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!

ARJO ATAYDE Reveals More Projects After ContentAsia Awards Win

 

It's been a while since I've last seen multi awarded actor and Congressman Arjo Atayde. He's been very busy, with good reason because after his wedding, he had to really pay attention to his duties as a public servant in the 1st District of Quezon City. The movies/series that he's done a few years ago is reaping fruit, and recently won him Best Male Lead for his role in Cattleya Killer at ContentAsia Awards 2024. 

We celebrated with him, his family, and a few more people from the press. They held a no holds barred interview to specifically get more updates from the busy good looking man fresh from Taipei, Taiwan where he received the it.

Arjo also addressed one of the movie projects where he was supposed to appear but ended up not being in it. His sole reason was because he wanted to be 100 percent in that project and felt it would be unfair to his co-actors if he didn't commit to the role just like them. He also doesn't choose projects and trusts his management about what he does, it is sometimes the schedule that he gets a little trouble with because he has a lot of priorities. The roles he take, is something he is thankful for because it becomes his outlet to be able to express his artistry. He's glad he is not boxed, tied to roles, in his 11 years in the business. He says "Every role I take is a learning opportunity."

People asked about Arjo and Maine on becoming parents and he told us "We are enjoying each others time because we wouldn't be able to do this in the long run. We definitely talk about it but we'll keep that as a secret. We are all excited though about having our pamangkin (with Ria and Zanjoe) and support Ria and Z, it's their story to tell, but we are SUPER SUPER excited and send much love to them!"

Here's the press conference on video, please raise the volume a bit because it was a little too noisy (along the road) but please, enjoy!

Arjo also shared a preview of MOONLIGHT, a film made by US based Isabel Sandoval. She's had great success with previous project Lingua Franca which won awards in 2019, and the Filipina film maker didn't disappoint with what we saw that evening. It's a masterpiece just waiting to be showcased in festivals and platforms. Arjo also showed us scenes from "Bagman" and "TOPAKK" which we loved. Each felt like Hollywood quality, no doubt, and he says this is just the start.

The wins in several award giving bodies would mean more exposure not just for Arjo but for the Filipino talent. Hopefully, this snowball starts an avalanche of opportunities for Filipino actors, those behind the camera and productions that are just waiting to be discovered. His work as Congressman of the 1st District of Quezon City will continue, and he vows to continue to help the communities he represent and make effective laws. He also wants the bills he principally authored (all 223 of them) be implemented well including the Eddie Garcia Law which is for the occupation and safety standards in the entertainment industry.

Thank you for the opportunity to see you again Cong. Arjo! Thank you also to Ms. Sylvia Sanchez who was also there that evening to tell us a few things about Ria and Z. (and for taking care of my Mom during Dessa's concert a few weeks ago). As Arjo said, this is just the start of good things ahead for whatever hat he wears!

Zubiri Welcomes PH - Japan RAA

It's been a week and a few days since the PH-Japan Reciprocal Access Pact was signed. This RAA came at a very opportune time especially since tensions in the West PH Sea has been at an all time high. Former Senate President Zubiri made mention about the initial talks about this with former Japan Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko and presented it to the President, and the signing is certainly beneficial for inter country training and familiarity of equipment between the two countries. 

He also reminded how much of an ally Japan is especially with the help they have provided for the Navy and Coast Guard. The joint exercise between PH and Japan is going to be historic, and will bolster even more effort, cooperation in different activities as visiting forces agreement gets details soon. 

The goal is to have defined peace in the region, and stronger ties between forces, and have inter operability as we further promote security measures in our exclusive economic zone, and the Indo-Pacific region.