“TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF SO YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF OTHERS”

March 19, 2013, Tuesday
10:00am to 5:00pm
Activity Center, Market! Market! Taguig City

Program:
10:00 am Start of Registration

10:30 am Start of Program
Opening Remarks

10:40 am Seminar on Maternal Health
by Dr. Vivienne Eustaquio

11:20 am Yoga 101 Class by Beyond Yoga

12:00 nn Healthy Cooking for Women on the Go
by Chef Dino Dizon of Slice

1:00 pm Empowerment through Positive Communication
by Ms. Elaine Ledesma of Trainstation

2:00 pm Wellness and Fitness Class
by Coach Ani De Leon-Brown

3:00 pm Arnis Demo / Self-defense
In light of Anti-Violence Against Women

4:00 pm Women Empowerment

Booths for the Ladies to Enjoy:

1. Breeze Art Station for the Children of the Mommies
An art station for the kids to enjoy expressing themselves through Arts and Crafts.

2. Anlene Bone Scanning Station
Anlene will be giving free bone scanning to all participants. The usual cost of this procedure amounts to around P3,000 and Anlene will be giving this for free! Anlene will also be giving milk samples.

SpeakUp: Say NO to Violence Against Women

- A social media campaign in support of the 16 Days of Activism (International, Nov.25-Dec.10) and 18 Days of Activism (Philippines, Nov.25-Dec.12) to end violence against women

People are shocked to discover that, in this day and age, many women still experience violence in their own homes, or even by the hands of their loved ones. Unfortunately, the reality is that many women, here in the Philippines and around the world, suffer violence or abuse based primarily on their gender:

• 1 in 5 Filipino women aged 15-49 has experienced physical violence since age 15.
• 23% of women who were married experienced emotional abuse.
• 1 in 7 women who were married experienced physical violence by their husband.
• 3 in 5 women who experienced physical or sexual violence reported experiencing depression, anxiety, and anger.
• In the Philippines, rape is the most widespread form of violence against women.
• In 2011. There were 6,043 reported cases of rape, and over 1,000 cases of attempted rape.

(National Statistics Office)

For more data on violence against Filipino women, visit http://pcw.gov.ph/statistics/201210/statistics-violence-against-filipino-women.

Violence against women is not confined to physical abuse; it can also take the form of emotional, verbal, psychological, economic, and sexual abuse. It is a social problem that continues to prevail in the Philippines.

What can be done to stop this?

November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It also marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism leading up to Human Rights Day on December 10. This is a worldwide campaign to raise awareness that violence against women is one of the most widespread human rights abuses across the globe.

Learn more about the worldwide 16 Days Campaign on http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu/.  For more info on the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, visit http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/vaw/day.htm.

In the Philippines, our local campaign is extended to 18 Days, to include Anti-Trafficking of Persons Day on December 12. This year, our local campaign is adapting the theme “VAW-Free Society in Times of Peace, Conflict and Calamity,” in order to highlight the importance of addressing gender concerns whether in armed conflict or disaster situations.

Visit http://pcw.gov.ph/event/18-day-campaign-end-violence-against-women-vaw-2012 to learn more about our local campaign.

A vital step in eliminating this social ill is to raise awareness among the public. We need to build an informed citizenry that will not allow violence against women to perpetuate in our society. We need people to speak up, because to defend women’s rights is to stand up for our human rights.

And this is where you come in.

This year, we’re utilizing social media so that more people can participate in the campaign and learn more about this issue. On November 25, we start the 18 Day Campaign on social media using the #SpeakUp hashtag, and we need your help to make it viral! You can choose to do any of the following:

1. Upload to Instagram or change your Twitter display photo to a picture of yourself holding up our downloadable sign, like this:

2. Upload to Instagram or change your Twitter display photo to a picture of yourself holding up your hand as if staying STOP, with a sign on your palm, like this:

You can opt to put up your hand and just write “STOP” on your palm. Or you can simply just put up your hand.

3. Add a white Twibbon to your display photo through this website: http://twibbon.com/support/violence-against-women

You’re free to make your own sign, and even make your own slogan to inform your followers about the campaign. The important thing is to use the #SpeakUp hashtag in your tweets to be consistent with our cause. Encourage your friends and followers to participate in the campaign by using the #SpeakUp hashtag and changing their display photos, too!

Throughout the course of the 18 Day Campaign, we will be tweeting information to up the public’s consciousness on this issue. Feel free to RT or tweet your own insights – with the #SpeakUp hashtag, of course! With your help and enthusiastic support, we can show the world that we care about our women. Together, we can finally put a stop to violence against them. #

*Our downloadable sign (just right click, save image as), or you can make your own!

