by mir321

November 2022 News

NOVEMBER: NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MONTH

The late Philippine President Benigno Aquino III signed in 2015 Republic Act 10661, making November the official National Children’s Month (NCM) in the Philippines, its origins being the UN World Children’s Month. This 2015 Act encourages Filipinos to know and understand the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The Philippines signed the UN CRC on Jan. 26, 1990, making it the 109th country to sign the Convention. The Philippine Senate ratified it on Aug. 21, 1990. The 2022 year’s NCM theme is “Kalusugan, Kaisipan at Kapakanan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan”.  It focuses more on the mental health and well-being of children.  This year’s theme is anchored by the World Health Organization’s definition,n, which is a state of complete physical, psychological and social well-being of a person and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.  Mental health is integral to health, while well-being is its positive aspiration.   The silent victims of the pandemic are the children and the youth.

The Laura Vicuña Foundation’s activities this November were aimed to instill and sustain in our consciousness the promotion and protection of children’s rights. Listening to their voices can make a difference and will be able to change their lives. #ParaSaBata!

  • HAPPY NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MONTH CELEBRATION
  • LVF #IAmBRAVE! (BUDDIES REJECT ABUSE, VIOLENCE EXPLOITATION)
  • “CLICK TO CLIQUES: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EVERY CLICK.”
  • LVF JOINS INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE ON OSAEC
  • “BEHIND THE SCREEN”
  • CHILDREN CONSULTATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 4TH NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION
  • GLOBAL MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY
  • COMMEMORATING THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED, CELEBRATING LIFE!
  • PAST PUPILS’ HOMECOMING
  • LVF ONLINE CATECHESIS
  • LVF SOLIDARITYSERYE
  • FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE

HAPPY NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MONTH CELEBRATION!
LVF #IAmBRAVE!

For the month of November, a total of two thousand six hundred twenty-one (2,621) youth were given advocacy sessions on I am BRAVE (Buddies Reject Abuse, Violence, and Exploitation) by Ms. Carla Juncia, LVF social worker on the following dates: November 7 and 9 Tiglawigan National High School, Cadiz City (321); November 8 Victorias National High School, Victorias City (221); November 10 Laura Vicuna Women Development and Training Center, Hda. Malihao, Victorias City (150); November 11 Villacin National High School, Cadiz City (117); November 13 Zone 2 residents Cadiz City (40); November 14 4Ps of Brgy. 1 A, Manapla (61); November 15-17 4Ps of Brgy.One1 and Punta Salong, Manapla (327); November 18 Villacin National High School, Cadiz City (123) November 24 – 343 participants (4Ps of Punta Mesa Manapla (250) and Dr. Vicente Gustilo Memorial National High School, Cadiz City (93); November 25 Sped National High School, Cadiz City (109); November 27 Laura Vicuna Women Development and Training Center parents of students and oratorians (133); November 28 Burgos National High School, Cadiz City (60) and November 29 621 participants ( Manapla National High School (500) and Banquerohan National High School, Cadiz City (121). The discussions were very lively and fruitful.  The participants were very interested in what they would do when facing these difficult situations. They were very participative and interacted well with the speaker.  After that, they made several commitments like reporting cases of abuse, especially to the Department of Social Welfare and Development; helping others who needed help; being aware of one’s surroundings and calling for help if needed; do not let others manipulate you to do something terrible; defend oneself; respect one another and distance from others if you think he will harm you.  Most sessions were in partnership with DepEd Cadiz, DepEd Victorias, and MSWDO- Manapla. 

“CLICK TO CLIQUES: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EVERY CLICK”

Nov. 04. In celebration of National Children’s Month, three hundred eleven (311) college students from Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias and 30 scholars of San Antonio Formation & Enhancement Center, Inc. participated in the LVF’s Online Safety & Responsible Digital Citizenship Advocacy coined as “CLICK TO CLIQUES: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EVERY CLICK” via google meet.  The objectives of this advocacy session are to relate and understand today’s generation’s language and learn how they make, stay connected and form relationships with their peers in cyberspace; Learn how to protect themselves from online abuses; and that they become responsible netizens. The era of digitalization not only brought high-tech gadgets, software, and applications, but it also poses significant harm to users if they lack the knowledge on how to protect his/herself from online attackers and abusers. With this, participants actively shared their strategies for keeping themselves and their kin safe in cyberspace and protecting the younger generation from borderless crimes! Ms. Rosea Monsai, the LVF social worker, facilitated the activity, assisted by Mr. Ryan Azucena & Ms. Mercedes Carla Juncia.

