World Vision, in partnership with DepEd, strives to address the literacy gap in the Philippines with “Brigada Pagbasa” project

In celebration of the National Literacy Month this September and in preparation for November’s National Reading Month, World Vision Development Foundation in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) launches Brigada Pagbasa, a movement that seeks to enhance the reading skills of the Filipino children.

The project, an extension of the Brigada Eskwela campaign that promotes community participation in time for school opening, will bring together experts, change makers, policy-makers, and other stakeholders across all sectors from international and local agencies, as well as public and private organizations to spread reading literacy among Filipino children.

To make this happen, World Vision, together with DepEd, is partnering with the National Library of the Philippines, National Book Development Board, and E Net Philippines, and have also tapped TV and radio personality Joyce Pring to be the Ambassador for Brigada Pagbasa.

“Literacy, most especially amongst the children and youth, is one of the key factors that determines how well a country progresses in this rapidly-changing world. We have an unfortunate reality where some Filipinos, both young and old, are still struggling with their literacy skills,” said Mr. Rommel Fuerte, Executive Director of World Vision in the Philippines.

Based on a report by United Nations, the Philippines has the highest literacy rate at 97.95 percent among Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Brunei, and Indonesia. The literacy rate is 98.9 percent among females and 97 percent among males aged 15-24.

While the literacy rate showed the country’s improvement from the past years, there is still a staggering number of children in the country who face literacy challenges. The remaining gap reflected in the study above shows that more work must be done to address this pressing issue.

“To become literate is an important component in the development of children, especially at this fast-paced, technology-driven age. Brigada Pagbasa aims to unleash the potential in every child,” said Mr. Rommel Fuerte, Executive Director of World Vision Philippines.

Brigada Pagbasa will fully commence this November at several communities across the Philippines to educate everyone the value of reading.

“This campaign is a life-long commitment for all of us, perhaps, until every child receives an opportunity to be educated and to develop his or her full potential,” Mr. Fuerte added.

World Vision and Procter & Gamble in partnership with Department of Education Malabon Division Office launched “Pag-asa sa Basura”

In line with the back-to-school season, World Vision and Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines together with Department of Education Malabon Division Office launched the “Pag-asa sa Basura” campaign, a sustainable waste collection and recycling system targeting several schools in Metro Manila. The project will be done in 25 chosen schools in Malabon and Quezon City.

The participating schools will be outfitted with school-based materials recovery facilities (MRF) for various solid waste materials including sachet packaging. The students who will be participating in the campaign are encouraged to bring sachets to receive incentives such as school supplies. Furthermore, the profits that will be collected from the MRF will be used for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) programs like improvements in their handwashing facilities and WaSH education.

This initiative will not only be benefiting the children but also saving the environment with the goal of preventing at least one million pieces of sachets going to the ocean. Educators, students, and parents will also be trained on the principles of solid waste management specifically recycling.

Official representatives who joined the event were Cynthia Ayles, Schools Division Superintendent/ OIC of DepEd Malabon, Eliseo Raymundo, Head for School Governance and Operations Division, Anna Legarda, Head of Communications of Procter & Gamble, Jun Godornes, Resource Development Director of World Vision Philippines, and Principals from the 20 participating schools in Malabon.

”World Vision Philippines is so blessed with the success of all of our initiatives with our partners and on behalf of our organization, I would like to thank them for their unwavering support to our advocacy. Let’s continue to work together for the Filipino children,” said World Vision Philippines Executive Director Rommel Fuerte.

To know more and support World Vision Philippines activities, visit www.worldvision.org.ph. You may also follow /worldvisionph on Facebook and @worldvisionphl on Instagram for updates.

World Vision supports powerful film Boses in promoting Child Protection

In support of the Cinemalaya classic film Boses (Voices), World Vision Development Foundation, Inc., led by its senior board members Glicerio Abad and David Huang, recently joined the premiere showing of the advocacy film which relevantly touches the issue of child abuse in a well-told story filled with compassion and hope for children.
 

"The film’s difficult theme, drawn intricately by Direk Ellen, captures our hearts and challenges us to care more about the fragility of our children’s protection and well-being,” shares Filomena M. Portales, interim national director of World Vision, in her official endorsement of Boses.
 
“It pushes parents, the government, decision makers, NGOs and other civil society groups to uphold the protection of children and prevent all forms of violence including abuse, neglect and sexual exploitation. It calls for a strong collaboration [of the different sectors] towards a political will to make child protection a priority agenda of the government,” she added.
 
“We should focus on child protection and family wellness. When we focus on the children of our society, so many blessings will come,” shared Boses Director Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil as she opened the premiere evening held last July 23, 2013 at the SM Megamall, Cinema 9.
 
After its debut in the prestigious Cinemalaya film fest last 2008, Director Marfil finally decided to venture Boses into mainstream distribution following positive reception and insistent demand from various advocacy groups, government agencies and the academe.

