NEWS ARCHIVE

as of APRIL 2008

SocDev’s CSBCom Diary

Gallery (Photo Documentation) here

On January 12, 2007, ASI, together with the Maximo T. Kalaw Institute for Sustainable Development, NGOs, local government units (LGUs) and people's organizations launched the first consultation on EcologicalSystems-Based Community-Centered Organization and Management (ECSOM) in Cardona, Rizal.

ECSOM is a holistic sustainable development approach being advocated by Dr. Sixto K. Roxas. As a graduate school of social transformative praxis, ASI found merit in the principles advanced by ECSOM. More consultations in the first half of the year later followed to breathe more flesh and bones to the concept that later developed into the Co-creating Sustainable Bio-regional Communities (CSBCom). As well, various initiatives were undertaken with ASI partner communities to find out how it can be concretized.

Being still very much a work-in-progress, ASI's Social Development Department deems it important to document these disparate activities to see whether or how all these fit together to form a coherent development framework we can label CSBCom.

ASI and its partner communities define CSBCom as a worldview, a meaning system, a way of life and an integral sustainable development approach that is rooted in Filipino spirituality and in the richness of our culture and nature.

Entries for October 2007

October 5

Bigkis-Lakas Pilipinas Holds National Meeting

Today, after a lull of four years, the leaders of Bigkis-Lakas (BL) Pilipinas, a national association of fisherfolk organizations, met once again, this time in ASI. Dr. Mina was elated when she learned that SocDev was hosting the BL leaders’ national meeting and said that it’s about time that we catch up on each other’s lives and where we are headed (“magandang panahon para mag-usyoso, magbalitaan sa kalagayan at patutunguhan”). Although there were leaders who had passed away, she missed particularly Ka-Onie who did not see the signing of R.A. 8550 The Fisheries Code of the Philippines into law, she’s glad to note their continuing journey to champion the interests of the fisherfolk sector.

There were 18 BL leaders who came: four from Albay, three from Laguna, two each from Quezon, Guimaras Island and Rizal, and one each from Cavite, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Davao City, Camarines Sur and Occidental Mindoro.

The BL leaders expressed their joy too in seeing one another and reminisced about their struggles and ASI’s accompaniment program to organize their communities and families. Everyone had a story to tell about the most important things they learned from ASI, the current socio-economic and political situation in their localities, the situation of the fisherfolk and their organizational plans.

Each poignant story struck a chord in our hearts but two stood out: those shared by Ka-Billy Bernardo (KAMMAY-Albay) and Ka-Rudy Cabahug (BL-ARMM).

Ka-Billy remembered his parish priest sending him to attend his first BL conference on September 22 to 26, 1986 in Albay. Back then the small fisherfolk used to be an invisible sector in Philippine society; being from the ‘smelly’ sector (“sector ng malalansa”), they were excluded from and marginalized in mainstream society. According to him there are three principles about human beings that he learned from ASI that he and his family live by to this day. First, is, a person is a spiritual being—he or she cannot live without God. Second, a person is a social being—he or she needs to love and be loved and nurture relationships within the family and in the larger society. And, third, a person is an economic being—being embodied, he or she cannot be non-materialistic. But it is important that he or she obtains material goods without exploiting others and lives without hurting another. Hence, when their province was devastated by Typhoon Reming last year and their livelihood destroyed, they kept their faith believing that poverty is no license to commit a crime (“Ang kawalan o kahirapan ay di lisensiya para gumawa ng masama”). He learned about ecology and other things too, but these three principles are what keep him going, striving patiently for social change. And while he hasn’t changed much, except for his white hair like Dr. Mina’s, he encourages his colleagues to continue studying society and how to transform it.

Ka-Rudy, on the other hand, remembered how their ASI training on ecological protection and preservation facilitated BL’s work in a tri-people setting (Muslim, Christian and Lumad) in Muslim Mindanao. He said it was difficult to lift the boundaries of religion and culture; but the sea embraces everyone. And since they live on the bounty of the sea, it was easier to unite on the vision of bringing back a pristine and paradise-like sea (“ibalik mala-paraisong karagatan”) and managing its marine life and resources. Ka-Rudy believes that ASI’s orientation of providing education for social action won over Muslim fisherfolks and armed groups who are themselves victims of violence and unjust social structures. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), two armed groups recognized by the local government, act as bantay-dagat (sea wardens) and turn over fishers who are caught using illegal fishing methods. Ka-Rudy rued about the benefits that the firsherfolks are enjoying now. Their catch has increased; they have happy stories to tell over steaming cups of native coffee, their children are happier, and their hearts are filled with empathy for others. The leaders actively monitor the FARMC (fishery and aquatic resource management council) in its implementation of the law. Still, there are many challenges ahead of them. Ka-Rudy remains confident though that the education they got from ASI will sustain them.

