President Arroyo graces Bantay Bata 163 Children's Village groundbreaking

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Bantay Bata 163 Children's Village March 29 in Norzagaray, Bulacan. In her speech, the President underlined the need to face the problem of child abuse.

"The Bantay Bata 163 Children's Village could not have come at a more fitting time for indeed the problem of battered, oppressed children, of homeless children, of street children is a growing social reality," she said. "This is not just a simple social problem. It is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode."

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) Managing Director Gina Lopez envisions the village as a center for the best child care services in Asia where survivors of abuse "would once again be able to dream." Children under the care of Bantay Bata 163 presented the President with a commemorative plate while they serenaded her with their theme song. The rites also featured performances by Ballet Philippines as well as the lowering of the time capsule and ceremonial shoveling with Children's Village Fund Chairperson Jose T. Guingona, Precy Psinakis representing Co-chairperson Steve Psinakis, Gina Lopez and President Arroyo.

A massive fundraising campaign is being undertaken wherein contributions of P100 per person will "help build that dream." It covers 269,124 square feet. Each square foot costs P400 to build.

"Our new home aims to provide long term residential care," says Lopez. "I also envision it to be a center of excellence for the country."

BANTAY BATA 163 BAGS ANVIL MERIT AWARD

The Bantay Bata 163 TV Series, produced by ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI), was given an Award of Merit for Public Affairs-Child Protection. The series dramatized real life cases which Bantay Bata 163 has handled and included discussions by experts in the field of child care. Present for the 36th Anvil Awards, held recently in Makati City, were (from left) Ret. Gen. Honesto M. Isleta, President of Public Relations Society of the Philippines and the Anvil Awards, Anvil Awards Committee Chairperson Evelyn M. del Rosario, Bantay Bata 163 Executive Producer Blessa Zarate, BB163 Reporter/Writer Nadia Santiago, BB163 Production Manager/Director Cesar Celestino, Anvil Awards Board of Judges members Corazon S. Alvina and Candace T. Giron Internal Vice President Eduardo S. Alcaraz, and Board of Judges member Melvin S. Martin.

BANTAY BATA 163 LAUNCHES FOSTER CARE PROGRAM

Bantay Bata 163 launched February 9, 2001, the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. Foster Care Project at ABS-CBN Broadcasting Studio 1.

The Foster Care Program seeks to aid children who have lost their parents due to death, illness, imprisonment, abandonment or other reasons. The program hopes to provide these children opportunities to grow physically, socially, emotionally, mentally and spiritually by placing them under the care of a substitute family for a short-term period. Don Henrico's Pizza Foods Corp. sponsored the launching.

The program launching was held after the Foster Care Forum initiated by AFI together with Child Placement Center (Department of Social Welfare and Development), Concordia Children's Services, CRIBS Philippines Inc. and Parenting Foundation of the Philippines, in coordination with the Foster Care Association of the Philippines. Experts in the field answered questions on foster care.

For details on the Foster Care Program, call the Bantay Bata 163 hotline, telephone numbers (632) 924-4101 local 3790, (632) 415-6307 or fax (632) 411-0857.

Or page 141-958476 or e-mail fostercare@abs.pinoycentral.com.

BANTAY BATA 163 CONCERT

Bantay Bata 163 will stage Ryan Cayabyab and his 40 piece orchestra and ABS-CBN stars at the Meralco Theater this coming December 9, 2001. The show will start at 7:00 p.m. All ticket prices are inclusive of dinner by Via Mare.

Ticket prices are as follows:

- Orchestra Center: Php 3,000

- Orchestra Sides: Php 2,000

- Balcony: Php 1,000

CHILDREN'S VILLAGE STARTS CONSTRUCTION

The Bantay Bata Children's Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan, will be home to 200 children where they will be reared and nourished by the highest standards in child care.

Ten cottages, spaces for learning, play and meditation, gardens, pool and ponds, an organic farm and fruit orchard, pet animals... the blend of elements in its design creates the gentle atmosphere that is essential to the healing of a child.

The village is composed of two phases. The clusters that are composed of cottages that will house the children are in Phase One. The administration building is located in Phase Two.

The following is the Children's Village status as of December 2001.

Fund Status:

- Pledges have totaled Php 59.63 M as of end- November Php 48.13 M has been received.

- Total Collections by end year is projected at Php 52 M.

- Pre-construction expenses defrayed since 1999 total Php 5M representing architectural and design fees, permits and miscellaneous costs.

Phase 1 Construction:

- Construction of clusters 1, 2 and 4 comprising six cottages and for which donations have been received starts December 8, 2001, with mobilization last December 1. Target completion of these cottages including finishing is October 2002.

- Site development and landscaping of the entire 2.5 hectare Village will also be part of Phase 1.

- Total budget for Phase 1 is estimated at Php 51.83 M including furnishings, fixtures and landscaping.

- Asian Technicon has been contracted to provide Project Management Services. DM Consunji Inc. continues to provide Engineering Services.

- The Gencon contract has been awarded to Marigold Development Corporation after a bidding process conducted by Asian Technicon and the ABS-CBN Procurement Group.

- Fund raising activities are on-going to fund construction of Cluster 3 (four cottages).

Phase 2 Construction:

- Construction of the Administration Building is projected to begin in January 2002.

- Design refinements are currently being undertaken to include spaces for training and conferences.

- Phase 2 is currently in the bid process under the supervision of Asian Technicon and ABS-CBN Procurement Group.

CHILDREN, PEACE AND HOPE

The Bantay Bata 163 Christmas Concert last December 9, 2001 was a night of magnificent music, pleasant people and fine food. It was a night of celebrating peace, and hope for the Filipino children.

Bantay Bata 163 would like to thank the sponsors, performers and friends who supported its Christmas Concert: Children, Peace and Hope.

Special thanks to Mr. Ryan Cayabyab and his 40-piece orchestra, Boy Abunda, Carlos Agassi, Ryan Agoncillo, Michelle Ayalde, Carol Banawa, Bataoke, Diane Dela Fuente, Pops Fernandez, Agot Isidro, Franco Laurel, Ayen Munji-Laurel, Vina Morales, Roselle Nava, Martin Nievera, Diether Ocampo, Bernard Palanca, Amy Perez, Jericho Rosales, JM Rodriguez, RJ Rosales, Randy Santiago, Nikki Valdez, Cris Villonco , Bituin Escalante, Ana Fegi, Cristine Hermosa, 90 AD and Regine Velasques.

Bantay Bata would also like to thank Zagu Pearl Shakes, Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines, San Miguel Corporation/Coca Cola, Arbea Enterprises, Meralco and Via Mare.

A Loving world for our children

Anniversary Message by Gina Lopez
Managing Director, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.

As I deal with my personal growth and as I deal with people, I also realize the incredible significance my childhood has played in my life. There is no doubt in my mind that the most sustainable solution towards our future lies in the kind of world we create for our children – the way we take care of them physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.

I have two children, 6 and 10 years old. These are Bantay Bata 163 ages. I am also increasingly aware that child care is an art, a science. So I read, experiment, talk to people, try things out - and I learn.

Shouldn't this learning process be institutionalized? In the same way that our academics is? At the end of the day we ask which is more crucial - our knowledge of the chemistry table or our knowledge of how to bring out the best in human potential? Why isn't the other made mandatory in schools?