PIA goes to Misamis Oriental, Camiguin

The Pinay In Action (PIA) team of Senator Pia S. Cayetano recently visited Northern Mindanao for a series of medical missions and seminars promoting awareness on women’s rights and maternal and child health.

The team led a medical mission serving 300 residents of Barangay Barra in the municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental province in the morning of April 25.

The mission was followed by a seminar on Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (AVAWC) attended by 100 barangay officials, village watchmen and residents.

The activities were conducted in coordination with Brgy. Baraan Chairman Max Seno.

The following day, on April 26, the team proceeded to Barangay Bonbon, Sagay town in Camiguin province to conduct a medical mission in partnership with volunteer-doctors led by Dra. Nona Neri.

Barangay Bonbon Chairman Christopher Rodriguez and former Sagay Vice Mayor Marvee Rodriguez also assisted the team to ensure the smooth conduct of both activities.

After the medical mission, the team proceeded to gymnasium of Poblacion, Sagay, Camiguin for a seminar on maternal and child health and AVAWC.

The seminar was attended by 150 participants including barangay health workers, municipal health employees, members of women’s organization, and barangay officials and staff.

The team acknowledges the assistance provided by the local government unit of Sagay headed by Mayor Eugenio Ong. #

05 March 2012

‘Operation Smile Train’ brings cheers to kids in Aurora

Twenty-four children and youths born with cleft lip and palate in Aurora Province can now flash their newfound smiles after undergoing free cleft lip and palate operations recently, courtesy of ‘Operation Smile Train.’

‘Operation Smile Train-Aurora’ is a joint program of Gabriel’s Symphony and the Pinay In Action (PIA) team of Senator Pia S. Cayetano, together with the provincial government of Aurora led by Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, and Smile Train, a New York-based institution which provides free cleft lip and palate corrective surgery for children in poor countries.

A team of volunteer-doctors accredited by Smile Train worked almost twenty straight hours, tirelessly operating on the 24 patients aged 1 to 15 years old, at the Aurora Memorial Hospital located in Baler, the town capital.

The medical team is composed of surgeons Dra. Lora Mae de Guzman and Dra. Nikki Valencia, and anesthesiologists Dra. Michelle Mae Arellano and Dr. Richard Chong. The group started at 6:00 am of February 28 and rounded up work by 1:30 am the following day, on February 29.

The team is also grateful to Dr. Luisito The, hospital director of the Aurora Memorial hospital

And Dr. Raul Tumboc, Provincial Health Officer for making ‘Operation Smile Train’ possible. #

Mission accomplished: After working for twenty straight hours starting at 6:00 am of Feb. 28, the ‘Operation Smile Train’ Team rounds up all 24 surgeries by 1:30 am the following day, on Feb.29.

In celebration of the Women’s Month of March, Pinay In Action (PIA) will be holding a running and fitness clinic exclusively for women.

Called ‘Takbo, Maria Clara, Takbo,’ the clinic will be held on Friday, March 9, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Slice Cafe, located at the ground floor of Bonifacio High Street C-2 Building on Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Described as the ‘Modern Girls’ Guide to Running and Fitness,’ the clinic will offer useful tips and information on basic running for women; exercising during and after pregnancy; nutritious diets, & inspiring anecdotes for a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Speakers include triathlon coach Ani De Leon-Brown, who will talk on basic running for women, and Chef Joey Prats, who will share tips on eating for health and fitness.

PIA founder Senator Pia Cayetano, an avid runner and triathlete,will also give an inspirational message for the participants.

The program includes an open forum to allow participants to ask questions and share their own insights with the speakers.

The event will be capped by a book signing of Sen. Cayetano’s memoir, ‘My Daily Race.’

For more details on the event, check out Sen. Cayetano’s Facebook fan page and  follow @tweetakbo on Twitter.

Christmas at Daang Hari

The ‘Barefoot Running Kids’ of Daang Hari were treated to early Christmas treats, games and sports at a thanksgiving party organized for them by Senator Pia Cayetano and her friends last weekend.

Cayetano has been helping the group of young running enthusiasts since last year.  She met them while training one morning along Daang Hari, a road that traverses Muntinlupa, Las Pinas and Bacoor, Cavite which has become a regular training ground for avid runners and bikers living in southern Metro Manila.

Sen. Pia thought of the moniker ‘Barefoot Running Kids,’ after observing that most members of the group were running barefoot or wearing only slippers. The children of poor families living in communities along Daang Hari, their parents can hardly afford to buy them running shoes but this has not barred these kids from pursuing their passion for running.

They have since been gifted with running shoes and other blessings, including free Hepatitis A and B shots, a feeding program, books and other treats.

