“Nung una nag-dadalawang isip ako sumali [sa creative workshop] dahil nung nalaman ko na tungkol ito sa family planning at GBV, baka sensitibo ito so baka wala rin akong masabi… pero nung pag-kapasok ko dun, ‘di rin ako aware sa ganitong mga bagay until nalaman ko ngayon yung mga nararanasan ng kapwa ‘kong babae,” Hijara, a young Muslim woman, stated after going through the life stories creative workshop.  

Last 4-5 June 2022, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted creative movement, visual, and life stories workshops with the Muslim cluster in pursuit of the arts-based research project. 

The arts-based research project aims to pioneer a more innovative, engaging, and accessible approach to the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention discourse through its arts-based methodology, while also widening the constituency for advocacy by drawing on the feminist standpoint epistemology to find approaches appropriate for sectors with different perspectives. 

The video highlights were developed and produced by the Feminist Media Lab for the UPCWGS and OXFAM Pilipinas. 

You may view the video highlights of the workshops here.

When asked how the SRHR workshop for the children cluster was designed, Teacher Buboy shared that, “Paano isi-simplify ang language, kailangan namin maging bata.”

Last 11-12 February 2023, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted the creative movement, visual, and life stories workshops with the children cluster in pursuit of the arts-based research project.

The arts-based research project aims to pioneer a more innovative, engaging, and accessible approach to the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention discourse through its arts-based methodology, while also widening the constituency for advocacy by drawing on the feminist standpoint epistemology to find approaches appropriate for sectors with different perspectives.

The video highlights were developed and produced by the Feminist Media Lab for the UPCWGS and OXFAM Philippines.

You may view the video highlights of the workshops here.

Mersey, one of the participants of the SHE Project creative workshops shared that, “ang masasabi ko lang happy, nakikita ko iyong ibang deaf, kung ano ang nararamdaman nila. We collaborate with each other and it’s fun.”

Last March and April 2022, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted the creative movement, visual, and life stories workshops with the persons with disabilities cluster in pursuit of the arts-based research project.

The arts-based research project aims to pioneer a more innovative, engaging, and accessible approach to the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention discourse through its arts-based methodology, while also widening the constituency for advocacy by drawing on the feminist standpoint epistemology to find approaches appropriate for sectors with different perspectives.

The video highlights were developed and produced by the Feminist Media Lab for the UPCWGS and OXFAM Philippines.

You may view the video highlights of the workshops here.

The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in partnership with the Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan/National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK), conducted the creative movement, visual, and life stories workshops in a hybrid online and in-person mode with the Young Adults Cluster last November 2021 in pursuit of the arts-based research project. The arts-based research project aims to pioneer a more innovative, engaging, and accessible approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention discourse through its feminist arts-based methodology.

This method can be more effective than traditional approaches in recontextualizing SRHR as more than a health and women’s concern and casting it more as a personal issue regardless of social standing and gender, and in producing and helping other organizations produce more effective and engaging knowledge products.

The video highlights were developed and produced by the Feminist Media Lab for the UPCWGS and OXFAM Philippines.

You may view the video highlights of the workshops here.

“‘Yung pangangailangan ng babae, ‘yung pangangailangan ng lalaki na kailangan mo rin malaman para magkaroon ka ng sapat na pag-unawa tungkol sa pangangailangan ng bawat isa,” one male participant shared during the creative workshops with older persons last November 2022 in Olongapo City.

The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in partnership with the local government unit of Olongapo City, conducted the creative movement, visual, and life stories workshops with the Older Person Clusters in pursuit of the arts-based research project. The arts-based research project aims to pioneer a more innovative, engaging, and accessible approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention discourse through its feminist arts-based methodology.

This method can be more effective than traditional approaches in recontextualizing SRHR as more than a health and women’s concern and casting it more as a personal issue regardless of social standing and gender, and in producing and helping other organizations produce more effective and engaging knowledge products.

The video highlights were developed and produced by the Feminist Media Lab for the UPCWGS and OXFAM Philippines.

You may view the video highlights of the workshops here.

Last September, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) Project Team conducted its 6th arts-based sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) research workshop with the Adolescent Cluster in Quezon Province. The arts-based research project aims to pioneer a more innovative, engaging, and accessible approach to the SRHR and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention discourse through its arts-based methodology – applying three creative methods: movement, visual, and lifestory sharing as starting point of discussions during the workshops.

The Adolescent Cluster workshop is just one of the nine workshops that the UPCWGS SHE Project Team is conducting under this arts-based SRHR Research. This research aims to recontextualize SRHR as more than a health and women’s concern, going beyond reproduction and family planning, to a broader discourse covering concepts such as pleasure, bodily autonomy, and GBV. The findings of this research will help inform the SHE Project partners and WROs in terms of identifying different approaches in tackling SRHR with their constituents and in producing more effective and engaging knowledge products.

The video highlights were developed and produced by the Feminist Media Lab for the UPCWGS and OXFAM Philippines.

You may view the video highlights of the workshop here.

Last year, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted the creative movement, visual, and life stories workshops with the LGBTQIA+ cluster and the North Luzon group in pursuit of the arts-based research project. The arts-based research project aims to pioneer a more innovative, engaging, and accessible approach to the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention discourse through its arts-based methodology, while also widening the constituency for advocacy by drawing on the feminist standpoint epistemology to find approaches appropriate for sectors with different perspectives.

