Old But Never Forgotten; A Former President's Journey

Elpidio Quirino, the sixth Philippine president, had a fascinating life. Born simply in Vigan, he worked hard, became a lawyer, and made his way into politics. He climbed the ranks, serving in the House and Senate before becoming Vice President. When President Roxas died, he stepped up to lead the country.

 

His presidency wasn't easy – he faced the aftermath of World War II and a rebellion. But he focused on rebuilding the economy, helping farmers, and improving infrastructure. He tried to bring the country together and make life better for everyone.

While there were tough times and controversies, Quirino's legacy is one of dedication to his country. He showed that even starting from humble beginnings, you can make a real difference. He might not be as famous as other presidents, but his contributions to the Philippines deserve to be remembered.

Roots Shall Be Acknowledged, Indigenous People Must Share Thy Knowledge

October is Indigenous Peoples Month in the Philippines! This year's theme, "Valuing, Nurturing, and Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge," is especially important as we mark the 27th anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA). It's a time to celebrate the amazing diversity of Indigenous cultures and acknowledge the ongoing fight for their rights. We need to listen to their stories, understand their challenges (like land grabbing and environmental destruction), and work together to protect their ancestral lands and traditions.

This month isn't just about awareness; it's about action. Events and discussions give Indigenous communities a voice, helping everyone understand their struggles and contributions. It's a chance to build bridges and challenge unfair treatment. Let's use this time to really make a difference.

 

The real work lies in continued support and collaboration. IPRA is a good start, but we need to keep pushing for its stronger implementation and ensuring Indigenous communities have the power to protect their own futures. Let's celebrate their culture, honor their knowledge, and work together for a more just and equitable Philippines.

References:

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A Tough Heart Meets The Strong Mind

 For many of us Filipinos, resiliency, is a familiar word that we have encountered multiple time throughout our lives. It’s not a secret that the Filipino people have always prided themselves on their resilience.

        The Philippines ranks among the top three countries in the world for population exposure and vulnerability to hazards. In our situation right now, we are facing the stress of upcoming typhoons and problems all across the country. We can lighten the load on the negative side of the resilience scale by reducing sources of stress for families and program staff like helping

families, meet basic needs like food, shelter, diapers, health care, child care, guiding adults who are out of work through applying for financial assistance, creating and providing children’s activity kits and encouraging parents, program staffs, and co-workers to practice self-care. And with this resilience enables us as individuals, families, communities as nations and as a country, to cope better with the stress of the incoming calamities of nature, especially now that it's a season for storms. 

   

The strategic being a resilient Filipino is to acknowledge current reality, re-connect with the vision and values, communicate touch points for stability including a focus on the future, define what success looks like today and adjust as the future unfolds.

References:

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbarokandtakya.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F11%2Fresilient-in-filipino-drinking-session-in-the-flood.jpg&tbnid=NIYf4eglrEpuCM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbarokandtakya.com%2Fthe-spirit-of-being-resilient-in-filipino-culture%2F&docid=YyqNY3_F5Vt11M&w=600&h=400&hl=en-PH&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm5%2F4&kgs=6c7af2c0bdcde43a&shem=abme%2Ctrie

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Vulnerable Creations Must Be Protected From Monstrous Actions

This year's National Children's Month theme, "Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines," hits close to home. It's a powerful call to action, reminding us that too many kids in our country face danger every day.

Imagine a child who can't go to school because

they're afraid of what might happen at home. Or a child who's afraid to talk about what's happening to them because they're worried no one will believe them. These are the realities for too many children in the Philippines.

We need to do better. We need to create a country where every child feels safe, loved, and protected. That means everyone – parents, teachers, community leaders, and even each of us – needs to step up. We need to learn how to recognize the signs of abuse, how to support children who are struggling, and how to create a culture where violence against children is simply not tolerated.

References:

https://images.app.goo.gl/VwJGSgYV6aBk2T2w7

https://images.app.goo.gl/PSiSWyu7m7MCutkv7

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