Cardona Youths Boost Traditional Filipino Street Games

Meantime, over at Cardona, a “Palaro ng Lahi, Mga Larong Katutubo Gustong-Gusto ni Tata Iko”—a local street games mini-sports festival—was being held. The ASI Youth Accompaniment Program broached the idea of reviving indigenous Filipino games played by generations past to celebrate the National Children’s Month. CSBCom Cardona and the local government warmly embraced the idea to instill in the youth the physical, emotional and social skills and leadership values evoked by these games.

The organizers included the Municipal Planning and Development Office, CSBCom Cardona, Samahang Anak Lawa Organisadong Kabataan, Tinig KAMALIG, SK Cardona, and ASI SocDev.

Eighteen youth volunteers accompanied by ASI signed up for the event.

Six teams from five barangays competed in the sports festival. A team comprised 12 players aged 12 to 15 years, two coaches and one team manager. They hailed from Bgy. Looc, Bgy. Dalig teams A and B, Bgy. Calahan, Bgy. Patunhay and Bgy. Real.

According to Christopher Funes (fondly called Tupe) of the Youth Accompaniment Program, the players had great fun playing ‘syato’, ‘patintero’, ‘sipa,’ ‘agawang panyo,’ ‘bato bola’ and ‘sipa bola’—all street games that brought back happy memories to the older generations watching the games.

Barangay Dalig Team A emerged overall champion with the team from Bgy. Calahan as first runner-up. Certificates of participation were given to all participants.

To popularize the games, the municipal mayor endorsed to the SK Chair to make them part of the regular sports festival held during summer when the kids are on vacation.

October 6

BL Pilipinas Joins ASI’s 45 th Anniversary

This day was a festive occasion being ASI’s 45 th or Saffire anniversary. The BL leaders joined the celebration held at the Philippine Columbian Association. The day started quite early for them.

The celebration highlighted the achievements of the various groups and sectors, such as the fisherfolks, farmers, urban dwellers and indigenous peoples that ASI and partner organizations have accompanied over the years. The BL leaders presented a song interlaced with a poem depicting the fisherfolk situation and their struggles. Ka-Naldy Alpay (ALQUEREZ-Quezon) recited from memory a portion of the poem that moved to tears some members of the audience, especially the representatives of the Dumagat community from Montalban who are in the process of claiming their ancestral domain.

Right after the anniversary celebration, we went back to ASI to help facilitate BL’s plans for the future. During the session, the BL leaders agreed to hold a general assembly on January 28 to February 2, 2008 to discuss among others the following: strengthening and expansion of BL Pilipinas; creation of Safronio Balagtas Foundation in honor of the late Ka-Onie, one of the most beloved and respected fisherfolk leaders in the country; election of new officers, and assessment of the tenth year of RA8550.

Ka-Onie was among the founders of CALARIZ, the fisherfolk federation for Cavite, Laguna and Rizal., and was instrumental in the signing of RA 8550 into law.

October 19

Rejoicing In Linggo Ng Mga Katutubo In Montalban

Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) invited ASI to join its weeklong celebration of the International Week of Indigenous Peoples in three Dumagat communities in Antipolo and Montalban, Rizal. CFCA invited ASI to the celebration to get to know better the Dumagat people whose leaders participated in ASI’s 45 th anniversary celebration. The Dumagats live in upland communities that form part of the bio-region of Rizal where CSBCom is being piloted.

Tupe joined the CFCA team to Purok Quinao, Bgy. Puroy, Montalban, Rizal for the Quinao leg of the celebration. Ka-Domeng, the Tribal Governor who spoke in ASI’s Saffire Anniversary and other chieftains welcomed him.

The following week (October 25) Arlene Natocyad of the Research Section joined the CFCA team to Bgy. Sta. Ines, Montalban, Rizal. According to Arlene, they crossed several waist high rivers to get to Sta. Ines. The following day, Alice B. Acejas of the Community-Centered Social Entrepreneurship trekked five hours to join the Malasya leg of the celebration scheduled on Saturday, October 27. Community representatives from Sta. Ines and Quinao joined the last day of the celebration too. A matriarch and traditional healer from Sta. Ines was overjoyed to see once again family members who settled in Malaysa. For the first time in her life, she beheld a grandchild and her children. (Please see photo diary.)