Last summer, as part of director Marfil's  advocacy partnership with World Vision, Boses also inspired the child-focused ministry's community partners and field staff in its special screening during World Vision's Children's Congress in Cavite. It was also shown in the recent National Education Forum organized by World Vision. The forum was attended by education practitioners from different parts of the country.
 
As a child-focused organization, World Vision is committed to making child protection a top priority. It strives to promote an environment that is safe for children through its advocacy programs and partnerships with like-minded groups and initiatives such as the film Boses.
  

 Partners in stopping violence against children.  Filomena M. Portales, interim national Director of World Vision with Boses director, Ellen Ongkengko-Marfil at the premiere night last July 23. 

 

“Boses will make the viewers realize that it would really take a village to raise a child. World Vision is one with Direk Marfil and the rest of the cast and crew of Boses in crying out to stop violence against children and for parents to use positive discipline rather than corporal punishment in teaching them right values,” said World Vision Advocacy Manager Kathrine Yee.
 
Boses tells the story about a mute boy who gets rescued from the violent hands of his father and found a safe place in a child-friendly shelter house which leads him to a unique friendship with a reclusive violinist who eventually mentors him. Both seek their joy in playing the strings as they cope with pain and find healing through the power of music and unconditional love.
 
The critically-acclaimed film, which also earned raving reviews from its exhibitions abroad, boasts of a powerful musical direction with Filipino pride world-renowned violinist Coke Bolipata at the helm and child music wonder Julian Duque, who both had their first acting stint in the movie. Veteran thespians Ricky Davao, Cherry Pie Picache and Meryll Soriano complete the brilliant cast.

The movie is set for a nationwide release at SM Cinemas starting July 31. For more details, visit and like Boses the Movie page on Facebook.

Kipling + World Vision = “A Brighter Christmas for a Brighter Tomorrow”

In celebration of this season of giving, KIPLING bag (Belgian brand) joins forces with World Vision to bring “A Brighter Christmas For A Brighter Tomorrow.” This program aims to provide additional funds for the education of children under the care of the world renowned Christian development and advocacy organization.

Ms. Miriam Quiambao graced the event.

According to Benjamin Go, President of Greyhound Marketing Corporation, exclusive distributor of Kipling in the Philippines, the partnership is a timely effort to spread the fun and happiness that’s instilled in every Kipling bag. “There is no greater joy this Christmas than knowing we have brought smiles to others, especially children. Though “A Brighter Christmas for a Brighter Tomorrow” program, we can make not only the holidays, but also the future, brighter for the children of World Vision.”

“We are very delighted to have this partnership with Kipling, which is known globally for bringing fun and joy through its fashionable bags. Were happy that this time, Kipling decided to reach out and bring the same kind of goodwill to ensure the education of children sponsored by World Vision,” says National Resource Development Associate Director Jun Godornes.

Fashionable ladies on-the-go can also shares in giving children a brighter tomorrow by shopping for a cause. For every Kipling bag or luggage purchased from December 1 to 31, 2012, Kipling will donate Php500 to World Vision.

Joining Kipling and World Vision in celebrating the launch of this meaningful endeavor are some of the country’s biggest celebrities who are also extending their support to the program. These include Miriam Quiambao, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Kylie Padilla and Jessica Connelly.

For its Holiday Collection, Kipling offers sporty and glam bags called Basic Elevated. These perfect everyday adventure companions come in stylish quilted exteriors, patent details, stunning linings, and 3 Christmas-themed colors red, white, and black.

The Basic Elevated Collection includes New Elise that has a tablet-ready interior and can be worn 3 ways;

• Teagan S, a travel-savvy trolley with 2 compartments that are accessible from the topside.
• Weekend bag that can accommodate all your travel tidbits with its expandable bottom and
• Creativity X a totally essential-ready cross-over bag.

“Kipling’s Holiday Collection is a line eagerly awaited by our loyal customers, but this time, we’d like to enjoin them to share the blessings of the season by participating in this program. This is because with every purchase of any Kipling bag, our customers get to enjoy cutting-edge designs and fashion- forward pieces as well as help build a brighter tomorrow for the less privileged children,” adds Millet Antonio, brand manager of Kipling in the Philippines.

Also helping raise awareness about Kipling’s A Brighter Christmas for a Brighter Tomorrow with World Vision program are our ad agency The Sven Group and talent agency Vidanes Marketing.

KIPLING is available online at zalora.com.ph and at SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA The Block, SM Megamall, SM Bacolod, SM Iloilo, SM Davao, SM Cebu, SM Lanang Premier, Robinsons Place Ernita, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Makati, Landmark Makati, Landmark TriNoma and soon-to-open Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro.

To know more visit Kipling Philippines on Facebook and get to find out more exciting news and promos from the lovable monkey.