Launching of the Mariquita S. Castelo Centennial Leadership Award

SIM attended the Launch of the Mariquita S. Castelo Centennial Leadership Award last August 30, at the Sofitel Hotel, Manila.

The launch of the award coincides with the 100th Birth Anniversary of Mariquita S. Castelo, the founder of Soroptimist International Philippines.  The first club was chartered in Malacañang on May 5, 1966 and was then known as the Soroptimist Club of Greater Manila.

The event included a mini-fashion show which showcased elegant gowns by local designers which were featured in Soroptimist International Philippines coffee table book "Women and Fabrics".

More photos can be seen here.

Soroptimist Week 2012 - Medical and Dental Mission

 

The Soroptimist International of Malabon held a medical and dental mission on the 18th of August, at Concepcion Barangay Hall Covered Court, to assist families in Malabon who were affected by the recent flooding brought upon by the storm enhanced monsoon rains this August.

The Medical Mission was a success thanks to St. Martin's Foundation and their tireless and dedicated volunteers, the Barangay Staff and Officers of Brgy. Concepcion, community volunteers and organizers and everyone else who came around to assist families who came to the mission for assistance.

More photos can be found here.

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Cervical and Breast Cancer Awareness

In celebration of international Women’s Day, SI Malabon recently held a workshop to raise cervical and  breast cancer awareness among women.

SIM provided free lecture with power point presentation and refreshments to more than 80 low income women and girls in the community.  SIM also distributed leaflets on breast self examination.

The event’s highlight was a workshop where participants brainstormed on public advocacy, cancer pain, cancer registry, hospice and preventive care.

Eight (8) club members and a retired obstetrician, Dr. Amorfia Castillo, shared their time and effort to conduct a 5-hour free workshop to educate and  raise awareness,  share the symptoms, detection and treatment to women and girls to prevent these killer diseases.

SI Malabon President Speaks at the United Nations

Soroptimist International of Malabon President Jeannie Sandoval was invited to speak at the The 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, United Nations (UN) Headquarters, New York, USA on February 27 – March 9, 2012.

The 56th Session’s Priority Theme is “The empowerment of rural women and their roles in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges”.

“From seeding to feeding: the role of women and girls across the life cycle of food” is the event title.

Sandoval delivered a speech on the topic: “Marketing and selling: women agricultural entrepreneurs, including successful microcredit” on February 28, 2012.

Women of Opportunity and Ruby Awarding at Manila Yacht Club

SI of Malabon's candidate Bernice Johania Gamba, was declared 2nd place awardee for the  Women of Opportunity Award Program (WOA). Ms. Gamba received a Cerficate from MMNW district and five thousand pesos from SIPR.  Ms. Gamba is the breadwinner for her family.  She supports her siblings by selling hopia, candies, and other items at Sangandaan Market. The award was confirmed on March 8, 2012 at the Manila Yacht Club.

SIM’s Ruby Award candidate, Ms. Cesiah “Kaye” Dacer, a broadcast journalist of ABSCBN-DZMM and advocate of education, women empowerment  and rights of women, received a plaque and certificate from MMNW district as a  guest speaker, and District Ruby awardee on March 8, 2012 at the Manila Yacht Club.

A Fish a Day Will Go a Long Way

“A fish a day will go a long way”  is an on-going livelihood project of SIM where women and girls learn how to debone milkfish (bangus) and cook bangus by smoking (tinapa).

Finished products are sold through the Soroptimist  Store  or  through  the  women  trainees  themselves. Those who have learned are expected to become trainers to new learners (pass it forward concept) to encourage women to share their knowledge to others thus increasing the number of beneficiaries and multiplying the effort of SIM in the community.

This project has become self-sustaining and is proving the SIM concept of a people-helping-people organization.

PNP Women's Desk - MOA Signing

 

The Soroptimist International of Malabon had a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing with the PNPWPCD.  PO2 Analita Gardose, representing the PNPWPCD signed the MOA with SIM last February 2012 at their Northern Police District Office.

The MOA sets the foundation for the club's projects to enhance the PNP Women's Desk through the empowerment of women and children to end the cycle of abuse.