October 24

Have Faith, Have Food

Dr. Gina Yap, Vice-President for Social Development, and Niobe Espinosa of Sustainable Development Desk joined an ASI organized educational trip to a FAITH farm in Cabuyao, Laguna. FAITH means Food Always in the Home. Together with Dr. Mina Ramirez, ASI President and other ASI staff, they learned how to cultivate a FAITH garden.

The farm is run by the Institute for Foundational Learning (IFL), a non-profit organization that provides education, medical relief, agriculture, livelihood and nutrition programs to relieve the pressures of poverty. IFL Philippines is headed by Rev. Patricia Capwell and is assisted by a team of Filipino volunteers in implementing its various services. We got to know IFL through Cinderella, an IFL social work volunteer who is studying in ASI.

According to IFL, a 100 sq. meter lot is enough to provide 60 to 80% of a family’s daily nutritional needs. With proper care and management, fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs, fish, poultry and livestock can all be grown in this small space.

The photos taken during the training showed the enthusiasm of the ASI staff to cultivate their own FAITH garden.

October 25 to 26

Reviving Community Farming As A Way Of Life Through MASIPAG

This is the first day of a series of MASIPAG orientations to be undertaken by ASI SocDev in Binangonan, Cardona and Talim Island. ASI teams up with MASIPAG Inc. (Magsasaka at Siyentipiko Para sa Pag-unlad ng Pagsasaka) or Farmer-Scientist Partnership for Development to give flesh to CSBCom and revive community farming as a way of life. MASIPAG promotes organic farming and a diversified integrated farming system appropriate to the community’s agro-ecosystem.

The first orientation was held in Talim Island where 30 prospective MASIPAG farmer-adopters completed the training. They came from Bgys. Gulod, Janosa, Kaytome and Buhangin. During the second day, they decided to establish their community trial farm in Bgy. Gulod.

Tony Montenegro, MASIPAG Coordinator for Southern Luzon, said that the agro-ecosystem of Talim Island is suited for a Diversified Integrated Farming System (DIFS) in an upland-lowland fresh water lake ecosystem.

Bishop Pabillo Visits ASI Partner Communities

The MASIPAG orientation coincided with the exposure visit of Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Auxillary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila, to ASI’s partner communities in Cardona and Binangonan. Bishop Pabillo who is also chair of ASI’s Board of Trustees expressed a strong desire in getting to know our partners better. Dr. Mina and other ASI staff accompanied him and were warmly received in Cardona and Talim Island. Bishop Pabillo informed partner organizations like LUMMACAR (Lupon ng mga Mangingisda at Mamamayan sa Cardona) that Pondo ng Pinoy is awarding grants to livelihood projects worth P300,000 and below.

Dr. Mina said she was surprised to discover that Bishop Pabillo himself is an urban gardener. He has transformed the rooftop of his residence in Tondo into a medicinal garden with 50 herbs planted on pots. He also has a small fishpond.

Entries for November

November 7

Cracking Brains In The CSBCom Roundtable

We held today the 2 ND series of the ECSOM-CSBCom roundtable discussion with the Maximo T. Kalaw Instute for Sustainable Development. Like in the first series, the discussions with Dr. Sixto Roxas and Joey Imson always take an interesting turn – from micro to macro-economic and political issues that do not fail to overwhelm us. Dr. Roxas suggested that we should try imagine ourselves as a sort of ‘revolutionary council’ since what we are embarking on—changing mindsets and crafting a worldview on community-based sustainable development—is revolutionary, if not Quixotic.

For the third series on December 18, the consensus was for Dr. Roxas to discuss the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) that will be used for community-based planning and development.

November 9 and 10

Promoting MASIPAG in Binangonan Mainland

Tony of MASIPAG gave the second MASIPAG orientation to partner communities in Binangonan mainland . About twenty participants joined the trainin.. They were from SWAPs (Social Welfare Awareness Programs and Services), Angono-Binangonan Hograisers Association, Sinag-Bukas Neighborhood Association from Bgy. Lunsad and Pila-Pila Farmers Association.

The SocDev staff who joined the orientation included Tupe, Dr. Gina and Nelida Cayas of the Bioregional Community Organizing and Networking.

