#TagSciDoBetterNow: Sexual misconduct in Taguig Science High School

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"#TagSciDoBetterNow started as a response towards the allegations of sexual misconduct in Taguig Science High School (TSHS). A response has yet to be issued by the school."

A group chat full of students sexually harassing their female schoolmates got leaked, and now they're taking screenshots of those who are tweeting about this saying the consequences are going to be 'heavy'. Is that a threat?

While TagSci admin is sleeping tightly tucked in their beds, students are making noise to be heard.  Please hear them out.

You cannot consider TagSci or TSHS' tweets as mere rants. They are not throwing tantrums here. They are standing with and for the victims who were silenced and admonished instead of the molesters for the sake of the school's representation. 

Please don't forget that it's the students who make up TSHS and not the other way around.

This culture of impunity—be it within an institution or from the national government—must be brought to an end! 

TSHS, heed the students' calls!

We call for justice and action towards the cases of harassment, as well as the enactment and strengthening of anti-sexual misconduct policies within the school. 

We stand by the students of TSHS and call that their institution investigates this issue, and protect their students against any form of sexual misconduct, abuse and harassment.

TagSci is only one of the many schools facing numerous cases of harassment. We will not stop until justice is served to the victims. One school at a time. 

Heads, admins of education institutions have a duty to investigate cases and provide for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of acts of  sexual harassment in school. 

So apparently, the administration of TSHS is doing a crackdown of students participating in an effort to bring sexual harrasers to justice. Instead of helping the victims, the school is silencing protest. 

The TSHS student body will not be silenced as we seek sanctions of the perpetrators.

They need our voices to be heard.

We humbly ask for your support in this fight against human rights violators and further tolerance and negligence of cases of sexual harassment within the premises of our institution.

The teachers who are also victims can't fight because they're still under the TSHS but let's continue to fight for them and be their voice!

Dear Taguig City government, kindly act on the issue regarding sexual harassment at Taguig Science High School. The school admin wants to protect the name of the school instead of their students' rights. 

To the admin of TSHS, pls act now! The students are affected by these issues. This is the reality, and they are being traumatized because of your 'process', act for the students, not for the name.

Can we also call out to the students who were also victims of sexual harassment from the previous years? We need to hold accountable the perpetrators too. Let's definitely not forget those who are left unpunished.

Imagine your lifelong trauma being reduced to mere "negative vibes." Konting compassion naman diyan, please!

It is not a tale. The horrors, scars, and traumas that were induced and imparted to the victims and the witnesses (basically everyone involved) is beyond what words can delineate. 

Many are now coming forward to tell their sexual harassment experiences at TagSci. There are a lot of unspoken and unresolved traumas that were born from a place students called their second home and they carry them until now.

You hold so much power than you think, don't let anyone try to erase what had happened.

We condemn sexual harassment and Taguig Science High School’s incapability to protect its students and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Tagsci, if this is gonna be another episode of "patawag magulang" "suspension for a day" "dalin sa guidance" then, MY ALMA MATER IS DEFINITELY A TRASH! 

The school has been covering up these issues and letting it slip? Maybe because it doesn't want it's name to be tainted, but sacrificing the students in the process and tolerating the perpetrators.

No one should ever be scared to speak up. Now that a lot of people are voicing out about this concern, it's time to make actions NOW!

This call is not meant to cyberbully the perpetrators but rather to serve as a message that sexually harassing someone is not something that you can just easily get away. Hold them accountable! 

The end of education is character!

This is a call for Taguig Science High School admins to do better and give its students the proper and just environment that is fit for learning without the fear of being sexually harassed. 

Can you feel the power of Scientians when united?,

I hope other schools will also have the courage to do a movement and SPEAK UP. This ain't about being trending. This is about speaking for your rights.  

Collective action is better than fighting alone.

"Our integrity sells for so little, but it is all we really have. It is the very last inch of us. But within that inch, we are free."

#TagSciDoBetterNow

#StandForYourRights

Oakwood Drives Service Innovation with Launch of CABB Taxi Service for Guests in Bangkok

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The first hospitality brand to offer premium CABB services at properties in Thailand


Oakwood has introduced a new service concept to deliver optimum guest comfort and convenience while commuting in Bangkok, Thailand. Through a creative partnership with Asia Cab Co. Ltd, Oakwood Suites Bangkok pioneers the premium “CABB” taxi service that allows guests to travel in luxury and style. Renowned for its distinctive approach to residential lifestyle, Oakwood’s latest service innovation follows the launch of Asia’s first mobile club lounge at Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore, which redefined the evening cocktail concept at executive lounges in traditional hotels.

Inspired by the quintessential London taxis, CABB’s fleet of elegant blue wagons and liveried chauffeurs make a prestigious statement amidst Bangkok’s bustling traffic. Each CABB chauffeur is well-trained according to stringent driving standards as well as Oakwood Clean360, a robust global programme to ensure the health and safety of all guests. A partition screen, separate air-conditioning and cashless system safeguard passengers from physical contact. Equipped with an intercom, USB charger and complimentary Wi-Fi, guests are assured of seamless communication while on the roads. The wagon sits up to five passengers including wheelchair access.

