AIESEC Proudly Presents the Global Youth Fair

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Global Youth Fair (GYF), anticipated by many is an annual event of AIESEC in University of Santo Tomas held at the Plaza Mayor, of University of Santo Tomas last April 20, 2018. GYF aims to give Thomasians a glimpse of the different culture and global opportunities of different countries to support any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and create a positive impact on the world. Despite the sweltering heat on a searing Friday afternoon, the contributors of the event ardently promoted all the opportunities to create awareness.

On this year’s Global Youth Fair, it gave a glimpse of 6 different countries - Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, China, Cambodia, and France, and showcased its cultures and traditions through different booth games in relation to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It allowed the Thomasian community to see the world from a different perspective and to contribute in their simple ways. A different worldview gives rise to a more enriching experience.

Through the different booths themed with a particular country, the Global Youth Fair fulfilled to tie together all the rich cultures as one diverse experience. Each booth exhibited its own unique experience and AIESEC IN UST successfully extended this enriching experience to the delegates through the different opportunities it offers.

Veering towards Climate Change and Quality Education, this event attained to bring to light the most prevalent global issues being faced today and offered different ways to tackle it. The Land of the Morning Calm, also known as Korea, was zealously exhibited in a way that promotes wildlife and calls Thomasians to give it the ample support it deserves. Likewise, Brazil, being home to the world-renowned Amazon Rainforest, served as a platform to advocate for finding efficient and sustainable solutions to climate change and at the same time, increase awareness of the climate threats that this country is facing. China, on the other hand, takes the delegates’ educational abilities to a heightened level by enrapturing them to promote a holistic education in this country and help spark their eagerness to build sustainable communities in the future. Moreover, The Kingdom of Wonder, Cambodia, exposed the delegates to lifelong openings in Cambodia that would bring them to a nation rich in historic and archaeological displays.

Aside from tackling the different Sustainable Development Goals, this event also catered to providing opportunities for the delegates to hone their professional skills and talents. The delegates were made aware of the opportunities that could help them further enhance their professional experience in Western Europe. From the fashion institutions and classical art museums - France exposed delegates to its global technology prowess. On top of that, tapping on the hearts of aspiring Marketing practitioners is Mexico, encouraging all the delegates of Global Youth Fair to exit their comfort zones by broadening their networks all the way to the walls of Mexico.

All these opportunities along with the in-depth preparations of Global Youth Fair’s organizing committee, Thomasians from divergent colleges and faculties gathered to take their first step in maximizing their potential as frontrunners of society. Throughout Global Youth Fair, AIESEC in University of Santo Tomas exhausted all means to draw in as much prospective participants as they possibly could.

To know more about AIESEC, visit our website at www.aiesec.org.  Follow us also on www.facebook.com/AIESECPH for more updates!

Luzon-based Advocacy Groups Join in LoveYourself’s HIV Mass Testing

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Four non-government organizations (NGOs) in Luzon will join the “LoveYourself” in its “This is Me: Brave and Free” – a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) community-based mass testing on 26 May 2018. 

To join the HIV testing day on Saturday (11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.), residents from the cities of Mabalacat, Cavite, Puerto Princesa and Legazpi can register through the campaign’s sign-up link at www.bitly.com/ThisIsMe2018. 

In the northwest part of Manila, Pampanga-based group “Juan Posi+ive Movement Association Inc.,” better known as the JPM in Mabalacat City, is one of the major partners of the LoveYourself.

Wayne Baniqued, who founded the JPM in August 2016, said that their group was created because of the “unfortunate experiences” involving the struggles of persons living with HIV (PLHIV). 

“[The] JPM was established with the inspiration to create a support system that will help reduce stigma and help PLHIVs retain their self-esteem, self-worth and self-efficacy,” Baniqued said.       

Baniqued said that the HIV testing will be held at their clinic at 104-B Roxas Street, Barangay Lakandula, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

In Cavite City, “the Cavite Positive Action Group (CPAG) of the JCH Advocacy Inc.” will set-up its testing screening hubs at 804 Gonzales St., Barangay 11 Sta. Cruz where they will provide not only free screening, but also lectures on HIV. 

Founded by Joseph Honra, the president and chief executive officer of the JCH Advocacy Inc., the group aims to raise HIV awareness and “abolish the rampant discrimination and stigma” to PLHIVs. 

