Even though she has been discriminated by the people around her, she doesn’t mind them. I am amazed by her personality for she is really a strong woman. I admire also her perseverance because she doesn’t stop winning friends. More often, she helps in household chores. Her parents are fortunate and at the same time are proud for they have a very responsible daughter.

This woman needs constant care, love and attention to people that surround her. She may not speak like regular people but she is trying her best to communicate.

As a future Special Education teacher, it is my initiative to anticipate the unique needs, talents and capabilities of my students with disabilities. I am now part of the team that protects and promotes advocacy, education, and other related services to the PWD sector. Through this, our students, especially those with disabilities, will become part of the ever dynamic and progressive society.

In the previous years, people practiced maltreatment or abuse to children with disabilities. More often, they were unaware of the on-going advocacies and education being offered. Until one day this area has come out and was introduced to some concerned people. It was taught and applied and now it is brought to generation. And people who are concerned and interested to help decide to make an edifice and associations to extend their helping hands for those people with disabilities and less fortunate in the society.

In the society where I’m staying, I should take an initiative to let parents understand that their children with disabilities can also become great contributors in the society’s headway. Parents should understand that “parent involvement” or “parent empowerment” can be a great help and contribution to realize the rights of children with disabilities.

With the things I have written, they must be given time, effort and should be applied for I believe in the saying “Do it not in words but in action”. It is simple but meaningful so I should withhold on to this saying wherever I go. I should always work closely with parents. More often, children with disabilities should be accommodated with full love, care, respect and attention. Most especially I should always acknowledge God for His provisions and invocation for me to enable all these things.

***

Children with disabilities currently enrolled in the regular elementary schools in Negros Oriental express their appreciation and tribute to the teachers who have been very dedicated and passionate especially in accommodating those with special needs in their respective classes.

“My name is Abegail Alviola. I am 14 years old. I live in Liptong, Bacong, Negros Oriental. I am a grade V pupil in Liptong Elementary School. I am a person who is totally blind. I am so happy because I am enrolled in a regular class together with the regular children. Even if I cannot see, my classmates and teachers treat me like a regular person and I am part of the group. I feel that I belong. I feel that I am being accepted. My teachers really work hard for me. They started learning the Braille so that they can guide me. They spend some time preparing for my class lessons so that I will learn more. They also make sure that I am not left behind in class. They also call me to participate in different class activities. My teachers in Liptong Elementary School are my inspiration. I want to thank them for accepting and considering me as a part of their family. In return, I will do my best so that my teachers will be proud of me. Even if I am blind, I can do something that will make my teachers proud.”

***

“My favorite teacher is Ma’am Lorlyn Robin because she is so kind to me and she loves me so much.” – Mark Paul Flores, Grade I pupil with cerebral palsy in City Central School in Dumaguete City

***

“I have been a pupil in Bulak Elementary School in Dauin since Grade III. Ang akong mga teachers kay buotan kaayo and they help me a lot in school. Bisan naa ko cerebral palsy, they believe in my talent. Pirmi gani ko nila pakantahon sa stage ug Hawak Kamay. My teachers give me the confidence nga dapat akong ipakita sa tanan ang akong talent nga gihatag sa Ginoo.” – Angel Dyan Alampay, Grade VI Pupil with cerebral palsy in Bulak Elementary School

***

“I would like to thank my very lovable teachers in Kainos Montessori Learning Center because they teach me how to become a good girl.” – Judy Mae Intruso, Grade IV pupil with cerebral palsy in Kainos Montessori Learning Center

***

“I am Dave Bryan Teves and I have autism. At first, my teachers did not understand me because of my behavior but because they were informed about my disability, they have changed their treatment to me. They are very understanding. They ask me to always participate in the different activities in school especially singing. They also teach my classmates and schoolmates about my disability so that they will know. – Dave Bryan Teves, Grade V pupil with autism in COSCA

***

Many children with disabilities have been included in the regular schools together with the regular children. This process is known as inclusive education. This will not work without the heart and commitment of the teachers. They are heroes of the children and they deserve to be recognized. To all the teachers, continue to be an inspiration. The children with disabilities salute you.

_______________________________________________________________________

Children’s responses compiled by:

Rolando C. Villamero Jr.

GPRehab Coordinator

Program of Inclusive Education

The police personnel come from the different cities and municipalities of Negros Oriental and are Women and Children’s Concern Desk Officers.

After the training, the trained police personnel are expected to echo or share training insights to their fellow law enforcers in their respective stations; make use of the handbook on strategies of effective accommodation; act as PWD Desk Officers in their respective cities or municipalities; create a paralegal team which will serve as advocates for the rights of PWD victims and; facilitate the creation of database system in Negros Oriental which will contain information and data about PWD.

The recognition ceremony will be on June 3, 2011, 1pm, at Bethel Guest House. This will be attended by the Philippine National Police Personnel in Negros Oriental, GPRehab staff, government officials, and PWD sector.

One of the training participants said, “An informed and knowledgeable police force will surely create a big help to the PWD sector. We, the police personnel, are very crucial in making sure that PWDs, especially women and children, have access to justice. Without our strong involvement, all efforts towards protecting the rights of PWDs would be meaningless.”

