Advocates to Convene in Largest Youth-led Peace-centric Cultural Event for Peace in September

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the country’s recent development towards unity through the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a new beginning for peace springs not only in the region but throughout the Philippines. Along with peacebuilding, this aching part of the country has been longing for sustainable development in securing its future, and it is high time to put the youth in its center.

Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition, an independent non-partisan national alliance of young leaders and youth organizations in the Philippines, together with the Rotary Satellite Club of Fort BGC Titans of Rotary International District 3830 supported by the Pilipinas Rotaract Multi-District Information Organization and many other partner agencies, will be hosting the Philippine Intercultural Youth Convention (PIYC) 2019, with the theme "New Beginnings for Peace, New Challenges for Development," on September 21-22, 2019 in Tanghalang Bautista, Quezon City University, Quirino Highway, Quezon City.

The PIYC 2019, a DILG and NYC endorsed activity aims to provide a platform for the exchange of Philippine cultures and discussions on national issues that highlight the role of the youth in peace and development. Philippine government leaders as well as non-government and international partners will enrich forums on youth in peace, peace amidst diversity, vulnerabilities in conflict, and the essence of peacebuilding in the attainment of quality education, poverty alleviation, access to healthcare, and sustainable livelihood.

Two days of uniting youth leaders across Philippine regions, tribes and Indigenous people’s groups, PIYC 2019 will also bring the country’s rich cultural experience in one venue through segments such as the Cultural Festival, an exhibition of cultures, a cultural networking night, and many other cultural presentations. Its aim to engage the youth with government and non-government actors that will also be facilitated with a flow of plenary and breakout sessions.

The road to sustainable development is founded on the stability of peace, and PIYC 2019 hopes to integrate the Filipino youth in building this strong foundation.

You may register at www.piyc-skc.com/registration to be a part of the biggest youth-led peace-centric cultural event in the country. The event is also open for partnerships with organizations who can send a delegation of more than ten youth leaders.

For inquiries, you may reach the organizers at piyc.skc@gmail.com.

PIA Develops Strategic Communications Curriculum for PMA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) explore areas of cooperation on developing a curriculum on communication and public information for the Academy.

In a meeting, PIA Director-General Harold Clavite presented the Agency’s programs and services, capabilities and networks anchored on the Philippine Information Highway, a flagship program of PIA that can be of help to the PMA.

He discussed two proposals- a short-term module on strategic communications and a curriculum on the National Strategy Management Program Major in Strategic Communications.

Clavite, who is also a board member of the Philippine Army’s multi-sector advisory board (MSAB), expressed his intent of institutionalizing the ongoing engagements of PIA with the military’s civil military operations across the country. The engagement of PIA and the Philippine Army was likewise strengthened in the information management and strategic communications support group of Task Force Bangon Marawi, headed by Clavite.

Dr. Joey Alagaran, head of the PIA’s Policy and Communication Research Division detailed the 54-hour course outline as to theories, concepts, processes and practices of Strategic Communications including national security administration.

On the proposed BS National Strategy Management Program, Alagaran identified the curriculum’s objectives to develop the cadets communication creativity, critical thinking and collaborative skill; equip them with decision making/implementation capabilities and engagement on Strategic Communications and integrate the knowledge and skills and discipline from their military program.

PMA Dean of Academics B/Gen. Cheston Valencerina cited the need for collaboration saying that communication is “winning the war by not firing a bullet.”

Clavite further emphasized the need for future military officers to be adept with the latest trends in strategic communications and multimedia strategies in the advent of increased usage of the internet and new media platforms.

Further exchanges of ideas and inputs ensued between the Academy’s faculty members and PIA regional heads present in the meeting.
Witnessed by Asst. Supt B/Gen. Nestor Florence DC Rayos and Commandant B/Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, the tie-up is hoped to be realized with the forging of a PIA-PMA Memorandum of Understanding this year.

PUP SLP to Show Reimagined Verison of 'Rody Vera's Ang Unang Aswang'

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sustaining and further bettering its passion and service for arts, culture, and the people, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory (PUP SLP or Polyrep) is set to showcase their 39th theater season opener production titled 'Ang Unang Aswang' by the renowned playwright, Rody Vera, and to be directed by Marcus Belisario, this coming August 2019 at Tanghalang PUP.

Polyrep creates a theme or framework to synthesize its works every theatrical season, and for this 39th season, the formulated theme is called Nena.'

Nena comes from the Spanish word 'NAY-nah' that is usually being used as term of endearment just like love or sweetheart in the English language. It is the innocent essence of colonization and decolonization in our country, it as well transitive, and liberating as an art.

There will be four phases for Nena: 1. Kaakuhan, 2. Kamalayan, 3. Kasarinlan, and 4. Kalikasan. The 'Ang Unang Aswang' production will stand for the first phase of Nena which is 'Kaakuhan.'

(Read more about Nena and its four phases: https://www.facebook.com/169928869695635/posts/2358443670844133/)

The 'Kaakuhan' phase with 'Ang Unang Aswang' as its production, aims to dig and discover our missing history. To find and heal the wound caused by the lost sense of identity.

Furthermore, 'Ang Unang Aswang' wants viewers and audiences to be critical and question things, particularly about the morals and standards.

The show's synopsis is as follows: A night when the moon is in full, on a desert, a new born baby swallowed a heart of a banana tree. As the time passed by, the baby has grown with the help of a dog, cat and a wild pig who stands as her mother. Away from the city, the girl lives happily until she encounters a man that will change his life. The man will introduce to her both love and pain. It is a story of love, failure, abuse and pretentions. To raise questions and open discourse about morality, truth, and judgement is the challenge.

Although 'Ang Unang Aswang' has been staged many times by different theater companies in distinct ways, including Polyrep's version last 2016 as part of 35th theater season, current PUP SLP will recreate and revitalize the story in another level. Marcus Belisario, the director, highlighted the reimagination of this 'Ang Unang Aswang,' that will have a surprise because of its 'never seen before' factor.




Footnote:

About Us:

Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory, also known as "Polyrep," is the resident theater organization of the Polytechnic University under the University Center for Culture and the Arts, celebrating 39 years of artistic excellence.