This method can be more effective than traditional approaches in recontextualizing SRHR as more than a health and women’s concern and casting it more as a personal issue regardless of social standing and gender, and in producing and helping other organizations produce more effective and engaging knowledge products.

The video highlights were developed and produced by the Feminist Media Lab for the UPCWGS and Oxfam Philippines.

You may view the video highlights of the workshops with the LGBTQIA+ cluster here and the North Luzon group here.

Special Issue on Gender and Populism in the Philippines

The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) is launching the latest issue of its journal, the Review of Women’s Studies Volume XXIX, Number 2: Special Issue on Gender and Populism in the Philippines, today, 14 August 2020, 3:00 PM.

An excerpt from the Editorial Introduction: Duterte’s Philippines in the World of Gendered Populism by Cleve V. Arguelles and Veronica L. Gregorio:

“The resurgence of populism is one of the most significant contemporary developments to have affected the lives of women and other gender minorities in the Philippines and the rest of the world. The Review of Women’s Studies Special Issue on Gender and Populism in the Philippines (2020) critically examines the varied ways the marriage of patriarchal practices and populist politics has reinforced, re-shaped, and retrofitted the contours of hegemonic gender norms in Philippine society. Using a diverse set of scholarly lenses, the special issue pays attention to the pernicious consequences of gendered populism on the everyday experiences of Filipino women and LGBTQ+ communities on the ground.”

You may view the journal here until December 2021.

The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) and the UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc. (UPCWSFI), with the support of the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and the Office of the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines through the Angat Buhay Women, presented the second batch of fellows of the Angat Bayi Women’s Political Empowerment Fellowship Program on 19 February 2020 at the Office of the Vice President, Quezon City.

The second batch of Angat Bayi Fellows are Councilor Rhaetia Marie C. Abcede-Llaga of Lucena City, Quezon Province; Councilor Aileen Rhoda I. Acal of Candon City, Ilocos Sur; Councilor Louella Marie R. Agcaoili of San Mateo, Isabela; Mayor Ma. Rosario C. Avestruz of Barugo, Leyte; Vice Mayor Precious Joy D. Baguio of Batuan, Bohol; Councilor Ma. Karen A. Baldonado-Guillermo of Andres Bonifacio, Diffun, Quirino; Councilor Kristine Jane P. Barison of General Trias City, Cavite; Board Member Mila Perpetua A. Catabay-Lauigan of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Councilor Gecelle M. Fainsan of Odiongan, Romblon; Mayor Trina Alejandra Q. Firmalo-Fabic of Odiongan, Romblon; Vice Mayor Marissa V. Hao of Nabua, Camarines Sur; Board Member Margielou Orange D. Humilde-Versoza of the First District of Pangasinan; Councilor Mardella D. Matba of Languyan Tawi-Tawi; Councilor Vanessa Lyn U. Mercader of Las Navas, Northern Samar; Mayor Fely P. Pedrablanca of Tubajon, Dinagat Islands; Board Member Thea Faith T. Reyes of Roxas City, Capiz; Board Member Abegail V. Sable of Cordon, Isabela; Councilor Mayfair B. Sibug of Orani, Bataan; Councilor Rowena Verona S. Silvederio of Santa Barbara, Iloilo; Board Member Rosary Gracia P. Tababa of Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; and Councilor Maria Mylene Victoria G. Yaranon of Baguio City, Benguet.

Angat Bayi aims to develop and support current women leaders at the city and municipal levels who will carry and advance a people-centered, rights-based, gender-responsive, participatory, empowering, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development agenda.

The UP BS Interior Design Class of 2020 presents to you Project Kalinga: Nurturing Spaces for the Future. The past months, the team behind Project Kalinga dedicated their services to the University of the Philippines’ own Kalinga Day Care Center (KDCC), under the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS). The batch chose KDCC as the beneficiary of this year’s special project, seeing that the age group of the students in here marks the significant development in children as they transition to the educative system. The design considered the value of sensory design and the social aspect in the said age group. Aligning with the vision of KDCC, Batch 2020 strived to achieve gender-fairness in their vision of the space. The designers, with the help of the teachers, revisited what it meant to be a child and how they interact with each other and with a space. It was also considered how the teachers play a vital role in the expansion of the children’s ideas and experiences, making sure that the project was inclusive of their needs to allow them to work their best as well. The spaces covered by the renovation include the Reception Area, the Teacher’s Room, the Recreation Area, the Kitchen, the Storage Room, and the Restroom. An introduction of a designated Breastfeeding Area as well as a Dining area was also provided. All these were made possible not only by the students and professors who work on annually executing the capstone course, ID 179, but also with the help of generous people who continuously support and believe in the cause of the project. Once again, we wish to thank Hulma Manila Fabrication, Inc., Global Visions Events & Marketing, Inc., Saxum Et Sal, Inc., and Kuysen Enterprises, and to all our generous donors and sponsors for their contributions to this project. There are many more ways we can help in nurturing children’s future, and we welcome you to the batch’s way of contributing to this vision through the interior design discipline. Here are the before and after photos!

[By UP BS Interior Design Class of 2020]