It is to fill this gap in our country's life and it is in the awareness of its crucial importance to our future - that the Children's Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan, is being constructed. From the architecture, to the interior design, to the landscaping – everything will be done with the child in mind. The fresh air, the animals, the gardens, the training, everything will be done with the thought of bringing out the best in a human being. We are laying the foundation so that - that human being may one day contribute in a positive way to the web of humanity.

Each child is a gift from God, a gift from the universe. If the child is treated in this way, the life led will be one wherein he or she gives many gifts in return to the world he or she inhabits.

This is my conviction: a better world can exist. And this world must start with our inner selves - and flow into the way we take care of our children. We can have heaven on earth. I want to start with my life. I want to prove this with the community that will be built in Norzagaray Bulacan. It will be Bantay Bata's gift of love to the future of the Filipino – built from love, given in and with love - and the vision is that it will result in a world of love.

I hope that you will help us.

BB163 Children's Village: Heaven on Earth

By Girlie Aragon
Deputy Director, Bantay Bata 163

As Bantay Bata 163 celebrates it’s 6th anniversary – it was established on February 9, 1997 – it is only fitting that the Bantay Bata 163 Children’s Village is fast nearing completion in Norzagaray, Bulacan, with six residential cottages expected to finish construction along with the administration building by May 2003.

A project of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., the Children's Village is the result of Bantay Bata 163's phenomenal growth in the past five years from a media-based help line for abused children to a model child protection system integrating rescue, medical care and rehabilitation, shelter, and aftercare. It is designed to be a center for excellence in child care.

Beyond providing a permanent home for children who cannot return to their families, the Children's Village crystallizes Lopez's vision of a nation that knows how to take care of its children.

"We're really amazed at how everybody has come in to help - at how fast Bantay Bata 163 has evolved," says Gina Lopez, managing director of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. Lopez was the one who set up a hotline in response to a child abuse report aired on Channel 2's TV Patrol back in 1997. This was the beginning of Bantay Bata 163.

With her missionary zeal as well as keen intuitive sense, Lopez convinced highly respected TV journalist Tina Monzon-Palma to take up the cause against child abuse. Together, they transformed BB163 from a hotline to an organization of more than 100 highly committed professionals with a branch in Davao and a track record of 11,827 cases handled in the five year period. These numbers account for about one-third of all reported cases nationwide.

Besides rescue and rehabilitation, BB163 has developed capabilities to provide medical assistance to indigent children, legal assistance, foster care services, family counseling, scholarships and livelihood assistance.

BB163 has also published educational modules for public education such as school principals' conventions on How to Detect Child Abuse. The aim of such modules and conventions is to document what works in preventing abuse and to give it local governments as a guide for them to follow.

BB163 also organizes outreach programs for poor communities where children are provided medical and dental check-ups and taught the their basic rights. Among these outreach projects are the feeding and sanitation programs currently being undertaken in two sitios in Barangay Batasan Hills.

Most remarkable is the participation in children's concerns that the program has engendered from the general public here and abroad. Many OFWs have adopted BB163 as their charity as do schoolchildren and business establishments who are loyal to its coinbank program. Doctors, lawyers and volunteers from various professions contribute precious time and expertise to attend to BB163 cases. Even vendors in Divisoria, Malabon, Navotas and other public markets freely give of their goods to feed the children in the BB163 Children’s Home.

"We are really heartened by how generous people are. Even in the direst of times, people have always shared whatever they have - and somehow it has always been enough," says Palma, who also hosts the 15-minute BB163 Program aired daily on ANC.

Key to BB163’s success is its media component. Awareness of the program is 87% nationwide, with a high of 96% in NCR. Media has also enabled the public an intimate knowledge of the lives of children and the opportunity to help in creating a future, lending credence to its mantra: it takes a village to raise a child.

For the Children's Village, projected to be built over a five-year period with a total budget of P120 million, the Lopez Group started off donations with 2.5-hectare property from Meralco and P10M in cash. The six cottages currently under construction will be named after their benefactors who each gave P5 million, the cost of a cottage: Steve and Prescy Psinakis; Joe Guingona, President of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.; Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.; San Miguel Corporation, Angelo King Foundation, and Rep. Mark Jimenez.

Substantial donations have also been received from Phinma, Petron, Ayala Corporation, The United Parcel Service Foundation, PMR Group among others. Singer-businessman Jose Mari Chan recently donated Php 1M for a music room within a cottage.

Other companies are donating their expertise and supplies: construction giant DMCI has shepherded the project from initial conceptualization, site preparation and provides engineering expertise, while Bonifacio Trees and Greens has provided its landscape design services for free.

Asian Technicon provides Project Management of the Children's Village, while Marigold Development Corp. is General Contractor for the cottages. Interior design is by Sylvia Heras-Lopez.

The Children's Village design was conceptualized principally by Sarri Tapales and Project Architect Ning Encarnacion-Tan based on the philosophy of German educator Rudolf Steiner and his study of spirituality, anthroposophy.

This philosophy is also reflected in the design of its walls which avoid the use of sharp angles, a preference for natural materials such as wood and bamboo, and softer colors to provide a calming environment. Landscape color patterns are designed according to the chakra system: Orange fire trees to honor one another, Red Dapdap trees to signify the path of rebirth, Yellow Narra Trees to honor one's self; Green Neem trees to harmonize body, soul and spirit, Blue Jacarandas to know why one is here; and Violet Banaba - to heal.

As applied to children's education via the Waldorf school, this philosophical approach seeks to develop the whole child rather than focus on academics, and emphasizes respect for childhood, education according to the developmental stages, and stimulation of imagination and creativity.

Besides the music room, the first level of each cottage shall house an activity area: a Reading Room, Art and Crafts Cottage for drawing and painting, paper crafts, sewing, and pottery and woodwork, a PlayRoom for toddlers.

"We'd like to invite the best child care experts in the world to stay with us in the Village – so all of us - parents, teachers, caregivers, social workers - can learn and in turn, impart to our own communities," says Lopez who constantly consults Filipino and foreign experts among them, Dr. Lourdes Carandang of the Ateneo Psychology Department, and Bella Tan who runs the Waldorf School, Manila.

BB163 has always focused on younger children and this policy will be carried through to the Village. When they reach school age, they go on to regular schools public or private; even as they receive therapy and counseling on special needs. "Hopefully they will go on to become good responsible adults capable of transcending the suffering and pain they've been through, " says Lopez.

Grand as the concept of the Children's Village may seem, it really is nothing more, but also nothing less, than what most Filipino parents want for their children: the basic needs, good health, an education, a good community to live in, a future to look forward to. As Lopez puts it: "I believe that every child who comes to Bantay Bata 163 must go on to a better place in their hearts and in their minds."

With Filipinos from all walks of life helping to build it, the village promises to be that place.

BRGY. OFFICIALS ATTEND FORUM ON CHILD ABUSE

by Marita Francisco

Barangay officials and BB Social Workers have long been the close partners of Bantay Bata 163 in many of its home visits and rescue operations. The “Forum on Child Abuse for Barangay Officials” was conducted to help the barangay enhance their knowledge and consequently help them to improve their services in helping out children who are victims of different forms of abuse. This also served as a venue for BB163 to express its gratitude for the contribution of the barangays in uplifting the rights of the children.

The forum was conducted at the conference hall of Philippine Mental Health Association along East Ave.,Q.C. It was attended by 90 barangay officials and representatives from 61 barangays within Metro Manila and Rizal Province.

Connie Sison of ABS-CBN Network hosted the forum. Marillys Ongleo, Supervising Social Worker-Hotline, welcomed the participants and guests.

