Senatorial and Congressional Candidates Team Up for Health

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Senatorial candidate Risa Hontiveros and Representative Kaka Bag-ao campaigned together yesterday in Dinagat Islands. Bag-ao represents the Lone District of the province in the House of Representatives.

As they spoke to the crowd in one of the proclamation rallies of #TeamKAKA in the municipality of Cagdianao, they both recalled their similarities as public servants.

Both of them served as Akbayan Party-List Representatives—Hontiveros in the 13th and 14th Congresses; Bag-ao in the 15th Congress.

They also share the same advocacies. Hontiveros and Bag-ao, during their respective terms, became authors of the Reproductive Health Bill, which was enacted into law in the 16th Congress. Before Bag-ao was elected, she worked with Hontiveros in ensuring the passage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER).

“She was the first person to teach me about how to be a good legislator,” Bag-ao told the audience.

Bag-ao also encouraged Dinagatnons to support Hontiveros in the coming elections especially because of her platform that centers on health.

Aliwan Fiesta 2016 Winners

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We are sending our congratulations to the new Reyna ng Aliwan, Cynthia Thomalla representing ‪#‎SinulogFestival‬! Viva, Santo Niño! Viva Pit Senyor!

Congratulations also to the special awardees at last night's Reyna ng Aliwan pageant: Darlene Joy Tabuga of Pintados de Passi (Miss Friendship); Andrea Fe Gomez of Panagbenga (Miss Unique Smile); Cynthia Thomalla of Sinulog (Most Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Evening Gown).

Thank you to last year's festival queen Stephanie Joy G. Abellanida the first and second runners-up Alexandra Faith Garcia and Jaymee Palermo Pagulayan for being there at various events the past year.

Still the champion! Congratulations to Catbalogan for being the 2016 street dance competition champion! ‪

Meanwhile, Sinulog of Cebu bagged the float champion this year! Congratulations, Sinulog!

Risa Hontiveros Sweeps Senatorial Debate, Pushes for Mental Healthcare

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Compassionate, competent, compelling" - this was just some of the descriptions used by netizens to describe senatorial aspirant Risa Hontiveros during the second senatorial debate hosted by Rappler yesterday afternoon.

Adjudged best debater in all three rounds of the debate, Hontiveros was hailed as the over-all winner by netizens who watched the event through Rappler live stream and PTV 4.

Hontiveros spoke on issues ranging from the Catholic Church's position on reproductive health to benefits for barangay health workers to traffic and tax reform.

She spoke most passionately though about her advocacy for universal health.

"Seven out of ten Filipinos die without seeing a doctor. This is why I work. This is why we should work together”, she said.

Hontiveros also pushed for mental health care package for Filipinos.

“If I get to work in the Senate, simula na ako doon sa mga nasimulan na, so susuportahan ko 'yung pagdevelop ng PhilHealth ng benefit packages para sa mental health, both post-trauma o kaya yung addressing depression”, she urged.

Hontiveros also spoke candidly about her first two failed attempts to run and why she decided to run again.

"Tinatanong ng mga classmates ng anak ko, bakit ba ako takbo ng takbo".

She said that universal health is a goal that can be achieved through vision and hard work. “Healthy Pinoy, Healthy ‘Pinasis not just a pipe dream. Universal healthcare can be achieved in our lifetime”, she said, referring to her campaign slogan.

“Sadyang may mga bagay na hindi dapat bitawan”, she concluded.