Mindanao will get its fair share of new books, exciting publications, and well-loved titles in the much-anticipated Mindanao Book Fair set from March 13 to 15, 2024, at the Ateneo de Davao University’s Arrupe Hall.

Book enthusiasts, writers, and literature aficionados will gather for a three-day immersion into the world of books, ideas, and creativity at the Mindanao Book Fair which serves as a platform for promoting literacy and showcasing the rich literary legacy of Mindanao. 

Here’s what to expect at the Mindanao Book Fair:

Book exhibitions

A diverse collection of literary works from local and national publishers and booksellers, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature will be featured.

Book fair attendees will have the opportunity to discover new releases, bestsellers, and hidden gems from exhibitors including the following:

• ABC Educational Development Center Children’s Book, Inc.
• Bayard Assumption Media Foundation, Inc.
• Bookquick Marketing
• C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions
• Cengage Learning Asia Pte-Ltd
• Cerebro Solutions Inc.
• Edushop
• Fastbooks Educational Supply Inc.
• Forefront Book Co., Inc.
• J&M Magazine Subscription International
• Megatexts Phil., Inc.
• Mind Mover Publishing House, Inc.
• New Century Books & General Merchandise
• OMF Literature, Inc.
• Phoenix Educational Systems, Inc.
• Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
• S & D Mind Tools
• Serv Enterprises
• The Inteligente Publishing, Inc.
• St. Matthew’s Publishing Corporation
• Vibal Group, Inc.
• Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc.
• WS Pacific Publications, Inc/Learning is Fun.

Teaching and education workshops

Talks and seminars led by industry experts will be highlighted in sessions such as “Multisensory Techniques in Teaching Reading and Mathematics to Preschoolers” by St. Matthew’s Publishing Corporation.

Language and literacy for a world in transition talk

Drawing from his experience as an educator, Xavier School Nuvali assistant principal and literacy advocate Frederick Perez will explore the evolving landscape of language and literacy and share valuable insights and strategies to equip learners with language skills to navigate today’s world.

“We are excited to welcome everyone to the Mindanao Book Fair. This event is not just about books; it is a testament to our shared passion for literature and sense of community,” said Irene Lloren, president of Primetrade Asia, Inc.

The Mindanao Book Fair is mounted by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with the Davao Association of Catholic Schools — an association of 70 non-stock, non-profit private Catholic schools, colleges, and universities under the Dioceses of Davao, Digos, Tagum, and Mati or the DADITAMA ecclesiastical sub-region located in the six cities and five provinces of Davao.

For more information and updates, contact Primetrade Asia, Inc. at (632) 8400-9680 or (632) 8896-0682, 09477618201, or send an email at info@primetradeasia.com. —Rappler.com

For National Arts Month, the University of the Philippines (UP) will hold a “Tanghal Tertulia” to honor three of its living National Artists on the occasion of their birthdays – Ramon P. Santos, Gemino H. Abad, and Virgilio S. Almario – on February 26, Monday, from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Amphitheater of the UP Executive House.

Tanghal Tertulia, intended to celebrate the lives and works of the artists, also showcases UP’s pride in its role in the history and evolution of Philippine arts and culture. Indeed, the University has produced 44 out of the country’s 81 National Artists, and the Order of National Artists, or Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, is the highest national recognition given to Filipinos who have significantly contributed to the development of Philippine arts.

University Professor Emeritus Abad became a National Artist for Literature in 2022; Professor Almario (better known by his pen name “Rio Alma”) was awarded for Literature in 2003; and Professor Emeritus Santos was awarded for Music in 2014. All three are widely recognized for their prolific contributions to the fields of education, art and literature, criticism, and cultural work.

The event, with a title inspired by the Spanish concept of tertulia as a term for artistic or literary gatherings, also includes performances from other notable figures in UP’s cultural scene, including: Jose Dalisay Jr., Isabela Banzon, Michael Coroza, Vim Nadera, and Olive Nieto as readers; and Noel Cabangon, Eman Jamisolamin, Mika Lastrilla, Raul Navarro, and Hannah Osorio as musicians. There will also be presentations and performances by Dr. Verne De la Pena, the UP Concert Chorus, and Katubo, as well as the National Artists themselves. 

UP President Angelo Jimenez, who will give opening remarks for the evening, has expressed full support for Tanghal Tertulia as a tribute to UP’s commitment to strengthening, preserving, and enriching the country’s rich artistic heritage and vibrant, living cultural landscape.

