refers to an individuals’ sense of his or her value or worth, or the extent to which a person values, approves of, appreciates, prizes, or likes him or herself. Low self-esteem may be the result of a troubled and abusive childhood. Thus, it is in this light that the Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc. facilitated by its Social Workers conducted a session on Strengthening Self-esteem to the LVF girls on March 13, 2020. This session focuses on the child’s self-awareness, determining their positive values and strengths as individuals, and help them in seeing that they are worthy of self-love and self-respect so that they may be able to radiate these values and attitudes unto others. As well as to see other people’s worth.These girls have surpassed and conquered their pasts experiences that has impacted in their journey growing into becoming the person they can be. One of the child was even surprised to have known that others sees her as ‘mabait,magalang at masipag.’ She does not see herself associated these characteristics, she said. This activity helps these girls to also know how others perceived them to be so that they may improve themselves. 

GRATITUDE DAY: GOD OF ALL SEASONS, THANKS!

One week before the Luzon lockdown due to COVID 19, the LVF girls, staff and Salesian Sisters celebrated our Gratitude Day on March 8, 2020 at the LVF Building with the theme “God of All Season, Thanks!” The Gratitude is a Salesian Tradition celebrated annually by every Salesian Community.  It is a special day dedicated to express gratitude to the Superior/ Community Animator who, as what Mo. Mazzarello says is Mama Mary in our midst. Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana is our mother here at LVF.   With her we have felt tangibly God’s Love and care and we are grateful to God for giving her us. The Educating Community wholeheartedly prepared for this day of thanks by contributing time, energy, creativity coupled with much love and reverence for her and for her mandate as animator.

To ensure greater collaboration the community were equally divided into 4 groups (Sisters, Staff, girls) representing the FOUR SEASONS – Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.  Initiatives of thanks for Sr. Marivic were spread in the different times of the day. 

• Winter – Early Morning Serenade
• Spring – Thanksgiving Eucharist
• Summer – Pinoy Fiesta (Fun-filled games)
• Fall – Program of Thanks

You can only marvel at the level of involvement and eagerness all have manifested in this Gratitude Day. Each of the season has a story to tell, a witness to the glimpses of God’s goodness evidently seen in our lives. 

Winter- it was a week-long preparation for the group because of their decorations.  Imagine there was snow at the third floor during this morning?  They sacrificed themselves and woke up early to cook breakfast.  Yes, it was their labor of love.  Entering the venue, you need to follow the dress code.  We wore a scarf or a jacket for this winter season.  After breakfast, Sr. Maria and the LVF girls serenaded us with some Disney songs.  The girls were so happy having their pictures taken while playing with the snow.  Sr. Maria Tram was in-charge.  

Spring- In every corner we can see flowers blooming. There was divine connection because the Holy Mass was on this season.  We have felt deep connection with God and His love for us in this Sacrament and through our presiding priest, Rev.  Fr. Paul Hoon Kang, SDB , who went out of his way to come; he even sang a song by Josh Groban “You Raise Me Up” to express his oneness among us.  The girls studying at the Laura Vicuña Technology Center students presented a dance number entitled A Whole New World.  What was unique in this group was the way they came up with their fresh fruit arrangement.The delicious fruit design was crafted in pineapple, strawberries, grapes, oranges, apple and watermelon. Sr. Clara Alacapa was in-charge of this season.

Summer-The decorations of the rooftop were creatively done. We imagined ourselves at the beach, which is well demanded during this season.  Here, we dressed up in our summer attire.  The group prepared the games which were enjoyed by both the young and the old, Fiesta games like the sack race, filling the pitcher with water relay, hit-the-pot and Pabitin.  In this season, the community was given the chance to create greater bonds and made each other feel more at home to each other.  It was concluded by a video presentation thanking Sr. Marivic for her solicitous care.  Sr. Gloria Agagon led this group.

Fall- The group turned our ground floor into a Season of Fall setting, everybody wore formal attire as in attending a sit-down dinner. This Season culminates our Gratitude Day, presenting our THANKS to Sr. Vic with speak-outs and sang the well celebrated song , Seasons of Love.  Everybody’s efforts with the practice and presentation were not wasted.  Sr. Ana Guerrero took charge of this season.

As we hop from season to season there was inner peace and joy.  There was no rejection, criticism or personal dislike but just an immense love for each other.  The celebration was something different for all of us because this is the first time we celebrated it from morning till night.  We thank everyone for making this event possible.  To God be the glory!

