Hardwork Equals Awardee

Three Merit Awards for JEDD today on their Information Technology class. Congratulations sweety! :) #‎Proudparents‬

Papua New Guinean's perception of the Philippines...

SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/jeffryfeegerart/?pnref=story

How Papua New Guinea delegates perceived the Philippines and the Filipinos, during the recently concluded APEC Summit.

Proud to be a FILIPINO!

Congratulations PHILIPPINES! Job Well Done!

SOURCE: http://assets.rappler.com/3720CF4E42D343579479296BF0BFB5CE/img/4B1BA6249ED44DC6A78CBAD64A1AF544/apec-road-metro-manila-20151103-1.jpg

In the recently concluded APEC Summit, let me congratulate the Philippine government who hosted the world’s biggest stage for one week, spearheaded by Pres. Benigno Aquino, on its success. Truly, this is something that Filipinos all took pride whether one is in the Philippines or overseas.

In furtherance, allow me to encompass briefly the Summit objectives. Under the theme “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World,” APEC 2015 focused on the following key priorities: (APEC Official Website)

• Enhancing the Regional Economic Integration Agenda
• Fostering Small and Medium Enterprises’ Participation in Regional and Global Markets
• Investing in Human Capital Development will fit, “a long-term effect” indeed, that will translate inclusiveness)
• Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities

As our television is bombarded with APEC activities in the past days over TFC and GMA TV, I’ve challenged my elder son, whose 11 years old, if he thinks APEC is good for the Philippines?

He contemplated for few seconds, and his answer brought me relief and elation that his cognizance is somehow aligned with his Mom smile emoticon He said, that “Yes Mom, APEC is good because world leaders get to ‘communicate’ with each other, and talk about conflicts and businesses.” I delightedly replied that conflict cannot be part of the agenda for APEC, but yes, communication and businesses are smile emoticon.

APEC expands the region’s growth story and include a vision of economic prosperity and interconnectedness felt at all levels—beginning at the grassroots. As regional economic integration continues to take form and strengthen, APEC 2015 oriented policies and initiatives through the prism of its inclusive growth strategy. Integration, as such, will be defined and advanced not only for the benefit of economies but also for the people that drive economic growth.

Truly, “INCLUSIVE GROWTH” is a humungous, overtly, excessively used word, when it comes to development. Yet, in what we all have witnessed in APEC and the APEC CEO SUMMIT, inclusive growth is slowly becoming a reality. The region’s prosperity will now spread to “micro-entrepreneurs” and “poor farmers”. A purely divine goal that brings tears to my eyes, as Inclusiveness will finally be felt on the grassroots level. My senior citizen parents are microentrepreneurs in Bulacan, and so I hope that the increased participation of government officials and business leaders will greatly influence the streamlining of business policies in the Philippines.

But then again, the Summit is one thing, but tangible planning and implementation are certainly on another horizon. I believe that to strongly feel the trickledown effect of growth, the government has to develop an action plan, or development communication plan to a devcom perspective, on facilitating inclusiveness.

Lastly, let me end this account, regardless of its awkwardness, and for whatever its worth, by citing a part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's address delivered at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit last Wednesday for his highlights on the inclusive growth,

he said, "No one should be left behind.”

The real essence of our being a developmental specialist.

Like · Reply · November 21 at 5:38pm · Edited

Philippines - Papua New Guinea Ties

SOURCE: http://www.rappler.com/nation/113181-philippines-papua-new-guinea-trade-ties

"For his part, O'Neill said technology transfer and technical assistance from the Philippines will be appreciated."

... an expertise that all Filipinos here in Papua New Guinea are all proud to beam with warmness and humility. Filipino pride, indeed!

Shortage of Onions in Papua New Guinea???? Whaaaaatttt????

SOURCE: http://looppacificassets.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_large/s3/thumbnails/image/07onions.jpg?itok=tbGgeeF8

Allow me to share an agony that expats here in Papua New Guinea, specifically in the central city of Port Moresby, whose been enduring for nearly a month the shortage, or more appropriate to state as nowhere to be found‘onions’ and ‘calamansi’ in all supermarkets as well as in wet and dry markets all over the city. Nothing on a similar plight have had happened before, and so we are all caught off guard. Due to desperation, my husband asked a Papua New Guinean colleague to buy us onions on their local village market outside Port Moresby, and it costed us P64.00 per piece!!!

Only expatriates have been buzzing dramatically about the shortage in onions, as Papua New Guineans are not really into cooking. While us Filipinos, are lamenting badly especially my kids frown emoticon, about the non-existence of both ‘onions’ and ‘calamansi’ in our daily comfort Filipino dishes.

In conferment to the given explanations found in Expatriates Association of Port Moresby facebook page, it was said that the ban on the import of fruits and vegetables is beginning to take a visible effect. Lae Chamber of Commerce officer Allan McLay, however rooted the shortage to drought that has affected production of vegetables in the Highlands (vegetable production capital city) and other parts of the country. Others entrenched it to frost that has been badly hitting the vegetable production provinces, likewise.

Drought, frost, temperature rise, forest fire, super typhoons, it is binding and evident that CLIMATE CHANGE is happening NOW!

With that premise, I devise a simple development communication plan for CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

Message Sources 
Climatic data and forecasts will be originated from the Meteorological Department and other government authorities, government research institutes, also from the universities and scholars doing studies on climate change and adaptation. Other pertinent information may also be gathered from the mass media.

Localised Messages 
Messages have to be laymanised, localised and translated into climatic information, agricultural knowledge model and advisory services significant to the needs of the local community.

Channels
Once message is transformed into understandable forms, they can be shared using a unification of folk media, interpersonal and mediated communication including local information outlets such as the pharmacies and village markets, use of ICTs, film, mobile van, etc.

Community Participatory Learning 
The heart of the matter lies in being able to integrate these different channels and messages into a hub of participatory community learning to build a community of learners on livelihood adaptation to climate change.

