Twenty years of legal alternatives for women center

Law Center Inc. last Monday, December 5, had its general assembly. Clients, members and partners (Kaabag, Zonta, Sidlak, Kahupayan) actively celebrated its 20th year of growing and learning with women: listening to women, providing legal services, linking women with the agencies that provide assistance, responding to a variety of concerns that they encounter. Lolet Aliño, LAW Center Inc. executive director, recalled how Atty. Alice Morada had introduced the idea, and a small group of women advocates began this service group. Then she pointed out the generosity of the Cebu provincial government that provided LAW Center, Inc. office space and cooperation in all its programs.

The main part of the activity was the presentation by Atty. Virginia Palanca-Santiago of the year-end report. She declared that this year, the NGO had integrated environmental concerns into the women advocacy with the slogan “No to violence against women; no to violence against Mother Earth” in support of Pope Francis’ call for sensitivity to suffering in God’s creation.

The organization extends its reach through “Takna sa Kababayn-an” and “Sa Mata sa Kababayn-an.” “Takna sa Kababayn-an” is aired through dyLA every Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Atty. Noemi Truya-Abarintos co-anchors with Lolet. Here, news reports related to women are discussed with laws relevant to them. Every last Wednesday of the month at 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., LAW Center Inc. in partnership with Cebu Lady Lawyers Association discusses issues and laws related to women’s concerns over CCTN. On Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with Atty. Virginia Palanca-Santiago as anchor, women’s experiences are shared through CCTN in “Sa Mata sa Kababayn-an.” Every session many phone-in inquiries come from as far as Mindanao.

A major undertaking has been the holding of sessions with barangay leaders involved with the their violence against women (VAW) desk. It is paralegal training which focuses on the Anti-Domestic Violence Against Women and their Children and the Magna Carta of Women. Gender Orientation is also included. But Atty. Virginia Palanca Santiago wisely interweaves a discussion on marriage, the family and parenting. To make sure of their support, arrangements with the mayor of the place precede the activities. In the province, the following localities have had orientations: Bantayan, Sta. Fe, Madredejos, Medellin, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Danao, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Santander, Oslob, Toledo, Samboan. While in the city, knowledge sharing has taken place in Lorega, Sawang Calero, Pardo (Cogon and Poblacion), Sambag 2, Guba, Inayawan, Guadalupe, Pulang Bato, Punta Princesa, Mabolo, Pit-os, Tisa, Duljo Fatima, Banilad.

Together with these activities, information have been gathered regarding the situation in the barangays. Some of the findings are: Many areas need to be informed about the required VAW desk and its function. More barangay officials need to be informed regarding the barangay protection order which is source of protection of women victims of violence. Many families need to be reached by counseling services. Clarifications are needed by police personnel in responding to VAW cases. Many localities need sessions regarding the preparation of the GAD budget. The office realized the need of those working to free women from gender violence to know the local culture especially the features that tend to make families susceptible to gender violence.

The statistics and graphs reflected scientific monitoring of the LAW Center, Inc. processes and projects. The president, Atty. Virginia Palanca-Santiago, blended into it personal insights and experiences to make the presentation truly meaningful. Philippine Commission on Women chairperson Dr. Rhodora Masilang-Bucoy actively participated in the assembly.

During the lunch, participants viewed the film prepared by the students of Prof. Bien Fernandez and supported by Zonta 1 Cebu. He discussed his thoughts on how effective film is as an educational medium, especially in the clarification of values. He explained: “Look at ‘Sound of Music’; it is popular. Some consider this a classic. What is it really about? It is about Maria who seriously wanted to follow the will of God? She thought she would accomplish this by entering the convent. Later she discovered that God’s plan was actually for her to be with a family, to assist this widower in the care of his children and later to make the brave decisions during a time of war.”
He sent the students to LAW Center, Inc. to interact with the victims of violence as well as the staff that assist them because he was quite disturbed by the subjects they wanted to do films on. He also did not want them to be trapped in their notions on romantic love. The students filmed three cases of victims of violence. The episodes showed that often it takes some time for women to act on cruelty inflicted on them.

That reminded me of the Short Film Festival of the 150th Jubilee of the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Short film (5 to 20 minutes) entries are invited for this festival. Its purpose “to discover, encourage, and support the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that creatively portray the life and struggles, griefs, and anxieties, hopes and dreams of Filipino devotees of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. It celebrates ‘the Filipino as a people in love with Mary.’”

The “short film could be drama, docu-drama, comedy or animation.”

Here are some the rules and guidelines from the contest information sheet:
1. The film must include the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and reflect the theme: A Portrait of the Filipino as a Devotee of Out Mother of Perpetual Help

2. Works submitted must be produced or directed by individual or groups of Filipino descent and/or produced in any parts of the Philippines.

3. The language of the film can be any of the Philippine languages, dialects or indigenous tongue. Other details can be obtained from Dr. Madrileña L. dela Cerna, 09173295201 or [email protected] or Rev. Fr. Chris Mostajo, 09286223891. The fact sheet also declares, “We recognize that the world of religion attracts strong emotions and sensitivities. Notwithstanding this, we will accept films which are critical of contemporary religious practice. We will not accept films which in the opinion of the judges are flagrantly blasphemous, designed primarily to provoke anger or grossly offend.”