by anyajulia | Dec 2, 2009 | Headlines, Major Events
New HIV infections have been reduced by 17 percent over the past eight years. Since 2001, when the United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS was signed, the number of new infections in sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 15 percent lower, which is around 400,000 fewer infections in 2008. This is according to the 2009 AIDS Epidemic Update.
In East Asia, new HIV infections declined by nearly 25 percent and in South and South-East Asia by 10 percent in the same period.
The report, released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights that beyond the peak and natural course of the epidemic, HIV prevention programmes are making a difference.
The UNAIDS Outlook report further explores how “modes of transmission” studies are changing the approach of HIV prevention efforts. The new report looks at new ideas and ways to use the data collected in the companion epidemiological report. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Nov 26, 2009 | Foreign Exchange, Headlines, Major Events
The National Youth Commission (NYC) is now accepting applicants for Student Ambassadors and Supervisors to a 10-day Visit to Japan as part of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Program. This program is in partnership with the Japan International Cultural Center (JICC) of the Embassy of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE).
The JENESYS Program is an annual youth exchange program that provides the youth with the opportunity to visit ASEAN countries and Japan, and establish friendship with their counterparts.
The delegates will live on board a Japanese luxury ship. While on country visits, they undertake various activities such as courtesy call, interaction with local youth, institutional visits, and homestay with local families.
The Program aims to deepen understanding of the different facets of the Japanese society including politics, diplomacy, economics and culture and to form the basis of future vision and construct firm solidarity among Asian countries which will promote mutual understanding of the future generation of ASEAN and East Asia Summit member countries.
To qualify for the JENESYS Programme of student ambassadors, applicants must be Filipino, single, must be between 16 to 18 years old, on or before April 1, 2010; and of good moral character.
For more details on the requirements, please go to the NYC website www.youth.net.ph. Visit the Embassy of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE). Or Click here for the full article. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Nov 25, 2009 | Foreign Exchange, Headlines, Major Events
2009 CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Peñaflorida, the Filipino “pushcart classroom” educator will also be receiving the Order of Lakandula Award in the hero’s welcome by Malacanang. The ceremony will be lead by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself.
Peñaflorida’s selection was revealed by CNN’s Andenson Cooper at the conclusion of the third annual “CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute” at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood on November 21.
The Filipino CNN Hero of the Year who will receive US$100,000., is in addition to the US$25,000 he is entitled of as one of the top ten nominees, to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company.
He announced that 10% of his winning will go to his Parish in Cavite, the others will be for the children who are beneficiaries of his kariton klasroom.
The other top ten CNN Heroes include Brad Blauser who provides hope and mobility to disabled children and their families in Iraq. Army veteran Roy Foster started Stand Down House to help veterans struggling with addiction and homelessness in Florida.
Bartender Doc Hendley is providing clean water to communities worldwide. Breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory is bringing early detection to the doorsteps of uninsured women.
Zimbabwe native Betty Makoni founded the Girl Child Network to provide a haven for young victims of sexual abuse. School bus driver Jorge Munoz is helping hungry New Yorkers make it through tough times by handing out free meals from his mobile soup kitchen in Queens. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Nov 25, 2009 | Headlines, Major Events
November 25th is dubbed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women. A campaign linking, the United Nations Development Fund for Women enjoin people of the world to join the 16 Days of activism against gender violence,with December 10th as the International Human Rights Day.
This year, a new advocacy program called “Say NO – Unite to End Violence Against Women,” campaign, serves to spotlight international efforts to garner attention and action on the issue of violence against women.
The goal of the campaign is to reach 10,000 “actions” by March 2010, and one million in one year. Actions vary from volunteering at abuse shelters to donating to programs that protect victims of violence or educate women and girls.
Violence affects the lives of millions of women worldwide in all socio-economic and educational classes. It cuts across cultural and religious barriers impeding the right of women to participate fully in society.
Violence against women takes a dismaying variety of forms from domestic abuse and rape, to child marriages, female circumcision, trafficking, dowry-related violence, and honor killings.
Today 1 out of 5 women has personally experienced some kind of abuse and almost every woman has been indirectly confronted with acts of violence and discrimination within her family or in her immediate neighborhood. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Nov 24, 2009 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
The victims in Maguindanao Massacre included at least 12 journalists. This is according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
NUJP officer Rowena Paraan said this is the worst single tragedy to hit Philippine journalism. “Not even in Iraq has there ever been this many dead journalists in one incident. And this one was deliberate,” she stressed. The Philippines has long been regarded as among the deadliest countries for journalists.
Paraan identified some of the victims as Bart Maravilla of Bombo Radyo-Koronadal, Henry Araneta of DZRH-Cotabato, Bong Reblando of the Manila Bulletin, and Neneng Montano of radio station DXCP.
Reports from NUJP chapters in Mindanao also listed the following media persons, whose affiliations were not immediately available, as among the victims: Ian Toblan, Leah Dalmacio, Gina dela Cruz, Marites Cabutas, Joy Duhay, Andy Teodoro, Mac-Mac Areola, and Jimmy Cabillo.
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by anyajulia | Nov 24, 2009 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
Forty-six persons were confirmed killed when heavily armed men waylaid the group on their way to the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Maguindanao. The group were composed of supporters of Buluan Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu and Mangudadatu Vice Mayor Eden Mangudadatu, as well as journalists.
It was around 10:30 a.m. when they were blocked at a checkpoint manned by some 100 Maguindanao police personnel and armed civilian volunteers allegedly led by Datu Unsay town mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Office chief Lt. Col. Romero Brawner confirmed that as of yesterday afternoon, ground troops had recovered 21 bodies – 13 women and eight men – from the massacre site in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town.
Toto Mangudadatu, who was not with the convoy, is reportedly eyeing the gubernatorial seat in the May 2010 elections and had asked his wife to file his COC.
The Mangudadatu clan is known to have a long-running feud with the family of Maguindanao’s incumbent Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., who police said is known to have his own private army.
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