The Vagina Monologues

In celebration of the International Women's Month, the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center hosted a presentation of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues last 15 March 2007.

The presentation is a V-Day benefit production and acts as a vehicle to give voice to its mission to end rape, incest, battery, female genital mutilation and sexual slavery. "Reclaiming Peace" is this year's V-Day theme. The theme seeks to make a connection between and among worldwide anti-violence work of thousands of V-Day activists. By putting forth this production, it is hoped that awareness of the message of peace through peaceful means is increased and funds are raised to continuously support anti-violence work.

Each year V-Day creates a Spotlight around a particular group of women who are experiencing violence and resisting it with courage and vision that the world must know about. This year, 2007, the V-Day Spotlight is on Women In Conflict Zones because war exponentially increases the crimes of violence against women, girls and children. In equal measure, the strength and resilience of women in rebuilding their communities and leading governments through peaceful solutions needs to be celebrated.




For women, not just during war but for decades to come, armed conflict means escalated military, sexual, and domestic violence, lack of security as a displaced person or refugee, and vulnerability to sex traffickers and coerced prostitution.


This years Spotlight serves as the focus of the performance of The Vagina Monologues. This is in line with V-Day's tradition of celebrating, encouraging and supporting women globally to end violence.




Presentation of The Vagina Monologues was made possible by the support of the following groups and individuals: The Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) ABEO Playhouse, the Iligan City Government Women's Desk, the Mindanao Commission on Women, the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center, the Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs, Ms. Bebot Rodil, Ms. Jenny Ramos, Ms. Popot Baldevia, Ms. Aili Gatuslao and Ms. Charmaine Dagapioso-Baconga.

Artistic Direction was provided by Ms. Jean Graciela E. Penola. Major sponsors for the staging of the play/monologues included Petronas Energy Philippines, IVORY Printing and Publishing House, Soroptimist International, Debbie's Delight Food Haus, Peek and Betty Bakeshoppe, and Cafe Hermoso.

Sign yourselves up to "give peace a vote" and spread the word about the campaign at your events by visiting http://www.givepeaceavote.org.

"Sambayaan" An advocacy campaign for the promotion of IP rights

Yesterday, my wife and I went to Xavier University to look at an art exhibit displayed by Talaandig Tribe artists. What attracted me to go and see the exhibit was the Soil on Canvass Paintings on display. It was the first time I was going to see paintings using soil as the medium. Soil painting was popularized by a Talaandig Tribe leader and artist Waway Linsahay Saway (posing beside one of his creation). Waway also composes indigenous music and is into theater arts.

Also showcased in the exhibit were indigenous musical instruments (e.g. bamboo flutes, rainsticks, drums), and earthcraft/stonecraft jewelry.

The two-day art exhibit was organized by first year students from the College of Law, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan as an advocacy campaign to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Sports Zone 1st Friendship Badminton Tournament

Selected shots taken during the Sports Zone 1st Friendly Badminton Tournament held last February. I would have wanted to join the tournament however, I could not find a partner. Singles match was not offered. The two-day tournament was open to Class E and Class F (beginners level) only.

Not being able to join, I decided to document (self-assignment) the event. This is my first attempt to cover a sporting event.

Michael's Landscape Work