Ma. Elena Caraballo, Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of the Children (CWC), talked about the legal framework needed for every barangay to organize a Barangay Council for the Protection of Children or BCPC.

Barangay Chairman Pablito C. Antonio of Brgy. Sto. Nino, Marikina gave a short talk on some of the experiences of their barangay in helping BB 163 respond to reported cases of child abuse. Atty. Noel del Prado, Director of the Appointment’s Office of the Office of the President, discussed the legal aspect to child abuse , focusing on the roles of the barangay in responding to child abuse cases. He also discussed the penalties for violation of child abuse, referring to some provisions of Republic Act 7610 which is known as the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

An open forum followed with guest speakers willingly answered and discussed some of the questions and views of the participants who were mostly enthusiastic to know more about child abuse and what they could do to help children and families in need.

The participants showed a positive response regarding the forum and 30 percent of them said that they will try to organize a BCPC at their respective barangays to better address the problem of child abuse. (Special thanks to Shakey’s Pizza and Zagu Foods Corporation for sponsoring snacks during the event.)

Jessie and his box

by Dulce Festin-Baybay

For children, a box may contain a gift, a toy, or even food. But not for then five-year-old Jessie (not his real name). A box, for Jessie, meant his home, his prison.

The discovery of Jessie and his box of a home came to the public's attention five years ago this month, on February 1997. A concerned citizen who could no longer stand the boy's suffering dialed the well-publicized hotline called Bantay Bata 163 (child watch). The neighbor reported that somewhere in Caloocan City, a child was being handcuffed by his guardian. The caller also revealed that the child was kept in a box made of wood with just a mosquito net for a cover. The box was located under the sink of a dirty kitchen.

After receiving the call, the Bantay Bata 163 team, accompanied by the barangay captain, a social worker, and some police officers, immediately pulled out Jessie from his jail box. After undergoing a medical check-up, Jessie was placed under protective custody and sheltered at the BB163 Children's Home in Quezon City. A case of child abuse was also filed at the Caloocan RTC-Branch against the his guardian.

Based on the case summary prepared by the social worker who rescued Jessie, from the time he was given to his guardian at four months old and until his rescue, the severely malnourished child was only being fed rice porridge and pandesal, the latter sometimes already spoiled with molds.

No one knows who Jessie's real parents are. His parents abandoned him and his guardian abused him physically. His box was where he ate, slept, and when he would defecate, he would be brought to the bathroom and even beaten with a stick. Neighbors often heard him crying.

Upon admission, the attending psychologist reported that Jessie, at five, physically resembled a two-year-old only weighing 13 pounds. He had frail, thin legs, occasionally falling and looking clumsy. He was not toilet trained. His intellectual activity was limited to sensory observation and only talked to himself in whispers and murmurs. He was also often found rocking himself whether seated or standing.

Today, at the Children's Home, after five years of physical and emotional nurturing and comprehensive rehabilitation by medical doctors, psychologists and therapists, Jessie has gradually improved his self-help skills, socialization and cognitive functioning. He is enrolled at a speech and development learning center, and last March 2001, he was given three awards for performance, improved speech, and most helpful pupil.

Jessie is learning to develop trust towards adult figures and is displaying signs of security. He can now establish eye contact when talked to although he is still a restless 10-year-old, who continuously explores his environment. He instantly hugs visitors who greet him, seeking out the warmth of their loving embrace, something he never experienced in the first five years of his life.

Documentary evidence of child abandonment is being gathered for child declaration of abandonment in court in order for Jessie to be legally free for permanent placement through adoption. Alternative parental care through the Foster Care Project of Bantay Bata 163 are also being considered for him.

Nowadays, when Jessie sees a box, he now looks inside it for a real toy.

OFWs lend a helping hand to children

In the film Anak, Vilma Santos plays a beleaguered mother who has worked ten years in Hong Kong. Hers is a story now familiar to many Filipino families-that of a dedicated parent who wishes nothing more than a better life for her family.

More and more Filipinos are nowadays being driven to work abroad out of necessity. More often, their desire is not to help themselves, but to provide for their own parents, siblings or children. And no matter how hard life gets, no matter how high bills pile up, there is always something set aside to help loved ones at home, as well as those who may be in even greater need.

Such are Filipino values. And such values are the spirit behind Rampa, Tulong Para sa Kabataan held in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, last December. Rampa is a fashion show by Bossini Clothing Corporation, headed by Country Manager Ravy Krishman. Kids, teens and professional computer engineers working in the KSA played models for a day.

While the activity sought to address the needs of children in the Philippines, it was all conducted in the spirit of fun. Filipino teens and college students gave out envelopes as part of their Hulog Mo Tulong Mo project. Drop boxes were placed around the embassy grounds. Volunteers also visited hospitals, universities and other areas where there are Filipino communities.

Parents of teachers of the Second Philippine International School, and members of the Institute of Computer Engineers-Riyadh were the main organizers of Rampa. ICE-Riyadh is an IT-related nonprofit organization led by engineer Ariel Gaan, a Filipino residing in the KSA. Gaan, president of the Institute of Computer Engineers-Riyadh, relates how he found a way to help Filipino children, "Every time I watched the Bantay Bata 163 program on The Filipino Channel, I am touched and I remember how it felt to be a child."

Gaan has his own story to tell. He remembers how it was to live in poverty, "I belong to a very poor family. We farmed for a living." ICE-Riyadh also conducts training and seminars like the weekly Introduction to Computer Hardware Engineering, Networking and Programming" for non-computer engineers, especially Overseas Filipino Contract Workers in the KSA.

Of the success of Rampa, Gaan says that it proves that "Filipino communities here are very much willing to help for projects like this." Gaan has nothing but good words for everyone who helped in the endeavor. "God bless them," Gaan says with a smile.

THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: One Year After

by Joyce Flora
Foster Care Coordinator, BB163

Since it was launched in February 9, 2001, the Bantay Bata 163 Foster Care Program has made significant headway in creating public awareness on the importance of foster care and adoption program for abused and abandoned children.

At present, BB163 Foster Care Program has a pool of 20 licensed volunteer foster families. It carried out nine foster care fora, produced seven TV plugs and released seven foster care articles in daily circulation as part of its advocacy efforts to promote foster care in the country.

Foster care is considered the best substitute parental care for children. Thus, to date, BB163 has 15 children placed out to foster homes.

The kids were provided with one-on-one attention in a family life environment. In the process, they were given opportunity to be loved, to bond and able to radiate love in return, to learn life skills, regain positive self-esteem and achieve a sense of security and belonging. Such experience is crucial to a child’s development that can lead to a child’s eventual healing and recovery.

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. recently treated the BB163 Children's Home volunteers and foster parents to a general gathering where foster parents get the chance to meet other foster families. Through this get-together, they were able share their experiences in fostering, the joy, challenges and change it brings to their family and the knowledge, skills and attitude that they developed in parenting their foster child.

Such activity was able to inspire and strengthen the commitment and determination of the foster parents and children''s home volunteers to keep on helping BB 163 promote children’s rights and protection.

AFI Managing Director Gina L. Lopez welcomed the foster parents, volunteers and guests who attended the party. Ms. Lopez also gave the special message. Ms. Lopez recognize the efforts and contributions of children's home volunteers and foster parents unconditional love for children.

The party has been generously supported by TGI Fridays Family, Burgoo, Dulcenia and The House of Silvanas.

For inquiry on foster care and adoption process you call 9255255 (pls. look for Adelle Chavez or email: adelle_chavez@abs.pinoycentral.com).