LVC HOLDS A COURT OF HONOR TO JESUS, PRAYING FOR HIS MERCY TO STOP COVID-19

The start of the year 2020 has greatly challenged us all. The rapid rise on the confirmed cases of the novel virus disease or what is now commonly addressed as COVID-19 has brought drastic changes in our daily routine, scheduled activities, and socializations. The virus has disturbed the world’s equilibrium. Panic and anxiety is ironically felt despite  the fact that streets, parks, malls, cinemas and other business premises became deserted. This situation has not only paralyzed our daily activities but has temporarily stopped us from going to churches to attend Sunday masses. Since the government announced the enhanced community quarantine, Laura Vicuna Foundation has diligently abide to its accompanying restrictions. Therefore, only one is permitted to go out only to buy daily necessities. And as a result, not able to attend church masses, LVC-Cubao Community hold a court of honor to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament beseeching God’s mercy to stop the Covid-19, the world over. LVF joins, through this adoration to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, in the Diocese of Rome, as they declared March 11, as a day of fasting and abstinence in solidarity with those affected by the virus. With great faith, LVF sisters, staff and girls religiously follows the adoration hours where one or two after the other offers a prayer of Oratio Imperata, Extraordinary Novena to Mary Help of Christians and personal prayers. All is intended for the end of the virus that has afflicted the country and the world.

CARE FOR OUR BRETHREN, BRAVING THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19

For about 15 days of enhanced community quarantine as per ordered by the President, frontliners were outside their homes, leaving their own families, risking their lives to face the battle against the COVID-19 that inflicted the country. To help them in this time of crisis, the Laura Vicuna Foundation girls and sisters cooked and prepared food to be given to our frontliners handed over to the barangay for distribution.  LVF extended its help to our garbage collectors by giving them something for viand. We pray that this little act of kindness may lighten the loads they carry and cheer them up. And that they may remain hopeful that in the midst of this crisis, they are not alone.

LVF RECEIVES GOODS FROM THE BARANGAY

The Brgy. Pinagkasahan Council has rendered a sack of rice and boxes of juices to the Laura Vicuna Foundation. Barangay Captain Grazielle Saab personally handed these good to the center. The LVC family is grateful for these blessings.Indeed, God will never forsake its people through His non-winged angels.

LVC LIFE SKILL ACTIVITIES

The crisis we are facing today has locked us up in our houses. But the Laura Vicuna Center has never run out of creative ideas for the children in its custody to learn as much as have fun. To spend the time wisely, the LVC sisters has encouraged the girls to sew their own shorts. LVF Social Worker assited the girls in terms of taking body measurements, making patterns and finally sewing. The girls enjoyed the activity which is honing their practical skill in sewing. This has became a way also for the girls to bond more and replenish their friendships.

Furthermore,  they also have a group study in bookkeeping facilitated by their fellow LVC girl who has an NCII bookkeeping certificate. The girls, not only enjoyed, but learned a lot from these activities.

AMRSP’s FORMATION COURSE ON SCVA

The Laura Vicuña Foundation (LVF) has endorsed one of their Social Workers Ms. Mercedes A. Juncia to attend the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines’ (AMRSP’s) Formation Course on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults (SCVA) at the St. Scholastica’s Retreat House, Baguio City on March 2-5, 2020.  Since this is open only to AMRSP’s member congregations, Ms. Juncia is one of the representatives of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The Formation Course on SCVA is an initial offering of AMRSP in partnership with the Saint Vincent School of Theology.  Its objective is to provide the learning partners with an understanding of the synodal church, servant leadership and human rights as critical aspects and components of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.  The diverse experiences of the participants enriched the discussions towards crafting a context-specific safeguarding policy designed to address the real-life particularities of their work and commit to uphold children and women’s dignity, protect their well-being and allow them to live in a society free from abuse, manipulation, harm and neglect. There are three (3) components of the course which are a) Meditation and Prayer b) The Synodal Church, Servant Leadership and Respect for Human Rights as a Foundation of Servant Leadership and c) Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults.  The course also allowed the learners to have an interaction with their fellow participants from different congregations and their resource speakers like Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, Fr. John Era, Fr. Eugene Cañete and Sr. Marilyn Java. As for Ms. Juncia, the personal reflections they did during the sessions made her appreciate herself better and made her realize what she wanted to accomplish in her career after the course.  Second, it deepened her understanding about synodal church, servant leadership and ways on how to address the human rights violations and abuses in the Church.  Lastly, she thanked Sr. Mabel Pilar and Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana for giving her this opportunity to transform her life. 

NEGOSYO WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT 2020

The Go Negosyo Women 2020 Entrepreneurship summit on March 03 at the World Trade Center was a full house of about 8000 participants. And among these 8000 participants were the Laura Vicuna Foundation’s sisters and staff  were invited by Sir Joey Conception, the Go Negosyo Founder and his wife Mrs. Marissa Conception, a certified LVF Board Member for many years, to attend the said summit. The summit has gathered powerful and successful women in a room, men championing women’s impacts and triumph even in a male dominated fields not only in the Philippines but also in other neighboring countries as well in Asia in terms of entrepreneurship, agriculture, style and substance, tourism, diplomacy. Furthermore, they shared that it is never easy to juggle between being an entrepreneur and at the same be a mother to a number of children. They even said that time-management is very important, set priorities, know the people you are going to put your trust into especially those who will be your business partners. Ms. Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Pres. and CEO of the Magsaysay Group of Companies said  “Do not try to be what you are not…just don’t try to change your values. I decided to proceed as a woman (in a male dominated industry) and I realized, even customers would like to give both types of suppliers (men and women) opportunities. I also realized that being a woman gives you a lot of abilities.” It was a day filled with inspiring life stories, overcoming challenges and surpassing limitations, of empowered women empowering other women. 