LVF JOINS INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE ON OSAEC
“BEHIND THE SCREEN”

Nov. 08-09. As digital technology has ushered in significant advances in society, it has also introduced new threats and crimes that prey on vulnerable children. This further advancement is a new form of trafficking known as Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC)!  What happens BEHIND THE SCREEN?  It aimed to understand its phenomenon and take action using scientific findings! Various researchers from different disciplines presented their findings on the prevention, protection, and prosecution practices. The LVF online participants were Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA & Mr. Ryan Azucena, and in-person participants Ms. Josielyn Hugo & Ms. Rosea Monsay at Richmond Hotel, Manila. This conference was organized by World Hope International, Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), The Salvation Army (TSA), and World Vision International Philippines (WVI) in partnership with De la Salle University- Social Development Research Center (DLSU-SDRC), National Association of Social Work Education Incorporated (NASWEI), and University of the Philippines Junior Social Workers’ Association of the Philippines (UP JSWAP). 

CHILDREN’S CONSULTATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 4TH NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION

Nov. 19. The Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc. (LVF) Children advocates Vicky and Jaz joined in the development of the 4th National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC), where they were able to share the issues that the children face from their perspective. Some of the issues they raise are poverty, health, and health concerns that the children experience, especially this pandemic and its effect. Jaz even suggested and reiterated the importance of health clinics to attend to the health needs of children, most especially the support in their education. A focus group discussion on the adult companions was also facilitated where there were priority issues (education, child poverty, health, child protection, and on child participation compounded by the COVID-19 Pandemic! Suggestions of actions to counter these issues were to sustain and expand the Alternative Learning System (ALS), employment opportunities, and livelihood programs, to name a few. LVF participates in collaborative efforts toward preventing abuses and protecting human rights, especially children.

GLOBAL MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY

Nov. 25. The National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) conducted the Global Media and Information Literacy at the Laura Vicuna Foundation, Inc. girl residents and its CPC Communities via gmeet. Four hundred fifty five (455) children, youth and parents participated. It is also a commemoration of the 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women and their Children.

COMMEMORATING THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED, CELEBRATING LIFE

As we remember, our faithful departed every November at LVF; it is also a month to celebrate life! Five of us at the LVF-QC Educating Community celebrated our birthdays.  Sr. Ana Guerrero prepared the Vicunians for a grand November joint birthday celebration on November 2, the birthdate of our Animator, Sr. Marivic.  Other celebrants were Khaye- Nov.1; Sir Ryan- Nov.3; Hannah-Nov. 6 and Ms. Joy- Nov.10. In his homily, Fr. Juvelan Samia, SDB, recounted Sr. Ana’s s love for the young people, her active, creative accompaniment of the young, and her strong influence on the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM). Sr. Ana returned to the Father last Oct. 25, 2022.  Fr. Juvelan admired Sr. Marivic as Laura Vicuna Foundation’s (LVF) managing director. Being a mother and journeying not only with the children at LVF-QC but to hundreds and thousands of young people whom she has touched lives at the CPC Communities. We thank the Lord for the gift of her person to all of us. Sixty years of being awesome. Sixty years of touching lives and giving hope! We always pray for her intentions, good health, and happiness. Sr. Ana Guerrero planned Sr. Vic’s grand birthday celebration. The arrangement and stage decorations were her idea. Indeed, she had the knack for making people feel special and loved because she loved them.

PAST PUPILS’ HOMECOMING

Nov. 19. The Laura Vicuna Foundation’s Annual Homecoming, with the theme: Home: Sarap Balik Balikan! Celebrated every Christ the King is the coming “HOME” of the Past Pupils, Vicunians, after being away for a long time to LVF.  Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA, and Past Pupils from the different centers of LVF organized this year’s homecoming via Gmeet.  More than 70 Past Pupils walked down memory lane as they reminisced their memories and experiences with their Salesian Formators, educators, and Sisters. Sr.Marivic Sta. Ana, FMA, welcomed the Past Pupils and gave a talk on the Spirituality of Encounter and Reciprocity. Heartwarming testimonies of the values learned and motivation from the Salesian formations that touched their lives and motivated them to change for the better were shared, especially the good daily day talks before starting the class, the SYM activities, and the gentle reminder to visit the Chapel and attend Sunday Masses have allowed them to grow spiritually. They were all grateful and blessed to become part of the LVF family. The gathering was blessed and ended with the anticipated Mass by Father Rex Fortes, C.M.

LVF ONLINE CATECHESIS

The LVF continues to bridge people’s relationship with God every Sunday during the catechesis facilitated by Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA, joined by the LVF- Child Protection Communities-Judge Jimenez, Hillcrest, Culiat and Vicunians in Provincial House in Sta. Mesa Manila. Sr. Candy reiterated that the “church is not a building, but it is a gathered people. We are the Church.”

LVF SOLIDARITYSERYE

In the name of solidarity, the LVF continued to share its blessings and stayed connected to community members. This effort is possible with the constant support of our donors who donates Bread, All Purpose Flour, and Puto!  This action shows that “everything in the world is connected.”

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE

Nov. 25. The first Sunday of Advent symbolizes Hope with the Prophet’s Candle reminding us that Jesus is coming.  Let us pray: Loving God; we thank You for the Hope You give us. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming. Bless our worship, and help us to live a holy and righteous life. We ask this in the name of the One born in Bethlehem, Jesus, our Lord, Amen.