PISTA NG BATA 2002

by Lovely Merlicel G. Quipot

On it''s 5th year, the Pista ng Bata 2002 held an inter-barangay sports festival at the Jollye Recreational Center in Meralco, Pasig City.

Bantay Bata gathered around a thousand children from neighboring municipalities, cities and other child-caring agencies to a half-day of athletics, food, fun and surprises. The participants were divided into eight barangays: Brgy. Matapat, Brgy. Magiliw, Brgy. Magalang, Brgy. Masipag, Brgy. Masigla, Brgy. Maagap, Brgy. Mabait, and Brgy. Masinop.

The lighting of torch and the production number by the Miriam High School Pep Squad Hard Court opened the Pista. The children were able to play games of track and field, and fun games. The participants of the games were each given Jollibee Burgers. The winners were given gift packs from Universal McCann and Cadburry, and medals. In the gift-giving, the children were given TY beanie dolls courtesy of Mr. Boom Boncan. Their families went home also with gift packs.

The Pista ng Bata would not have been possible without the ABS-CBN Foundation Volunteers headed by Mr. Henry Paje, BB 163 staff and the sponsors: Universal McCann for the Nestle Chocolait and Maggi, Cadburry, Orbitz, Burger King, NCST, Tetrapack Philippines for Sunkist, Potato Corner, Jollibee, and Mister Donut.

NUTRITION FOR CHILDREN, EDUCATION FOR MOTHERS

by Rizal Raoul Reyes

Gina Lesondra and Rosini Cabantog have been concerned about the health of their children because they were suffering from severe malnutrition. Lesondra''s daughter three-year old daughter Christine and Cabantog''s five-year old son Meynard were undernourished mainly because they were not eating the proper food. Blame it on the poor access to information on nutrition.

Both Lesondra and Cabantog were not aware that they don''t need to buy expensive food and vitamins to provide nutrition to their children until feeding programs conducted by the various non-government organizations came into their barangay.

Lesondra, a mother of four children, said Christine was severely malnourished and underweight for her age. To compound her problem, Christine did not have a healthy diet and was hooked on junk food. Cabantog, a mother of three, had the same experience. She was also concerned about the weight of Meynard because he was undernourished. She said Meynard did not have a good appetite and was fond of skipping meals.

Lesondra said the lectures in the feeding program gave her the proper information on nutrition. "I attended the lectures and I realized that I don''t need expensive ingredients to prepare nutritious meals," she said in Filipino.

This is the feeding program conducted by the Community and Family Services unit of Bantay Bata 163 (CFS-BB163) as part of a family-strengthening program being undertaken in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

On her part, Cabantog said the launching of the feeding program was a big boost to all the mothers in the barangay who want to provide nutritious meals for their children. "The feeding program was a big help to all mothers in the community in terms of giving information on the proper nutritional requirements for the children," she said in Filipino.

The recent feeding program covers Barangay KAPASS and Sitio Korokan, two selected communities in Batasan Hills. Many other groups have generously conducted feeding programs in the communities before. The present project is spearheaded by BB163, through its Community and Family Services (CFS), as part of its Family Strengthening Program in Barangays.

To start off the program, children up to five years old were weighed last September 2001 and it was found that, in the two areas, 181 children were undernourished, 122 of whom would become regular participants of the project.

The feeding program has posted positive results. In just two months, from November 2001 to January 2002, CFS reported that the weight of 24 children suffering from first degree undernourishment (mild cases) have normalized. In the same period, children suffering from second-degree undernourishment have also increased their weight significantly.

Although it was a good start for the feeding program, organizers say there is much work to be done. There are still a total of 76 who are still underweight (first degree: 42; second degree: 29; third degree or those suffering from severe undernutrition: 5).

To ensure the sustainability of the program, the feeding sessions, as well as the seminars, will continue and will also include the 27 children whose health has newly stabilized. Moreover, children up to 12 years old are dewormed every six months. There''s also a regular "Patak Vitamin A", medical-dental outreach, immunization, as well as plans to put up an herbal medicine garden. Most importantly, feeding sessions are preceded by seminars on health for the parents.

The mothers have organized themselves into a group so they could eventually manage by themselves the feeding and weighing of children. Eventually, the fathers will also have to have greater participation in the activities and seminars.

The feeding project began with donors and volunteers coming to the community armed with medicine, vitamins and food. Although donations keep coming, the participating families decided to implement schemes such as putting up special projects to match the donations to prevent a dole-out mentality from developing among the recipients.

Since July last year, groups from the UP College of Medicine, the Quezon City Medical Society, the Office of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Lingkod ER and the Philippine National Police Dental Society have gone around Quezon City and were able to serve around 4,000 individuals through medical outreach and counseling.

High school students from Miriam College have assisted in the feeding programs and so have the Barangay Health Center, the UP College of Medicine''s Phi Lambda Delta, the East Avenue Medical Center, the National Children''s Medical Center, and Center for Family Ministries. Initial donation arrived from Sustagen, Kellogs Cereals, Cerelac, Bakers Kingdom, and Enervon Choco.

According to a study conducted by the Council for the Welfare of Children (Child 21: A Legacy to the Filipino Children of the 21st Century. Makati, 2000.), majority of those suffering from malnutrition is between one and two years old.

"Children who are severely underweight, stunted or wasted (emaciated) are at a great risk of physical and mental retardation," says the study. "Those who survive their first five years show poor academic performance and lower levels of productivity in adulthood."

OUTSTANDING HEALTH INSTITUTION

Bantay Bata 163 was awarded by the Philippine Chamber of Health (PCH)as the Outstanding Health Institution (for the NGO sector) for its exceptional contribution in the field of health and effective delivery of vital health services.

The awarding ceremony was held on the occasion of PCH’ 21st Annual Convention held on February 9, 2002 at Club Filipino.

Shown above are Bantay Bata officers & staff with PCH officials (from left to right): Dr. Mercedita J. Macabulos, PCH President, Ms. Dulce Festin-Baybay, PR Head, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.; Girlie Randall, Jenny Lee-Villanueva and Me-anne Domingo, Bantay Bata Medical Team; Undersecretary Marietta Primicias-Goco, Chairman of the Presidential Commission to Fight Poverty & PCH Honorary Chair; and Mrs. Purita R. Tuazon , Overall Chairperson, PCI 21st Anniversary.

BANTAY BATA 163 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Metro Manila.....Davao.......Total
(started 1997)...(started 2000).........
Total calls received and acted upon ...........................91,495.......4,256....95,751
Total number provided Phone counseling ...........................23,680.......1,111....24,791
Walk-in assistance to abused children .............................3,265..........698......3,963
Total number of abuse cases ...........................11,979..........391....12,370
Total number of rescued children ................................916............94......1,010
* 100 per cent of rescued children are given medico-legal assistance and /or treatment
Total number of sheltered children ................................647..........109.........756
* 100 per cent of sheltered children go to school, are provided nutritional, medical, psychological care, baptism and birth registration if necessary
Total number of homevisited children ............................4,426...........237......4,663
Total number of children provided medical ......................................................................
assistance ............................4,811...........686......5,497
* Medical assistance in the form of provision of medicines,
hospitalization, surgery, lab. work,airing of cases
Legal assistance provided ...............................509...........111.........620
Education scholarships provided................................107.............-............107
Total number of individual served through ......................................................................
outreach program ...........................45,224........2,374....47,598
Total number of participants in Principal's ......................................................................
Convention .............................3,657...........205......3,862

Australian Embassy, AUSAID grant P1.28m to BB163

By Nadia Santiago

Bantay Bata 163 received a PhP 1.28 million grant from the Australian Embassy Manila with the help of the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID). The money will be used mainly to continue implementing projects of BB163 in communities with high incidence of child abuse.

