Repro health groups to
hold Lenten ‘rituals’

The mother as warrior and survivor will be the highlight of the Lenten rituals, organized by the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network, in the event called "Pasyon: Panaghoy at Pagbangon ng Kababaihan” in Quezon City, a press release from the group said.

The event will bring women to three "stations" or tableaus reminiscent of the “pasyon” – the first depicting maternal agony and death; the second, the institutions that prevent her from achieving full maternal health and well-being; and the third, a pledge to fight together as women and prevail over her ‘enemies’, the press release added.

It will end with a reiteration of the women’s commitment to fight for reproductive health and rights. There will also be poetry-reading and singing by women-artists Giselle Tongi, Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios and Cookie Chua, March 30, from 3:30-7 p.m. at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani grounds at Quezon Avenue, the press release added.*

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Varela, Polvora lead 1,378 college,
high school graduates

The University of St. La Salle held its commencement rites Sunday with more than 1,100 students graduating from the colleges of Law, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Education, Business and Accountancy, at the coliseum.

The graduates were led by Ma. Hortnese Elaiza Varela from the Political Science Department as summa cum laude, with six others as magna cum laude, and 29 cum laude, a press release from the school said.

A total of 235 high school students from the USLS Integrated School, meanwhile, received their diplomas Friday with Mark Alfred Polvora as class valedictorian and Ceejay Urbano as salutatorian, who received the Brother Francis Cody FSC Honor’s Society Award, the press release added.

The Board of Trustees also conferred on Chonbuk National University president Geo-Suk Suh the title Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa, while executive director of Notre Dame Educational Association Nestor Lemana Sr. was conferred the St. La Salle Award.

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Latin dance fitness program
in Bacolod

Zumba Fitness, the Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a "fitness-party", is now in Bacolod, a press release from its promoters said.

Licensed instructors Joann Visitacion and Irene Caram Gonzaga, who trained with Columbian David Velez for two days in Cebu, are conducting classes, in "I" Dance and Fitness Studio, at Room 301, VSB Building in 6th Lacson Street, the press release also said.

The dance-fitness program has more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in more than 125 countries, and those interested may call 0917-3000594, the press release added.*

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Applications open for 39th SSEAYP

The National Youth Commission of the Philippines has announced the opening of applications for the 39th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program.

Young people, between 18 and 30 years old as of April 1, 2012, are qualified to apply to represent the Philippines.

The NYC is also inviting men and women between 35 to 50 years to apply for National Leader to lead the Philippine delegation, a press release from Marielou Chua, of the National Youth Commission, said.

The SSEAYP is an annual cultural exchange program among young people from ASEAN member countries and Japan. It is carried out by the Government of Japan with the active participation and cooperation of Southeast Asian states.

The greater part of the activities is centered on the Japanese Ocean Liner Fuji Maru as it makes its 52nd cruise in Southeast Asia and Japan, the press release said.

The program aims to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youth of Japan and Southeast Asian countries, to broaden their perspectives and to strengthen their motivations and abilities of international cooperation by participating in discussions and various exchange activities on board and in the countries to be visited.

The participating youths are expected to be in leading positions in youth activities and various sectors of their own countries after this program, the press release said.

Over the years, the SSEAYP has established itself as one of the most prestigious youth exchange programs in Asia.

For qualification requirements, and to download the application form, interested parties may log on to www.nyc.gov.ph, the press release added.*

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