The one-year training on “Accommodating (Women and Children) Victims of Crime Who Have Disabilities” is also supported by the Silliman University Psychology Department and Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE).

***

Rolando C. Villamero Jr.

Awarded were:

1. Borromeo, Chic (St. Paul University Dumaguete)
2. Genoguin, Lovely (University of San Jose Recoletos)
3. Ladroma, Shiela Marie (University of San Carlos)
4. Llevares, Alan Angelo (Cebu Institute of Technology-University)
5. Pahati, Alvin (University of San Jose Recoletos)
6. Pateña, Patricia Andrea (St. Theresa’s College)
7. Plaza, Athena (University of San Carlos)
8. Tan, Jonathan Andro (Silliman University)
9. Tumulak, Carla Marie (University of the Philippines Cebu College)
10. Ybio, Marie Chielo (Silliman University)

The 10 were chosen from 20 finalists who come from different universities and colleges of Cebu and Dumaguete. The finalists were chosen through a screening process overseen by the Commission on Higher Education in Cebu City.

The Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) program dates back to 1961 when businessman Jose Concepcion Jr., then publisher of Student Life Magazine, aspired for an annual recognition of outstanding students. As envisioned, TOSP was launched on June 19, 1961, aptly on the 100th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal. Since then, it has produced outstanding contributors in various fields such as Raul Roco, Victoria Pineda-Garchitorena, Ramon del Rosario, and Rene Saguisag to name a few. In 1994, regional searches in conjunction with the national level awards were spearheaded with the first regionalized search held in Region 7 particularly in Cebu City.

This year’s Search is supported by the RFM Corporation and Perpetual Help Community Cooperative (PHCCI) with special participation of the Province of Negros Oriental, Robinsons Place Dumaguete, Page Design Services Dumaguete, EDLAW Office, and Silliman University College of Mass Communication.

***

Rolando C. Villamero Jr.

St. Paul University – Dumaguete City

1. Borromeo, Chic (BS Nursing)
2. Pinanonang, Argie (Secondary Education)

Silliman University

1. Bandoy, Johanna Lei (BS Nursing)
2. Tan, Jonathan Andro (BS Physics)
3. Ybio, Marie Chielo (AB Political Science)

University of San Carlos (Campus I)

1. Georfo, Lauraine May (AB Political Science)
2. Ladroma, Shiela Marie (BS Accountancy)
3. Plaza, Athena (BA Legal Management)

University of San Carlos (Campus II)

Ermac, Karl Patrick (BS Chemical Engineering)

University of San Jose – Recoletos

1. Genoguin, Lovely (Elementary Education)

2.  Novabos, Charles Ruel (BS Industrial Engineering)

3.  Pahati, Alvin (BS Hospitality Management)

University of Cebu – Banilad

Lopez, Edilyn (BS Tourism)

Cebu Institute of Technology – University

1. Dungog, Dexter (BS Civil Engineering)

2.  Llevares, Alan Angelo (BS Computer Engineering)

St. Theresa’s College

Pateña, Patricia Andrea (BS Mass Communication)

University of the Visayas

Serad, Jollyjoie (Secondary Education)

University of the Philippines Cebu College

1.  Geverola, Nikkie Marie (BS Management)

2.  Tumulak, Carla Marie (BS Political Science)

Southwestern University

Chan, Luigine Christi (BS Nursing)

TOSP-R7 is an annual search which recognizes the best and the brightest students in the provinces of Region VII who have excelled in academics, leadership, and social responsibility. In addition, this program aims at establishing role models who will galvanize our young people into action and help bring about total human and economic development in the nation.

The Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines program dates back to 1961 when businessman Jose Concepcion Jr., then publisher of Student Life Magazine, envisioned an annual recognition of outstanding students. This vision was actualized on June 19, 1961 when TOSP was launched aptly on the 100th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal.

This year’s Search is supported by the RFM Corporation and Perpetual Help Community Cooperative with special participation of Province of Negros Oriental, Silliman University College of Mass Communication, Cafe Antonio, Robinsons Place Dumaguete, and DYSR KillerBee.

***

ROLANDO C. VILLAMERO JR.

In 2010, three of our children-beneficiaries were sexually abused. They are all girls. The first one is 13 years old; the other one is 17 years old and; the last one is 15 years old. One of them has cerebral palsy and the two have intellectual disability.

Who are the perpetrators?

Two of the said children were sexually abused by their closest family member.

When asked about how she feels about the perpetrator, the 15-year old child with cerebral palsy said, “Naglagot gyud ko niya pag-ayo. Ganahan ko nga ma preso siya sa tibuok niya nga kinabuhi.” (I am very angry at him. I want him to be imprisoned for life.)

Indeed, this is such a depressing reality. We often hear and see on TV children being sexually abused by their closest family members or by acquaintances.

Somebody said, “Our children are our future. If we do not take good care of them, in essence, we destroy our future.”

Yes. Our children are our greatest treasure and we should give them all they need for them to grow as productive individuals in the society. But, what are we doing with our children? Sadly, our children nowadays have become subjects to abuse physically, sexually, and psychologically.