“I just really want to congratulate Bantay Bata 163 on an excellent project. We have very rigorous program-studies that we undertake. We look at a lot of applications that come in for funding under this (AUSAID) human rights’ small grant scheme. And this project looked sustainable and in a practical way, addresses the needs of children... protect their rights... It’s helping understand the importance of protecting human rights and particularly strengthening this community to achieve that,” said Tony Melville, Charge d’Affaires of Australian Embassy Manila.

Melville was referring to the family strengthening project being pilot tested in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, which aims not just to champion the rights of the children, but more so to strengthen relationships of families. The project, led by BB163’s Community and Family Services Department (CFSD) is being conducted with the help of barangay officials in the said community.

The program began in February 2000 when BB163 created a team headed by Clinical Child Psychologist Dr. Honey Carandang to do a study on the myths and belief systems of Filipino families on domestic violence. The one-year study resulted in the discovery of several beliefs that include the myth that it is alright to hit a child so long as he does not bleed.

The family strengthening program is anchored on four objectives:

1. to ensure proper health and nutrition to undernourished children;
2. to assist in the registration process of non-registered children;
3. to introduce the framework of Family Wellness and Family System in order to equip significant number of parents, couples, guardians and caregivers on knowledge, attitude and skills of child rearing; and
4. to formulate strategies and approaches that can prevent violence in families in their community.

The Australian Embassy and the AUSAID were impressed with how the lives of the families have changed since the project began and were moved to grant the request for funding.

“I think that starting with the children is an important first step. If the children understand what their rights are, and the parents understand the obligations they have toward their children, then maybe they will carry that through in their later lives and it will be a much better, a well-rounded community that appreciates the needs of others. I think looking at strengthening family and community is an important effort that we can do together. It’s not just a country helping another country. It’s Australia and the Philippines working together to help the people around us,” Melville concluded.

Child abuse and postpartum syndrome

by Ramil Gulle

CHILDBIRTH is a powerful, joyous experience for any mother, most especially if it is her first child. Since motherhood is such a life-changing event, together with the excitement come feelings of fear and anxiety over the immense responsibility of motherhood. Add to these feelings the sheer mental, emotional and physical exhaustion a mother experiences after giving birth. Given all the pain, pressure and stress they just went through, it is not unusual for women in the postpartum stage of pregnancy to develop a mild depression called “postpartum blues.” Postpartum blues POSTPARTUM blues may begin as early as 1 or 2 days after delivery. It usually lasts for two or even three weeks. Symptoms of postpartum blues include mood swings, going from feelings of sadness to irritability, to anxiety, fear, and even outright anger. It’s not unusual to be incredibly happy one moment and then get anxious and be reduced to uncontrollable weeping. Lacking control over her feelings, a woman with postpartum blues may become more anxious and fearful. Furthermore, a mother may begin having negative thoughts about her baby. However, such thoughts are the part of the symptoms of the baby blues and will go away when the mother gets over the blues. Postpartum depression MORE serious and longer lasting than the postpartum blues is postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a condition that requires medical attention and professional help. Family members and friends should inform the doctor even if just a few of the following symptoms are observed in the mother: • Constant fatigue • Lack of joy in life • Feelings of emotional numbness and being “trapped” • Being withdrawn from family, friends and social situations • Lack of concern for yourself or your baby • Severe insomnia • Excessive concern for your baby • Loss of sexual interest or responsiveness • Strong feelings of failure and inadequacy • Severe mood swings • High expectations and overdemanding attitude • Difficulty making sense of things Postpartum psychosis POSTPARTUM psychosis is a more severe form of postpartum depression that, while relatively rare, needs urgent medical attention when it does occur. Symptoms of postpartum psychosis may appear days or weeks after childbirth. These symptoms include the following: • Severe depression • Acute anxiety • Racing thoughts or conversation • The mother fears that she will harm herself or the baby • Hallucinations • Irrational thoughts or statements • Paranoia • Hysteria When left untreated, postpartum depression can worsen and result in harmful, even tragic, consequences for both the mother and her child/children. The case files of BB163 include incidents of abuse committed by mothers against their children during the period following childbirth. The following case summaries are published here to bring attention to postpartum syndrome. Names of those involved have been changed. Dominguez case IN October 2001, BB163 received a report about a mother, Gina, who attempted to poison her two daughters, eight-year-old Leny and four-year-old Carla, by injecting them with insecticide and putting insecticide on their food. Gina had just given birth to her third child a month earlier. Gina also left a suicide note saying that she intended to kill herself following her daughters’ deaths. Gina and her daughters were taken to a hospital for treatment. De la Cruz case A SECURITY officer of a condominium decided to call BB163 after hearing screams of children from one of the units, which led him to suspect that they were being physically abused. Prior to the incident, neighbors had already observed strange behavior from the mother of the children, Lea. The security officer also revealed that he observed marks of physical abuse on the arms of Lea’s twin daughters, three-year-olds Bea and Anna. Further investigation revealed that Lea had a history of nervous breakdown and had just given birth to a child three months earlier. Eventually, Lea was taken to a hospital and her children left to the custody of her brother, John, while she underwent psychiatric treatment. Sanchez case BB163 also received a call from a concerned citizen who reported witnessing a neighbor named Beth beating up her eight-year-old son. Other witnesses reported that the child was seen with a head wound the day before. When neighbors asked the boy about the wound, he replied that his mother Beth hit him with a brushing board. Further investigation revealed that neighbors observed scratches and bruises on the boy’s body. It was later learned that Beth had recently given birth to a new baby, which died a few days after delivery. Any mother recovering from the after-effects of childbirth during the postpartum stage needs to stay healthy and get a lot of rest. A healthy diet, light exercise, lots of rest, and support from her spouse, family and friends are important in order to help the mother recover. However, when symptoms of depression are observed, waiting around for things to get better is unwise. Seek prompt medical attention when the mother’s “blues” become more serious and long-term. References: Dr. Manbee Gene Granada of Lourdes Hospital; the Mayo Clinic website, www.MayoClinic.com

Tackling the growing child abuse problem

Visitors to the Bantay Bata 163 crisis center cannot help but notice Jessie and Annalyn, heart-breaking symbols of child abuse in the Philippines.

Four-year-old Annalyn is blind due to severe malnutrition while the lanky 10-year-old Jessie is restless after being extricated from a box stored under the sink of a dirty kitchen where he was confined for almost six years.

Easily distracted Jessie's mental health is severely stunted because of his ordeal at the hands of a psychologically disturbed carer at his previous home.

The now chubby and angelic Annalyn has resigned herself to a life of permanent darkness after a corneal transplant failed to save her eyesight.

The two are among 64 children in the halfway house of the Bantay Bata 163 child abuse intervention program run by a welfare foundation of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN.

Other inmates at the five-room unmarked house in Quezon City include an eight-month old girl savagely raped by her male guardian.

"Eight months or eight years?" a group of puzzled visitors in unison ask the center's caretaker Rebecca Tamondong about the age of the sexually abused child, who lies oblivious in a playpen.

"Eight months, sir," Tamondong confirmed, drawing loud sighs from the guests.

Twenty-five inmates at the center are sexually abused victims.