SI MALABON CENTER – Home of Women

The new SI Malabon “Soroptimist Center” will soon rise in a 120 square meter lot in Barangay Catmon, Malabon City. The Center will serve as the venue of most SIM projects including training on milkfish (bangus) deboning and other livelihood programs, and seminars on anti-trafficking and anti-violence of women. All these programs will now be conducted regularly to uplift the socio-economic status  and quality of life of women and their families.

SIM is also set to hold their regular monthly meetings once the center is constructed. This will serve as a means to make the public be aware of the Soroptimist Club of  Malabon.

The center is seen as a venue to  encourage new members to join our club. Victims of abuse will know where to go in case of need.

The Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) will provide  labor and materials for the construction of the center while the city government of Malabon provided the lot.

SIM  projects aim to  improve the lives of women and girls.

Balat ng Mais Swak na Business

 

A trash  to  treasure  (cash)  recycling  project that  turns  corn cover (usually just goes to garbage bins once the grain or corn husk  is used as grains or sold after cooking) to practical  and  income-generating  products.  SIM  had  a seminar on how to use corn cover to make artificial flowers, home decors  and  other ornaments  which  mothers  and  women-breadwinners  can  sell  and  pursue  as  a  home-based  business  to  earn  extra  money  for  their  families’  needs.

Since corn cover is available in most areas, it is easy for a start-up to get the raw material and reuse or recycle these to useful and beautiful pieces of art. It is also an environment-friendly entrepreneurial activity that if done with hard work, perseverance  and  commitment,  can  be  very promising,  worthwhile and sustainable.

There is growing market for artificial flowers from corn cover. One needs 50 centavos per flower. Makers of the recycled product can sell each flower at P1.50 each or a mark-up of P1.00 per flower. If one can make 50 pcs. of flowers/day, she can earn P50.

The seminar was held at the SI Malabon adopted barangay - Brgy. Tonsuya.

Holiday Dinner Treat with Women in Jail

 

SI Malabon President-elect Mirla Guevara, along with other officers and members of the club shared their time, effort and financial support to prepare a delicious Christmas dinner for women in prison last December 25, 2011.

Malabon City Jail accommodates close to 150 detainees who are classified as detention prisoners.  Within its walls are women aged 18 to 60 years old.  Prisoners undergoing trials and those who are convicted are mixed together in this jail.  These are women separated from society and most importantly, separated from their families.

The harsh reality is that the  budget for meal allowance in jail cannot be stretched to sustain the increasing number of women prisoners.

SIM cooked sumptuous foods for the prisoners to enjoy and forget for a while their loneliness.  After the meal, a song was performed by the oldest inmates, followed by a dance contest among the detainees.  They expressed their gratitude to our club at the end of the activity, for making them feel that they have not been abandoned by society.  On the members’ part, the activity made us discover that helping others is our path to happiness.

Women in Prison

Ten officers and members of SI Malabon celebrated Human Rights Day by visiting women prisoners at the Malabon City Jail.  We found that some inmates shed tears upon seeing us, perhaps for enlivening their hopes and the assurances we brought - that society still cared for them.

Malabon City Jail accommodates close to 150 detainees who are classified as detention prisoners. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology admits that with the increasing number of women detainees, the budget allocation per inmates for basic needs often is not enough.

SIM distributed biscuits, fruits, personal hygiene products such as towel, soap, toothpaste and  skin ointments for rashes and other skin ailments.  After the distribution, the prisoners shared with us their morning dance exercises, synchronized with music which they enjoy doing everyday.

After the activity, the prisoners expressed their appreciation and thanks for our visit.

SI MALABON DZAR Radio Interview

One of the highlights of SIM's public awareness campaign was the live radio interview on DZAR – Sonshine Radio 1026 Khz, on September 12, 2011.

The radio appearance gave SIM an opportunity to announce the search for WOA, Ruby, VRA and Unsung Heroes Awards throughout the country.  DZAR is heard nationwide and also has a live streaming website to reach audiences abroad.

A photo release of the club also made it into the front page of the Philippine Star on June 2011.