Verde Creatives Gives Back to Payatas

February was certainly a lovely month especially for the folks from Verde Creatives. They're a public relations and creative agency who's always had a knack in combining what they could do for PR and combine it with social advocacy. I've had the pleasure of working with them in several occasions, and I could see the passion burning every time they go out for campaigns, including how they care for the media too. 

This time it's different, as they took off their gloves for work and changed into plain clothed angels together with partners at community organization Munting Hiling, all for the people of Payatas in Quezon City. 

For those who don't know, Payatas was previously a dumpsite for Metro Manila and nearby cities. For years, it has been converted into communities, but still have some who are poverty stricken. Armed with their gusto to bring LOVE, JOY and SUPPORT, Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling held an event called "Verde Gives Back for Feb-Ibig" last February 13th at Payatas B Elementary School. Taking cues from their theme "All Kinds of Love!", they prepared gift bags, ice cream and more treats for folks at the venue. They also taught the concepts of universal love, family, romantic love, having dignity and inclusivity for everyone and several groups. This "Verde Gives Back" activity is just one of the many things that Ms. Bemz Benedito (their Founding Managing Director) used to do back in college, and still continues to this day. Her immersions were done in the same area, with the same people from Munting Hiling.

For them, this is now their CSR activity, which all started from that old academic requirement. She reiterates this kind of love to reach everyone, no matter what social or economical level they're in, especially those who are often overlooked. Ms. Bemz Benedito has been the previous chair for Ladlad Partylist and still continues to support LGBTQIA+ organizations til now. 

 

She also received the Global Transgender Hero award from the True Colors Fund which 80's icon Cyndi Lauper co-founded. She plans to do this service with Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling for the poorest of the poorest sector. She hopes these gestures would create more opportunities for the townsfolk, and have them gain access to help with health, social programs, food security, love, equality and more.

This certainly has helped a lot, but seeing how their efforts continue and include more sustainable ways is like teaching them to fish. It's a good thing. You are doing awesome work Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling! 

Abhorred, Avoided and Unpopular: Affordable Divorce in the Philippines by KATE COSETENG

Admitting the causes she's supporting as "Unpopular", Quezon City 3rd District Councilor Kate Coseteng is not about to let down what she sees as necessary for women in the Philippines. She is the first representative of Kababaihan PartyList which aims to be the voice of women in congress to enact laws that would benefit the public. Their Second Nominee Ria Romualdo is a registered nurse, and has sternly supported their causes in childrens health and welfare, based in Mindanao.

 Kate is no stranger in creating laws as she's been a Quezon City Councilor for 3 terms, has done the same in Valenzuela City. She pushed for the creation of Quezon City University, dialysis centers, PWD concerns, and benefits for solo parents (something she is pretty well known for). She uttered unpopular because these are certain things that people don't accept, especially matters that concern divorce. She lengthily discussed this with us because of the things that women go through. 

If set in an abusive marriage, it may also be physical, emotional and economical. She's optimistic it will get passed if it doesn't contain certain conditions such as "irreconcilable differences" as it is too broad to define and be accepted by lawmakers. I saw how practical she was and deal it without emotions, much like business and a numbers game rather than having just a feisty disposition. She focusing on going into it with pride, curiosity, knowledge that the causes are important. If you don't know, it is extremely expensive to get an annulment in the Philippines and it is extremely an anti poor legislation. The plan is, to have divorce be afforded by folks of any stature. She mentioned it being paid for as much as 5,000 pesos, all in. This could definitely be a game changer for a lot of women who couldn't afford the annulment process if they are abused. 

The KABABAIHAN PartyList is also very aware of current issues, and would want to address working conditions for women who work at odd hours. Call Center agents, BPO, Nurses, Bartenders, Security Guards, and the likes, they feel should have a place to safely leave their kids while they are working to make a living. They want a Night Care Center to do this to also be a place for refuge for women who are victims of abuse, to also have them train for livelihood and business, also get legal and psychological help if needed. They also want to help create laws that would provide micro finance so women could put up small businesses to provide for their families. This includes financial literacy, for obvious reasons. They also want to push for reforms regarding the LGBTQIA+ sector, to provide a more general view of the equality they've been longing for. Something that they want to do with reforms, even if it means they would have to start from scratch. 

