A SEPTEMBER TO REMEMBER

Filipinos await the clock to tick 12:00 am, the 1^st day of the BER months, as radio stations play the song of Mr. Jose Mari Chan to welcome Christmas.  No country can beat the Philippines in the world’s earliest and longest Christmas season, from September 1 to the Feast of Sto. Nino on the third week of January. Yes, only in the Philippines! In September, Filipinos happily begin to prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus by putting up their Christmas trees, “Belen” (nativity scenes), and parol, as well as start, shopping for their Christmas gifts for the Season. Likewise, for the Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc., September is a month to remember and celebrate! The Security Exchange Commission issued a Certificate of Incorporation legalizing its existence on September 19, 1990, birthing the Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc!  Happy 32^nd Birthday, LVF!  May you have more birthdays to come as you continue to Give Hope a Home.

FAMILY ASSEMBLY ON  #WeAreBRAVE

 On September 18, 2022, the Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc. organized a Family Assembly on #weareBRAVE (BUDDIES REJECT ABUSE, VIOLENCE, and EXPLOITATION) via google meet. In a partnership between the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Bosco and lay professionals in celebration of its 32nd Anniversary Celebration. The LVF Family Assembly anticipates honoring the Filipino Family and its contribution to nation-building. National Family Week takes place in the last week of September and is recognized by the government and the churches. The Assembly was joined by more than 260 families totaling 650 participants from LVF’s Child Protection Clinic Communities in Brgy. Pinagkaisahan; Judge Jimenez; Hillcrest; Culiat; Botocan; Bacood; Marikina; Cavite; Taguig; PH-Sta. Mesa and even participants are coming from Calamba and Pampanga.

Sr. Maria Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA, Managing Director of LVF, said in her opening remark that the family plays a vital role in promoting and carrying the CULTURE of PROTECTION. The LVF #weareBRAVE is being launched to gather and create a pool of advocates and to empower all to reject all forms and kinds of genderless abuses and violence that tramples human dignity! Together, Let us reject, beat and end Abuse, Violence, and Exploitation. Together, we are BRAVE, and WE CAN. Mrs. Mercedes Carla Juncia, LVF Social Worker and speaker, tackled the ramifications of changing family structures for children and young people. She also discussed various drivers of violence in the home, school, and community settings, laid down researched-based data on the abuses commonly experienced by children, and taught them some pointers on protective behavior. LVF young people recognize that friends or buddies are significant influencers in promoting a culture of protection. They acknowledge that regardless of sex, gender, age, and culture, all are vulnerable to violence and exploitation. The promotion of protection is not only to the #IamBRAVE but should also expand to #WeAreBRAVE, for we are “stewards” of each other.

Parents stressed that they should be the first to become their children’s “ka-BUDDIES” or friends. As parents or guardians, they are the first to notice the change in the conduct of their children and take action on alarming behaviors immediately.For three decades and two years, LVF has sustained its zeal in staying close and, at the same time, broadening its horizon with and for the people. The LVF CPC Communities continue to grow and become self-reliant as LVF unceasingly pushes for the Protection and Empowerment of young people through Education.

LVF’s CHILD PROTECTION INITIATIVE: #WeAreBUDDIES

A total of one thousand one hundred twenty-six (1,126) were given advocacy sessions on Laura Vicuna Foundation’s I am BRAVE (Buddies Reject Abuse, Violence, and Exploitation by Ms. Carla Juncia on these dates:  September 19 (164), 20, and 21 (240), 22 and 26 (203), 27 and 28 (252), 29 and 30 (267).  These sessions are campaigns to end all forms of abuse in Cadiz and Victorias City.  One student said, “Knowing these things will help me in my future dealings with my uncle, who has abused my cousins and me in the past.  I am not afraid to report it if it happens again.” The occurrence of abuses within the family is undeniably happening, and we must work together to end such devastating, horrendous crimes against children and youth.

LVF JOINS THE BRIEFING ON ANTI-OSAEC LAW

Sept. 8-9. LVF joins the Briefing on Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Law: The Salient Features and Proposed recommendations for the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) on Sept. 8-9, which was held simultaneously, on-site (held at Brentwood Suites) and virtually (via zoom). The Republic Act No. 11930 or OSAEC and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Material (CSAEM) Act lapsed into law on July 30, according to Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the author and sponsor of Senate bill 1. The briefing on the Anti-OSAEC Law discussed the salient provisions of RA11930; each agency or organization contributed to the standards-setting in the guidelines for the implementation of the law; and shared the good practices of CRN members on programs and activities related to OSAEC. Ms. Rosea Marie Monsay (onsite participant) and Sr. Carmen Candy Balverde, FMA (online participant), shared LVF’s best practices: the Journey of Hope and its Training Centers. Each participant also recommended various issues and loopholes to address in designing the IRR to ensure the effective implementation of this newly enacted law to protect children.

LVF TVET QUEZON CITY WELCOMED OUR NEW TRAINEES

On Sept. 15, Sr Ana Guerrero, LVF TVET QC Technical Directress, welcomed our new trainees, assuring them that Mama Mary brought each one of them here. Sr. Candy Balverde led the Invocation Prayer to the Holy Spirit, after which the Directress and Managing Director, Sr. Marivic, FMA, gave a message of Hope to the trainees that training here is God’s great blessing for a better tomorrow. The Training Center Orientation with Ms. Felina Narvaez, our Registrar, followed.