The event is organized by the Office of the President together with Likhaan: the UP Institute of Creative Writing, the College of Music and College of Arts and Letters in UP Diliman, the Office of the Vice-President for Public Affairs (OVPPA), and TVUP.

Tanghal Tertulia will be available for online viewing at the TVUP links:  YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@TVUPph; Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TVUP.ph/

For the cross posting in online platforms, contact 0917 869 3718 (Claudette) for the link.

Limited slots due to limited seating capacity are available for UP faculty, students, staff and alumni.  RSVP on a first come, first served basis at https://forms.gle/JQdriexw2VJJ8qbU6. Present a valid ID at the registration table at the event site.

For media inquiries, contact Ms. Jingjing Romero, Contact Numbers: 0917 853 2415 / 0918 904 2415

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Incorporated (SEIPI) is proud to announce its upcoming event, the 1st Quarter General Membership Meeting and Partner of the Industry Awards on February 23, 2024, at The Palms Country Club, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila. 

Themed “Charting the Future of the Industry Through Robust Economic Initiatives,” this event promises to bring together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and experts to discuss critical issues and opportunities facing the semiconductor and electronics sectors. 

The event will feature a lineup of distinguished speakers, including a keynote message delivered by Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director-General Tereso Panga; industry updates, and welcome remarks from SEIPI President Dr. Danilo Lachica.

Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights into the industry’s future with presentations from esteemed leaders such as Grupo EMS chairman and CEO Perry Ferrer, AVP and corporate relationship management head Dennis Magbatoc of PLDT, Analog Devices’ country manager Miles Ramirez, and Allegro Microsystems Philippines Incorporated managing director Jackerthor Sadie. 

One of the event’s featured segments is the Partner of the Industry Awards, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the Philippine electronics industry. 

This event is made possible by SEIPI’s Annual Business Partners including First Gen, Globe Business, ACEN, Meralco, PLDT Enterprise, and Aboitiz Power. 

In addition, this event is sponsored by: Berde Renewables, BSI, Moog, Northstar Technologies, SGS, AyalaLand Premier, Bry Air, Greenphils Incorporated, MPower, Omniversal Assurance Agency Corporation, Savii, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Ark One, and Alveo. 

Registration for the event is still open, and interested attendees may register via this link.

For inquiries and further information, please contact Mary Tayag at mary.tayag@seipi.org.ph. – Rappler.com

The Honorable Leila de Lima, politician, lawyer, human rights activist, and law professor will be the featured lecturer for the 2024 Adrian E. Cristobal Lecture Series.

The event will be on February 20, at 3 pm, at the Gimenez Gallery of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The Cristobal family established the Adrian E. Cristobal Lecture Series in collaboration with the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) or the Writers’ Union of the Philippines. It aims to honor the intellectual legacy of the late renowned writer and former UMPIL chair emeritus. In each lecture, a renowned Filipino intellectual delivers a keynote speech on a topic related to a current socio-political condition in the country or a cultural development.

Past lecturers include Gemino Abad (2011), Virgilio Almario (2012), Resil Mojares (2013), Reynaldo Ileto (2014), Solita Monsod (2015), Marites Vitug (2016), Alfred Yuson (2017), Soledad Reyes (2018), Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo (2019), Antonio Carpio (2020), Ninotchka Rosca (2021), Sheila Coronel (2022), and Inday Espina Varona (2023).

De Lima served as chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights under the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2008 to 2010. Her two-year term covered high-profile cases, such as the Davao Death Squad in which former president Duterte was involved, human rights cases against General Palparan, and the Maguindanao Massacre.

In 2010, she was offered the position of secretary of justice by President Benigno Aquino III, a post she held from 2010 to 2015. In 2016, De Lima won a Senate seat under the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid of the Liberal Party. As a senator, she condemned the Philippine drug war and urged Congress to investigate the extrajudicial killings of drug suspects. Barely a year later, De Lima was arrested on trumped-up charges of drug trafficking, among others.

In 2022, immediately after Duterte’s term, all major witnesses to the charges against De Lima recanted their testimonies. On November 13, 2023, the Muntinlupa RTC granted De Lima’s petition for bail on her remaining drug charge, guaranteeing her release after six years in detention.

The lecture is jointly presented by the Cristóbal family, UMPIL, the College of Arts and Letters of the University of the Philippines Diliman, and the Ignacio B. Gimenez Foundation Inc.

The event is open to the public. Everyone is invited, but we need you to register for a controlled number of attendees. Kindly confirm attendance by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/J1vD5CtHEfSQmeU57 – Rappler.com

The milestone inauguration comes just one month after the USTAAHK was both formally recognised as a registered society (Society registration number: 0065480) by the Hong Kong government in December 2023, and a duly registered Philippine organisation with the Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong the same month. 

The USTAAHK is made up of 13 founding members, namely Jan Yumul, president of USTAAHK; Nobel Gabasan, vice president; Anna Pendry, public relations officer; Mr. Erwin Regalado, secretary; Byron Agarano, treasurer; and Joel Almeda, auditor. 

Pendry, Gabasan, Almeda, Agarano, and Regalado, also serve concurrent roles, as chairperson, Socio-Cultural Events Committee; vice chairperson, Socio-Cultural Events Committee; chairperson, Finance Committee; vice chairperson, Finance committee, and chairperson, Sports and Games committee, respectively. 

Other founding committees include Tanya Sales Manzano, chairperson for external affairs, Communications and Marketing ; John Go, chairperson for internal affairs, Communications and Marketing; Joy Alba, chairperson, Membership and Presence; Maureen Pickering, vice chairperson, Membership and Presence; Jenely de Ocampo, chairperson, Advocacy; Michelle Rea Yongque, vice chairperson, Advocacy; and Victorino Baltazar, vice chairperson, Sports and Games. 

While the UST alumni in Hong Kong have previously organised social, family-oriented, and team-building activities, this marks the first time the group has formalised their association where an induction ceremony was held at The Hive in Sheung Wan. The event was well supported with the attendees reaching more than 100 Thomasian alumni, business representatives, academic representatives, community leaders, and nonprofit organisations. 

Thomasian core values

Newly designated Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, a Juris Doctor (Doctor of Law) graduate from UST, graced the event as keynote speaker and administered USTAAHK’s founding officers’ oath. 

In her speech, Aguilar-Usudan said the UST “is not only the university where we pursued our education and earned our degrees”, but it was also “the place that developed our character and who we are today”. 

“Its core values, namely ‘competence, compassion and commitment, guide us in the pursuit of our dreams and aspirations,” said Aguilar-Usudan. 

“As founding officers of the USTAAHK, you are expected to perform your task with competence, to serve everyone with compassion, and to fulfil your mandate with commitment. Let us all serve our kababayans in HK, ‘the UST way’ and make our alma mater proud,” she added. 

The Consul General also seized the opportunity to wish the attendees a belated New Year, and an advance Lunar New Year. 

“2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon. It is expected to be a great year to start new projects, explore new opportunities and create value for yourself and others. A very suitable year for the new USTAAHK. Congratulations!” said Aguilar-Usudan. 

“I wish all of you good health, happiness, and a successful new year ahead. Maraming, maraming salamat po. Mabuhay! Mabuhay ang UST! Mabuhay, mabuhay ang USTAAHK. Maraming Salamat,” she added. 

The induction ceremony was also supported by guests who flew in from UST Manila, namely the UST Office of Alumni Relations (OAR), led by Ms. Joreen Rocamora, acting director of UST-OAR; Carla Romina, alumni engagement officer of UST-OAR; and Marlot Ira Coleen Ngo, web data management officer at UST-OAR. 

Dr. Evelyn Songco, chairman of UST Alumni Association Inc. (USTAAI), also graced the event. In her opening remarks, she linked the latest addition of the USTAAHK to the USTAAI family to that of the birth of a child, which “is always a joyful occasion”. 

She said the birth of an alumni association “is definitely a cause of joy” and so “we gather this evening to celebrate that”. 

“We also celebrate tonight the past and the future. We celebrate the past because every alumni group coming together is born out of the alumni’s connection to the past; because of the memories of our alma mater,” said Songco. 

“Today, we celebrate the future because I am sure that with this event tonight, you will always have meetings and say “Kita tayo”. With those words comes the promise of the future – the promise of faith, of hope, and of charity,” she added. 

Songco also reminded the Hong Kong Thomasian community that the promise of faith “rests on our fidelity to our alma mater and on one another as we promise to see each other in the future”, in continuing to “pursue the mission of our profession or our life advocacy”, and that the promise of hope “rests on how well we will serve our alma mater, the alumni, and the community”. 

“The promise of charity rests on how generous we shall be with our time, talent, and treasure to keep in touch with one another, conduct assemblies, and activities for the benefit of our alma mater and the Thomasian alumni in HK, and the community,” said Songco. 

She said faith, hope, and charity “have amazingly sustained the USTAAI, the mother alumni association of all recognized alumni associations” and that they were in constant partnership with the Thomasian Alumni Community Foundation, Inc (TACFI), which raises funds for the activities of the USTAAI. 

“Giving birth and sustaining an alumni association is a daunting task. It is a volunteer work for all of us. It is a commitment; a mission; and most importantly, it is an act of giving. As volunteers, we are blessed not with material things but with joy in our hearts. That is our reward,” said Songco. 

The USTAAI chairman was also accompanied by Katherine Lou Bundang, business manager, USTAAI, and Pickering, who serves concurrent positions with USTAAI and USTAAHK. 

Dawn of new chapter

Bringing a message to the newly inducted USTAAHK Board of Directors on behalf of the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, OP,PhD, Rocamora, acting director of UST-OAR, said the establishment of the USTAAHK was “the dawn of a new chapter”. 

“My heartfelt congratulations to all of you! You have accepted the mantle of leadership with courage and dedication, stepping forward to serve our vibrant community of Hong Kong-based Thomasians. Your commitment to upholding the legacy of UST, fostering unity among alumni, and propelling our association to even greater heights is truly inspiring,” said Rocamora. 

She noted that the path ahead “may be paved with challenges”, but with “unwavering determination and a shared vision, you will conquer them all”. 

“Embrace the diversity of the association, draw strength from our shared history, and never lose sight of the values that bind us together: compassion, commitment and competence, said Rocamora. 

“Let your leadership be a beacon of light and inspiration for every Thomasian in Hong Kong. Remember, the success of UST Alumni Association Hong Kong lies not just in your individual efforts but in the collective spirit of our association,” she added. 

Chapter’s advocacies

In her closing remarks, Hong Kong-raised Yumul, founding president of USTAAHK, acknowledged and thanked Songco and the USTAAI, the Manila-based mother chapter, for welcoming the USTAAHK as a member under its wings. She also thanked the UST-OAR for being instrumental in forming the USTAAHK’s establishment. 

Yumul also unveiled the chapter’s advocacies, which would focus on uplifting and mainstreaming Filipino professionals in Hong Kong, supporting youth empowerment, and putting “care” in the healthcare of migrant domestic workers. 

USTAAHK events will also aim to target the promotion of Philippine arts and culture in Hong Kong through hosting exhibits, live demonstrations, and workshops by Filipino artists, musical performances by UST groups. 

“Today is a celebration of countless overcoming and coming together. A lot of people ask me why the need to form the USTAAHK. (To) the Filipinos in Hong Kong, let’s face the reality. We’ve been boxed into one profession for a very long time. So, I hope we can change this. I hope our engagements will deepen and broaden as we overcome challenges,” said Yumul. 

According to the Home Affairs Department’s Race Relations Unit, citing the 2021 Population Consensus, there are 201,291 Filipinos in Hong Kong with more than half of the population employed as domestic workers in the city. 

“There were ‘Three Cs’ of the Thomasian values that were mentioned tonight: competence, commitment, and compassion. In the Hong Kong version, I want to add one more ‘C’. (Be) ‘Community Engagers’ because we will go very far. The establishment of the association ends our 14-year journey in search of Thomasian trailblazers and organizers. We look forward to your support,” she added. 

Yumul also acknowledged several community leaders in the academic, NGO, and business fields for graciously accepting the association’s invitation. 

Some notable guests included Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, general manager of the Mission for Migrant Workers, Janet Carnay, volunteer at the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, and Thiru Nachiappan, Chairman, Tomorrow’s Youth Development Fund. 

Jonnet Kudera, Regional Philanthropy Manager, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and Lito Castillo, Chairperson, Hong Kong Musicians’ Union were also among those present. 

The event was also attended by business executives such as Estephanie Chan, account executive at Philippine Airlines, as well as past chairmen of the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, namely Jocelyn S. Palomaria, Myrna P. Hill, and Kathy De Guzman, who is also general manager at PNB Hong Kong. 

Members of the academic community who came to support the event included Dr. Theresa Cunanan, associate programme director, Division of Arts and Languages, College of International Education at Hong Kong Baptist University, and Jan Gube, Assistant Professor at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong. 

Thomasian alumni Dr. Michael Manio, lecturer and head articulation programme at the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences was also present. Dr. Manio is also a guest lecturer and honorary professor at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University. 

Meanwhile, other Hong Kong chapter alumni of Philippine universities were also present, namely Maritess Turingan, President, University of the Philippines Alumni Association Hong Kong (UPAAHK), former UPAAHK President Sherina Manimtim-Erno, and Gary Flores, Treasurer at De La Salle University Alumni Association One La Salle HK Chapter.

Sponsoring the event were San Miguel Brewery Hong Kong Limited, veteran Filipino caterer Siony’s Lutong Bahay, Kambal Gallery, Grandpa’s Crib and Gastropub, Pickering Marine Group, and Ace Cho Photography. – Rappler.com

UST student journalist is 2023 Bar top passer: ‘Hard work pays off’

Echoing the institution’s commitment to empowering individuals in distinguishing between truths and falsehoods and cultivating a community founded on positive participation and diverse perspectives for a resilient and informed society, UST Secretary General, Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., E.H.L., in his opening remarks, as delivered by Dr. Emmanuel Batulan, Executive Assistant of the UST Office of the Secretary-General.

“Together, let us pave the way for a more informed, responsible, and inclusive society. Let us join hands and embrace the power of knowledge, critical thinking, and responsible digital citizenship as we embark on this transformative path together,” Dr. Batulan said.

In his opening message, the Founder and President of the Break the Fake Movement, Mr. Gabriel Billones Jr., shared the history of the organization, the reason why the Summit came to fruition, and the significance of leveraging each other’s strengths in combating this issue.

“The goal of the Break the Fake Movement is to create a united front against disinformation. This is an issue that we can never tackle alone, but this is a fight we can all share, and by fighting together, we can all make a great mile against this particular disorder,” he added.

Panel discussions, fireside chats, and a workshop on verification led by the Southeast Asia Teaching Fellow from Google News Lab, Ching Yee Choo, are part of the summit. Also, some completers of Media Civics Lab Fact-Checking Academy named Andrea Ortega Guanco, Kimmi del Prado, Manda Guiam, and Max Limpag shared their journey and learnings. The winners of the Pak! Check Video Making Contest was also announced.

The Summit coincides with the 3rd day of the Global Fact Summit held at the Convention & Exhibition (Coex) Center in Seoul, South Korea, an annual activity sponsored by the Poynter Institute.

Government’s efforts to promote media and information literacy

The Summit recognizes the role of policymakers in promoting media and information literacy at the national level. Sitting on the panel are Ms. Desideria Atienza, Executive Director III of the National Council for Children’s Television, and Hon. Shernan Gamol, Vice Mayor of Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. The session was moderated by the Fact-Checking Academy’s Communications Manager, Mr. Paolo Miguel Ordonio.

As the panelists shared their programs and activities aligned with the summit’s mission, ED Atienza expressed her commendation to the Congress should the inclusion of MIL subjects in the basic education curriculum be pushed through.

“Because it might be too late if they would have the media literacy and acquire the skills if they are old already. But when you have it, even in kindergarten, Grade 1 [to 12], I think this would be a better Philippines when it comes to disinformation and misinformation,” she stated.

Combating fake news and disinformation needs a holistic approach, said Hon. Shernan Gamol, as he  strives to deal with the challenges that come with advocating the truth.

“Major challenges that we need to face are the change in mindset of the people at the community level and change of behavior towards disinformation they saw online. There are barangays na walang internet connection. And for us who champion MIL, we provide basic training on how to use cell phones, computers, and social media. From there, we incorporate how to modify their behavior towards media and information na nakukuha nila sa schools and sa mga bahay nila,” he added.

Role of academe in the fight against disinformation

As a consultant to the country’s Department of Education, history professor and well-known historian Prof. Xiao Chua discussed in a fireside chat how the academe could solidify its position to combat disinformation. He said the curriculum is good but will not solve the whole problem.

“I hope they can be more open to consultancies of films, museums, etc. Because we are not just talking about political disinformation and political history but about all history. I just hope that people realize that this is the time we should get this opportunity to show that people are actually interested in history,” he stated.

Seeing how people are interested in history now more than ever, he also calls for everyone to make a stand and always be fair.

State of Fact-Checking in the Philippines

On the state of fact-checking in the country, Associate Professor Yvonne Chua of the University of the Philippines and the Project Leader of Tsek.ph, discussed and shared studies showing how disinformation has risen among Filipinos over time. Although the number of fact-checkers also increased to counter this, she reiterates that fact-checking is not enough, and she hopes to see fact-checking become an advocacy and a mindset.

“No fact-checker in their right mind would say that it is enough; we have never claimed it is never enough. We have always looked at ourselves as part of a whole-of-a-society approach to countering disinformation. It is a multi-stakeholder intervention, and for people to expect fact-checkers to lead the way is simply unfair and to disparage and denigrate their work,” she added.

Civil Societies: Beyond Fact-Checking: Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Countering Disinformation

Since countering disinformation requires a multi-stakeholder approach, the Summit also invites different civil society organizations to discuss strategies that advocates should consider that go beyond fact-checking.

As an educator, Mr. Mark Lester Chico, President of the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), shared that their organization collaborates with various organizations, CSOs, NGOs, academic institutions, and the media in its pursuit to make students more media literate. PACE encourages its members to go outside their curriculum and develop activities or projects that will make students more involved in fact-checking.

Believing that the systematic and unregulated spread of disinformation on social media platforms is a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD) responded to disinformation using a multi-pronged approach consisting of education campaigns, policy setting, and the filing of strategic litigations through its membership. Atty. Christianne Grace F. Salonga, the Executive Director of MAD, shared that since the pervasive spread of disinformation is currently not governed by any regulatory framework in the Philippines, tech companies that operate these platforms are actually distancing themselves from responsibility and accountability for the societal harms that their operations are causing here in the Philippines.

The Deputy Public Information Officer of the Computer Professionals Unit (CPU), Mr. Maded Batara III, also agreed to hold accountable those who are decreasing the spaces in the digital realm in the face of massive threats towards democracy through misinformation and disinformation. CPU also launched the Philippine Digital Justice Initiative, which aims to bring forward a digital rights agenda for the Filipino people that is people-centric. The advocacy is to hold those in power accountable and have a more united voice in countering massive disinformation through campaigns.

The Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) Inc., on the other hand, focuses on treating information as a significant form of aid that is equivalent to any other humanitarian aid. Its Media and Communications Officer, Mr. Jag San Mateo, shared that their organization’s primary course of action in countering disinformation is community engagement and developing creative ways of communicating ideas.

Lastly, Mr. Frank Lloyd Tiongson, the Vice President of National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL)-NCR, shared that they are primarily involved in dealing with the fallout of disinformation, particularly red-tagging, which has led to the filing of charges and, at worst, the killings of those advocates who have been criminalized by associating these to terrorism.

What’s Next for Fact-Checking in the Philippines?

The Summit also became the platform for news and media organizations to share what they have done for fact-checking in the Philippines and acknowledge that there is still a lot more to be done to free this country from massive disinformation threats.

Encouraged by seeing how the fact-checking community increased over the course of time, Mr. Rommel Lopez, the Associate Editor of PressOne.ph, shared that advocates still need to mainstream it. He also emphasized that the issues of online attacks and resource sustainability should also be examined.

Fact-checker from MindaNews, Mr. Yas Ocampo, also discloses that countering disinformation is an uphill battle. Knowing that there was a time when journalists and the media were once the most reliable sources of information, the challenge now is how to identify the reliability of sources on emerging channels.

Rappler’s Head of Digital Strategy, Ms. Gemma Mendoza, told the audience that increasing challenges go hand in hand with the shrinking distribution space for verified information.

On the question of what worked and what did not work, Ms. Jennifer Aquino, Managing Director of Probe Productions Inc., shared their organization’s process in developing their content and became effective in communicating their goals to the rightful audience.

For Ms. Nica Rhiana Hanopol, a journalist from VERA Files, what worked for them were the collaborative networks that were built, using the 2022 elections as a good reference. What she thought didn’t work is that the Philippines is still yet to establish the real actors behind disinformation operations and make them accountable. There is a lack of research on the effectiveness of the new formats in communicating the mission of fact-checking.

Building Trust in Media Amid Eroding Digital Spaces

Together with the rise of digital citizens comes the increase of issues of credibility and reliability. The Summit also discussed how news and media organizations continue to stand by their positions and be trustworthy.

Ms. Audrey Domasian, Assistant Manager of the GMA Integrated News Social Media Team, saw building back the trust in media as a two-fold approach, using trust as their primary goal in communicating in digital realms. Since social media algorithms are based on engagements, the country’s leading media network keeps up with the challenges of visibility and algorithms by creating different types of content that will bring to the forefront these critical matters for people to become more informed.

The 2023 Philippine Fact-Checking Summit was a success, with over 276 participants attending (119 in person and 157 virtually). It emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s fact-checking ecosystem. This includes increasing the number of fact-checkers, providing them with more resources, and making their work more accessible to the public. The Summit participants also called for increased collaboration between fact-checkers and other stakeholders, such as government agencies, educational institutions, and civil society organizations.

The Summit ended with a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to combat disinformation and fake news. The participants recognized that the problem is complex and has no easy solution. However, they committed to working together to combat disinformation and fake news, laying the foundation for a more informed and resilient society.

In partnership with PLDT and Smart, the Provincial Government of Quirino recently held a mental health awareness summit with students and government employees from the province of Quirino. 

Advocating mental health awareness in communities, PLDT Group featured mental health professionals, including Riyan Portuguez (“Your Millennial Psychologist”), doctor and podcaster Dr. Gia Sison, and popular content creator Macoy Dubs.

“We are grateful to our partners from PLDT and Smart for bringing this mental health awareness summit to Quirino. This is an important initiative that aims to shed light on the importance of taking care of our mental health. By providing this space to talk about mental health and wellness, we are able to destigmatize these important matters and are able to share the message that there is hope,” said Provincial Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” E. Cua.

“With our Better Today program, we aim to provide a safe space for everyone to create and spark inter-generational conversations on mental health and wellness. As a community platform, Better Today strengthens the vision of togetherness and camaraderie – and how, in every way, it becomes an important reminder that you are not alone. This is a key part of our advocacy in PLDT and Smart to provide a safe, inclusive space for everyone, to help enhance the positive impacts of technology in the lives of Filipino people,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head for Corporate Communications.

The summit enabled the participants to process the lessons learned during the breakout sessions. They were also given an opportunity to engage with Portuguez by asking their questions on mental health-related topics, including self-care, managing and regulating strong emotions, and creating healthy habits to enhance one’s mental and emotional wellbeing.

Promoting digital wellness is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s continuing commitment to help the Philippines contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) #3 that stands for good health and well-being. – Rappler.com

According to UPAA President and UP Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton, this golf tournament is a unique opportunity for UP alumni and friends to come together for a day of fun and camaraderie, while supporting a worthy cause.

Tournament fee is P8,000 inclusive of green fee, cart sharing, food, and raffle prizes. The proceeds from the tournament will help the UPAA achieve its goal of providing more opportunities for UP graduates to succeed in their careers and contribute to the betterment of the country.

With its theme “Pumapalo Para sa Bayan,” this golf tournament is among the fundraising events of the current UPAA Board of Directors to support its priority projects under its flagship program 4Es CONNECT.

4Es stands for Experiential Education towards Employment and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, which will be achieved through CONNECT:

• C – Collaboration and Networking
• O – Organizing Job Fairs and Recruitment Events
• N – Nurturing through Mentorship Programs
• N – Nurturing Skills Development and Training Programs
• E – Establishing Industry Partnerships
• C – Cultivating Entrepreneurship Support
• T – Transformative Advocacy and Policy Recommendations.

Among the specific projects under the 4Es CONNECT which this tournament shall fund include:

• Relaunching the UPAA Website
• Reviving the Botika ng Alumni
• Creating internship and job search platforms
• Invigorating existing scholarship programs.

There are companies which already signified their support for the UPAA President’s Golf Cup, recognizing the alignment of the UPAA’s programs with their respective corporate social responsibility (CSR) advocacies. 

These companies include Manila Water Corporation, More Electric and Power Corporation, Manila Electric Company, Makati Development Corporation, Prime Metro BMD Industrial Services Corporation, and Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines.

Interested participants and sponsors may contact Jenny Obsania/ Elna Divino at 0917-8372098 / 8-82826656 / 02 79106390. – Rappler.com

Golden Rainbow follows the life stories of 13 older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people in the Philippines. Their stories highlight how lifelong experiences of abuse and intersectional discrimination now impact their lives and well-being as older LGBTIQ people. 

Growing up, the storytellers recount their experiences of maltreatment by parents and siblings, bullying in school and in the community, sexual abuse, and mistreatment by other schoolchildren and administration officials, including being singled out by teachers, while transgender girls were forced to wear boys’ haircuts.

“These brave storytellers tell us about how leaving home and dropping out of school led to limited career options and difficulty finding employment — eventually leading to a series of hardships way beyond joblessness, poverty, hunger, and social isolation,” said Atty. Clara Rita Padilla, the Executive Director of EnGendeRights.

“The Golden Rainbow storybook is a must-read for everyone to step up the fight for an inclusive and equal world for all LGBTIQ persons,” Atty. Padilla emphasized. She also stresses that “The Golden Rainbow storybook shows the urgency to pass the SOGIE Anti-Discrimination Law and the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Law to prohibit all types of discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ people.”

According to Ging Cristobal, Project Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific of Outright International, “The stories take the readers through a weave of their lifetimes as they hurdle over varied forms of stigma, discrimination, and exclusion that greatly affected their lives as older LGBTIQ persons. 

Their lived experiences are a testament to resilience, inner strength, self-love, and their contributions to society. At best, reading through the stories provides hope for future generations of LGBTIQ people in the Philippines.”

“We share the Golden Rainbow storybook of older LGBTIQ people in an effort to pave the way for a better future for older LGBTIQ people and all other LGBTIQ people,” added Ging Cristobal, with this highlight: “We challenge everyone to open their hearts and minds to include issues of older LGBTIQ
persons in their human rights work. We cannot marginalize sectors within our own groups simply because they are silent. The older LGBTIQ persons are now breaking their silence and are ready to let their own voices be heard, far and wide. Let’s listen to them and act now.”

At the storybook launch, the 13 stories will be read by the storytellers themselves and volunteer readers, including singer, actor, and director Ice Seguerra, and videotaped readings by TV host Boy Abunda and Precious Paula Nicole, winner of Drag Race Philippines.

Join the storybook launch of Golden Rainbow: Stories of Pain, Grit, Duty and Love of Filipino Older LGBTI People on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 9 am to 1 pm at the Commission on Human Rights, Quezon City. The launch will also be aired via Zoom and Facebook Live. 

Golden Rainbow was written and edited by Ging Cristobal, Clara Rita Padilla, Annette Visbal, and Grace Poore and published by EnGendeRights, Outright International and SAGE.

Golden Rainbow is part of the LGBTI Elders Advancing Project, funded by SAGE USA, that aims to empower LGBTIQ elders to lead advocacy efforts, increase access of older LGBTIQ persons to services, and advocate for responsive policies for older LGBTIQ persons. 

The storybook is published in English and Filipino. Copies of the Golden Rainbow storybook will be distributed on December 4 at the launch and will be posted on the websites of OutRight International and EnGendeRights. 

To request hard copies, kindly email engenderights@gmail.com with your complete name and address no later than December 6. – Rappler.com

Visitors can experience excellent sound from locally crafted audio equipment in the exhibit.

Among the products that will be displayed are The Merlin Analog and Jacinta Speakers.

The Merlin Analog, invented by audiophile Mandy Mariño, is a mechanical diode that collects vibrations and channels them to a central area where they are dissipated through standard methods. To achieve sound fidelity from vinyl records, the Merlin deters spurious vibrations generated during the retrieval of recorded information.

The Jacinta Speaker was designed and crafted by Noly Dy to allow the audience to listen for extended periods at lower volumes without the music losing clarity. The unit has a more balanced linear frequency curve, from bass to highs, resulting in a more pleasant and refreshing listening experience.

The overall show concept this year is by audiophiles Mandy Mariño and Rappler business columnist and Val Villanueva.

Villanueva’s exhibit in Room 546 of the hotel will feature all-Filipino made audio products such as turntables, all-tube amplifiers/preamplifiers, cables and interconnects. He will be playing both digital and analog music. 

Other participants will be selling various audio equipment, vinyl records, audio accessories, among others, in other rooms of the hotel.

The audio exhibit is expected to be patronized by people in business, politics, doctors, lawyers, ordinary audiophiles, bonded by their passion for high-fidelity music. 

The audio exhibit is open from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance is free. – Rappler.com

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