LVC PALAWAN
 
SEMINAR WORKSHOP ON POSITIVE DISCIPLINE FOR PARENTS

Ms. Christine “Tin” Sumagaysay-Garobo, RSW, LVC Palawan Volunteer Social Worker, facilitated a one day seminar workshop on Positive Discipline among the parents of the learners. Ms. Tin started the seminar by asking the participants their expectations and later had their pre test examination on their understanding of the topic. The input includes on the perception of inflicting punishment as a way of disciplining and what positive discipline means. In between were group workshops, discussions and activities. Before the seminar workshop end, each participant was given a post test exam and a certificate of participation. The pre and post test will determine on how many of the parents have the right idea of positive discipline and how they can learn this positive way of disciplining their children. The whole day event captured the message of each learner, parent and member of the Educating Community, “WASTONG PAGDIDISIPLINA, HINDI PARUSA!”

MEDIA TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT (TNA) CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN’S TELEVISION (NCCT)

NCCT has been an agency partner of the Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc. in the protection and development of children especially those who are at risk and vulnerable. In 2018, NCCT team have conducted two of their programs in Palawan, TELEBIBO which is an awareness campaign and media literacy seminar workshop for children and KASAMAPA (Katuwang sa Mapanuring Panonood) which is an awareness campaign and media literacy seminar workshop for adults particularly parents. Last March 13-14, 2020, NCCT Executive Director Ms. Daisy Atienza and her team conducted a Training Needs Analysis among the selected 30 learners and 30 parents to identify their current knowledge, skills and abilities and identify as well the gaps encountered in the process of implementation of the program. This is in view of providing a basis for the enhancement program of the two existing modules for children and parents. During the seminar, the Sisters and staff were also consulted by the NCCT team and solicited suggestions on how to improve this national program on media literacy and make it more relevant in this time of media revolution. LVF Palawan was one of the few organizations chosen by NCCT for the conduct of this program assessment. Both LVF and NCCT continue to commit their organizations for the protection and development of children and make the media world a safe place for all. 

ONLINE VISIT OF SR. LUCY ROSE

Last March 29, 2020, LVC Palawan Sisters with the staff and some learners welcomed Sr. Lucy through a simple song, offering of bouquet of flowers from the garden and a short prayer of entrustment to Mary. The pandemic cannot stop this two-day grace filled visit from happening. After the welcome, Sr. Lucy met the Sisters for the opening conference and the personal encounter via video call followed. On the second and last day of the visit, Sr. Lucy Rose with the Sisters started the morning with a Lectio Divina prayer meditation, reflecting on God’s immense love for each one. She met the staff who are also past pupils and some of the learners. Sr. Lucy thanked for closely collaborating with the Sisters in the mission of the community among the young. She also encouraged them to talk and express to the Sisters whatever that need. She repeatedly thanked them for being part of the family in the educating community of Palawan. The day concluded with the closing conference and a simple thank you program for Sr. Lucy and Sr. Veronica. The community offered fruits and vegetables from the farm and with the gesture of giving them on the computer screen, Sr. Lucy and Sr. Veronica were very much delighted. This canonical visit though virtual is truly a concrete experience of God’s love and presence and our Lady’s maternal accompaniment. Thank you very much Sr. Lucy and we love you! 

COVID 19 EXPERIENCE and RELIEF GIVING

SHARING is one of the tangible positive effect of COVID 19. Left and right, people with golden hearts hand their donations to our suffering and much in need brothers and sisters. And very typical of Filipinos is a grateful heart both to the receiver and the giver captured with a smile. Whether the donation is small or big, what counts the most is the thought of sharing. At LVC Palawan, during the first weeks of the crisis, the community started to share their harvested vegetables from the farm to their neighboring households in Barangay Macarascas. A total of 112.35 kilos of assorted vegetables were distributed- stringbeans, eggplants, tomatoes, cucumber, pechay, patola, lettuce, papaya, kondol, ampalaya, sili, etc. The community also cooked spaghetti for the checkpoint frontliners and some of the residents of the barangay. And together with some of the Congregation members of the Association of Religious in the Vicariate of Puerto Princesa, the Sisters were able to donate 4 sacks of rice to a totally locked down community, Barangay Mangingisda and distribute 100 packs of lunch meal for their frontliners.