#DutertePalpak: Lockdown in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The only anniversary not worth celebrating. 1 year lockdown? Tapos wala pa ring usad? Our biggest problem during this pandemic was not the virus, but the government. 

Let me reiterate "The biggest problem during the pandemic is not the virus, but the government."

One year later with more than 600,000 caes and 5,000 new covid cases reported in A DAY.

We clamored for mass testing as early as March 2020 (it should have been earlier, anyare!? 

Endless lockdowns, late closing of borders, parties by high-ranking officials, compassion afforded to the rich and mighty but not to the working class, exploited HCWs... i could go on and on.

365 days quarantined.

No mass testing,

no research-based solutions,

no hazard pay for health workers,

no clear vaccination program,

but billions of dollars in debt.

Anyare?

Sad that we have to suffer and endure this much bc of the government's poor pandemic response.

What's even more frustrating is the fact that some people still applaud du/ter/te's leadership. 

So when he said change is coming, did he mean...this?

Ngayon lang ba natin narealize??????  There's 15b still missing, the country is in economic shambles, activists and journalists are being killed and incarcarated, and it's been almost a whole 365 days since the lockdown started. 

The government distributed Sinovac vaccines to our HCWs despite the lack of data on phase III clinical trials on efficacy and safety and peer-reviewed articles.

Other countries are now slowly reviving their economy. But in PH, we are now studying granular lockdowns because of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

We never flattened the curve.

Our vaccine roll-out is so insufficient and inefficient.

Government’s COVID-19 response is a failure.

Duterte’s leadership is undeniably a failure.

His incompetence and misplaced priorities is literally killing us.

Never again!

If you’re turning 18 before May 9, 2022, PLEASE visit and register to the nearest comelec so that you could vote for the betterment of our future. let’s not allow someone to ruin the future they’ll never get to experience. registration ends on September 30, 2021.

Elections matter. It's amazing what can happen when we elect people with political experience & empathy instead of social media trolls.

#DutertePalpak #IsangTaonNa #KwentongQuarantine

#WomenMakeChange: Inspiring Story of a former 4Ps Beneficiary

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Filled with passion, a Social Worker from Brooke’s Point, Palawan has proven that the virus cannot stop a heart who has committed to serve. Instead, it further ignited her desire to give back to her community. With a brave heart, she has continued serving the people even in the midst of the pandemic.

Marecar Gayamo works as a Municipal Link (Project Development Officer II) at the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Municipal Operations Office Bataraza, Palawan. After passing the licensure exam for Social Workers in 2015, she decided to join the government service. As a Municipal Link (ML), her tasks include coordination with key partner stakeholders to ensure efficient, relevant, and timely delivery of services for the 800 household beneficiaries in Bataraza. She is also in charge of monitoring the compliance of the households with the conditions set by the program. Moreover, as an ML, Marecar shall also ensure that proper interventions are given to the households to improve their well-being.

When the pandemic came, Marecar felt the need that she must go beyond what is required from her duty as an ML. “Ang dami pong nawalan ng trabaho. Lalo na sa mga benepisyaryo po natin. Madami po ang nangangamba kung paano na sila. Sinimulan ko po ang pagkilos, sumunod po sila. Kahit natatakot, kailangan kumilos”. For the 40-year old Social Worker, helping the beneficiaries of the program is more than a job she needs to perform every day. With or without the pandemic, Marecar is determined to continue what she has started as she wants to give back to her community.

A test of courage and determination

Marecar was 20 years old when she married Oliver. Since both of them were not able to finish school, it was hard to look for a stable job that will be enough to financially support their four children. Her husband works as a commission-based tricycle driver. From the Php 8.00 fair for every passenger, Oliver needs to pay a fixed Php 350.00 daily boundary (rent) for using the vehicle. “Minsan Php 50.00 na lang po ang naiuuwi niya”.

The mother of four clearly recalls how hard it was for them. There were times that only rice topped with soy sauce and cooking oil were served on their table. “Hindi ko po lubos maisip kung paano namin nairaraos noon. Man-Toy nga ang favorite ng mga anak ko. Mantika at toyo. Saka tubig at asin na ulam”, jokingly said by Marecar.

