Meet PERCI VILAR CENDANA | Your Working CongressMader of AKBAYAN

While the rest of the folks are in the bleachers watching, Akbayan took to the streets and the halls of congress to make sure check and balance exists even if all the odds were against them in recent years. Meet CongressMader Perci Vilar Cendana, second nominee and stalwart of your rights, matters on labor, the less privileged, youth, women, LGBT and various sectors.

He's not new in the movement. Hailed as the first openly gay university student council Chairperson in UP Diliman (at a time where homophobia was still happening), he fought tooth and nail with individuals that resorted to personal attacks, and faced real pressing discrimination in his early college years. Together with UP Babaylan (the country's first LGBT student organization), they eventually opened minds, avenues and spark change in the campus, and the rest followed suit. He feels in congress, he's doing the same bringing in the agenda that would benefit the needs of ordinary citizens. 

He says "My political life has always revolved around Anakbayan, I became part of it after college by working in civil society groups, an NGO like the Freedom from Debt Coalition (involves matters on economic issues), and fell in love with the work that Akbayan is doing. I was involved with them since they 90's til now. I then became the Chief of Staff for Senator Risa Hontiveros whom I already knew when she was in congress, and planned to run for Senate in 2010 (as Campaign Manager), 2013, then she won in 2016. I was then appointed for the National Youth Commission during PNOY's term. While working for the government was far from my mind, it was a time for reform, and I felt it was a good time to work for the country." 

He adds "I was part of group who organized pride marches, the one in 1996, over 100+ people who marched in the contingent in Manila. Last year, hundreds of thousands now march in the occasion. Akbayan is for equality, til today, it baffles me that security of tenure is still being discussed. The culture of ENDO/contractualization should never be done. We also do the same for women, LGBT, anyone who needs social services. Citizens should never be asking for it, it is but a right. Universal Health Care should be supported by all of us."

NYC was the same venue where he started the campaign about "Teen Pregnancy", working on the Reproductive Health Law. He also started with various efforts on HIV, and still on the SOGIE Equality Bill. He is now the 2nd Nominee for the Akbayan Partylist, bringing his experience to the House of Congress over 2 decades of experience in public service. He's quite aware that he's got big shoes to fill since several Akbayan representatives like Eta Rosales, Risa Hontiveros, and more have done quite well during their stint in the congress. Today, CongressMader Perci is pushing for the KIAN Bill. This is to keep innocent young kids from getting victimized further. He also will try to enable laws against mining, the nationwide availability of the right to care card (a version of which is already done in Quezon City), plus the most controversial one yet, a bill for "Mindful Parking" which penalizes those who will bodily reserve parking slots; which as of recent has enraged the public. 

Here's more of our discussion on video:

Together with Atty. Chel Diokno (1st Nominee), Dadah Kiram Ismula (3rd Nominee) and Akbayan Youth Chair Justine Balane (4th nominee), CongressMader Perci Vilar Cendana (2nd Nominee) and the Akbayan Partylist is committed increase effort and reforms against political dynasties, improve + hold rights for ordinary Filipinos, and continue to push for apt labor laws in the congress. They will also be participating in Quad hearings to hold folks accountable specifically EJK's in previous years. They will also help with regards to the rights of Moro women in various indigenous and marginalized communities, to work as a force who understands their struggles and the youth.

CongressMader Perci not only presents an option, but a person who's got a track record of work accomplished. Akbayan's not done with the causes they've so passionately worked on these past few years. Here's to more legislation work that is felt by ordinary folks, ones that deserve the help they could provide. It was a pleasure to get to know you!

Merck Set to Release Fertility Count Scorecard at ASPIRE Congress

Population has always been at an all time high in the Philippines, and what better place to launch this new initiative by Merck: a Fertility Count Scorecard. It's also the best time to happen because it was all laid out during the ASPIRE Congress.

The matter has affected everything socially and economically but this counts as something that would encourage policy makers to incentivize those who choose to pro create and build communities especially in emerging economies like ours.  

Albeit having a slight reduction in birth rates compared to the past decade, they attribute this dip to fertility preferences and the various programs in population control.

Merck has noted this (our country) as a key market compared to those that are in the Asia Pacific Region. We should realize that the key should be making it sustainable, one that would not inhibit growth and development. Our choices will greatly impact what we need as a society, because as much as we don't admit it, a lot of the developed countries are having problems in workforce and declining birth rates.  

For those who don't know, the ASPIRE congress is a place to exchange information especially for those who have a say in decisions that affect a population. This also includes how to provide healthcare and plans on having a manageable birth rate at the end of the day. They also plan to have discussions about it in the event especially for local attendees and regional ones. We are after all, family friendly, and creating a society would be enabling us to implement great policies, and not just lip service.

For Merck to release this Fertility Count Scorecard, it would be quite valuable in a global perspective especially for business leaders or those who plan ahead. The methodology is also a bit more scientific, backed by data, which hopefully would get implemented well. So if you want to know more, just check out the data they have at fertilitycounts.com.

Congressman SAM VERZOSA Promises More Inspiring Stories on Season 3 of "Dear SV" at CNN Philippines

 

I've been looking forward to see Congressman Sam Verzosa who represents the indigents, of those residing in urban locations, the youth and the elderly through the party list "Tutok To Win". He's starting the third season of his public affairs show "Dear SV" shown on CNN Philippines during his birth month, and is quite excited about the plans they have for future episodes.

The show plans to put the young Congressman in immersions, to live with the actual people they plan to help. To give you an idea, they meet people from all walks of life. The goal is, to feature their inspiring stories on why they continue to make a living despite life's challenges. Cong SV says "If the old, the kids work hard doing these things, I'm sure the most able bodied ones would be inspired to do the same and help others."

Here's part of our little chat that afternoon

He treats all these as blessings and shares "My family keeps me grounded, they keep me focused on my goals, my advocacies and purpose. I have a lot on my plate, I am just lucky to have been able to do a lot of these because I believe God put me here. He gave me opportunities to be able to share these to the world, and help others,to also change lives. I am happy to see that people are also doing the same after seeing the show. From our company alone, I've seen them on the road, going out there and helping too. I want to do this for the rest of my life. I'm just maximizing what I can do for my community and also make changes in laws, I have a duty to make a movement because I know my purpose."

When asked about his stint at "Tutok To Win" a few years ago, he says "Kuya Wil actually trained me, he asked me to sit with him during one show, that's where I learned and practiced at home. Everyday is an experience, you can feel what they feel when you are there. I get to see their happiness, their sadness, hosting my own show had me ask people about their struggles and get to know them."

 

About his motivation, he adds "I am happy about what I'm doing, aside from doing business, I help people, I get to change lives, I've been given a platform to be able to be heard even with a wider audience. I'll try doing this to change not just communities, but bigger ones and the country. As for now, I'll do this because I found my purpose, in life you always ask that question, there are tons of people that have more work ethic and because I have the capacity to help, I'll do it."

If you want to learn more about the causes he supports and foundations he's helping, make sure to watch "Dear SV" startiing Saturday night of September, at 7:30PM. This will also be replayed on CNN Philippines the next day so make sure you catch it!

I'd like to take this bit to thank Congressman Sam Verzosa (who also Co-chairs Poverty Alleviation) for being so nice earlier. He gamely answered questions even after the presser, to say the least, it was refreshing to talk to someone albeit super successful but still remained so grounded. Again, thank you!