LVF PARTICIPATES IN PROJECT ACE (AGAINST CHILD EXPLOITATION) 2^ND NATIONAL STAKEHOLDER’S SUMMIT OF COUNCILS AND INTERAGENCY BODIES IN ADDRESSING WFCL, INCLUDING OSAEC AND ACW

Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc., represented by its Social worker Mr. Ryan Azucena participated in the 2^nd National Stakeholder’s Summit of Councils and Interagency Bodies in addressing the Worst Form of Child Labor (WFCL), including Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and violations of Acceptable Conditions of Work (ACW) on September 20-22, 2022 at Novotel Manila Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City. The three-day Summit was participated by different government agencies (GA), Non-government organizations, NGOs, and Civil Society Organizations as stakeholders in addressing child labor in the Philippines. This serves as a venue for the different agencies to discuss insights and best practices in addressing child labor and exploitation of children, including online sexual exploitation and child trafficking as the worst form of child labor. At the summit, it was highlighted that the Durban Call to Action on the Elimination of Child Labour was adopted on the 20th day of May 2022. This was with the target 8.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of taking immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, and end child labor and all its forms by 2025. This kind of activity of participating and collaborating with different agencies and organizations is one of the goals of the Laura Vicuna Foundation in building and strengthening alliances with government, NGOs, private groups, and individuals for the protection and development of children. (Photo courtesy of World Vision-Project against Child Exploitation)

LVF LICENSING VALIDATION ASSESSMENT

The Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc. (LVF) underwent a Validation Assessment to renew its License to Operate last Oct. 07, 2022, administered on-site by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, represented by Ms. Rashnaida Gara, SWO II, where she assessed LVF’s programs and services. The face-to-face interview with the social workers, Sr. Carmen Candy Balverde, FMA-Sister assistant to the girls; Ms. Josielyn Hugo and Ms. Rosea Marie Monsay for the Center-based program (residential facility); and Mr. Ryan Azucena for the community-based program, provided an in-depth illustration on LVF’s efforts and services for children, youth and families. Ms. Gara, accompanied by Sr. Carmen and Ms. Hugo, toured the center’s facility, where she had a brief encounter with the girls. She was glad that LVF has a spacious area and, most significantly, a safe environment for them. She also checked the documents, files, and records of the Foundation and the girls to ensure that confidentiality was observed and properly kept. In the afternoon, Ms. Gara discussed her findings and recommendations with the team led by Sr. Marivic, the LVF-Managing Director. She had positive results with the LVF’s Program and Services. According to her assessment, Ms. Gara ensured that LVF would be granted, for its renewal, a Registration and License to Operate. The Registration and License proceedings ended up with a beautiful presentation from the LVF girls as our way of thanking Ms. Gara and DSWD for the untiring support that they have given to the Foundation. 

LVF- ONLINE CATECHESIS

Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA, facilitated an Online Catechesis to the parents, children, and youth of LVF-Child Protection Communities in Judge Jiminez, Hillcrest, and Culiat in Quezon City and Vicunians of Provincial House in Sta. Mesa Manila. Sr. Candy tackled the “fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit that transform our personality to be like a good soil in which the fruit of the Holy Spirit can grow and emphasizes that through these fruits and gifts, we can be able to know what is right and wrong and to always choose what is right and good.” This weekly online catechesis is concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

LVF SOLIDARITYSERYE!

Sr. Ana Guerrero, FMA & girls cooked and prepared 200 packs of hot meals and bread for the communities affected by typhoon Karding. Sr. Erlinda Soriano, FMA & Mr. Ryan Azzucena distributed them to the CPC Communities. Sr. Erly led the black rosary to the community as well and had the chance to give a face-to-face good day talk with the children, youth, and parents. It was such a joy and a blessing to have an onsite encounter with them.

LVF CHILD PROTECTION CLINIC ON WHEELS AT THE AUXILIUM’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE in ITALY

Sept. 30. The AUXILIUM’s International Conference entitled: “The Contribution of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians to Education (1872-2022) Paths, Challenges and Perspective” was held in Rome, Italy, from 25^th to the 30^th of September.  LVF Child Protection Clinic on Wheels was chosen as one of the FMA’s best practices in the Institute and was presented to the participants on September 29 on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary Foundation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Sr. Ma. Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA and Ms. Cendy Deluta prepeared a 10-minute video on LVF Child Protection Clinic on Wheels which was presented at the conference proper.

METROBANK FOUNDATION TURNS OVER GRANT TO LVF

On the occasion of the 60th-anniversary celebration of the Metrobank Foundation, it gathered development partners that provide holistic interventions to essential humanitarian and social services to communities nationwide. It mirrors  Metrobank’s  high corporate social responsibility. On September 7, 2022, the Metrobank Foundation turned over to Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc. a Grant to the Project RE-LIVE of the Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc. Present during the turnover ceremony were: Mr. Aniceto Sobrepeña, President of Metrobank Foundation; LVF representatives, Mrs. Pinky Medalla and Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA; Mr. Alfred Ty, Vice Chair of Metrobank; Ms. Anjanette Ty-Dy Buncio, Senior Vice President of Metrobank, Ms. Cherry Tan-Ty, wife of Mr. Alfred Ty.  It was Mrs. Pinky Medalla who introduced and endorsed LVF to Metrobank.