Until in 2011, the family of Marecar became a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Aside from the conditional cash grants, the program provides different activities and interventions to the beneficiaries. “Noong benepisyaryo pa po kami, may mga pagkakataon na pinaghihinaan ako [ng loob]. Pero kapag umattend po ako ng FDS, nagpapalakas sakin [ito]. Kahit sa asawa ko po malaking tulong ang bawat topic. Napakahalaga ng FDS.” According to her, the Family Development Sessions (FDS) has greatly stirred what her heart desires — finish school, and be like the ML who handles them. “Sa kaka-FDS ko po, halos mga topic e women empowerment. Kaysa magmukmok at intindihin ko ang problema, kailangang kumilos.” She realized that instead of waiting for an opportunity to come, she must create a door to possibilities.

Paving the way towards a better life

Marecar firmly believes that education can change the fate of her family. Thus even if unsure of how they can financially support her education, she pursued college. “13 years ako nahinto sa pag-aaral [at] 30 years old na po ako nag-aral ng college. Noong nagkapera po, pinambayad ko po agad sa tuition. Nag-enroll ako sa BS Social Work.” However, the couple knows that they must not rely on what they receive from the program.

Marecar and her husband have doubled their efforts to further support what their family needs. “Nakiki-boundary po ang asawa ko. Alas-tres [ng umaga] umaalis na po s’ya, tapos ala onse na umuuwi [ng gabi]. Naglalabada naman po ako sa classmate ko kapag walang klase. Kahit naka-uniform po ako. [‘Yung] mga project at contribution sa school minsan sinasagot na ng kaklase ko. Utusan ng mga lakad-lakad. Pasa-buy.”

According to her, it was hard to keep up with her dreams. But Marecar is determined to finish school. Until in 2015, she finished her Bachelor of Science in Social Work and passed the licensure exam the same year. “Napatunayan ko po na ang pag-aaral ay hindi binabase sa edad ng tao. Kahit 35 na po ako grumaduate…kung may pangarap ka, kikilos ka.”

For Marecar, the ‘man-toy’ is a reminder that she must continue dreaming for her family. She said that, now, the word ‘man’ in ‘man-toy’ no longer means ‘mantika’ (cooking oil), it means being a super wo-man — determined to succeed despite limited resources. On the other hand, ‘toy’ that stands for toyo (soy sauce) symbolizes a person who stays to-ugh in the midst of life battles and keeps up with her dreams. She believes that one must stay grounded and if you want to succeed, you must believe in y-ourself and work extra miles to reach your dreams. Because dreaming is for all — no age, no gender, and no race.

As of this moment, Marecar supports her younger sister’s education who is now in her final year in college, taking up a Bachelor of Science in Education. She also volunteers in church every Saturday and does charity work during her free time.



Captions:

Photo 1: Marecar finished Bachelor of Science in Social Work at the age of 35.
Photo 2: Marecar performs her usual day-to-day tasks as a Municipal Link of Bataraza, Palawan and ensures that proper interventions were given to the 4Ps beneficiaries.
Photo 3: With the support from her husband and four children, Marecar is determined to succeed in life despite the challenges along her way.
Photo 4: ‘Man-Toy’ remains a reminder to Marecar that challenges may come along her way but with her determination, nothing will stop her heart in achieving her dreams for her family.

FDCP Channel Hosts Cine Filipina on National Women's Month

Wazzup Pilipinas!


The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) celebrates National Women’s Month as it holds Cine Filipina this March.


“Cine Filipina: Juana sa Gitna ng Pagbabago” is being held virtually on the FDCP Channel (fdcpchannel.ph), the FDCP’s exclusive platform that allows audiences to enjoy quality local and international content online.


Feature films, shorts, and talks on women empowerment are available throughout March on the FDCP Channel.

A total of 10 films can be viewed through video-on-demand (VOD) for only PHP 99, plus there are two Cine Filipina talks, free limited screenings of the opening and closing films, and CineMarya short films and panel discussions also for free viewing.