Their traumatic experience epitomizes the growing problem of abuse affecting Filipino children, who constitute 45 percent of the country''s nearly 80 million population. A similar percentage of people live in the clutches of poverty.

Research conducted in schools show that for every three Filipino children, one child experiences abuse, including rape, attempted rape, incest, acts of lasciviousness and prostitution.

Of the 1.5 million streetchildren in the country, 60,000 are prostituted.

The statistics are growing each day, warns Child Protection in the Philippines, a network of non-governmental organizations dedicated to helping the abused young. "These clearly depict the immense hardship which Filipino children are subjected to."

Bantay Bata 163 is among the more popular childcare groups supplementing the efforts of the cash-starved government in containing child abuse cases.

The group receives strong grassroots support, with aggressive publicity by ABS-CBN's extensive radio and television network, which documents all child rescue operations.

"Reputedly, it is the world's first and only media-based intervention program that provides a holistic approach in rescuing and rehabilitating sick and abused children," said Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.

"We feel we are doing something good," Lopez said. "Despite the trauma they went through, the children are smiling and happy in their home. This is itself an achievement," she added.

The group's activities are financed largely by public donations and charity from small and large businesses.

-AFP (Published in the Philippine Star, June 4, 2002)

BANTAY BATA 163 TACKLES GROWING CHILD ABUSE PROBLE

Visitors to the Bantay Bata 163 crisis center cannot help but notice Jessie and Annalyn, heart-breaking symbols of child abuse in the Philippines. Four-year-old Annalyn is blind due to severe malnutrition while the lanky 10-year-old Jessie is restless after being extricated from a box stored under the sink of a dirty kitchen where he was confined for almost six years. Easily distracted Jessie''s mental health is severely stunted because of his ordeal at the hands of a psychologically disturbed "carer" at his previous home. The now chubby and angelic Annalyn has resigned herself to a life of permanent darkness after a corneal transplant failed to save her eyesight. The two are among 64 children in the halfway house of the Bantay Bata 163 child abuse intervention program run by a welfare foundation of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN. Other inmates at the five-room unmarked house in Quezon City include an eight-month old girl savagely raped by her male guardian. "Eight months or eight years?" a group of puzzled visitors in unison ask the center''s caretaker Rebecca Tamondong about the age of the sexually abused child, who lies oblivious in a playpen. "Eight months, sir," Tamondong confirmed, drawing loud sighs from the guests. Twenty-five inmates at the center are sexually abused victims. Their traumatic experience epitomizes the growing problem of abuse affecting Filipino children, who constitute 45 percent of the country''s nearly 80 million population. A similar percentage of people live in the clutches of poverty. Research conducted in schools show that for every three Filipino children, one child experiences abuse, including rape, attempted rape, incest, acts of lasciviousness and prostitution. Of the 1.5 million streetchildren in the country, 60,000 are prostituted. The statistics are growing each day, warns Child Protection in the Philippines, a network of non-governmental organizations dedicated to helping the abused young. "These clearly depict the immense hardship which Filipino children are subjected to." Bantay Bata 163 is among the more popular childcare groups supplementing the efforts of the cash-starved government in containing child abuse cases. The group receives strong grassroots support, with aggressive publicity by ABS-CBN''s extensive radio and television network, which documents all child rescue operations. Reputedly, it is the world''s first and only media-based intervention program that provides a holistic approach in rescuing and rehabilitating sick and abused children, said Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. "We feel we are doing something good," Lopez said. "Despite the trauma they went through, the children are smiling and happy in their home. This is itself an achievement," she added. The group''s activities are financed largely by public donations and charity from small and large businesses. -AFP (Published in the Philippine Star, June 4, 2002)

LANI MISALUCHA IN "ONE FOR THE CHILD"

Asia's nightingale Lani Misalucha will be performing in "One for the Child." Misalucha is an internationally recognized artist who was given the Best Singer Award in the 1998 Asia Song Festival.

The concert, a benefit for Bantay Bata 163, features Misalucha with the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel Master Chorale, and will be held at Father Blanco's Garden, San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila, on Friday, December 13, 2002, 8:00 PM. Tickets available at Bantay Bata 163 and SM Ticketnet outlets. For inquiries please call, Bantay Bata 163 at 411-0856, 415-6625 to 26; or SM Ticketnet at 911-5555.

CALL FOR A BETTER WORLD: A TELETHON FOR THE FILIPINO CHILD

A Better World for our Children has been the battle cry of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) for more than a decade now. And through the years, with the strategic support of partners and donors alike, millions of Filipino children have benefited from the child development and child care services of AFI. Still, Filipino children remain a disadvantaged group.

For this reason AFI is organizing a telethon that aims to raise awareness among the public. The telethon also aims to rally and mobilize support for the sustainability of the child development and child care services of AFI. Dubbed "CALL FOR A BETTER WORLD: A TELETHON FOR THE FILIPINO CHILD," this rare media event begins 5:00 PM, Sunday, December 8 and will run till 1:00 AM the next day. The telethon will be aired live on ANC 21 with hook-up over ABS-CBN Bacolod, ABS-CBN Davao and The Filipino Channel.

For more information, please call (632)411-0856. AFI is now accepting pre-pledges. For donations, call toll free 1-800-5-888-8888. December 8 is the International Children's Day of Broadcasting.

Arts for healing

Art has much potential to change lives. For many artists and therapists working with abused children, they have discovered that art has the power to heal in wonderful ways.

With strong conviction in the exceptional power of art in healing in transformation, Bantay Bata 163 initiated the Arts for Healing project. Its primary goal is to craft a long term art education program for the healing and rehabilitation of abused children that responds to their needs for a creative education, therapy and workshops.

As part of a public lecture series on child rights, an Arts for Healing lecture-workshop with international consultants is scheduled to take place at the Philippine Children's Medical Center and Studio 1 of ABS-CBN in Quezon City from February 24 to 25, 2003. Scheduled topics include Group Art Therapy Model, Creative Art Therapy Workshop: the Indian Model, and Once upon a time… Storytelling (the Power of Story and Playspace to Assist Abused Children). This project, made possible with the generous support of the Japan Foundation, is a pioneering effort in the Philippines as well as in Asia.

The Arts for Healing project is based on the pedagogy developed by Rudolf Steiner who believes in a holistic development of the child in consonance with the stages of Early Childhood. For inquiries, please call Sarah Lausa at 374-5550 or 4156627.

The workshop sessions will be a unique opportunity to listen to pioneers in the field, including MAYU P.B. GONZALES, M.D, DR. ASHOK SHAH and CHRISTINE DION CIONA.

MAYU GONZALES, is Director of Mental Health Services of the New York Foundling Hospital and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at New York Medical College. She is an attending staff at the Department of Psychiatry and a preceptor at the Department of Pediatrics of St. Vincent''s Hospital and Catholic Medical Center.

Dr. Gonzales''s lecture-workshop of Group Art Therapy Model will focus on the use of the creative arts in group psychotherapy and various group art therapy models for children and adolescents in out-of-home placement. A psycheducational model for helping stressed children cope through art will be elaborated upon and an adaptation of this curriculum to Filipino youth will be discussed and developed with participation of the audience.

DR. ASHOK SHAH is a practicing art therapist, a senior artist, concept originator of Indian Art Therapy and initiator of Indian Art Therapy movement since 1971. He is a Credential Professional member of American Art Therapy Association since 1986.

Dr. Shah''s lecture-workshop will focus on Creative Art Therapy (CAT), an art workshop designed specifically to promote Creativity, Expression of non-verbal Language and Healing through a therapeutic process utilizing visual art materials and techniques. The entire process hopes to develop mental ability from the level of non ability and from non creative towards the discovery of one's creative potential.