Kate says "If you see the things we have on our platform are severely unpopular. It's a bit heavy to digest, but these are legitimate issues in our society. For example divorce, since we are a very Catholic nation, it's super difficult to pass laws like it. We already have passed a version in congress, but it met its demise in the senate. This goes the same with the SOGIE Bill that has already spent 24 years since its inception. Senator Miriam Santiago first did this in the early 2000's, and when asked what I could help with their cause, they answered just "respect", so we made efforts to make it less polarizing when it is sent to the Senate. This would be more like an anti discrimination act that would be applicable for all including the LGBTQIA+ community. Baby steps, we can't just promise platforms and not have progress." 

Here's her talk if you want a more detailed understanding of it:

Unpopular, yes, but it feels so necessary for a LOT of people. It was super nice to hear all these from her and how passionate she wants it all to happen. Women remains a sector that is heavily under represented to this day. I know so many folks who would greatly benefit from the laws she mentioned especially with divorce for abused women.

Do you agree with her?

Meet PERCI VILAR CENDANA | Your Working CongressMader of AKBAYAN

While the rest of the folks are in the bleachers watching, Akbayan took to the streets and the halls of congress to make sure check and balance exists even if all the odds were against them in recent years. Meet CongressMader Perci Vilar Cendana, second nominee and stalwart of your rights, matters on labor, the less privileged, youth, women, LGBT and various sectors.

He's not new in the movement. Hailed as the first openly gay university student council Chairperson in UP Diliman (at a time where homophobia was still happening), he fought tooth and nail with individuals that resorted to personal attacks, and faced real pressing discrimination in his early college years. Together with UP Babaylan (the country's first LGBT student organization), they eventually opened minds, avenues and spark change in the campus, and the rest followed suit. He feels in congress, he's doing the same bringing in the agenda that would benefit the needs of ordinary citizens. 

He says "My political life has always revolved around Anakbayan, I became part of it after college by working in civil society groups, an NGO like the Freedom from Debt Coalition (involves matters on economic issues), and fell in love with the work that Akbayan is doing. I was involved with them since they 90's til now. I then became the Chief of Staff for Senator Risa Hontiveros whom I already knew when she was in congress, and planned to run for Senate in 2010 (as Campaign Manager), 2013, then she won in 2016. I was then appointed for the National Youth Commission during PNOY's term. While working for the government was far from my mind, it was a time for reform, and I felt it was a good time to work for the country." 

He adds "I was part of group who organized pride marches, the one in 1996, over 100+ people who marched in the contingent in Manila. Last year, hundreds of thousands now march in the occasion. Akbayan is for equality, til today, it baffles me that security of tenure is still being discussed. The culture of ENDO/contractualization should never be done. We also do the same for women, LGBT, anyone who needs social services. Citizens should never be asking for it, it is but a right. Universal Health Care should be supported by all of us."

NYC was the same venue where he started the campaign about "Teen Pregnancy", working on the Reproductive Health Law. He also started with various efforts on HIV, and still on the SOGIE Equality Bill. He is now the 2nd Nominee for the Akbayan Partylist, bringing his experience to the House of Congress over 2 decades of experience in public service. He's quite aware that he's got big shoes to fill since several Akbayan representatives like Eta Rosales, Risa Hontiveros, and more have done quite well during their stint in the congress. Today, CongressMader Perci is pushing for the KIAN Bill. This is to keep innocent young kids from getting victimized further. He also will try to enable laws against mining, the nationwide availability of the right to care card (a version of which is already done in Quezon City), plus the most controversial one yet, a bill for "Mindful Parking" which penalizes those who will bodily reserve parking slots; which as of recent has enraged the public. 

Here's more of our discussion on video:

Together with Atty. Chel Diokno (1st Nominee), Dadah Kiram Ismula (3rd Nominee) and Akbayan Youth Chair Justine Balane (4th nominee), CongressMader Perci Vilar Cendana (2nd Nominee) and the Akbayan Partylist is committed increase effort and reforms against political dynasties, improve + hold rights for ordinary Filipinos, and continue to push for apt labor laws in the congress. They will also be participating in Quad hearings to hold folks accountable specifically EJK's in previous years. They will also help with regards to the rights of Moro women in various indigenous and marginalized communities, to work as a force who understands their struggles and the youth.

CongressMader Perci not only presents an option, but a person who's got a track record of work accomplished. Akbayan's not done with the causes they've so passionately worked on these past few years. Here's to more legislation work that is felt by ordinary folks, ones that deserve the help they could provide. It was a pleasure to get to know you!