“Grab this opportunity, join us and be part of this tremendous event. Be brave, be a hero, be a friend and be a part of the change,” Honra said as he urged Cavite residents to take part in the campaign.

The H4, which stands for HIV in Roman numeral, will be the host for the community-based screening in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan at Amos Tara Community Center located in #41, Abad Santos Street in Barangay Masipag.

Peers Yuan, Bob, Jester and June, who created the H4, said that they also provide and promote “Health, Help, Hope and Happiness” among PLHIVs and also those infected with other sexually transmitted infections.

“Each of us were created unique, therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of ourselves – regular HIV screening is just one way to take care and value ourselves,” the H4 founders said.

The Bicolanos in Legazpi City can also join “This is Me: Brave and Free” campaign through “GAYon” at 32 Galang Compound, Sampaguita Street, Sagmin, Old Albay, Legazpi City.

Created by a group of young peer educators and of volunteers in a relief operations during typhoons in Albay, the Gayon was organized February 2008 and has started working on educating the youths about the HIV and other STIs.

Aside from lectures, the Gayon also offers workshops and peer education training, counseling, community-based HIV screenings, among other roles in their community especially reaching those from the far-flung areas. 

The LoveYourself has organized “This is Me: Brave and Free” HIV mass testing in bid to raise public awareness and action on it, as records showed that  persons diagnosed with HIV reached 912 in March 2018 alone. It can be noted that regions III, IV and V have increasing HIV cases following the numbers of the National Capital Region (NCR) incurring 294 cases or 32 percent of the total new cases.

The first-ever community-led multi-site HIV testing day is also supported by the DOH through the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and its NCR-Office, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., Save the Children, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines, Philippine NGO Council on Population Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC), AusAID Australian Aid Program and HIVOS Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation.

For more details on the “This Is Me: Brave and Free,” please visit the www.bitly.com/ThisIsMeInfo.

Duterte, Cusi Inaugurate Commercial Production of Cebu Oilfield

Wazzup Pilipinas!

OILFIELD INAUGURATION: President Rodrigo R. Duterte, together with DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, graced the inauguration of the Alegria Oilfield in South Cebu. The ceremony signals the start of the commercial production of oil and gas in the oilfield, which is currently being operated by China International Mining Petroleum Limited (CIMP), with its partners Skywealth Group Holdings Limited and Phil-Mal Energy International, Inc.

In the stage with the President and the Secretary are Cebu 7th District Rep. Peter John Calderon, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, Alegria Mayor Verna Magallon and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, (Rear) SAP Secretary Bong Go with the Presidential Security Group.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte, together with Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, graced the ceremonial commencement of the oil and gas production of the Alegria Oilfield in Southern Cebu on 19 May 2018.

The Alegria Oilfield is currently operated by China International Mining Petroleum Company Limited (CIMP), with its partners Skywealth Group Holdings Limited and Phil-Mal Energy International, Inc. in a US$8.563 million investment under Service Contract No. 49.

With this development, Sec. Cusi urged more investors in the oil and gas industry to develop the more indigenous energy resources in the country.

Sec. Cusi optimistically expressed, “More oil exploration activities in the country will boost economic activities and generate jobs for our kababayans.

The energy chief also mentioned that this milestone is a proud moment for all the Filipinos. The Alegria Oilfield serves as a major breakthrough in the Philippine oil and gas industry.

The DOE monitors the six (6) exploration wells drilled by CIMP and its partners with its first well in October 2014 until the completion of its sixth well in March 2018.

The six (6) exploration wells resulted in the discovery of oil and gas resources with potential commercial quantities of 27.93 MMBO and 9.42 BCF, respectively. For 2018, CIMP has programmed to drill three (3) additional development wells.

The Alegria Oilfield covers a total area of 197,000 hectares, with about 42,749 hectares devoted to the production area.

FIRE-UP: During the ceremonies held last Saturday (19 May) in Cebu, President Rodrigo R.  Duterte accompanied by Energy Secretary Alfonso G.  Cusi opened the valve of the China International Mining Petroleum Limited (CIMP) and its partner signifying the beginning of the commercial production of the Alegria Oilfield. In photo with them are the representatives of the Alegria Oilfield consortium and national and local government officials.