Desired Outcomes
Improved adaptive capacity leads to a successful livelihood adaptation options.

Furthermore, a development communication plan should be linked to the national and regional levels for sources of messages and for mainstreaming objectives. Nonetheless, PLANNING is one thing, but IMPLEMENTATION is another thing. The government must reinforce all its agencies and resources to contrive plan, strategies and implementation to mitigate, if not to curb the devastating effects of climate change. I strongly suggest that every government of every nation should put up a National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility that will synthesise the best available adaptation research and produce practical, hands-on tools and information for local decision-makers, particularly in the coastal zone.

And so expectantly, in the next few days, along with a better configured development plan of the Papua New Guinea government, I am hopeful to reconnect and cook our native ‘bistek’ again. Crossed-finger!

READINGS:

http://www.looppng-sb.com/.../review-decision-ban-fresh...
https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/adaptation

My Son's Favourite Scientist

JEDD or RENZ was speaking on stage as their class hosted the school assembly last week. He discussed about his favourite scientist ... none other than Dr. Jose Rizal :). I told him to pick a prominent one, but he insisted to share to the whole school about our Filipino ingenuity. Good job son! ‪#‎LoveYourOwn‬ ‪#‎ProudToBeFilipino‬

"Here's Not Here" ....

SOURCE: http://images.designntrend.com/data/images/full/68599/the-walking-dead-morgan.jpg?w=780

"Here's Not Here" - Morgan's past...the best episode yet :)...  Episode 6 playing now....

Humbling Indeed ....

SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/unicefpng/photos/a.323478174408449.73460.257935064296094/906810716075189/?type=3&theater

The Essentiality of Communication Planning

SOURCE: http://ba5137420c54bf2d4356-5030201674c729b9ee184c866197d6e1.r57.cf1.rackcdn.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/How-to-Create-a-Project-Communication-Plan1.jpg

Planning, in accordance to Community Tool Box Website (ctb.ku.edu), is a manner to organize behaviours for the fulfilment of specific goal/s. Our goal as development communicators is to raise awareness in line with our initiative's long-term benefits towards our community.

To develop a plan of communication for development, we have to consider some basic questions (Section 1. Developing a Plan for Communication):

• Why do we want to communicate with the community? (What’s our purpose?)
• Whom do we want to communicate it to? (Who’s our audience?)
• What do we want to communicate? (What’s our message?)
• How do we want to communicate it? (What communication channels are we going to use?)
• Whom should we contact and what should we do in order to use those channels? (How will we actually distribute your message?)

The answers to these pertinent inquiries establish our action plan and what are we needed to do in order to communicate strongly with our audience. The rest of our development communication plan involves three steps:

• Implement our action plan. Construct the message and distribute it to the target audience.
• Evaluate our communication efforts, and fine-tune our plan accordingly.
• Keep at it

Communication is continuous activity for development planners like us, which depends upon, serves, or is in some way associated with the community. The audience, purpose, channels, and message may alter, but the commitment to maintain relationships with key people and the media in the community continue. As a result, an essential part of any development communication plan is to continue using and revising our plan, based on our experience, throughout the existence of our development goals.

Goodnight! And thank you for reading.



Reference
Section 1. Developing a Plan for Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2015, from Community Tool Box: http://ctb.ku.edu/

Welcome to Papua New Guinea, David Beckham!!!

SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/Beckham/photos/a.146755971570.121766.84218631570/10153020915931571/?type=3&theater

CHURCH MEDIA AGENCIES to Train DevCom Specialists in PNG

SOURCE: http://www.nhchurch.net/hp_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/media_ministry.png

According to Ely D. Gomez, in a report written for the Government of Papua New Guinea entitled, Assessment of Communication Training Needs, he proposed the possibility of increasing the use of CHURCH MEDIA AGENCIES as training institutions to assist in providing trained manpower in the field of communication.

He furthered that churches here in Papua New Guinea operate media agencies which have excellent training programs in print media, broadcast media, and audio-visuals. Likewise, church missions have provided substantial training in the use of communication to support development in the provinces. 

It is highly called upon by Gomez that these church media agencies to continue as a training institution as the government embarks on a program of having people with adequate professional training in the field of communication.

In all subjectivity, for a communication plan to be effective and efficient, I accede that “training the trainers” is a nucleus for a favourable developmental advancement. However, it is not every day that we’ve concur stories, that a religious frequented institution can now be accorded to be a training institution. This speaks volume that truly, a genuine passionate communication planner sees no boundaries in conceiving transcendent developmental perspectives. Hence, DevCom.

Anniversary Gifts of My Boys :)

KUYA JETT and JEDD'S anniversary card for us. Thank you boys, I just hope that when you both grow up, you will realize more that "sacrifice" is a beautiful, positive thing that is of great opportunity for parents to show, fuel by their overflowing love to their children. Nevertheless, it is a moving gift to receive from you two. Love you both! :)

How ICT Impacts An Effective Development Communication Plan

SOURCE: http://image.slidesharecdn.com/devcomwriting-141104004245-conversion-gate01/95/devcom-writing-12-638.jpg?cb=1415062565

For those who are not familiar with Papua New Guinea (PNG), where I’ve excogitated my communication plan output, please allow me to share some facts that will clearly reverberate why communication plan is a challenge in this nation. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a country in the Pacific close to North Australia state of Cairns (an hour plane away) to be categorical, with around 8million people. Essentially, this is a middle income country because of its vast mineral wealth, however, very distant to what is the outstanding economic ascendancy of the Philippines; In a statement made by Australian government, PNG is: 

“Despite positive economic growth rates in recent years, PNG’s social indicators are among the worst in the Asia Pacific. Approximately 85 percent of PNG’s mainly rural population is poor and an estimated 18 percent of people are extremely poor. Many lack access to basic services or transport. Poverty, unemployment and poor governance contribute to serious law and order problems.”