How do we fight child sexual abuse? Who are the frontliners in protecting the children from any form of abuse?

According to Atty. Chato Olivas-Gallo, an advocate-lawyer for children, one of the best things to do is to have an intensive awareness raising about child sexual abuse in the community. This means educating the public about the myths and facts of sexual abuse, signs if a child has been sexually abused, and ways on how to prevent sexual abuse. This can be done through media exposure and seminar-workshops. In addition, Atty. Gallo highlighted the importance of forming a group of paralegals who will serve as primary “protectors” for children who have been sexually abused. Paralegals can be parents, teachers, social workers, or even ordinary citizens who will undergo training on legal access for children who have been sexually abused.

The parents play a very important role in fighting child sexual abuse. Parents should be vigilant in protecting their children from any form of sexual abuse. This can be done by teaching them (children) the “dos” and “don’ts” in dealing with strangers, appropriate and inappropriate touching, and ways on how to get help if they are caught in a particular situation.

Furthermore, parents should receive important inputs about abuse so that they will become more educated and aware in preventing child sexual abuse.

Since our children spend most of their time in school, school administrators and teachers should be more sensitive to the needs and actions of their pupils or students. Organizing dialogues and workshops where children can feely express themselves is very important. In this way, children will have the opportunity to share their experiences, both good and bad, in school and at home. Moreover, it is important to strengthen Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) so that there will be a good avenue for interaction among the parents, teachers, and pupils or students.

The PNP personnel and social workers are crucial components in fighting child sexual abuse because they are directly handling the “legalities” of the abuse. Therefore, they should be adept in accommodating cases about sexual abuse particularly those involving children with disabilities. Seminar-workshops and trainings on strategies and techniques in dealing with children with disabilities is important.

Parents. School administrators. Teachers. PNP personnel. Social Workers.

Are they the only ones who should work in fighting child sexual abuse?

Fighting child sexual abuse should be a concerted effort among all the members and agencies in the community. The Church and the academe should be actively involved in educating the public. Government officials from the national level down to the barangay level should strengthen the implementation of the laws protecting children from abuse. Private sectors and non-government organizations should network with the Local Government Units for possible programs and projects for the children. Ordinary citizens should be educated and should report to the authority sexual abuse cases in their respective communities.

If we work together, we can fight child sexual abuse. As exemplified in the acronym TEAM, Together Everyone Achieves More.

Why must we be concerned? According to Rev. Dr. Cynthia Crosson, “God entrusts children to our care, to nurture, to protect and to guide to adulthood. Therefore, preventing a child – any child – from being harmed is as much in the realm of our ministry as conducting worship or visiting the sick.”

Are you one of us?

The seminar-workshop will discuss the myths and facts of child sexual abuse, how to identify an abuser, how to identify an abused child, safety plans for family, neighborhood, and school, and urgent steps to help a victim of child sexual abuse.

“As members of the society, it is our moral obligation to help  prevent child abuse. Our children cannot wait. If we are not taking good care of our children, in essence, we are destroying our future,” expressed Analou Suan, GPRehab Executive Director.

This seminar-workshop will be attended  by the PNP Negros Oriental Personnel, parents, teachers, church leaders, non-government organizations working for children, barangay leaders, lawyers, law students, and law enforcers.

Aside from facilitating the seminar-workshop on child abuse, Atty. Olivas-Gallo will also do radio guestings to further spread awareness about child sexual abuse in the community.

Rolando “Junjun” Villamero Jr.

Municipality of Valencia:

1. Arsenio D. Tubaga

2. Socrates N. Claros

Municipality of Bacong:

3. Arturo S. Noble

Municipality of Pamplona

4. Conrado S. Bacud Jr.

Municipality of Guihulngan

5. Frederick P. Villaflor

Municipality of Sibulan

6. Ronald B. Rio

Municipality of Siaton

7. Heinz P. Destura

8. Amando Q. Gainsan

Municipality of Vallehermoso

9. Danilo D. Camingay

Municipality of San Jose

10. Luz Edith V. Bairoy

11. Ma. Chary May P. Ojano

12. Harchieson B. Hisona

Municipality of Ayungon

13. Edito A. Salimbagat

City of Bais

14. Johnito V. Corregidor

City of Dumaguete

15. Eustaquio V. Fabruada

16. Benjamen G. Arellano

17. Ingracio Pintor

18. Lixelcar R. Gordoncillo

19. Zaldy M. Torres

TOPWD-NegOr is an initiative of GPRehab and the Province of Negros Oriental.  It seeks to affirm Persons With Disabilities (PWD) who have made a significant difference in the province as well as empower not only the finalists but more PWD to do their part in effecting positive change in society.  Poised to become an annual event, TOPWD-NegOr envisions the shoring up of PWD participation in nation building.

Rolando Villamero Jr.

TOPWD-NegOr Organizing Committee c/o The Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. (GPRehab), SL Teves Subd., Calindagan, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines; Tel. No. (035) 422-8308; Fax No. (035) 226-1887; Cellphone No. 09053238560; Email: gprehab@yahoo.com