STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2019: Unfinished Business: the pursuit of rights and choices for all

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Despite remarkable achievements in the past five decades, much more must be done to break the barriers that prevent women, men and couples from fully exercising their reproductive rights and choices, says new UNFPA report released today

POPCOM Undersecretary Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III with UNFPA Philippines Representative Iori Kato at the turnover of the State of World Population 2019 Report, entitled “Unfinished Business: the pursuit of rights and choices for all”

The year 2019 is unique as it marks two important milestones in the field of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights: 50 years since the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) began operations globally, and 25 years since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo where 179 governments agreed on a call for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, and safe pregnancy and childbirth services. UNFPA’s State of World Population Report 2019 traces advances in reproductive health on the anniversaries of these two important milestones.

These two events—the launch of the first United Nations agency dedicated to addressing population dynamics and the reproductive health needs of the world’s people with Filipino national Rafael Salas as its first Executive Director, and the declaration of a global commitment to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights—have fundamentally shaped the lives of women and families, and the societies in which they live, in the decades that followed. The revolutionary changes have been made in measurable and immeasurable, profound and trivial, permanent and fleeting ways.

Activists, advocates, government agencies like the Philippine Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) – which also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year - and UNFPA have jointly advanced the transformations that ordinary citizens see around themselves today and have helped tear down various and evolving social, economic and institutional barriers that women and young people have faced in exercising their reproductive rights over the past 50 years. As a result, more women today have access to the information and services they need to decide for themselves whether, when or how often to become pregnant.

Much has been achieved in the Philippines since 1969. The average number of births per woman was 6.0 in 1973. Today it is 2.7, even though the country has the highest total fertility rate in the ASEAN region. In order to reach the national target of 2.1 average number of births per woman under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), the Philippines needs to step up its efforts. 

“UNFPA takes pride in having partnered with the Philippines and witnessed together so many remarkable achievements together in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights in the last five decades. And yet, there should not be complacency. Much more needs to be done to empower those who are not yet able to enjoy their rights and whose choices are still constrained,” says UNFPA Philippines Representative Iori Kato. 

According to the 2017 Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey, about 17 percent of currently married women aged 15-49 have expressed intention to space or limit their children but are not using any method of family planning. Such proportion of unmet need for family planning services is highest among adolescents at 28 percent. 

The fulfillment of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights is key to reducing poverty in the country. The PDP 2017-2022 contains a specific chapter on Reaching for the Demographic Dividend; this chapter emphasizes the fact that reducing fertility through increasing access for young people to reproductive health information and services is a necessary pre-condition for the demographic dividend to be realized. 

The Philippine Government is a champion of the ICPD and President Rodrigo R. Duterte is committed to ending the unmet need for family planning, reflected in the recently revamped National Program on Population and Family Planning (NPPFP) to accelerate the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act.

“The Philippine Government remains strong in its commitment to fulfill the promise of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, to put people at the center of sustainable development and to pursue the realization of every Filipino’s sexual and reproductive rights,” said Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III, Under-Secretary for Population and Development and Executive Director of POPCOM. 

To finish the unfinished business of the ICPD, governments, activists and stakeholders will rally at the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 to be held on 12-14 November to sustain the gains made so far, and fulfill the promise of the ICPD agenda. Most countries, including the Philippines, need to build on the foundation of the past achievements to reach those who have been left behind and make sexual and reproductive health and rights a reality for all.

Facts and figures on the Philippines:

• Number of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births: 121 in 1994; 114 in 2015 (SWOP, 2019)

• Modern contraceptive prevalence rate among currently-married women: 11 in 1973; 25 in 1993; 40 in 2017 (NDS, 1993; NDHS, 2017)

• Total fertility rate, or average number of births per women: 6.0 in 1973; 4.1 in 1993; 2.7 in 2017 (NDS, 1993; NDHS, 2017)

• Percent women 15-19 years old who have begun childbearing: 6.5 in 1993; 8.6 in 2017 (NDS, 1993; NDHS, 2017)

The fulfillment of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights is key to reducing poverty in the country. Much has been achieved in the Philippines since 1969. The average number of births per woman was 6.0 in 1973. Today it is 2.7, even though the country has the highest total fertility rate in the ASEAN region. 

Website: www.unfpa.org/swop

Poised to give us a good scare, Fox produces its first local film “Maledicto”

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Fox Network Philippines’ first local film production, “Maledicto” - a horror movie showing on May 1 starring Tom Rodriguez, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Miles Ocampo, and Inah de Belen. 

Home to the most popular series and Hollywood movies, FOX is about to delight viewers yet again with their newest must-watch

Directed by Mark Meily, “Maledicto” (which means bad words like a curse or insult) is about exorcism, and written by Palanca-winner Jonathan Guillermo. Co-produced by Cignal Entertainment, Maledicto, is a chilling tale that will surely get under your skin.

A horror film where Tom Rodriguez play the lead role of Fr. Xavi, a priest to perform an exorcism on Miles Ocampo as Agnes, a student in a Catholic school who is under demonic possession. 

Jasmine's played in ‘Maledicto’ as a nun, as Sister Barbara, who is assigned to help a young and arrogant priest, Father Xavi

Tom said that his role, is not a conventional priest since he’s also a psychologist who becomes a skeptic after his sister, Inah de Belen as Mara, died under mysterious circumstances.

Fox Senior Vice President  and General Manager Jude Turcuato shares his excitement for the upcoming movie and share the bloggers / media , why they went into film production. 

Tom Rodriguez , Jonathan Guillermo, Palanca-winner and Jude Turcuato, Fox SVP  and General Manager

"Maledicto is a really big feat for FNG, being the first ever film we ve produced locally, with an all-Filipino cast. With Maledicto under our beit, we're hoping to elevate Filipino cinema to one of the Hollywood pedigree." 

“We’ve produced docus and sports shows before, but we also want to have our own scripted content properties, like what Hong Kong and Korea are doing now with their worldwide productions." 

“Our bosses in Los Angeles made us spend a week there meeting producers and attending shoots for their shows and they want to see if could do similar shows here. For the past two years, we read about 100 scripts submitted to us before finally choosing “Maledicto,” written by Palanca-winner Jonathan Guillermo. It was the best script given to us and we felt we can have a good shot with it. This is done in cooperation with Cignal and Unitel.” 

Turcuato adds, "we have always prided ourselves ㄺ creating ongnal content that would speak to our audience on a personal level, and I feel that Maledicto will do just that, because faith and belief are things that are innate in almost everyone. More than a horror movie, it is an invitation to look inside ourselves and assess what wo truy beleve in. We hope that this film will offer a fresh perspective." 

Inah de Belen shares her experience in doing the horror film Maledicto , photo with with  Tom Rodriguez , Jonathan Guillermo, Palanca-winner and Jude Turcuato, Fox SVP  and General Manager , during the recent blogcon.

The lead actors have also expressed enthusiasm on being part of FOX's first film, saying it was an opportunity to play roles that stray from the norm of romance and loveteams. They have happily accepted the challenge, and are excited to bring the characters to life.

The movie also stars Eric Quizon, Martin Escudero, Franco Laurel, Nonie and Shamaine Buencamino, Liza Lorena, Nina Ricci Alagao and Menggie Cobarrubias.

"Maledicto,” opens nationwide on May 1, distributed by Star Cinema. 

Sharon Cuneta's brother Chet runs for mayor in Pasay ..... aims to continue their father's legacy

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"I want to make the best of my life by serving the people of Pasay" - Chet Cuneta

Cesar 'Chet' Cuneta, aims to continue his father's political legacy, to follow in the footsteps of the late former Pasay City mayor Pablo Cuneta who served the city for 42 years under seven presidents.

Brother of Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Chet spent 33 years working as a pilot before being convinced to enter the political arena.

“I am a pilot, been one for 33 years. Didn’t plan this but was urged by the President in Davao. I am married to Michelle and have 7 children. I am 57 years old and hopefully, be full time in serving the people of Pasay," Ched introduced himself during the recent blog conference.

Chet's tagline now is “Bagong Umaga, Pasay Bangon Na!”

Chet proudly pronounced how he would do a better job than the incumbent. 

"I want to make the best of my life by serving the people of Pasay. My Dad had 42 years of service to the country, I have seen the need to run the city properly. Health Care, Senior Citizens, Education. Hopefully to build more hospitals because there is a need to do that, " adds Chet.

Chet said "I will make sure that all of Pasay's earnings will go toward making the city progressive, and will be for the benefit of the people."

ALIF Party-List aspires to alleviate the lives of indigenous Filipino

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ALIF  Partylist aspires to empower the Indigenous Sector and it’s families through providing access to government funds and programs geared towards preserving the heritage and culture by way of promoting sustainable livelihood programs that has socio-economic impact in their respective areas.

"ALIF Partylist is an organization devoted to serving Filipinos through providing livelihood programs and spreading technology and connectivity to far-flung areas," said Agakhan Tomawis, ALIF PartyList represntative.

ALIF Party-List is first represented by congressman Acmad Tomawis serving from 2007 to 2014. Together with, Agakhan Tomawis , his son and TPC President Lorenzo Rellosa is now carrying the torch for the organization and aims to provide livelihood projects even to the far-flung areas of the country.

Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino (ALIF) organized by Acmad Maruhom Tomawis in Marawi City on February 10, 2003 after a series of consultations and meetings with certain leaders of the indigenous cultural communities, including the Muslim Filipinos, seeks to represent the marginalized and underrepresented sector of the indigenous groups particularly in Mindanao. ALIF won in 2004 and served for three terms until year 2013.

ALIF"s partnership with Tele Preneur Corporation (TPC) a duly registered 100% Filipino-owned MLM direct selling company in the Philippines with eloading as a flagship product. They have the most efficient and fastest E-Loading System. They have a very unique Compensation Plan coupled with superb IT System that makes TPC the most generous company. To date, they have been able to create 2 Million Telepreneurs and helped change their lives.

TPC is a duly registered 100% Filipino-owned MLM direct selling company in the Philippines with e-loading as a flagship product. TPC as an MLM company is around 3.8M strong members which may produce a solid vote of at least 2 Million for the ALIF Party-List to cope two seats in the congress.

ALIF believes that TPC’s track record of providing livelihood opportunities and changing the lives of ordinary people would be a great tool to help the indigenous people of the Philippines. The two ALIF representatives mentioned that they will also prioritize education and infrastructure.

ALIF's some of the notable achievements of the partylist include infrastructure development, promotion of livelihood and domestic tourism, better water facilities and accessible health care services which used to be the main concerns of the communities in Mindanao.

ALIF with the number 73 in the ballots this coming Election 2019, ALIF emphasizes the importance of advancing through technology while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous groups. ALIF believes in creating sustainable livelihood in far-fetched areas allowing communities to showcase their local products. ALIF dreams of providing not just education for all, but quality education linked to better career opportunities across the country. Through advanced teacher trainings, students in rural communities will be able to represent their schools and be at par with well-known schools in the city and in other countries. 

Celebrity stylist Myrrh Lao To and beauty vlogger Raiza Contawi transform 3 lucky winners for the Shopee Makeover Madness

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Great deals up to 90% off at the Shopee Super Fashion and Beauty Sale on April 26.

In time for the Shopee Super Fashion and Beauty Sale on April 26, Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches a 3-part mini web series called ShopeeMakeover Madness on Facebook from April 24 to 26. 

Shopee Makeover Madness is an exciting social media contest where three lucky participants, Lilibeth Hernandez, Adrian Olivarez, and Aprille Gelera, nominated by their friends and family will get an all-expenses-paid makeover from popular celebrity fashion stylist, Myrrh Lao To and Beauty Vlogger Raiza Contawi.

One of the winners, Aprille Gelera, is a single mother who lost her husband in an accident only a year after their marriage. She now has a beautiful three-year-old boy and she also takes care of her mother. 

Users can find out more about Aprille and the other winner’s stories by catching the series on Shopee’s Facebook page from April 24 to 26. 

Happening on April 26, the Shopee Super Fashion and Beauty Sale will feature 24 hours of storewide sales, flash deals, and free shipping with a lower minimum spend of ₱199. Users can expect countless fashion and health and beauty shops selling make-up, fragrances, personal care products, women’s apparel, and accessories with discounts up to 90% off. 

For more information about the Shopee Makeover Madness, click here. 

Don’t forget to check out the Shopee Super Fashion and Beauty Sale on April 26 at https://shopee.ph/m/super-fashion-beauty-sale.

Visit the Shopee website at https://shopee.com or download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.