PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE AS COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CHILDREN’S TELEVISION

On February 28, 2022, Sr. Ma. Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA was appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Pres. Duterte, as a Council Member representing the Child-Focused Non Government Organizations of the National Council for Children’s Television under the Department of Education for a term of three years.
NCCT is composed of the Council, Secretariat and Advisory Committee.
The Council Members of NCCT is composed of five (5) members who represent the following sectors:
1. Dr. Luis P. Gatmaitan -Child Development Specialists;
2. Ms. Sally M. Lopez, Broadcast Media Sector;
3. Atty. Santiago Gabionza, JR.-Academe Sector;
4. Atty. Leika Perlas San Juan-Parents Sector;
5. Sr. Ma. Victoria Palomo Sta. Ana, FMA- Child-Focused NGOs Sector
 
The Advisory Committee assists the Council Members in the formulation of national policies pertaining to children’s broadcast programs. 1. Council for the Welfare of Children, 2. Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, 3. National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 4.Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas; 5.Philippine Association for National Advertisers; 6.Philippine Information Agency; 7.National Telecommunications Commission
The Secretariat led by Executive Director, Desideria Atienza, provides administrative and technical assistance in the implementation of the Council’s programs, activities, and projects. The National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) was created pursuant to Republic Act No. 8370, otherwise known as the “Children’s Television Act of 1997” to: 1. Formulate plans and policies on educational children’s and child-friendly programming; 2.Promote media education within the formal school system and other non-formal means.; 3. Support the production of these programs through the administration of the National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television and recommendation to Congress of measure for provision of incentives; 4. Monitor children’s television program aired during child-viewing hours and take action such as information dissemination and recommendation of actions to appropriate regulatory agencies.

UPSURGE IN MARCH

Upsurge is a noun which according to Mr. Google means ‘an upward surge in strength or quantity’.  We dare describe our LVF month of March experience as such; with the world wide celebration of Women’s Month we kicked off with the celebratory advocacies on Women’s valuable, significant and irreplaceable role in the society and in our communities and families as well. LVF also observed the

• GIRL-CHILD WEEK with its Protective Behavior and SAFE Spaces Act Webinars

shared with several Public Schools in Negros Occidental.  Worthy of mentioning too was the

• WOMEN AND SYNODALITY ONLINE CONVERSATION

organized AMRSP & the Institute of Women’s Studies in which Sr. Marivic Sta., FMA our Managing Director participated at.  We continued on with our weekly

• Catechesis by Sr. Teresita Mislang, our
• #SolidaritySerye, the
• PASWI Circle of Prayer and our

monthly formation in preparation for the

• 150 th Year Anniversary of the FMA Institute with Sr. Teresita, FMA as facilitator on the Role of St. Joseph in the Church.

This month of March we celebrated the most important and waited event, our

• Educating Community Gratitude Day,

a Day of Thanks to our Community Animator Sr. Marivic Sta. Ana,FMA and the whole Educating Community.  Intensified

• Prayers too was offered for Ukraine and Russia

and for Peace in the whole World.

Indeed an ‘upsurge’ not just of strength and quantity this March but of giving hope, positive outlook and love.  Here @ LVF UP TAYO.

WOMEN’S MONTH CELEB

March is a celebration of women exercising their choices, taking chances to make their voices heard, and benefitting from and trailblazing changes. It is a celebration of Filipino women’s power to take the narrative, raise priority issues that matter to them, and call for concrete actions.
 
March 07. LVF SOCIAL WORKERS graced Barangay Pinagkaisahan’s invite, headed by its Punong Barangay Kap Graziella Saab, during the Kick Off Ceremony of the 2022 National Women’s Month Celebration which was held at Pinagkaisahan Barangay Hall during their flag ceremony! Capping the 6-year recurring theme of the 2022 National Women’s Month “WE MAKE CHANGE WORK FOR WOMEN”, it focused on the sub-theme: “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo Sa Kaunlaran.”  Mrs. Mercedes Juncia, LVF social worker led the assembly into prayer while Ms. Josielyn Hugo gave a keynote speech on the value and role of women in Nation Building to Barangay staff and councils as well as different women sectors.
 
But, what does it mean to be a woman? In this section, we will see that women are more than just looks and glamour. The LVF Community gave us a glimpse about them being a woman! And not only that, we are blessed that men also stands with us! LVF presents the BABAE KA SERIES:  

2022 GIRL-CHILD WEEK CELEBRATION

“Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women.” On March 28, the Laura Vicuna Foundation conducted a session on PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOR to students & teachers of Maria V. Lopez Elem. School in Sagay City, Neg. Occidental and on March 30, LVF Child Advocates Ms. Hannah, Ms. Eds, Ms. Jessabelle together with Ms. Rosea Monsay & Ms. Mercedes Juncia conducted an advocacy session on the SAFE SPACES “Bawal Bastos Law” to Grade 7 students of Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School via googlemeet! It was an interactive session as most of the students shared their insights on the new law and committed themselves to honor and respect each personal spaces. LVF continue to reach out children and youth, equipping them with the basic knowledge about their rights as a person with worth and dignity to be respected. Each one of us has the responsibility to take good care of our fellowmen and be heralds of promoting a CULTURE OF PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN.