Cine Filipina kicked off on March 8, International Women’s Day, with the free one-time screening of “Insiang” by Lino Brocka as the opening salvo. Five titles on the different realities of women amidst change and development were also made available from March 8 to 31:

“Sonata” by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes


“Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok” by Lauren Sevilla Faustino


“White Slavery” by Lino Brocka


“Chasing Fireflies” by Sheron Dayoc


“Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” by Lino Brocka


On March 15, the Official Opening of Cine Filipina will take place. The Opening Ceremonies will be streamed from 6 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on the FDCP’s YouTube channel and Facebook pages to be followed by the one-time free screening of Brocka’s “White Slavery” from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the FDCP Channel.

Five more films on women empowerment and gender issues will be added to the Cine Filipina lineup on March 15 and these will be available until March 31:



“Bagahe” by Zig Dulay


“Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria” by Remton Zuasola


“Lorna” by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo


“Adela” by Adolfo Alix, Jr.


“Miss Bulalacao” by Ara Chawdhury


Short films and replays of panel discussions from the CineMarya Women’s Short Film Festival will be shown for free from March 20 to 21. CineMarya is an initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in partnership with the FDCP, Quezon City Film Development Council, and Philippine Commission on Women.

The two CineMarya film talks from the 2020 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) that will be featured are:

“Women in Philippine Cinema” moderated by producer Armi Cacanindin featuring editors Tara Illenberger and Ilsa Malsi, producers Pamela Reyes and Ria Limjap, and director and cinematographer Lee Briones-Meily


“Women in Public Service” featuring FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño, DILG Undersecretary Marjorie Jalosjos, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chair Rachel Arenas with Issa Litton as moderator

From March 27 to 28, two FDCP Film Talks on Cine Filipina will be streamed live from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on the FDCP’s YouTube channel and Facebook pages:

“Si Juana at ang Lockdown” is on women in the film industry’s vulnerable and marginalized sector and their experiences during the pandemic (March 27, Saturday).


“Women Artists in Lockdown” is on art, womanhood, and the lockdown, along with the works that were made as a response to the pandemic and the lockdown (March 28, Sunday).

The Official Closing of Cine Filipina will be held on March 31, with the Closing Ceremonies to be streamed from 7 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on the FDCP’s YouTube channel and Facebook pages. This will be followed by the one-time free screening of closing film “Verdict” by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the FDCP Channel.



Championing women empowerment


The Cine Filipina selection consists of 12 feature films by male and female directors with unique backgrounds, milieu, and treatments representing the multiple realities and challenges that Filipinas have to deal with both in the past and present.


“This National Women’s Month, the Film Development Council of the Philippines pays tribute to all women who exhibit strength and fortitude as they continue to break barriers, stand up for causes, and bring about positive changes in society,” remarked FDCP Chairperson Diño.


“Through Cine Filipina, we hope to further the rights and welfare of women with our online film screenings and events. Our Cine Filipina film selection was curated to represent the story of every Juana — the struggles, the challenges, the triumphs — in light of gender empowerment and equality,” added Diño, who received the Special Award for Woman Empowerment from the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. in 2020.


Brocka’s “Insiang,” “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag,” and “White Slavery” represent the Filipinas and their struggles from the 1970s to 1980s. In response to Brocka’s masterpieces, “Bagahe,” “Chasing Fireflies,” “Ang Damgo Ni Eleuteria,” and “Verdict” compare and contrast how issues are dealt with and how women are treated and positioned in the new society amid the new millennium.

“Lorna,” “Adela,” and “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok” offer varying takes on the realities of older women in the country, while “Miss Bulalacao” and “Sonata” show how women’s choices on career, religion, and motherhood affect the narrative.


To watch the Cine Filipina films, log in at the FDCP Channel (or create an account for free) and click the Events tab. For more information and inquiries, visit https://www.facebook.com/fdcpchannel.ph or https://fdcpchannel.ph.


WEBSITE LINK:


https://www.fdcp.ph/media/fdcp-channel-hosts-cine-filipina-national-womens-month