Amongst other things, Papua New Guinea faces unique circumstances associated to remoteness; with a landmass nearly size as massive as California, PNG has 562 airports, with over 800 spoken languages, and the most linguistically diverse country in the world. In addition, literacy rate is less than 60%, and ranks 156th on the Human Development Index (SOURCE: Australian government). Discernibly, not good figures from a perspective of development agents such as ourselves.

With these given difficulties, communication plan is glaring to be a struggle for development planners. Nevertheless, with problems of these sort, information and communication technology in the outside world continues to proliferate by which luckily, is slowly infiltrating the telecommunication industry of Papua New Guinea. Network signal has been reaching the widest coverage plus escalating number of mobile subscribers. Thus, development planners are taking advantage of this advancement, on which they utilise these technologies and came up with a communication plan that will teach the teachers on how they will better equip themselves in teaching phonics and reading to young disenfranchised unable to read grade 1 and 2 students, living in the remotest parts of Papua New Guinea. It is extremely moving and inspiring, how the development planners meticulously devise ways and means in reaching out to the teachers, and ensuring that the communication plans are religiously carried-out on a daily basis. Hence, a technological approach to communication planning.

Attempts have been made to codify a close to perfect communication plan. However, apart from creativity, technology, and highly flexible mindset of the planners, it is worth to mention that longevity must likewise be considered. For a valuable long-term plan results are achieved by the systematic examination of alternative likely futures, based on combinations of identified trends and possible events. In other words, instead of attempting to predict a single unique future, communication planners must analyse uncertain future events to gain an understanding of the implication of a particular circumstance, or set of circumstances. In this way an organization improves its capacity to deal with change by being able to identify new emergencies and opportunities at the time they start to appear on the futures horizon, and plan accordingly. Hence, a futuristic system of communication planning.

My Dad's Surprise Serenade on his 90th Birthday

Surprise serenade (harana) for my Dad's 90th birthday celebration last month, courtesy of Music First Talent Training Center, serenaded by my favorite singer coach, coach Oreo =). Music First Talent Center, was where JEDD honed and developed his dancing talent =). Again, thank you coach Michelle Taytayan Chen for accommodating our request on a favourable rate =). Highly recommended for every occasion to make it a little more special. My Dad was surely flattered by this lovely gift. ‪#‎lateupload‬ ‪#‎ILoveYouDaddy‬ ‪#‎serenade‬ ‪#‎harana‬ ‪#‎singingtelegram‬

Kuya Jett as Altar Server =)

Hi Kuya Jett. When you first told me that you were going to participate for Independence Day mass as altar servant, I was caught off guard, as it is well known to me that drawing attention from others makes you uneasy =). Just like your Dad, you are simply an introvert =). While every students in Papua New Guinea, were so diligent scouring for their traditional dresses, you were equally engaged in rehearsing your routines in church. I was impressed, as the mass started, that you were seemingly equipped in what you were doing up there. It didn't look like it was your first time, which made me feel once more, how proud I am of you. Unfortunately, Dad and Jedd weren't able to see you, nevertheless, it was a job well done. Love you Kuya Jett!!! =) ‪#‎ProudMom‬ ‪#‎AltarServant‬

Happy 40th Independence Day Papua New Guinea!!!

Jedd's school celebrated the historical Papua New Guinea's 40th Independence Day. Every single student, Papua New Guinean or not, participated and dressed on their respective traditional dresses, which made the event a delight of festivities for the students, parents and guests attended. In addition, Jedd's group did a traditional dance but unfortunately, we're so distant from the field where they performed, and he's too small so was barely seen on photos. Nonetheless, their school program was one of the best Indepence Day Celebrations I've seen so far. Congratulations Korobosea! =) ‪#‎lateupload‬

Kuya Jett's Excellence Awards =) !!!!

Thank you Lord once again for this wonderful blessing. Kuya JETT or RALPH, have just received three excellence awards as third term ends today. He's the recipient of MATHEMATICS, LITERACY, and HOMEWORK Certificates of Excellence in their class. Thank you Kuya! Your brother Jedd, Dad and myself are sooooo proud of your hardwork and discipline. You truly deserve these recognitions. I love you Kuya sweety!!! =) ‪#‎MyFirstBabyIsAnAwardee‬ ‪#‎ProudParents‬ ‪#‎HardworkingSons‬

My Son, The Public Speaking CHAMPION!!!

Allow me to share with you, the championship speech of JEDD or RENZ, before the more than 700 students in their school. It was the first time ever that JEDD spoken before this huge size of a crowd =), yet fear was irrelevant, and his confidence was evidently soaring high. Last part of the video likewise shows his' proclamation as a winner. Have to admit, we're still not over yet with that "championship fever" that JEDD just earned =), but the best part is, many of his schoolmates are now familiar with DR. JOSE RIZAL, including the principal Miss Nichole, an Australian, who approached us and said, she took note of our national hero's name =). And the even better part for me is, I wrote that speech, hehehe. Congratulations again JEDD! Will never cease to congratulate you for being so brave, and hardworker. Don't dare change that. Love you, sweety!