“Service innovation is a pillar of Oakwood’s hospitality excellence. As our industry is on the cusp of change, there is an urgency to evolve our services according to guests’ expectations in order to retain our leadership position. Oakwood’s mobile club lounge concept brought evening cocktails directly into guests’ personal sanctuary whilst CABB is the creative solution for guests to travel around Bangkok in luxurious comfort and absolute peace of mind. We strive to reimagine the Oakwood experience so that our discerning guests will continue to enjoy the highly differentiated residential lifestyle that is unique to us,” said Paul Stocker, vice president, operations of Oakwood.

Newly opened in January 2020, Oakwood Suites Bangkok offers contemporary luxury to seasoned travellers who demand the best. With a total of 228 well-appointed studio, premier, one-and two-bedroom apartments that cater to the diverse needs of travellers on business or leisure, the property is designed for guests who expect unobtrusive service tailored to individual needs.

“Being the first hospitality partner to offer CABB services in Thailand is a mark of distinction for Oakwood Suites Bangkok. Apart from the novelty of daily commute in CABB’s elegant vintage-style wagons, our guests can enjoy total convenience and relax in comfort while on the road. This is a priceless privilege for busy travellers in Bangkok and we hope to be able to extend this across more of our properties soon,” said Lina Abdullah, regional general manager, Oakwood, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar.



Oakwood Residence Sukhumvit Soi 24 will be the 2nd property under Oakwood in Thailand, to offer CABB services after the successful partnership launch with Oakwood Suites Bangkok.



For more information, please visit Oakwood Suites Bangkok.

Preserving the Cuyonon culture

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Despite modernization, hopes are high in preserving the Cuyonon culture for a 16-year old child from Brgy. Tanglaw, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

 

Arjen Abubakar, whose family belongs to the Cuyonon Tribe, is sharing their culture through his artworks. The Cuyonon Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are known for their great preservation of their cultural heritage for years. Up to now, the Cuyonons still perform different customary activities such as comedia, performing native songs while dressed in colorful costumes and inocentes, dancing with masks made of fibers with leaves of grass strewn all over their costumes.

 

At the age of 13, Arjen already started creating paintings that feature his tribe’s culture, tradition, and arts. His tribe was his inspiration when he made his first artwork. “Doon [his paintings] pinakita ko ang mga kultura, tradisyon, at sining ng ibat ibang tribo sa Palawan. Inspirasyon [ko] ang iba’t ibang [mga] tribo dahil malaki ang ambag nila sa [aming] sining at kultura”, said Argel when asked about his artworks.

 

Showcasing the Cuyonon Culture

 

In 2015, Arjen’s family became a member of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) program for IPs. Through his attendance at the different Youth Development Sessions (YDS), he was able to share his talent and learn more about his tribe. Arjen was also able to go to a school where he developed his gift in expressing art through painting.

 

Being the second child in the family, Arjen knows how hard their life is. His father, Adan, a fisherman, takes home roughly Php 5,000.00 in a month that can only suffice the basic needs of his five children. He can clearly recall the days when his parents had to borrow from a nearby grocery store just to have something to eat.

 

Arjen recognizes his parents’ hard work just to send him and his other 4 siblings to school. Realizing their situation, the aspirant Cuyonon architect is eager to reach his dream by finishing his studies. “Ipinapangako namin sa kanila [his parents] na [kapag] umasenso na kami ay magkakasama pa rin kami”.

 

Sometime in 2018, Arjen was invited to join an art contest and exhibit that allowed him to share the Cuyonon customs. The event opened more doors for him to share his tribe’s culture through his paintings. “Pagtapos ng exhibit, sinabi sa akin ng teacher ko na may gusto bumili ng artwork ko at dahil nga kailangan namin ng pera pumayag ako binili nya ito ng halagang Php 1,500.00. Malaki tulong ‘yun sa amin. Doon ko naiisip na gumawa pa ng marami at magbenta”. This opportunity gave Arjen the idea to use his talent to help his parents while sharing their culture and tradition through his artworks.

 

Arjen’s favorite painting that he fondly calls Kultura mo, Bayan ko that symbolizes his tribe became a head turner and gained attention. According to Arjen, all of his paintings aim to call for the support from non-IPs and appreciate their customs as it bears a big share in the society’s heritage.

Keeping up with his dream

 

“Huwag [nating] susukuan ang anumang pagsubok. Tuparin natin ang ating mga pangarap para hindi masayang ang pinaghirapan ng ating mga magulang. Lalo na ang tulong ng 4Ps”, Arjen’s message to other beneficiaries of the program.

 

Arjen currently takes Arts and Design Strand (Grade 11) at Palawan National High School. As of this moment, he was able to make 35 paintings and sold 13 pieces that range from Php 500.00 to Php 1,000.00. His painting Kultura mo, Bayan ko can now be viewed at the Palawan Heritage Center in Puerto Princesa Palawan.

 

“Nais naming mga katutubo na mas makilala pa ang aming kultura at tradisyon sa pamamagitan ng media. Sa pamamagitan nito, mas marami ang makakaunawa ,tatangkilik at rerespeto. Kailangang respetuhin ang aming relihiyon at pananampalataya lalo na ang aming kulay at tradisyunal na kasuotan. Kailangan ng respeto, pag-unawa at paggalang para makamit ang kapayapaang aming ninanais”.

 

The Cuyonon child’s quest in preserving his tribe’s cultural heritage does not end in selling his artworks. Through his artworks, Arjen is able to share his talent and present a promising future for the Cuyonon Tribe – culture embraced by young Cuyonons and appreciated by many.