As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in partnership with the UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc. (UPCWSFI), conferred the Dakila Awards on 12 December 2018 at the Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman. The Dakila Awards are given to the most deserving individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The recipients of the Dakila Awards for 2018 are Dr. Rhodora M. Bucoy, Dr. Junice Lirza D. Melgar, and Emmeline L. Verzosa for Feminist Activism in Public Service; Dr. Sylvia E. Claudio, and Dr. Grace J. Alfonso for Feminist Activism in the Academe; and Loretta Ann P. Rosales and Aida F. Santos-Maranan for Advocacy and Feminist Activism.

This year’s UPCWGS anniversary theme is “#KabogAt30: Trailblazing in Equity and Equality.”

As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) organized a Participatory Video Showcase on 11 December 2018 at the UPCWGS Computer Lab. The videos shown during the event were created by the participants of the Center’s Participatory Video Training held last August 6-10, namely the members and staff of the Samahan ng mga Manininda sa UP Campus, Inc. (SMUPCI) (“Tindahan: Kasaysayan at Buhay ng UP Manininda”), the Barangay UP Campus Family and Community Healing Center (FCHC) (“Family and Community Healing Center, Barangay UP Campus”), the Women with Disability taking Action on REproductive and Sexual Health (W-DARE) (“Ang Pangarap ni Michelle”), and GALANG Philippines (“Loud and Proud”).

This year’s UPCWGS anniversary theme is “#KabogAt30: Trailblazing in Equity and Equality.”

To jumpstart its 30th anniversary week celebration, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) organized Zumbabae: Patuloy na Pakikipaglaban para sa Karapatang Pantao on 10 December 2018 at the UPCWGS Parking Lot. The event coincided with Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly.

This year’s UPCWGS anniversary theme is “#KabogAt30: Trailblazing in Equity and Equality.”

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), the Office of the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines through the Angat Buhay Women, and Certified-Edu.net, held the first Course Program of the Angat Bayi Political Empowerment Fellowship on 15-17 November 2018 at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH), Diliman, Quezon City.

Resource persons were Dr. Nathalie Lourdes Africa-Verceles of the UPCWGS and the Department of Women and Development Studies, UP College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD); Dr. Jean S. Encinas-Franco of the Department of Political Science, UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP); Atty. Ibarra M. Gutierrez III of the UP College of Law; Dr. Maria Ela L. Atienza of the Department of Political Science, UP CSSP; Lina Bacalando of the Likhaan Center for Women’s Health, Inc.; Councilor Corazon M. Raymundo of Pasig City; Mayor Carolyn S. Fariñas of San Felipe, Zambales; Mayor Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro of Tabaco City, Albay; Mayor Flora L. Villarosa of Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte; Representative Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba of District I, Bukidnon; Dr. Carolyn I. Sobritchea of the UPCWSFI and the UP Asian Center; Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte-Alimurung of Quezon City; and Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio of the UP CSWCD.

Guest speakers were UP Executive Vice President Teodoro J. Herbosa, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines John T. Holmes, Dinagat Islands Representative Arlene J. Bag-ao, Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, and Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo.

The first batch of Angat Bayi Fellows are Councilor Charisse Marie Abalos-Vargas of Mandaluyong City; Councilor Candice Magdalene Alumisin-Tupas of Iloilo City; Mayor Viviane P. Alvarez of Oras, Eastern Samar; Vice Mayor Arlyn H. Arcilla of Virac, Catanduanes; Councilor Jom Bagulaya of Tacloban City, Leyte; Councilor Rema E. Burdeos of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Mayor Rosario Mediatrix P. Fernandez of San Enrique, Iloilo; Mayor Trina Alejandra Q. Firmalo-Fabic of Odiongan, Romblon; Councilor Lena Marie P. Juico of Quezon City; Councilor Mary Marjorie P. Martin-Chan of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Provincial Board Member Mikaela Karita S. Mendoza of Ilocos Sur; Councilor Maria Rosario Eufrosina P. Nisce of San Fernando, La Union; Councilor Annabel Pinat-Pelismino of Tubajon, Dinagat Islands; Councilor Rogelin Clemeña-Degoma of Panglao, Bohol; Councilor Elaine E. Teope of Luisiana, Laguna; Mayor Rowena R. Tuason of Masbate City; Councilor Joanne Ascencion G. Valdez of Candon, Ilocos Sur; Councilor Judy D. Vargas of Lingayen, Pangasinan; and Councilor Cecilia B. Veluz-De Asis of Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Angat Bayi recognizes the fundamental value of women’s political participation in achieving women’s empowerment and national development. It aims to contribute to the full, meaningful, and effective political participation of women towards a people-centered, rights-based, gender-responsive, participatory, empowering, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.

[With a report from Laniza R. Lacsamana]

As part of its staff development, the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted a Seminar on UP Gender Guidelines and UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code 2017 on 26 October 2018 at the UPCWGS Conference Room. Atty. Leo D. Battad of the UP College of Law served as resource person for the event, which was attended by the personnel of the UPCWGS and the Kalinga Day Care Center (KDCC).

The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted a Training on Gender-Responsive Early Childhood Care and Development Program on 22-25 October 2018 at the Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman. Resource persons were Prof. Excelsa C. Tongson of the UPCWGS and the Department of Family Life and Child Development, College of Home Economics (CHE), UP Diliman; Gina Rose L. Chan of the UPCWGS; Maria Cynthia D. Gealogo, Philippine Representative Representing Children’s Rights, ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC); Ramon Jericho C. Santos of the Department of Family Life and Child Development, CHE, UP Diliman; Prof. Lorena W. Tengco of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, CHE, UP Diliman; and Dr. Carolyn I. Sobritchea of the UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc. (UPCWSFI). Faculty and personnel from the different UP constituent universities (CUs) and various government agencies participated in the training.

[With reports from Gina Rose L. Chan and Christelle B. Bautista]

In celebration of National Mental Health Week, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) organized emPAWerment: Recognizing the Relevance of Pets to Women’s Mental Health on 17 October 2018 at the UPCWGS grounds. Prof. Beatriz A. Torre of the Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), UP Diliman served as resource speaker. Pets with their owners, animal lovers, and those who simply want to spend some time with the animals attended the event.

The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in partnership with the Research and Extension for Development Office (REDO) of the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD), UP Diliman, organized a Participatory Video Training on 6-10 August 2018 at the UPCWGS Conference Room. Resource speakers were Prof. Excelsa C. Tongson, Edgie Francis B. Uyanguren, Celeste F. Vallejos, and Valerainne R. Lopez. Members and staff of the Barangay UP Campus Family and Community Healing Center (FCHC), Alliance of Contractual Employees in UP (ACE UP), Samahan ng mga Manininda sa UP Campus, Inc. (SMUPCI), Women with Disability taking Action on REproductive and Sexual Health (W-DARE), and GALANG Philippines participated in the training.

The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in partnership with Babaylanes, Inc. and UP Babaylan, organized a round table discussion on Babae, Peminista, Lesbyana: Towards a Shared Narrative of the Women of the Philippine LGBTQ+ Movement on 13 July 2018 at the UPCWGS Conference Room. Panelists were Aida F. Santos-Maranan, Malu S. Marin, and Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio of the UP College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD).

[With a report from Christelle B. Bautista]

The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) joined the annual Pride March on 30 June 2018 at the Marikina Sports Center, Marikina City. This year’s theme is #RiseUpTogether.