My Younger Son, Winning A Semi-Finals Public Speaking Competition

Am still in Cloud 9 =), couldn't believe that my younger son, RENZ orJEDD have just won in PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION this morning on his school, and will be representing the Grade 3s to be competing with Grade 4, Grade5, and Grade 6 on Thursdays Public Speaking Championship Junior Division. This is his first ever Public Speaking Address, and first Public Speaking Competition, but he NAILED IT!!!! He worked hard for this, despite the initial fear of not be able to do it, but you grind, memorized and rehearsed incessantly, and obeyed my coaching, and so JEDD you not only did survive it, but you survived the speech EXCELLENTLY! You so deserve to be a winner! Thank you for bringing me and your Dad this greatest joy! We love you! Goodluck, and we're all extremely proud of you! ‪#‎ProudestMom‬ ‪#‎PublicSpeakingNeophyte‬ ‪#‎BraverThanNerves‬ ‪#‎grind‬ ‪#‎positivity‬ ‪#‎HardworkEqualsSuccess‬

Vacation 2015 - Cairns - Day 7

ACTIVITIES for this day ... Went to Rusty's Weekend Market (opens only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). This is a tourist draw place, and rumor has it, that we can uncover some good finds here. Well, we did find an $8 adobo, hehe, courtesy of a fellow Filipino settled in Cairns. There are in fact, several of our kababayans who are selling fruits and veggies here....We also dropped by to Smithfield Shopping Mall 20mins drive north of Cairns CBD, which to our surprise some of the shops were already closed as early as 2pm =) ... Later that day, we heeded a mass at St. Monica Cathedral back to city, where as expected, you will find a number of Filipino attendees =).

Vacation 2014 - Cairns Australia - Day12

 This is a super late post =). Forgot to do so. These photos were taken during Honey's birthday on which we spent the day mostly at the beach and did last minute shopping at RH Night Market for souvenirs. Headed home the next day.

Philippines As Steering Force In A Significant Stride to Agricultural Sustainability of Papua New Guinea (Conclusion)

Conclusion:

As I personally witnessed the stakeholders’ morale that is utterly contagious and buoyant in spirit on this divine occurrence which is parallel to them as their future, I couldn’t help but to wander myself…  This is it?  Yes, this is really really really it!  This is how “development” transpires to people.  This is how the trickle down effect of inclusive growth is actually unfolding to the mass of the people.

It is so moving how the success of this project will provide opportunities for locals and stakeholders to develop their unused land through sustainable rice farming.  The fact is, they are very much aware of these changes.  And that is basically where the embodiment of Development Communication is, the shifting of mindset.   The slowly evolving of their personal perception from being disenfranchise to being “empowered”.  Big word, forsooth! Yet, this is what I bore witnessed disentangled before my eyes.  Empowerment radiates from the successful harvest of the first ever hybrid rice in Papua New Guinea with the immense help of the Philippines Agricultural experts and technology, trail-blazed by the Philippine Ambassador. 

Through this project, stakeholders will be taught, will learn, and without averseness, will turn out to become a better version of themselves more than what they perceived themselves to be.  Through this project, they will realize the authentic meaning of hardwork, and they actualize it.  Then they will pass this self-value to their children, and to the children of their children.  Hence, an alleviated economic life for them.  A life that struggles no more for food to consume.  

It is so inspiring to witness how His Excellency Ambassador Tejano, not only that he’s been one of the brilliant minds and steering forces to spearhead this project, but in furtherance, he committed himself to this journey.  His cultural competency living in the country for 12 years, is equally admirable and noteworthy.  He speaks English accent the way Papua New Guineans do when communicating to the locals, and speaks regular English when talking to expatriates.  Hence, exemplified qualities of a true agent of development. 

During our travel going to and back from Gabadi, by dint of my random questions to the Ambassador, we’ve touched so many topics in various socio-political, and even personal matters that I love to share on my succeeding articles.  The Ambassador being approachable, like what Naomi (one of the staffs in Gabadi) said, “He seems to be an ordinary guy,” and they weren’t aware he is an Ambassador.  They said he is easy to deal with, I’ve got no different personal experience speaking with the Ambassador.  

On the course of our early conversation, Dr. Tejano asked me what I am taking up for my Masteral.  I said “Sir, I am taking Development Communication,” by which I quickly followed as DevCom being an unpopular course, by explaining of what DevCom is.  “Development Communication Sir, is about utilising the tool of Communication to foster social change,” I defined.  Through which he continued as I vividly remember, “Ah, you mean like a Communication Specialist who are task to change and persuade the mindset of the grassroots with open eyes, and to bring about development from its downfall direction.”  A response so vigorous that left me in awe.  I’ve stumbled upon people who are actually into the practice of development like health practitioners, extension workers, social workers, etc.  However, the way that Dr. Tejano articulated it, and deciphered the exact true meaning of Development Communication without my furtherance, my heart were instantaneously filled with so much joy, and I nearly bursted into tears.

Now, as I was writing this article, I figured out why the reaction.  Myself, being a self-affirmed emotional person and whose highly sensitive with other people’s feelings and needs, that is why DevCom is like a custom fit course for me, had realized, that during that brief DevCom exchange with the Ambassador, his eloquent thoughts about development had inadvertently contrived me a sense that development is “REAL” and not just a product of our ambitious idealistic imagination.  He made it sounded like development is “TANGIBLE”, and within arm-reach.  As I caught sight of the Ambassador who was personally reaping the grains, laboring, and working at the farm, hustling hard to coalesced this project, he just made me unleashed the complete equation in my mind.  That development is REAL and TANGIBLE, through PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, and PERSPIRATION, indeed, the unbeatable combination for success.  A legacy that he will surely leave behind when his envoy duties are over here in Papua New Guinea.

I was dwelling into this wishful thinking, that I wish my classmates in DevCom had witnessed and being inspired the same.  Or better yet, I hope the whole Benguet State University were here for this remarkable experience of a lifetime.

Allow me to end this article with partial yet meaningful quote from the Ambassador, during his interview by television media practitioner at the harvest, 

“Let this project be the catalyst to bring Kai-kai (food) to every table of the 

               people of Papua New Guinea.”

Philippines As Steering Force In A Significant Stride to Agricultural Sustainability of Papua New Guinea

“Development emanates from people,” uttered in low-key yet with strong conviction, and nearly visionary in manner.  These are the dominant and resounding words from His Excellency Ambassador Bienvenido Tejano, Ambassador of the Philippine Republic to Papua New Guinea, whom I’m more than privileged, grateful and honored to be an inclusion and witness an event that is discerned to be beyond the bounds of possibility to consign into oblivion, the very FIRST harvest of hybrid rice here in Papua New Guinea wherein seeds and technology are ALL imported from our country, the Philippines.