Ms. CHRISTINE DION CIONA finished her Masters of Arts Degree in Drama Therapy at Concordia University in Montreal. She is a Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) volunteer extending her services as creative art therapist and trainer in SABAKAN, a non-government group based in Pagadian City, Philippines that provides therapy and training for abused women and children. She conducts Creative Dramatherapy sessions and regularly facilitates care for carers.

Her lecture-workshop entitled Once Upon A Time... Storytelling explores the power of story and playspace in healing children who have been abused. This participatory experiential workshop will be grounded in the basic core principles of creative expressive therapies with a focus on STORY and PLAYSPACE. She will tap on the capcity of each individual to become effective storyteller and listeners. She believes that witnessing another''s story and empowering oneself to tell a story can create personal change not only for the storyteller but for the witness and listener as well.

Six years of helping the Filipino child

On its sixth anniversary, Bantay Bata 163 renews its commitment to the Filipino child and plans to strengthen its advocacy efforts. With the help of its various partners-the social workers and civil society, the donor community - both locally and abroad - and government agencies-BB163 believes that even more children will be able to receive assistance.

Thus, its sixth anniversary will be celebrated through a series of consultations and fora on various child-related concerns from February 22-27, 2003. Among the events during this week-long celebration are: a) the Arts for Healing International Consultation from February 22-25 sponsored by the Japan Foundation; b) the forum on Legal Procedure and Child Support and Custody, Technique on Family Counseling and How to Interpret Medico-Legal Report to be held from February 26-27 at the Conference Room, Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) Quezon City.

Before beginning another year, it is nice to look back on what was accomplished-not only to review on what was done right and what could be done better, but also to derive motivation, encouragement, and even inspiration for the many tasks ahead. As we lookt at the statistics, we get not merely an overview of the enormity of problems that need attention, but also it helps us formulate solutions and find better ways of bringing assistance to those who need it.

We also review last year’s milestones to gladden our hearts and inspire us to redouble our efforts. A lot was accomplished but we need not rest on our laurels. There is still so much that we can do to help. May our reminiscences reinforce our resolve not only to provide relief and extend kindness to a suffering child, but also make us realize that helping our children today will make a better, brighter future for our country.

As we look back to the events we had in 2002, we are indeed overwhelmed by the tremendous support we have received from all sectors - civil society, government agencies, bilateral and multilateral groups, business corporations, volunteers and countless individual donors locally and internationally.

Ties with government and non-government organizations were invigorated through our annual Pista ng Bata held in Meralco Sports Complex in February 7 and BB163’s participation in various meetings and conventions with major stakeholders on children.

Advocacy on child-related issues and policies was also strengthened through the conduct of seminars and symposia for barangay officials, social workers and counselors. Something notable this year was the organization of the Arts for Healing lecture series with the goal of formulating a long-term art education curriculum for the therapy, healing and rehabilitation of abused children. This was made possible by a grant from Japan Foundation. Partnerships with several multilateral groups were inked as well to include World Bank, AusAid and Malaysia. Singapore Airlines committed Php 5 million to assist BB163’s Bantay Edukasyon Scholarship Project.

BB163 also staged two benefit concerts in 2002 - One Night with Regine in April and One for the Child with Lani Misalucha both under the baton of Ryan Cayabyab. Proceeds of these concerts are intended for the Children’s Village construction in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Another milestone for 2002 was the US Coordinators’ Meeting in October which was an orientation-planning with key persons who will serve as ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.(AFI) link for fund drive in the various areas in the United States.

Seven medical missions, 13 outreach projects, Principals’ Convention were also undertaken in all the cities of Manila and other major barangays and schools in Luzon. This benefited around 11,000 children and parents.

Donations through the Barya Mo, Buhay Ko coinbank project steadily increased enabling us to extend more support for the daily needs of the continuously increasing number of children in the Children’s Home. The number of volunteer foster parents also increased which significantly contributed to the day-to-day assistance of rescued children.

The Basketball Association of the Philippines merged the forces of University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National College Athletics Association (NCAA) for the first time and stage a basketball showdown together for BB163. The series of games managed to raise half a million pesos for BB163's Children’s Village. Other special projects which greatly contributed this year was the art sale by Gallery 101 and Levi’s and the auction by Sothebys.

Meanwhile the first cottage of the 2.2 hectare Children’s Village is now being furnished . The physical surrounding and security are currently being fixed to prepare for the opening and eventual transfer of the first batch of children in May 2003. Various awards have been given to BB163 and its officials for 2002. The most recent was the citation for BB163’s Abuso which won as the Best Public Service Announcement for Metro Manila Television by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, UNICEF and Council for Welfare of Children during the Alay sa Kabataan Awards 2002. Early during the year, BB163 medical unit earned the 2002 Sandugo Kabalikat Award from the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (July 2002) and the Most Outstanding Health Institution-NGO Sector from the Philippine Chamber of Health (February 2002). BB163’s Program Director and Children’s Village Host Tina Monzon-Palma was awarded the Ka Doroy Broadkaster of the Year by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas.

We ended the year with a big bang through A Call for a Better World: A telethon for the Filipino Child on December 8. A fund-raising project for the whole AFI, the 7-hour-live-on-air (over ANC) donation appeal, earned for BB163 some millions of pesos in pledges and actual donations.

We face the year 2003 with the motto: more and better. More donations to enable us to reach out to more neglected, abused and abandoned children; better partnership with donors to enable us to further our goals; and better service for children because we believe that there is always room for improvement in carrying out this noble task.

A Home for healing and new beginnings

As I entered the infants’ bedroom at the BB163 Children’s Home, my attention was caught by a cute little girl, who from afar, greeted me with a smile. I approached her but she hurriedly hid herself behind Vangie– the caregiver – clinging tightly on her left leg. I bent and asked her "Hello, anong pangalan mo?" She buried her face and clung all the more tightly on Vangie’s leg. Vangie tried to pull her away saying, "O, ano daw pangalan mo?" The little girl only resisted, shook her head and tightened her grip. "Melody (not her real name) po, sabihin mo…" Vangie coaches her. But all the more the little girl resisted.

I learned later that she was only rescued a week back from an alleged sexual abuse by her stepfather. Melody is only 3 years old.

Although Melody’s case is just one among the many horrible stories in Bantay Bata 163 (BB163), one can’t simply get calloused by the harsh reality of abuse. How can one so innocent, so young and defenseless be ever a victim of such a beastly act. At her age, Melody does not even realize the gravity of her experience; the only thing she knows is that something wrong happened to her.

Anybody who hears about Melody’s story would wish death on her perpetrator. But revenge and bitterness are definitely not among the things taught by BB163 to the children it rescued. Drown evil with the abundance of good – this is the principle BB 163 uses in rehabilitating the children. In the Children’s Home, every child is loved and taught how to love, in order to drown the hatred and fear that engulf them.

Donors or volunteers who come to visit the Children’s Home, at times, say how lucky these children are to be lavished with so much support and care. However, if one really thinks of what each child has gone through, one realizes that no amount of material comfort could erase the indelible mark their painful experience engraved in their hearts and minds.

After a couple of weeks, I saw Melody once again, this time playing and mingling with other children. Although she still shies away from strangers, joy was apparent in her eyes. I watched her with mixed emotions, relieved to hear her laughter but at the same time anxious of the future that awaits her.

