Filmmakers star at 1^st SEA Prix Jeunesse, inspires more child-friendly TV programs

Children, amateur and professional filmmakers headlined the first-ever Southeast Asia (SEA) Prix Jeunesse video festival and competition held at the Peninsula Manila Hotel last November 27-29, 2017.

SEA Prix Jeunesse is one of the activities for the 25^th National Children’s Month and ASEAN 50th Anniversary celebration.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) partnered with Anak TV for the conduct of SEA Prix Jeunesse to promote child participation and to encourage more child-friendly TV programs in the Philippines.

Prior to SEA Prix Jeunesse, CWC and Anak TV teamed-up for SINEBATA 2017 that selected the best video entries of children to represent the country in the competition.

Photo Caption: Children from the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia working on their photos for the Visual Storytelling Learning Session

Learning sessions on visual storytelling were conducted during the 3-day event, participated by children from the Southeast Asian region.

These children engaged in discussions on photography and filmmaking from the experts in the industry. Among the speakers were Indonesian producer, director and actress Livi Zheng, ABS-CBN Philippines’ Creative Head, Mr. Alex Asuncion, and Ms. Arah Guiao of INCTV.

Capping off the learning sessions, children participants were able to exhibit their photos in the gallery.

Notably, indigenous children Rosemarie Labita from the Aeta community and Jennifer Liwag from the Kalanguya community of Region III placed 3^rd and 1^st in the photo exhibition. In addition, Scouts Kristiana Mikhael Florendo and Matthew Angelo Eduardo of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines placed 2^nd.

Photo caption: Awarding of best photos from the photo exhibition. (L-R) Rosemarie Labita (3^rd place), Jennifer Liwag (1^st place), and Kristiana Mikhael Florendo and Matthew Angelo Eduardo (2^nd place)

Children were also given the opportunity to participate in the Kid’s Jury for the Kid’s Choice Award.

The Philippines bagged awards for the video entries under the professional, amateur and children’s category.

For the children’s category showcasing the theme “Pride in Self, Family Values and Traditions,” the winners were “The black sheep” of LAO PDR, “The rural teacher” from Lao PDR, and “Lakbay” from the Philippines, respectively.

“Lakbay” and “Reel time: Isinulat sa tubig,” from the Philippines bagged the Kids Choice Award.  In addition, Lansangan and Lakbay from the Philippines received the “Heart Award”

It is anticipated that the event would inspire producers and filmmakers to conceptualize more child-friendly films and TV programs in the future.

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Celaine Cabrera

Public Affairs and Information Office

Telephone No.: 7811039 local 1005

NCM Kids’ Festival, Dikit-a- Sticker Campaign on Child Safety Launched

Photo Caption: Left Photo From left-right: Dr. Doly Carangal of the National Museum of the Philippines, Atty. Marijoy D. Segui of the CWC, Ms. Maricel Manlapaz of the DSWD, Dir. Donelyn Hemedez of the PDEA, Chairperson Aiza Seguerra of the NYC, and Mr, Michael Torres of Robinsons Land Corporation officially open the Kids Festival 2017 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony; Right Photo: Chairperson Seguerra and Atty. Segui post stickers on a “tricycle”   highlighting safe driving for children.

The Kids’ Festival and the Dikit-a-Sticker Campaign on Child Safety were simultaneously launched last November 16, 2017 at Robinson’s Place Novaliches in celebration of the 25^th National Children’s Month (NCM).

With the objective of promoting the love of books and crafts to children, the Kids’ Festival was a joint effort of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) and Robinsons’ Malls Novaliches.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), and the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) also provided support through setting up of booths with their respective agencies’ IEC materials in line with this year’s theme “Bata: Iligtas sa Droga”.

Mr. Michael Torres, Senior Corporate Social Responsibility Officer of Robinsons Land Corporation, opened the program enjoining mall goers, particularly children, to visit and enjoy the activities prepared especially for them. Chairperson Aiza Seguerra of the National Youth Commission, Dr. Dolly Carangal of the National Library of the Philippines, Dir. Donelyn Hemedez of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Atty. Marijoy D. Segui of the Council for the Welfare of Children also provided their messages of support.

Interactive storytelling and puppet shows, led by the NLP, were the highlights of the Kids’ Festival. Children were taught good values as well as the dangers of the illegal use of drugs, highlighting the theme for this year’s Children’s Month, through storytelling. They were encouraged to read more books and were reminded of the NLP’s message, “Magdasal at Magbasa”. Likewise, the activity enabled the children to mix and mingle though games and other fun group exercises.

Photo Caption: All smiles from storytellers from the National

Library of the Philippines during their dance routine

Melay and Onyot, mascots from the NLP, and Philippine National Police mascots entertained kids and kids at heart with dance numbers all throughout the four-day activity. Volunteers from the National Youth Commission also provided free face painting to the participants.

