HALLYUP@8: Alaala

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Looking for shelter from the gloomy weather? HallyUP, the premier Korean popular culture organizaion in UP Diliman, is offering K-Pop fans in and out of the university a warm home as they celebrate their 8th year this month of October.

Pass by Palma Hall from October 15-18 to see Gunita, a small exhibit showcasing the nature and acheievements of the organization. On October 18th, dust off your memories and knowledge of Korean variety shows in Kasama, where you engage in activities that will create a unique game show experience. And finally, join HallyUP on the night of October 25 for Tahanan, a chill gig featuring both Filipino and Korean music.

Make sure to note these dates, and celebrate with the community that gives you a feeling of home.

For inquires and updates, visit the HallyUP Facebook page or follow them on Twitter:

https://www.facebook.com/HallyUP/

https://twitter.com/officialhallyup

Araneta City Launches the #IAMEnough Mental Health Awareness Exhibit

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Araneta City presented #IAMEnough, an exhibit to support World Mental Health Awareness Day with no less than Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzona who is cut the ribbon for its opening.

Happened on October 10 at the Gateway Mall Activity area at 10 am, the #IAMEnough exhibit opening was also graced by Dra. Carolina Uno-Rayco, National Executive Director for the Philippine Mental Health Association; and Ms. Diane Romero, the Executive Director of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the Araneta Group.

Mental Health is an issue that has gained importance over the years, especially in the Philippines. According to the Department of Health, mental illness and mental retardation are ranked 3rd and 4th among the types of disabilities in the country. Young professionals have also become victims of mental health illnesses, as intentional self-harm is the 9th leading cause of death among those aged 20-24 years old.

Kylie, an international pageant title holder, has always advocated for awareness of mental health issues even before her days as a beauty queen. She has publicly admitted she was clinically depressed five years ago, even before she joined the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. She fought on despite this challenge and not only won an international title but also eventually joined show business after her reign.

She has also used her personal experience with mental health illness to launch an online support group entitled Mental Health Matters. It’s a space created by Kylie, her sister, and select people, meant to provide support to people experiencing mental health illnesses. The page also provides information with regards to mental health, as education is the best way to create understanding and empathy towards those who battle with it.

As the recently rebranded Araneta City continues to build an inclusive community, projects like the #IAMEnough exhibit at the Gateway Mall are important additions to the many things the pioneering commercial district offers its visitors, residents, and employees within the City. Aide from the messages from the esteemed guests, the exhibit hopes to bring attention to the reality of mental health illnesses. There will also be a photobooth and merchandise sold for the benefit of PMHA.

This event was presented by Araneta City in partnership with JAAF and the Philippine Mental Health Association.

For more information and other Araneta City updates, follow @AranetaCity on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo caption: Mental health awareness advocate Kylie Verzosa (Instagram)

Young Entreps Launch Grant Facility to Promote Social Impact in Business

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Roots Collective, in partnership with Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) and Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP), launched the Sibol (growth) Program Fund last October 2 in Taguig City to enable start-ups to develop and improve their enterprises that helps in increasing the income of local communities and protecting the environment.

This three-year special grant facility, which will run starting January 2020, aims to ensure sustainability of social enterprises through product enhancements, sales generation, income generation for partner communities, and increased of areas for environmental protection.

According to Jamir Ocampo, chief executive officer of Roots Collective, the Sibol Fund is essential in promoting marketability of products while retaining the impact they bring to communities they support.

“Advocacy for entrepreneurs is not just about the message. It's about proving that this advocacy will work with products through market acceptance. It's also our capacity to generate our own resources to take on developmental initiatives,” he said.

"The future of social enterprises rest on the young people."

PEF Executive Director Roberto Calingo meanwhile noted that the youth sector is becoming the key players and influencers of the market and the need to engage them is vital to help poor communities.

“May pag-asa ang mga poor communities if we can combine their efforts with the efforts of the youth in looking at ways to improve the product, and ways to bring the product to the market,” he said.

Calingo added that PEF is looking forward to the expansion of the project to connect young social entrepreneurs for lasting impact to poor households and communities.

“Sana hindi ito one isolated success. My vision is that, someday, we can have the session in Visayas, Mindanao, and in key cities with a lot of linkages happening in the communities. Today is the first step towards that vision,” he said.

The youth as partner for environment conservation

To FFP Executive Director Atty. Jose Andres Canivel, the youth sector offers fresh ideas in resolving pressing problems that plague the environment.

“In this time of forest degradation and climate emergency, we need all of the innovation, we need all of the creativity, and we need all of the passion that young people can bring into our work.”

Atty. Canivel also stressed that young entrepreneurs have been an important partner in developing sustainable livelihood that promotes forest protection and conservation.

“We were looking for a way to link our partner communities to the market. That drew us into working with social entrepreneurs,” he said.

The launch of the Sibol Program Fund is a part of a week-long Roots Commune, an exhibit at Uptown Bonifacio Mall that showcases a wide array of ethically made products that highlights sustainability and local creativity.