Nelida said that the orientation was enthusiastically received by the farmers of Bgy. Pila-pila so much so that they already prepared the community trial farm as soon as they got back to Pila-pila. Unfortunately, the farm was submerged when Anggat dam released water at the height of supertyphoon Mina. Laguna Lake flooded the coastal communities surrounding it and destroyed the fish cages of many fisherfolks. While waiting for the waters to subside, the farmers are exploring other sites for their trial farm.

November 16 and 17

MASIPAG in Cardona

The third and last MASIPAG orientation was given in Cardona. Most of the 15 participants came from Bgy. Dalig but two came from Bgy. Real and Patunhay, respectively. Alicea joined Tupe and Nelida in this last orientation.

The women from Bgy. Dalig already have a community garden planted to various crops, such as lemongrass, eggplant, okra, and patola. Hence, they appreciated very much the discussion on vegetable gardening. From Tony’s input, they learned what crops are good for inter-cropping, not only to enhance soil fertility but also to control pests naturally.

November 24

MASIPAG In An Urban Setting

Tony went to Paliparan, Las Piñas to give an orientation on urban gardening to women and youth groups accompanied by SocDev. Thirty participants (three from the Southville Relocation Site in Cabuyao, Laguna) attended his one-day orientation.

After his input on vegetable gardening and organic fertilizer-making, he was beset with questions from participants who have limited space and no plot for their gardens.

Tony shared that they can make their own soil from dusts swept daily combined with organic wastes (peelings). They only have to store these in a small can or plastic container that will surely be filled in five days’ time. After a month the wastes will decompose and will be ready for one leafy vegetable plant. The continuous cycle of storing and decomposing will result in a thriving urban garden.

The Paliparan women resolved that they will surround the day-care center with pots of leafy vegetables arranged in a rack to maximize space. They will also use the vacant lot beside the center as their community garden and plant it with shrubs such as eggplant.

According to Niobe, the mothers in Southville will also use whatever space is available in their neighborhood to plant vegetables for their daily nutritional needs. She added that they have started a fruit tree nursery and might have to start looking for places to plant the saplings in Southville.

Schedule of Events
(January to March 2008)

“ASI moves on as a Movement of
Transformative Ideas,
of Inquiry (Research) and Active Advocacy”
--- Dr. Mina M. Ramirez ---

Short –Term Courses

Upholding its mission to promote total well-being ASI will conduct a number of short-term courses collectively designed to facilitate a holistic approach to and understanding of health and wellness for individuals vis-à-vis indigenous healing methods (Philippine Healing and Modalities), and which to permeate, in succeeding short-term courses, to groups and society through community empowerment, social services and development.

For inquiries and/or reservations, contact the ASI’s Promotions Office (526-5590) or the Academe Secretariat’s Office (526-6158).

JPIC Roundtable Discussion of All Levels (Institutional and Community Leaders, Adults and Youth)

The final leg of the 4-part quest which called upon all servant leaders from various institutional spheres to discover ways and means of healing the divides in society will be conducted on March 3, 2008, Monday, at the Asian Social Institute (ASI), in Malate, Manila.

This last convocation would serve as the seedbed for the amalgamation of insights and experiences shared in the previous JPIC workshops through in-depth discussions and interspersed with creative presentations.

Invited to attend are those who participated in the previous seminar-workshops held in ASI on August 6, 2007 and the Philippine Columbian Association in Paco, Manila on October 6 and December 3, 2007.

Projects - Years 2008 – 2009
in connection with Co-Creating Sustainable Bio-regional Communties

1. Values formation of municipal fisherfolk families of Cardona who will pilot a demo-techno farm for ornamental fish to be marketed internationally
   • Sponsored by: The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Production of ornamental fish will be simultaneous with raising of high value food fish –“Ulang” and red Tilapia.
2. Training and formation of youth leaders in 18 barangays of Cardona, Rizal in Environmental Education – “Children and Youth in Action for a Sustainable Future”
   • Sponsored by: DKA, a national organization of youth Austria
3. Organic Farming in Angono, Binangonan and Cardona, Rizal
   • Sponsored by: Francis Senden Memorial Foundation (FSMF)
4. Cardona children and youth will facilitate the exposure program of 350 elementary school children of St. Theresa’s College, Quezon City. Cardona youth will present to the students a drama presentation of the situation of fisherfolk families residing by the coasts of Laguna Lake.