It instituted as a final exam requirement this semester for Production of DevCom Materials subject at Benguet State University - Open University in relation to my course of Masters in Development Communication.  We were tasked by Atty. Carino our lecturer, who by the way I perceived to be language par excellence in reference to his writings, to search a government institution and find out the latest development news involving Filipinos here in Papua New Guinea.   It was no brainer.  The Philippine Embassy in Port Moresby is the rightful office where in all likelihood I can derived sources of developmental programs Filipinos are associated with in this country.

With no attempt to waste time came the first business day after that online meet with our lecturer, I phoned the office of the Philippine Embassy right away and asked for a viable face to face interview with H.E. Ambassador Tejano.  It was uncertain initially as the schedule of the Ambassador is packed, and so I was told by the soft-spoken and accommodating Miss Bing, the Ambassador’s secretary, that my request is not possible to be granted between the time frame sought.  The ambassador is bound to fly back to the Philippines for speaking engagements before the end of the month.  I was balked with despondent as foremost reaction for the apprehended missed opportunity.  However, I insisted with a voice that is almost sounded like crying, that “Mam Bing, I badly need this interview, final exam ko po ito, at alam ko pong malaki ang contribution ng Pilipinas sa Agricultural sector ng Papua New Guinea.  My school’s (BSU) heart and core is all about agriculture, and they will be more than delighted to learn about these developments.  Mam, this is beyond words in significance, I hope kahit 30 minutes lang po na interview ay mapagbigyan po ako ni Ambassador.”  On which she replied that she will try her best but to no guarantee.  We ended the conversation in an option that if time is of constraint for the Ambassador, I suggested that in lieu of a face to face interview, we can instead resort to email interview where the Ambassador can reply during his spare time by which she agreed.  Except that at the back of my mind, I was devising the idea that after that day, I will personally walk-in the Embassy with no prior appointment, and just standby there until I chance with the Ambassador.  And perhaps, a strong probability of interview will be acceded.

As I was flicking on my computer those questions that I wanted to solicit from the Ambassador, disheartened and all, two hours after my conversation with Mam Vienna, my phone rang.  I knew it was her, as I’ve seen the landline number of the Embassy.  My eyes glistened with a thought that my pleading will finally be accorded.

Mam Bing delivered me a news that until now, I’ve been trying so hard to chase back to my senses if it really emerged to me.  She said, “You should get ready in 15mins, the Ambassador wants you to come over with them to Gabadi where the first harvesting of hybrid rice is bound to happen today.  He said, you can come with them for your school requirement, so be ready to be picked up.”  There was a quick pause, before I succeeded to find my words.  Bursted with excitement I said “Sige po, saan po kami magkikita?”

I just brushed my teeth, evaded time to shower, changed to my most comfortable tee and Roxy slippers as Mam Vienna told me to be in most possible comfy wear as it is a farm to visit, packed my digital and video camera, grabbed my phone, notebook and pen, and begged our mechanic Kuya Nelson to send me by car to a nearby supermarket where I will be fetched.  A black Land Cruiser with diplomat plate checked in the meeting place, after few minutes of waiting.

It was my first time to ride a Land Cruiser.  The diplomat plate, made that first ride to be even more special.  Kuya Eric, the personal assistant, a friend, and a chauffeur to the Ambassador is more obliging.  He calls me “Jo” (short for Joan), by which have instantly transversed me to a feel of being welcome.  Kuya Eric asked me to sat in front passenger seat.  The Ambassador was sitting at the back on his phone, but as soon as I ingress the vehicle, the Ambassador greeted me with complete warmness.  I extended to the Ambassador as we shook hands, my utmost and sincerest appreciation for the invitation, and for allowing me to be at one in this conspicuous event, for him as the Ambassador, for me as a querying student, and for Papua New Guinea as a developing nation.  It almost didn’t surprise me that the Ambassador has no bodyguards.  It was only the three of us who travelled.

Breastfeeding... Is What Women Are All Made Up For

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10320611_10153150341366145_2879897583595076376_n.jpg?oh=aae232c5e5dd6eb60431e0fabfdc6fda&oe=55AE2D32&__gda__=1437155159_d0053c7554e8989a56c6ef499e5a0ae7

I feared not be able to come up with this material as I was restrained by logistics and legal issues of this organization. However, persistence and hardwork coupled with divine intervention and kind hearts of the advocates, nothing meant will not happen. I for once, is campaigning for breastfeeding as I breastfed my younger son Jedd for three years exclusively. Therefore, I've got first hand experience of its beautiful benefits. Also, I myself is a breastfed baby, on which I thank my Mom relentlessly as I grew up competitive and independent.  The lady beside me is a newly given birth Mom who was breastfeeding her 3-day old cute little angel boy. I deliberately blurred their photos for their privacy. ‪#‎HappyWomensMonth ‬‪#‎SupportBreastfeeding‬

A Sunday Afternoon With the Philippine Ambassador

 

I'm more than proud to say that we have an Ambassador to Papua New Guinea whose hardwork, humbleness, and goal-orientedness are of significant addition to expediate development to this resource-rich nation. His Excellency, Ambassador Bienvenido Tejano once again, to my disbelief second time, asked me to came over to check the sophisticated rice dryer and packing equipment from China at PAU rice mill to be used for the hybrid rice. Hybrid organic rice is a milestone here in Papua New Guinea as it is a first. My whole Santiago pack did not either miss this opportunity =). #TheWorkingAmbassadorPNG

Why Education is Important

RURAL CLASSROOMS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

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I’m at one with my fellow EDUCATION advocates, as they recapitulate the weighty significance of education.  It is indeed our greatest agent for development.