Felta Multimedia Incorporated, a local distributor of multimedia educational products in the Philippines, discussed the science of robotics. Children grouped up to build their own mobile car from scratch by assembling its different parts.

Subsequent to the opening of the Kids’ Festival is the launch of the Dikit-a-Sticker Campaign on Child Safety. With the message “Batas Trapiko’y Sundin; Kaligtasan ng mga Bata Ating Isipin”, the campaign is now on its 3^rd year of implementation (started in 2015) and has established the continued partnership and support from Robinsons Mall Novaliches and other malls and the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The campaign echoed the message for drivers to be extra cautious when driving for children safety.

Photo Caption: Ms. Catherine Alejandro of Robinsons Land, Atty. Marijoy Segui, Chairperson Aiza Seguerra, Ms. Maricel Manlapaz, and Mr.Michael Torres pose with a tricycle with stickers from the Dikit-a-Sticker Campaign

CWC continues to work with partners, from the government to non-government organizations, in the month long celebration of the NCM.

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Dennis Bernard Sumaylo

Public Affairs and Information Office

7811039 loc. 1005

’17 Children’s Month Kick-Off Launches Whistle Campaign on Child Protection

The 2017 National Children’s Month (NCM) “Bata: Iligtas sa Droga” highlights advocacy to keep children away from illegal drug involvement and to promote child protection against violence and danger.

Photo Caption: The Council for the Welfare of Children and partner agencies launches “Pito, Bata, Pito! A Call 4 Help Campaign” through whistle barrage.

Thousands of whistles were distributed for the “Pito, Bata, Pito! A Call 4 Help (C4H) Campaign” to the Junior High School Students of San Francisco Highschool, Quezon City, during the NCM Kick-Off celebration on November 06, 2017.

This year marks the 25^th Silver Anniversary of the NCM led by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) annually. The lead agencies were joined by the World Vision and the Rotary International District 3810 for the celebration.

“The launching of the Call 4 Help Campaign aimed to equip children to protect themselves by encouraging them to blow these whistles whenever they feel unsafe or in danger,” said CWC Executive Director Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

NYC Chairperson Aiza Seguerra and DSWD Undersecretary Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa graced the event and expressed their support for the campaign and to rally for the protection of children.

The role of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) in ensuring that the wellbeing and welfare of every child are promoted and protected at the barangay level was deeply emphasized in the event.

Executive Director Cajayon-Uy also added that “It is important that BCPCs are continuously activated to educate children of their rights, particularly during anti-illegal drug operations.”

The Kick-Off activity also featured World Vision’s child protection campaign, entitled “It Takes a World to End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children”, which aims to educate and protect children from sexual exploitation.

World Vision Ambassadors CJ Hirro, Dane Hipolito, and Quest also joined the event.

CWC’s regional counterparts, government and non-governmental organizations will also conduct their respective activities in the month-long NCM celebration.

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Celaine Cabrera

Public Affairs and Information Office

Telephone No.: 7811039 local 1005

Angels, Heroes hailed in the ’18 Autism Consciousness Week

Last January 14, 2018 the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) joined the country in recognizing heroes for children with autism in the Angels Walk for Autism- the nationwide kick-off of the Philippines in celebration of the 22^nd National Autism Consciousness Week (NACW) from January 14 - 28, 2018.

The NACW, which is observed every third week of January through Proclamation No. 711 of 1996, aims to raise awareness and create a supportive environment for persons with autism (PWAs).

Photo caption: Autism Angels and Heroes gather in a jampacked-kick off celebration of the NACW
at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.Retrieved from SM Cares Facebook Page.

This year’s theme “From Awareness to Acceptance, Accommodation and Appreciation” calls for multi-sectoral efforts in building an autism-inclusive society, and in recognition of the rights of children with autism (CWA) and PWAs.

National and international advocates gathered in the event to honor various Developmental Pediatricians, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Special Education Teachers, Parents and Caregivers for their contribution, service and love for PWAs.

Among the guests were Honorable Urawadee Sriphiromya, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Royal Thai Embassy; Former Thai Ambassador Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of Asia-Pacific Center on Disability; Senator Risa Hontiveros; Representative Tom Villarin; NCDA Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga and Best Buddies Philippines Country Manager Michelle Aventajado.

The program also featured performances from talented PWA and the ASP Autism Achievement Angel Awards (A5) were also given to PWAs who have excelled in different fields.

ASP’s HOMEpowerment free therapy program and parent training was also introduced to cater CWAs from indigent families, in partnership with advocates from the private sector.

The activity concluded with the walk proper starting from the Pacific Drive to the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia.

Photo Caption: CWC staff join the 2018 Angels Walk for Autism spearheaded by the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP)
in partnership with the SM Cares and the National Council on Disability Affaires (NCDA) and various organizations on
disability in support of the activities calling for acceptance, accommodation and appreciation for PWA.

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Celaine Cabrera
Public Affairs and Information Office
Telephone No.: 78101039 local 1005