Every child has a right for a better future. Helping heal Melody is not simply a noble thing to do. It is an imperative duty any responsible citizen owes her out of justice – the duty to ensure that she grows up, knowing how to turn her bitter experience into an instrument to help her serve society.

All for One for Joaida

Joaida Morejon is a 3-year old girl sick of Hemangioma in the tongue, described as benign tumor consisting of a mass of blood vessel that causes enlargement of the muscle.

Moved by their love and unable to stand the suffering of their little child, Joaida’s parents took their chance to journey from Iloilo to Manila – with nothing but a few pesos and a lot of courage. Wasting no time, they proceeded to Bantay Bata 163 for help.

Seeing the pitiful condition of the child, BB163 promptly aired Joaida’s appeal on TV. In no time, Filipinas from abroad, among others, who saw the child through the Children’s Village shown on the The Filipino Channel (TFC), started raising funds for the child’s chemotherapy.

Among these is Genalyn Araki, a regular BB163 donor, who mobilized her community in Hokkaido, Japan, to extend help for the little girl. Along with 70 other families, they managed to send around Php 79,000 for Joaida’s medication.

During a visit in BB 163 once, Genalyn expressed her sentiments for sick children saying that being a mother herself, it melts her heart every time she sees the extreme suffering of other children. It’s her way of thanking God for her own blessings. Cora Onuma, a friend of Genalyn and another regular donor of BB 163, also pledged monthly support for Joaida.

Joaida’s treatment started soon after. Through the help of some contacts, BB 163 was also able to find a job for Joaida’s father. Hired as a family driver by a BB 163 employee, his income became a great source of support for the family given the cost of living in Manila.

All the sacrifices paid off. After 4 months, Joaida is well on her way to complete recovery.

SIA donates P5 M to Bantay Edukasyon

Singapore Airlines (SIA) donated PhP 5 million to Bantay Bata 163's Bantay Edukasyon project. Bantay Edukasyon has been conducting a program to help financially-deprived students to pursue primary education.

Present for the signing of the memorandum of agreement were Tina Monzon-Palma, Program Director for Bantay Bata 163; Gina Lopez, Managing Director of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.; David Lau, SIA General Manager Philippines and Rita Dy, Manager for Marketing and Communications Services Philippines. Also on hand to witness the event at the Rockewell Club in Makati City were Rick Clements, Vice-President for Public Affairs and Teh Ping Choon, Senior Vice-President for Southeast Asia.

"The education of children is a priority of the family whethere they come from the wealthy or the underprivileged," explained Ms. Lopez. "With SIA's assistance for the next five years, education will be a reality for our abused children."

SIA's PhP 5 million endowment will fund Bantay Edukasyon elementary school activities over a six-year period starting from schoolyear 2003-2004. The project will benefit 100 abuse survivors and will cover tuition fees, school supplies, clothing, transport allowances and other academic-related expenses.

It's Bantay Bata 163 to the rescue!

"When Bantay Bata 163 first came to life in 1997, it was initially set up as a 24-hour Hotline Center to receive complaints of child abuse cases," recalled Gina L. Lopez, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.'s (AFI) managing director.

However, because of the unexpected public interest that the program generated, AFI executives were soon back to the drawing board, thinking about doing more.

In its six years of operations, Bantay Bata 163 has since developed into a comprehensive program for the rescue and rehabilitation as well as for public education and prevention of all forms of child abuse.

As such, Bantay Bata 163 is the only media-based intervention program that provides a holistic approach in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused children.

Pursuant to its commitment to uplift the rights of Filipino children, Bantay Bata 163 has made sure that its programs complement one another.

The program provides four main services: Child protection and crisis management; community and family services; public information and education; resource generation.

With support from various groups, Bantay Bata 163 was able to undertake seven medical missions, 13 outreach programs, Principals' Conventions in all the cities of Metro Manila as well as other villages and schools in Luzon.

Donations coming from its Barya Mo, Buhay Ko coin bank project also benefited young wards of the Children's Home program.

In line with its thrust, Bantay Bata 163 created Children's Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan where it will shelter rescued abused children.

Earlier, Bantay Bata received citation for its Abuso campaign, which won as the best Public Service Announcement for Metro Manila television by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, UNICEF, and Council for Welfare for Children during the Alay sa Kabataan Awards 2002.

- From the Manila Bulletin, May 31, 2003

Bingo to benefit kids

Win amazing prizes!!! Come and join PA-BINGO PARA SA MGA BATA, Bantay Bata 163’s bingo social. This is also our chance to show our deepest love and concern for children. In particular, this is for the benefit of the Children’s Village, Bantay Bata 163--the only media-based child care program in the country-- and Mission Angels, which sponsors missionary activities and recollections.

The bingo social will be held at the World Trade Center, WTCMM Bldg., Financial Center Area, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, on Sunday, June 22, 2003, at 1:00 p.m.

Big prizes are at stake. Three cars will be given away, as well as a grand prize of P1 million.

For information, please call Kate, Cynthia or Mike at 411-0856, 415-6626, 415,6625, or 925-5255.

The Biggest Shopping Bazaar in August

Come and join the Shopping Carnival, and enjoy three days of selling, fun and shopping.

Expect a sure-fire attraction of great bargains for furniture, fashion jewelry, pets and plants, toys, and various flea market items. Savor the offering at the food fair or play on inflatable giant slides.

Everyone is invited to join, from August 1 to 3, 2003, 9AM-9PM, at the World Trade Center, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. For details, please call Net Net Torres at (632) 925-5255.

Drawn to the light

By Endo Pascasio

For several times I have asked children to take the draw a person exam. I have been using a psychologist's manual to interpret those scribbles. We at Kids at Art have been teaching children from middle to upper class families and I have always known beforehand what to expect in the drawings of these kids.

Things are different in the case of kids who are underpriviledged and the abused. When I asked Bantay Bata 163 kids, those who were rescued from abusive situations, to draw a person, I was caught unprepared. They drew heads with no mouths, bodies with missing limbs. A common workshop exercise like drawing a celebration showed people fighting or with stern expressions. Many times as I discuss a drawing with a student, I find out quite a bit about his family, sometimes with shocking revelations.

Art suddenly becomes a tool for psychological reference or an aid to counseling. Having realized the significance of art for these kids, we compiled their works and gave them to the facilitators of the Children's Home.

Regardless of socio-economic backgrounds of students, here are some pointers to help them come up with astonishing work of art.

1. Vary the activity. Crayons are easily accessible but there are other art materials. As soon as children realize that art is not confined by media, they may start to develop their artistic sense.
   
2. Practice the activity first. As a facilitator, you should be able to anticipate anything that may happen with the medium you are teaching. Better yet, know how to exploit the media and use it to make the art experience novel to children. You might, for example, use white crayons in a crayon-resist project to show them some magic when it is painted over with watercolor.
3. Explain clearly. I once explained an art activity to 30 kids and only one 5-year old girl followed my instruction to the letter. Although the unexpected is always welcome in children''s work, the teacher should make sure that the instructions are followed.
4. Use visual aids and anecdotes. In today''s world of multi-media, you have to keep the children''s attention occupied. Visual aids, objects, clippings from magazines or books may serve as an inspiration to their activity. Works of other artists may also be featured and discussed. Ask them, What colors did he use? Who do you think the person in the painting is?
5. Encourage critical thinking. Asking children what they think of a painting, or of any other subject, may show them how perceptions differ. It may also help them practice their communication skills and boost their confidence.
6. Use open-ended questions. In order to dr