Now on its second year, the thanksgiving party started with the children taking a dip in the pool in the morning, followed by a program prepared by the senator’s staff that featured raffle prizes, parlor games and a reading session. To show their gratitude, the children performed a dance number for Senator Pia Cayetano, who came with her training partner, Atty. Joey Torres and triathlon coach Noel Salvador.

In her message to the children, Cayetano stressed how young people should learn to value their studies and be responsible children to their parents, aside from their training and devoting time for playing.

We thank our friends for making this day extra special for the kids, including Ms Nova Naval and Engr. Adrian Chua of Portofino Heights and South; Taguig City Hall for the chairs and tables; Ms. Bell Grandinetti of Mona Lisa Ristorante in Alabang (2/F The Commerce Center, Commerce Ave., Alabang) for the pizza; and Ms. Mona Valdez for the chocolates. #

06 December 2011

Senator Pia’s book to be launched in Cebu Dec.9

‘My Daily Race’ (My Life as a Senator, Mom and Triathlete), the very first book by Senator Pia S. Cayetano, will be launched in Cebu City on December 9, 2011 (Friday), 7:30 pm at the Active Zone of the Ayala Center, Cebu Business Park.

The lady senator will personally sign copies of her memoir which recounts her story from being a reluctant candidate in the 2004 electoral campaign up to her re-election in 2010. Starting out as a virtual unknown in the field of politics, she would become the youngest woman elected in the history of the Philippine Senate, and later, the first Filipino and Asian to be elected president of a standing committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Geneva-based organization of parliamentarians all over the world.

In My Daily Race, Cayetano writes about her life in politics, sports and as a mother, representing the multi-tasking senator’s interwoven worlds. She intimately shares how her ‘daily race’ consists of continuously balancing her official duties in the Senate with her responsibilities at home, while still finding time to pursue her passion for sports and her various advocacies.

The lady senator also recalls overcoming the loss of her 9-month-old son Gabriel in 2001 and her father, Senator Compañero Rene Cayetano in 2003, by turning to running to cope with her grief. Over the years, she would continue to challenge herself by taking on even tougher sports, including marathons, duathlons, triathlons and Ironman races here and abroad, and organizing sports events for a cause.

Cayetano chose to hold the Visayas launch of her book in Cebu, the province and the city which she considers a second home. Last March, Cayetano topped her age group in the women’s division of the inaugural XTERRA international off-road triathlon in the town of Liloan. Last year, she organized the Cebu leg of ‘Pinay In Action,’ an all-women’s run held at the Lahug IT Park. She also led Bike for Hope-Cebu in 2005 to promote health and environmental awareness among Cebuanos.

Now serving on her second term, Cayetano continues to fight for women’s rights and major reforms in the public health system. She is currently one of two women advocates pushing for the passage of the much-debated Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the Senate, along with co-sponsor Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. As one of the Senate’s most accomplished members, Cayetano is credited for passing a number of important laws such as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Food and Drugs Administration Act, Anti-Hospital Detention Law, Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act, and Magna Carta of Women.

“You see, there are really two kinds of women who run: Women who put on running shoes and run recreationally or competitively, and women who run for public office. I am a woman who runs, on both accounts,” Cayetano wrote in her book about women and ‘running.’

The lady senator encourages more women to get involved in ‘running,’ both as a sport and by running for public office as a form of empowering themselves and their fellow women. “When I run in a race, I proudly run on behalf of women. I run to empower women. I run to raise awareness that there is still a lot of discrimination and injustice against women in our country. I run because I know this will be a better place when women’s voices are heard as loudly as men’s. Mostly, I run because I know a little girl is always watching from the sidelines; and I hope to empower her, to inspire her to be a woman of substance and perhaps a woman who runs one day.”

In her daily race called Life, Senator Pia has shown no signs of slowing down. #

WHAT: ‘MY DAILY RACE’ BOOK LAUNCH/SIGNING

WHERE: ACTIVE ZONE, AYALA CENTER, CEBU CITY

WHEN: 9 DECEMBER 2011 (FRIDAY), 7:30 PM

Putik Pare is one of country’s most exciting off-road duathlon events. The challenging course consists of an 18-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run. What makes the race unique is the rugged trail which is littered with ditches, mud pits, gravel and many other dangerous obstacles.

Philippine STAR, 19 November 2011

Pinay In Action goes to Pangasinan

Senator Pia Cayetano’s ‘Pinay In Action’ (PIA) will go to the province of Pangasinan to hold a series of community seminars in four different localities from October 18-20.

The PIA seminars will tackle issues such as maternal health, child care, breastfeeding and Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (AVAWC).

The PIA team will conduct seminars in Mangaldan (Oct. 18), Calasiao and Dagupan (Oct. 19) and Alaminos (Oct.20).