Much has been said and laid on the possible solutions in acquiring literacy.  However, we shall not forget that educating its citizens is a primary obligation of the Government. And it is not only for moral considerations.  An educated population outweighs all the natural resources of the country put together. One needs only look at city states like Singapore and Hong Kong to know what education can do.  Yes, there are international organizations who have been there in our lifetime trying to cushion the problem, but then again, health and education must not be left to donor countries. It is the primary obligation of any self-respecting nation to fund these basic obligations.

Yet many developing countries such as the Philippines and Papua New Guinea may struggle for resources.  Again, the government “must” fund education, and they should do it absolutely “free”!

One of my outrageously feasible idea in pushing through an “absolute free education” is by increasing the value added tax by 5% to 15%.  Many first world countries, collect as much as 40% taxes in order to provide free services for its citizens. The extra 5% would be for the sole purpose of funding decent free education.

If the nation collects P2 billion in VAT annually today, then you are looking for an extra P100 million each year from the 5% tax increase.

To know, before you dig into the plate of rice in front of you that the rice packet might have cost an extra 50 cents, but that is 50 cents for the education of the children would be most satisfying indeed.

Thus, It is money worth spending.

SORCERY

It didn't occur to me that sorcery-related violence is part of the broader context of Gender Inequality and Violence Against Women here in Papua New Guinea (PNG).  People in this country still believe in witchcrafts and black magic.  My husband usually tell me stories of this kind; one of their good local guys, a Papua New Guinean, is no longer frequenting work believed to be inflicted by evil spirits as what the other locals claim.  Whenever my husband tells me stories as such, my judgment would always be, "Baka tinatamad ng pumasok."

But after I've seen this documentary by Vlad Sokhin, a Russian filmmaker and photographer, I felt disturbed, deeply saddened, and extremely enraged; that full-scale foolishness allied to this feature, can possibly cripple the important species of women forever.  I rekindled the question raised by Glyzelle Palomar, the 12-year-old girl in UST Pope's Mass for the Youth, during Pope Francis' visit in the Philippines, who offered question which left the Pontiff speechless.  She said, "Bakit po pumapayag ang Diyos na may ganitong nangyayari?"  The exact same question lingered in my heart as I glimpsed this video.  Question that I don't think, as Pope, will ever present an answer.

I hope you will spare a moment to see this moving video... click this link SORCERY in PAPUA NEW GUINEA



PRESENT:

The situation in Papua New Guinea is slowly changing. Women are raising their voice and can’t be ignored anymore by the local authorities.

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In 2013 the PNG Parliament repealed the country’s controversial Sorcery Act that provided protection for the perpetrators accused of sorcery-related violence if they were acting to stop ‘witchcraft’.

The country’s Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, publicly apologized to all the women of PNG for the high rates of domestic and sexual violence in the country. On September 18, 2013, Papua New Guinea passed the Family Protection Bill that, for the first time in PNG history, criminalizes domestic violence.

At the same time the PNG government reinstated the death penalty, which will apply to a long list of crimes including sorcery-related murder and rape. International organizations like Amnesty International and local human rights defenders believe that it is a step backward.

It is still too early to say whether the new laws will actually protect women or not. In a country where tribal rules and customs still hold sway in many remote communities, it will likely take years to stop injustice. But now, people are aware because local papers and social media are filled almost every day with horrific news about violence against women and girls.  Thank you to our DevCom specialists or those who work for media, in doing their roles as catalysts of change in a nation.



CITATION:
Crying Meri: Violence Against Women in Papua New Guinea is a long-term documentary project by Vlad Sokhin. Vlad started documenting gender-based and sorcery-related violence in PNG in January 2012. In the following three years he worked on his own and in collaboration with several print/online media companies, the United Nations and international NGOs.

4P's Can This Really Help?

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The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of DSWD, is what we usually coined "band-aid solution" of the government on the inevitable rapid poverty rate in the country.  Though legitimately, I have to commend Secretary Soliman for having the guts in materializing such programs despite and in-spite of these skepticisms;

--primarily, fund allocation that is directly given to the beneficiaries in "cash", is constant and on a regular basis which is a FIRST in the history of Philippine social welfare, and
--secondly, the uncertaintly of the government on whether the allocated funds or cash that are directly down-handed to the stakeholders and the indigents are really spent on what they are intended for.

Clearly, that is why this program is termed "PANTAWID", for this can only aid (presumably) the beneficiaries, "temporarily" in addressing their everyday survival needs.  The change and the passion for development must and should still stem from oneself.  Therefore, investment in unfolding of individual potentials, or Human Development, as how UPLB Professor Emeritus Nora Quebral defined development, would still be our primary weapon in warring poverty.  Hence, a DevCom mindset.

Bride Price In PAPUA NEW GUINEA Equates to Violence Against Women

  

Here is another interesting root from culture of PNG why violence against women here is prevalent.

They call this tradition “ BRIDE PRICE”...

BRIDE PRICE CEREMONY

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A Bride Price is a ceremony meaning the joining of a man and women, whereby the man's family would pay a price and present this gift to family of the Bride.  In traditional times would mean food and livestock, but in more modern times means money, food even a house, depending on the wealth of man family and the worth of the female.

There is nothing fallacious in this tradition neither in its act nor in its context for that matter.  After all, we also have a “dowry” system that is still a practicing culture amongst Bogobos and other Muslim tribes in the Philippines.

However, police said that “Bride price” is the major contributing factor today that’s why married men feel they can do anything to their wives here in Papua New Guinea.  Many men regarded their wives as materials they bought from a shop and not as their partners.  Police officials had received many reports about violence against women but when they arrested the husbands, they defended themselves by saying they had paid bride price.  Further, they were often told the fault was with wives and the husbands reasoning is, “they decided to teach them a lesson”.  As a result most husbands walked away free.

In my opinion, we shall affect the equality in gender on our own terms, when and where it matters.  We shall take it up a notch and show our empowered selves as women, when and where it matters.  Our gender shall never define our beliefs and capableness.  You can only be weakened, if you allow others to weaken you.  Thus, your values and your whole well-being shall characterize you as a person, but never the gender. 