ST. JOSEPH: A MODEL OF FATHERLY PRESENCE

March 20. In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Joseph, Sr. Teresita Mislang, FMA facilitates a session on the life and the loving presence of St. Joseph in FMA-Educating Community, to its Child Protection Communities, Oratorians of St. Mary Mazzarello Novitiate, MHCS-Mabalacat Pampanga, Aspirante Canlubang Oratory. St. Joseph’s values sparked a conversation during the session. His obedience, a good example and a role model with his upbringing to Jesus to fathers.  Mr. Mark, in his father’s point of view, shared “Gagawin mo ang lahat para protektahan at maibigay ang pangangailangan ng pamilya at gabayan ang anak sa Kristiyanog pananampalataya.” (As a father, you will do everything to protect and provide the needs of your family and most especially, guide them towards Christian Faith).

Jerill, LVF child participant, shared her experienced of having the fatherly presence of St. Joseph in her life as she said “Si St. Joseph ay hindi lng guro ng kabataan, isa rin s’yang mapagmahal na ama…naniniwala kami na sa bawat oras, bawat panahon na dumaraan, si St. Joseph, hindi mo man siya nakikita pero nararamdaman mo sya sa puso mo. Minamahal ka niya. Kung may problema ka, kausapin mo lang sya. Kasama nya si Hesus, si Maria na handa kang tulungan kung may problema ka. Kung nadarapa ka man, kaya ka n’yang itayo. Kung umiiyak ka, kaya ka nyang patawanin, ehele na para kang isang baby.” (St. Joseph is not only a teacher of the young. He is a loving father. We believe that with the passing of time and days, we may not see him but we can feel his presence. He loves us. You can come and talk to him whenever you have problems. He is with Jesus and Mary who are always ready to help. And at times, you may stumble, he will lift you up. He can calm your weeping heart.)  She, furthermore, encouraged everyone, children, young people, member of a family and the educating community to come together and build and unite as one family.   A special rosary preceded the said feast.

PASWI CIRCLE OF PRAYER 

Our brothers and sisters in faith from Mindanao gladly led the Wednesday Circle of Prayer for the month of March. We are grateful for PASWI North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos and Maguindanao-Cotabato Chapters! The PASWI COP really proved that there is unity in diversity. We are delighted that our Muslim brothers and sisters shared and open their doors, letting us in to their faith. Indeed, Catholics, Christian, Muslim, whatever your faith persuasion is, there is that common belief that someone is greater than us.

GRATITUDE DAY 2022:
LVF FIESTA FOREVER. INSPIRED. EMPOWERED. SAFE. KAYATHANKFUL. ALWAYS sa’yo SR. VIC 

Gratitude comes from the abundance of the heart! We cannot but dedicate days of Gratitude to one another and most especially to our Community Animator Sr. Marivic a day to express our sincere thank you for her presence in our community and her love, counsel, guidance and care of each of us.  Our theme says it all, we are INSPIRED by her life, EMPOWERED by her educative style, feels SAFE by her motherly presence and the HOME-COMMUNITY environment she creates that made our hearts burst with THANKFULNESS and LOVE!

Our community song… Bahay namin maliit lamang…. Dito ka sa Laura dahil may Pag-asa, tayo na sa Laura Mahal tayo ni Sister! … Mahal namin Sr. Vic pagkat s’ya’y SIMPLE lamang, kahit may problema basta’t kami ay sama-sama! says it all.  Sr. Vic is a very simple, caring and wisdom-filled person who is far from being higher than any of us yet effectively carries the community to greater heights.  Oyrs too is a simple community, not a perfect one but builds itself painstakingly day by day by the grace of God and the love of Mama Mary.  The day’s celebration will always be etched in our hearts, and may it serve as inspiration to all who read this article, that life need not be extravagant, we must focus on the ‘essentials’ to stay together in love.

Intensified PRAYERS  for UKRAINE and RUSSIA

“Lord, Heal our Land” was our constant plea to the Lord.  Our weekly WAY OF THE CROSS, daily HOLY ROSARY and daily EUCHARISTIC ADORATION was offered for PEACE in these countries.  We believe that our Good and Loving God hear our prayers and Mama Mary’s never failing intercession sustains the hope of the people of both countries  that war will cease and dialogue, brotherhood will prevail. 

Online Catechesis

LVF SOLIDARITY SERYE