Reflection

This quarter have learned more a lot.

Essence of Christmas

Love: The True Essence of Christmas

Every person has his own priorities, his own wants and needs. Some people may choose material things, while others may prefer tangible ones such as love, peace, prosperity and good health among others. No matter what these people wish for these holiday season, what matters most is that the desires of their hearts are granted as long as nobody is hurt, right?

This Christmas season, it is important for us to bear in our minds the reason why we are celebrating this yuletide season in the first place. In this month of December, it is a must for us to remember that our Lord came in this world in order to save us from our sins; He came to redeem us from the wickedness of this world.

We also have to recollect the fact that our Lord God is humble being born only in a manger. This is the message that is sent to us - we must learn how to humble ourselves, no matter how rich or financially wealthy we are because Christ himself symbolizes humility. Even though He is a son of God, He did not demanded for a special “birthing place” or become “man” in a wealthy family; instead, He was born in a poor family.

Anyway, the essence of celebrating Christmas season is not to have a house full of Christmas lights, having a tall and beautiful Christmas tree full of gifts underneath it and giving expensive gifts. Christmas basically means sharing what you have, not just the material things but also those that can only be felt like a warm, tight hug, a simple thank you, showing our appreciation to our loved ones and forgiveness among others.

Whichever of these are important to you this holiday season, just remember that it’s the thought that counts and that love is the most important thing in the world. When love governs our hearts and minds, everything will follow and we don’t need to wait for Christmas time to share our love to other people. 

GAD-VAWC

Violence against women (VAW) and girls is not just a major public health problem but also a grave violation of human rights. It extremely manifests gender inequity, targeting women and girls because of their subordinate status in the society. The United Nations define VAW as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.” Violence and the threats of violence can be experienced by every woman of any age, skin color, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, disabilities, economic, and social status.

Global estimates by the World Health Organization indicate that about 1 in 3 women (35%) worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence from intimate partner or non-partner in their lifetime. In the Philippines, the National Demographic Health Survey 2017 released by the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that 1 in 4 Filipino women, aged 15-49, has experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence from their husband or partner.

Because VAW appears as one of the country’s pervasive social problems, various measures and mechanisms have been employed and implemented to address it. One of which is the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, an advocacy campaign that is observed annually from November 25 to December 12 as mandated by Proclamation 1172 s. 2006.

Environment Awareness Month

NURTURE OUR NATURE

Environmental awareness means being aware of the natural environment and making choices that benefit the earth, rather than hurt it. Some of the ways to practice environmental awareness include: using safe and non-toxic building supplies, conserving energy and water, recycling, activism, and others.

The Environmental Protection and Awareness division promotes the protection of our natural environment, the health and well-being of our citizens, increasing awareness in environmental issues. It also facilitates the participation of Non-Governmental Organisations and civil society.

Nature is very important in our life. So, we should practice how to care and love our environment.

photo ref:https://images.app.goo.gl/h682AcxNfikvj36a9

Childrens Month

The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoined all private and public elementary and secondary schools to undertake activities in line with the celebration of the 2019 National Children’s Month (NCM) this November.

Education Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua, in DepEd Memorandum No. 147 series of 2019, expressed DepEd’s support to the celebration of the NCM this year which will be led by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC).

With the theme, “Karapatang Pambata: Patuloy na Pahalagahan at Gampanan tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan,” this year’s celebration of the NCM is made extra special as it coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC).

Pascua noted that the celebration of this year’s NCM is pursuant to Republic Act No. 10661 entitled “An Act Declaring the Month of November of Every Year as the National Children’s Month” which also commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989.

The NCM, Pascua noted, aims to “celebrate and recognize children as the most valuable assets of the nation” as well as to “emphasize the importance of their role within the Filipino family and Philippine society.” The law tasked the CWC, Department of Social and Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) to lead the annual celebration.

For its part, DepEd encouraged its offices and public and private schools to participate in major activities of the NCM.

This year’s celebration, Pascua noted, aims to “intensify public awareness on the rights of children and remind all sectors to be responsible in raising Filipino children to become well-rounded people, and to protect them at all costs, as enshrined in the UN CRC.”

Ultimately, the celebration aims to “empower children as rights-holders and duty-bearers to deliver commitment to promote, protect, and fulfill their rights as children.”

The said activities may include hoisting of streamer/banner of this year’s NCM celebration depicting its theme; recitation of the “Panatang Makabata” during the flag raising ceremonies on all Mondays of November; development, production and distribution of information, education and communication materials and other collaterals to include those developed by the CWC; in-class discussions on current issues such as bullying and conduct of child-friendly activities such as art contests and others

Finlipino Values Month Celebration