The Face Lift of Baguio called URBANIZATION

CITY OF PINES - BAGUIO

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It is appalling to see how urbanization, akin to a paint brush, can shift the entire canvas of the face of Baguio.  From greeneries to industrial, from agricultural to commercial, and from natural to man-made.  Urbanism shall bring no harm, yet CONSERVATION of natural resources has been proven extremely difficult to achieve along with suburbanization.

We were chanced to visit Baguio City early last year as we observed my husband’s birthday on a place that we perceived, envisioned, and longed to be outside the hustle and bustle of urbanity.  We are from Marilao Bulacan by the way, 20-minutes north of Manila via NLEX :).  It was 2002 when we last visited the place prior to last years’.  Never did we realize when we succeeded the uphill, at the city centre, that we never really evaded the noise and overcrowding of Manila, for Baguio is likewise :), with cooler temperature of course!

What caught me by surprise on our way up as we self-drove and was widely awake; it was hard not to overlook the dead rivers that we passed through.  Not only is a few, if my memory serves me right, yet there are several dead rivers along, and to what I noticed, mining is the culprit.  It was equally daunting to see how houses and buildings had occupied almost the entirety of the mountains in the city central.  If only with the coldness, one will hardly recognizes that you are in fact on a tableland, because everything is covered with vertical houses, less trees, and volumes of vehicles hitting the road.  Tangible beacons of urbanization, indeed.  Nevertheless, we enjoyed our stay to the lovely city of Baguio, and promise to bring the entirety of my clan next time.  Armed of course, with a factual expectations of the place =).

Let me share with you a story, when I’ve met an Australian, who’s a husband to my Papua New Guinean friend.  He said, he used to work in Baguio for a couple of years and he loved it there.  He never mentioned about the quarrying and urbanisation in Baguio, therefore, I assumed he came and lived during those beautiful setting of Baguio several decades ago.  He said, he plans to go back anytime soon to Baguio.  I am hopeful that his adulation for Baguio will not be overshadowed by the eye sore of mining and quarrying going up there, which is once he decided to come back.

In closing, I’m a strong believer that COMMITMENT and PARTNERSHIP are the keys to conservation and sustainable development.  I commend BSU for emulating virtues in Environmental Sustainability.  BSU as one of the steering wheels, in partnership with LGUs and Government Agencies in helping communities and leading the conservation acts to save that one air that we breathe, one ground that we walk, and one earth that we live.  With appropriate planning, perhaps, URBANIZATION with CONSERVATION can get along well.

Fashion Industry Joining the Battle Against AIDS!

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It is a joy to learn, that not only developmental agencies such as the Globalfund, WHO, and the likes, are pooling for funds to combat AIDS.  Fashion industry has been joining the bandwagon for quite some time now.  In a recently concluded amfAR New York Gala last Feb 11, it honoured individuals who have made outstanding contributions to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The amfAR New York Gala has been one of New York City’s most successful and high-profile AIDS benefits since 1998 and consistently attracts and salutes some of the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, art, and AIDS advocacy. To date, the amfAR New York Gala has raised more than $15 million for amfAR’s life-saving research (averagesocialite.com).

On the other hand, it is keen to reckon that people with HIV who are not receiving antiretroviral treatment, can become ill with active TB disease within weeks to months, rather than the normal years to decades.  Hence, a co-infection.  The late Nelson Mandela, once president of South Africa where infection of HIV/AIDS is massive, corroborated this when he said:

 “We cannot win the battle against AIDS if we do not also fight TB. TB is too often a death sentence for people with AIDS." (tbfacts.org)

We also have to be reminded that HIV/AIDS and MALARIA along with TB are all, not only “preventable”, yet if plagued, are likewise “curable”.  Hence, there is this one million dollar question that constantly disturbed me; that if these diseases are veritably “preventable” and “curable”, why it is in greatest irony that the numbers of victims continue to escalate?  Moreover, why these afflictions predominantly happen in developing nations?  Pursuant to the reported figures of sufferer, do you think it is high time for the Philippines, to embrace the “Condom Culture”?

My Family's Little Discussion About HIV/AIDS

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I totally concur that pre-marital sex is the Pandora box of not only diseases such as HIV/AIDS, but coupled to different social issues.  More so, we have to remember that condoms are not 100% effective against HIV/AIDS.  Condoms do not protect you from STDs.  Hence, the optimal courses of action to avoid these diseases are prevention and risk avoidance, never complacency.  Abstinence and fidelity are concepts that are rooted in the character and values of the person.  These goals can be sustainably achieved with character and values entered education, not by mere information dissemination and slogans.

I have two kids, both boys ages 7 and 11.  As news of escalating HIV/AIDS cases are prevalent on TV here in Papua New Guinea and in TFC, my boys started questing me how these people adopted suchlike diseases.  I told them (pardon me with these wordings), “You are not permitted nor any other person to touch your genitals, otherwise, you will contract the virus.”  I know it sounded silly if not irrelevant.  Possibly some will discord, nevertheless I value it is age appropriate.  What I’m driving at is, my kids shall have to know their body foremost and learn the importance of their bodies.  To constantly ascertain them that what they have “down there” is not like any other parts of their bodies such as face which you can show-off, but rather as it is hidden it means it is sacred and must be taken care of.  And then later on in school as part of their Science class, they will realize what our reproductive organs are capable of producing, which is another form of life.  By which perhaps subsequently in their lives as their rationality have fully-pledged, they will come to a discernment that our body is consecrate and “sex” is not a past time.  As I’ve said earlier, “character and values education” are our principal artillery to combat these diseases.  I never said that I'm already there, but I'm crossing my finger.  What a delicate task for parents, isn’t it? =).

