Vision Petron Opens Fuel Creativity Exhibit at Bencab Museum

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On its 17th year, Vision Petron, the multi-awarded national student art competition of oil industry leader Petron Corporation, opened its Fuel Creativity Exhibit at the Bencab Museum in Baguio, last October 14, 2017. The month-long exhibit is a retrospective painting exhibition featuring selected works of Vision Petron National Student Art Competition grand prize winners over the years.

Originally conceptualized as an art competition to inspire young artists from all over the country, Vision Petron has evolved to become a venue for expression, even on social issues such as the environment, and now includes photography, T-shirt design, video-making, and most recently, music.

Vision Petron’s Fuel Creativity Exhibit showcases the best works of budding Filipino artists from the turn of the millennium, when the competition was first introduced, and reflects the changing themes that embody the best of Filipino values, culture, and heritage.

Benedicto Cabrera, or Bencab as he is more popularly known, is a National Artist for the Visual Arts, and a staunch presence as a member of the Vision Petron board of judges. Himself a multi-awarded winner of many art competitions as a struggling young artist, Bencab serves as a role model for the thousands of talented Filipino youth who submit their entries in the various Vision Petron competition categories.

At the opening of the Vision Petron Fuel Creativity Exhibit, Bencab remarked, “The collection highlights the artists’ emerging styles, individual methods of self-expression, and search for identity.”

For the 2017 Vision Petron competition, the theme was Tuklas Kagalingan: Rediscovering Filipino Ingenuity. Entries focused on one of our unique strengths as a people, the ingenuity of the Filipino that captures the spirit of innovation and creativity, rooted in our natural resources. Judging was recently completed, and winners will be announced soon.

Every year, Vision Petron wins recognitions, and now has over 150 awards. The Vision Petron Folio, a magazine for youth on Philippine art and culture, has been inducted into the Anvil Hall of Fame for consistently earning the Gold Anvil year after year. Vision Petron also recently bagged four International Association of Business Communications (IABC) awards, including two Awards of Excellence, at the 15th Philippine Quill Awards.

The Vision Petron Fuel Creativity exhibit will run from October 14 to November 26, 2017, at the Indigo Gallery of the Bencab Museum on Km. 6 Asin Road, Tuba, Metro Baguio. For more information, please call (074) 442 7165 or email bencabartfoundation@gmail.com. You may also visit www.visionpetron.com to know more about the national student art competition.

Yamaha Team Pilipinas Victorious in ACRR Campaigns

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Yamaha Team Pilipinas had one goal in mind when they left for their National duties, showcase Philippine racing prowess in the ACRR(Asia Cup Road Racing). The racing series is an annual competition that is organized by FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) Asia; where countries such as ours, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, and Sri Lanka participate. Local Motorcycle governing bodies of each country send their national riders to compete in the international meet. Now after all the hard work and training, hours spent on the track with precious moments spent away from their loved ones; it all paid off for our riders.

The journey started in Thailand on the tracks of Nakhonchaisri. The country known for the opulence of its royal palaces and temples was no paradise for the riders because they knew the competition will show them no quarter. The duo of Durraine Dan Carlos and Garry Caneda Jr. showed their composure with precision and determination throughout the competition. In the end, their place among the peers was sealed as they were named overall Champions.

After securing the win in Thailand, it was up to Masato Fernando, Vingie Coloma, and Ephraim Onahon to continue the streak. The pressure was on when they arrived at the Penbay International Circuit in Taiwan where their foes were ready to do battle. It was a tough race, especially when the local stars gave them all they could handle. But the Filipino riders pushed through adversity and punched a win, bringing home the Championship in the process.

These 2 wins for Yamaha Team Pilipinas prove to be pivotal for their bid to be named overall Champions of the series. Now the quest continues for our riders to carry the flag across the global finish line.

Mental Health Law is a Christmas Gift to Filipino Families - Advocates Tell Congress

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mental health professionals, family support groups, youth and advocates on Monday gathered to show support for the Philippine Mental Health Bill, urging the House of Representatives for its final approval of what they call “a Christmas gift to the Filipino family”. 

In a press conference in Quezon City, a gathering of advocates called the Mental Health Alliance [MHA] in support of the said bill underscored the importance of integrating mental health in the country’s public healthcare system. House Bill No. 6452 or the Comprehensive Mental Health Act was approved on second reading last month by the House of Representatives. It will be up for third and final reading once Session resumes in November.

“Health is essential to development and there is no health without mental health”, said Dr. June Lopez of the Philippine Psychiatric Association [PPA]. ““The passage of the Bill into law will seal the government’s commitment to promote mental health services to Filipinos who need it,” Dr. Lopez added. 

According to data provided by the Department of Health and the World Health Organization, 7 Filipinos commit suicide every day and 1 in 5 Filipino adults suffer from a certain mental health concern, the most common of which are depression and schizophrenia. “This is a cause for alarm and should be addressed urgently”, said Dr. Lopez.

Prevention and Not Only Treatment

Dr. Lopez pointed out that both the Senate and House Bill recognize the importance of preventive and community based programs.  “With the passage of the Bill, we can foresee the offering of programs that enhance the resilience of individuals, families and communities.” Dr. Bautista added.  

As a rejoinder, Dr. Lopez remarked, “We especially laud both the Senate and House versions for considering the specific budgetary provisions to ensure the successful implementation of the law”

Pamasko

“Namamasko po kami sa liderato at mga miyembro ng Kamara de Representante”, urged Dr. Bolet Bautista of the Psychological Association of the Philippines [PAP].  

Early this year, the Senate approved on third and final reading its own version of the bill.  Once the House of Representatives approves the said bill on third and final reading, it will be finalized by a bicameral conference committee and transmitted to the President for signing into law.  

“The ball now rests with the House leadership so we would like to respectfully ask our Representatives in Congress to heed our call: the Philippine Mental Health Bill is long overdue”, Dr. Bautista added. 

Broad Support

The Youth for Mental Health Coalition [Y4MH], for its part, claimed that the bill enjoys a wide support base. “The issue of mental health has long been discussed in hushed voices. But nowadays, we feel a change in the public’s mood”, claimed Y4MH’s Patrick Wincy Reyes, a student leader. 

“The passage of this bill into law will be celebrated by everyone, young and old. The commitment of the House leadership to this bill will be a victory for the 17th Congress”, Reyes added. 

Support in Challenging Life Experiences

“The Mental Health Bill is not only for those with diagnosable mental health conditions.  Rather, it is for all Filipinos. Its provisions target the protection and promotion of well-being and mental health of every Filipino”, Dr. Bautista pointed out. 

This means there will be mental health services that will provide support to Filipinos undergoing challenging experiences like migration, marital conflict, life transitions, disaster experience, and war to name a few of such concerns.

Mental health in Marawi

In relation to this, the group pointed out that mental health concerns arising out of the experience of armed conflict, such as in war-torn Marawi, are also addressed by the Mental Health Bill. “Those who have gone through war experience much suffering, which could include a sense of being unmoored and hopeless”, said Dr. Bautista. She explained that psychosocial support provided to survivors of major crisis, such as the war in Marawi, will moderate stress reactions, prevent the development of more long lasting disturbing emotional problems, and help promote not just a sense of normalcy but hope and recovery. “Such support must reach civilian individuals and families as well as the soldiers who risk their lives and wellbeing in going to battle”, she furthered.

“All Filipinos are entitled to mental health, good relationships, and a life that offers many opportunities to thrive” Dr. Bautista concluded.