Further, I consort in teaching sicknesses as HIV and AIDS in schools as early as possible.  Children must learn how viruses of such cripple our body, weaken our organs, deteriorate our system, shorten our lives, plus the halting of our dreams and future because of social stigma.  And these diseases were contracted because of unprotected and premarital sex, and promiscuity.  Perhaps, it will be equally effective as yearly’s New Year campaign of “Huwag Magpaputok”.

HIV/AIDS, MALARIA, and TUBERCULOSIS, Diseases of Poverty?

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I would like to raise this interesting report of World Bank that HIV/AIDS, MALARIA, and TUBERCULOSIS are proven to be Diseases of Poverty.  A staggering 99% of people who die from AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB) live in the developing world.  The health problems faced by the world’s poorest populations are not caused by a lack of drugs specifically related to their problems and diseases as these are “preventable” and “curable”.  The real problem is ensuring that these populations can actually access vital medicines.  Medicines also fail to reach the poor because of weak healthcare infrastructures, which are inherently the result of financial and human resource constraints. (World Bank).

Here in Papua New Guinea, more cases of tuberculosis are being treated than before and case detection of the disease has risen to 89 per cent in 2013 from 61 per cent in 2010.  Global Fund have signed K130 million kina (P2 billion pesos) to support TB and malaria programs in PNG.  It is aimed to bring the treatments to hard to reach places in Papua New Guinea.

Malaria is much harder to control in remote parts of the world, but Papua New Guinea has had dramatic success in battling the disease. Five years ago one in every five people across the country had malaria parasites in their blood - that number is now down to two people in every 100.  One of the reasons of the success is that Villagers from the Highlands in Papua New Guinea are now been trained to detect and treat the disease in the community.  More so, in a recent unfolding of news, a small feeder container vessel consisted of 32 containers of mosquito nets owned by international charitable organization the Rotary Club through their subsidiary Rotarians Against Malaria, a not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) have given away Long Lasting Insecticidal Mosquito Nets (LLIN’s) which are delivered free of charge to every household in Papua New Guinea.

I recount when my husband first arrived here back 2009, Malaria was pestilent at those times.  We were hesitant for him to accept the job as one of his former colleagues contracted the disease while in an assigned work in Papua New Guinea.  He claimed he almost “died” because of malaria here.  In God’s grace and power of prayer, until now after nearly six years in Papua New Guinea, he nor any of us didn’t expose to malaria sickness.  (By the way, one week prior to his arrival in Papua New Guinea, while in the Philippines he was taking LARIAM, an oral medication for malaria prevention).  At present, malaria contagion in Papua New Guinea is hardly seen over the news.

To sum, ACCESS is the real solution in diseases of poverty.  Hence, cure and assistance must be brought to the masses.

Reminiscing My Ondoy Experience

Philippines is the 3rd worst contributor to plastic pollution in the ocean

According to the study, the Philippines placed third with a little over 1 billion pounds of plastic dumped in the ocean in 2010. China topped the study, dumping nearly 5 billion pounds of plastic in the ocean.

This was on the news last week.

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September 2009 was one catastrophic date in our lives.  We were one of those affected by Typhoon Ondoy.  I vividly recall as it happened on a Saturday at around 2pm.  Me and my kids were about to take a nap.  Rain had been incessant for days.  We were complacent as flood never occurred in our place came strongest typhoons.  But that Saturday, it was hardly surprising when water was rising up swiftly.  We’ve got no second floor, my grandmother who was alive then was already “ulyanin” and incapable to walk, I’ve got two small boys who were 2 and 6 years old, and my husband was abroad, only my mother and a nanny were with me, we were all female in the house.

I didn’t know where I seized my strength and unagitation that time, as we lift appliances including the refrigerator and all other stuff to higher portions of the house.  However, I decided that it was time for us to evacuate as water was fast ascending, I didn’t want us to be trapped inside our house.  A good Samaritan helped us and off he carried by arms my grandmother (she passed away a year after by the way, I miss you Lola.  He was 96 years old).  When I carried my elder son, and my yaya carried my younger son, my boys were already crying in fear.  I was also scared but I remained calm, thinking the safety of my family.  We weren’t able to bring anything but my bag with valuables and money inside.  As we went outside, water was more elevated, and we saw our car already submerged in flood.  Neighbours were similarly evacuating.  The current was likewise strong, that we had to grip a rope laid by barangay officials in traversing to a safe higher ground.   We stayed on our cousin’s place several blocks from us, whose house is more elevated than ours.

That night, on my own, I was walking in the rain barefooted, in the flood with no more current, going back and forth to our house and was checking the locks, securing important documents, and packed clean clothes for us.  Water came reached nearly three quarter high of our house, but when I came back that night it was down to chest level.  I never slept that night.  I was still in denial, that we just went through that kind of adversity usually seen only in movies.  That was when I really felt my energy was consumed.

We were thankful that God is so good there were no casualties reported from our neighbourhood.  It was blackout the whole night, cellphone signals were down.  The next day when power was back; never did we realize as we viewed the news that hundreds of people were actually killed by Ondoy in different parts of NCR.  I went down to my knees, and wept in silence hailing the Lord from keeping my family away from harm.

Since then, my outlook in life had changed.  First, material things are temporary, our life is momentary.  Everything can be taken away from us in one snap.  Better do good “now”, before it is too late.  Second, in relation to MDG7, CLIMATE CHANGE is really happening.  Ondoy is now the “new norm” in our climate and environment.  Places that were never been flooded before are now experiencing flood.

Worst, Ondoy and similar floodings all over the Philippines are caused by what is termed “plastic pollution”.  According to members and allies of EcoWaste Coalition, plastic bags account for most of the litter that clog waterways in the metropolis, making it difficult for floodwaters to recede after a heavy downpour.

I was trying to only maintain in my heart pleasant memories, and unpleasant ones take the back seat.  Yet for the benefit of this online journal, with deep breath, I reminisced.

I hope “ONDOY” serves as a lesson for all of us to REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE.