4th National Leadership Congress: VYLH-Philippines Launches Its 4th Advocacy

On its Fourth National Leadership Congress, the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health (VYLH)-Philippines fittingly highlighted the launching of its 4th principal advocacy. Joining expanded newborn screening (eNBS) promotion, folic acid awareness campaign, and rare disease support in the roster of the network’s advocacies is the Preconception health campaign.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), preconception health, refers to the "provision of biomedical, behavioural and social health interventions to women and couples before conception occurs. It aims at improving their health status, and reducing behaviours and individual and environmental factors that contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes." 

With the theme “Padayon: Empowering the Next Generation of Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health in the Era of Genomics”, the three-day Asia Pacific Conference on Human Genetics post-conference event centered on the network's advocacies and the youth’s role in promoting health. Held last November 9-11, 2019 at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, nearly 100 proactive volunteer youth leaders from all over the country were gathered in celebration of the VYLH-Philippines’ 10th Founding Anniversary. The event was made possible with the support from the Department of Health, Institute of Human Genetics - NIH-UP Manila, March of Dimes, Asia Pacific Society of Human Genetics, Newborn Screening Reference Center-NIH, UP Manila, and the country's Newborn Screening Centers (NSCs).

The Fourth National Leadership Congress kicked-off with a special talk on Volunteerism and Transformational Leadership by University of the Philippines System Pahinungod Director Dr. Grace Aguiling-Dalisay. Team building activities facilitated by IHG and NSRC staff members were also held during the congress' first night

The second day of the congress was packed with health talks from experts and key personalities in the field of birth defects. Lectures included the Genetics of Birth Defects and Preterm Births, Expanded Newborn Screening in the Philippines and Understanding the ABC’s of Rare Disease and the Law from no less than Dr. Eva Cutiongco-de la Paz, Dr. Mary Ann Abacan and Dr. Carmencita Padilla, respectively.

March of Dimes Vice President for Global Programs Dr. Salimah Walani graced the congress as the keynote speaker in the discussion of preconception health’s importance in the prevention of birth defects and preterm births. She emphasized that intervening only after a woman is pregnant is already too late and it is high time that we put forward preconception health in improving the lives of mothers and children in the country. As mentioned, the VYLH-Philippines has formally accepted its role in promoting preconception health by launching it as a national initiative. Volunteers attending the event affirmed their support to the campaign through a pledge led by Mr. Christian Emmanuel Enriquez.

March of Dimes VP for Global Programs Dr. Salimah Walani (center) receives a plaque of appreciation from the VYLH-Philippines. Also in the photo are (left to right) NSC Mindanao Unit Head Dr. Conchita Abarquez, VYLH President Emmanuel Enriquez,  VYLH National Adviser Dr. Carmencita Padilla and Visayas Cluster Adviser Dr. Barbara Cavan.

One of the goals of the congress was to facilitate exchange of learning and experiences in the promotional work of the network. Discussions on the best practices in advocating eNBS and rare diseases were facilitated by Mr. Floyd Edrea and Mr. Edbert Jasper Jover. An award-winning program initiated by Ms. Ruth Basas, Kabilin Kalusugan for LB Nanays, opened new doors and enriched thinking for more innovative and better-quality advocacy programs. VYLH-Philippines also did not go short-handed in terms of utilizing technology to impact community mobilization as the successes of the social media campaigns, like #FolicAcidPh and #WorldBDDay, done by the network were appreciated in Mr. Ryan John Pascual’s report in the congress. Future plans on the folic acid awareness and preconception health campaign were presented by Mr. Rufus Thomas Adducul, while opportunities in the rare disease advocacy were discussed by Ms. Karen Panol. 

The Cultural Night, like in the past three congresses, was the highlight of the event. It was not only a night of fellowship among volunteer youth leaders nationwide, but a showcase of talents and unity amidst diversity among the four clusters representing the different island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The night also paid tribute to the the unwavering support of the network's partners and the significant contributions of Professor David Sillence in the field of Genetics. This year, the night was also even brighter because of the radiance shining off of the stars of the night – the recipients of the Outstanding and Exemplary Volunteer Awards in the last 10 years. Awarded as outstanding volunteers were Katrina Dee Guro, Anthony Toralba, John Paul Oira, Edbert Jasper Jover, Ramonito Nuique and Christian Emmanuel Enriquez. While Ryan John Pascual and Floyd Edrea were awarded as exemplary volunteers of the decade.

Receiving the Outstanding Volunteer Awards are (left to right) Ram Nuique, Edbert Jasper Jover, Emmanuel Enriquez, Katrina Dee Guro, John Paul Oira and Anthony Toralba.

Dr Carmencita Padilla hands over Exemplary Volunteer awards to
Floyd Edrea (left) and Ryan John Pascual (right).

In addition to the network's advocacies, the congress was also an avenue to discuss global developments and emerging advocacies such as the SDGs or the Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of mental health. On the third day of the congress, the work of two national youth organizations namely the 2030 Youth Force in the Philippines and the Youth for Mental Health Coalition were presented by Mr. Brex Arevalo and Ms. Alyannah Ysabel Lagasca, respectively.

The congress concluded with the proclamation of the fresh roll of national officers led by the third national president Rufus Thomas Adducul. The four vice presidents elected for North and Central Luzon, NCR and South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were Ameel Bartolazo, Jean Ruth Basas, Marielle Buscato and Shane Paul Baula, respectively. Other newly elected national officers were: Charity Hope Ponce (Secretary), Ram Nuique (Treasurer), Melboy Bulan (Auditor), Trisha Isabel Guioguio (Public Information and Relations Officer), and Stephanie Kate Pepino (Membership Officer).

With another set of empowered national officers and younger batch of new volunteer youth leaders, the VYLH-Philippines will continue to lead the youth in its role in nation-building with renewed courage and burning desire to effect change in our country. Mr. Emmanuel Enriquez, the network’s Immediate Past President, challenged the new breed of leaders to end the congress, saying “If you are called to be there, make sure your presence has an impact.”#

Written by Trisha Isabel F. Guioguio, RN, MAN
(K4, Public Information and Relations Officer)
Edited by RPascual

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Ten for Ten: 10 Things I Learned from VYLH

By Kristofer Ralph Supil (Hiraya)

VYLH recently turned 10 this year. I have been with the network for four years now, but weirdly, it feels like I’ve been with them since 2009. It’s really amazing how I saw myself on Day 1 and seeing myself now with the organization reaching its 10th year in full technicolor. I’m looking forward to many more years, to 20, to 30, and so on… with VYLH. But in this span of time I’ve been with them, I have at least learned 10 things - things I kept and will keep with me thanks to VYLH.

One

Passion and hard work are not mutually exclusive. I’ve learned over the years working with different volunteers that these two co-exist with each other. Until now, I have always been reminded to use these two consistently, one never without the other. Passion is a matchstick. Without hard work, without effort, sparks will never fly.

Two

Courage is the secret ingredient to do everything consistently. Having courage is a virtue one must practice in order to practice other virtues consistently. Most times, it’s always scary to start advocating for something people might never understand. But I’ve learned never to let yourself be ruled by these fears. Always remind yourself that there is always something good that’ll come out of your endeavors. Have faith in humanity.

Three

Talent is like DNA — not one is exactly alike. Being with different individuals every year can be very overwhelming. Being with them and seeing their set of talents can even make anxiety worse. You start to think about what you’re good at and what you can offer to the table. However, always think that talent is like DNA. You will never be as good as him or her but so will he or she. You will always be unique. You will always be you. And that’s what makes VYLH so amazing. It’s just several talents bursting with so much energy into one pot. What’s so nice about VYLH is that not once have I ever felt insecure. They’ve only pushed me to become a better version of myself.

Four

Friendship is a flexible concept. It has been said that maintaining friendship in the adult years is difficult. I’m turning 30 this year, and I’m slowly exiting the age bracket of “youth,” but I’ve come to understand that friendship is a flexible concept. And that’s okay. I might have been very close with someone the first day we met, and then we experienced a fall-out but it doesn’t mean our friendship ended there. I tell you, the moment you see each other again, you will be reminded of the several years that you had with them and it will feel as if it was just yesterday. You don’t have to be tagged in every photo. You don’t have to necessarily be in the same chatbox. You don’t have to be in the same region. You just need to understand that you have a friend wherever you may be, and whenever you will need it.

Five

Advocacy is a product of the heart. I always thought that advocacies were things honor roll students did. Young people who excel in the academics and extracurricular. I went into the organization as an average student not even familiar with the word “advocacy.” All VYLH needed was my heart and passion. Everything else followed. I grew. My heart grew. It became smarter. And I will always be indebted to VYLH for what it did to me. I will always wear my heart on my sleeve.

Six

The organization mirrors back who you truly are. Authenticity is key. It wasn’t really hard bringing out who I truly was in this organization. I was just a bit surprised meeting who I really was. Never thought I was capable in becoming who I am today. From the pessimistic, cynical person before to a hopeful, unrelenting Taylor that I am. I’ve also seen the network mold and change people. It is truly breathtaking.

Seven

You learn to be kind. Most importantly, to yourself. We can be really hard on ourselves. Setting standards. Unaccepting of our flaws and shortcomings. Always giving in to doubt. I’m grateful though that VYLH taught me, not only to be kind to others, but to be kind to myself. I’ve gone through so much with the people that they’ve given me the chance to become who I am today. Just last year, I volunteered to facilitate at the last regional camp before this year’s upcoming congress. I was surprised with the ceremony they prepared for us. I remember telling everyone that VYLH was the only group of people who told me that I was still working perfectly even when I knew I was already broken.

Eight

You learn and appreciate the value of memories. Thank God for a big phone storage capacity. I get to look back at photos and videos and unlock all the memories I need to motivate me to make more new ones with the volunteers and the organization. The value I have placed with memories is that these are actually the ones that keep us holding on.

Nine

Love is not what you think it is. I’ve fallen in love with so many people. I’ve fallen in love with their cuteness, their ambitions. But that was me before. Always associating love with the feeling of falling in love with the beautiful aspects of a person. But I’ve learned that love can come in so many forms. I have learned to love someone when they show up late for our meetings and dates. I have learned to love someone by not being bitter when they have finally decided to move on and love someone or something else. I have learned to love someone when they never give back what I give to them, and that’s more than okay. The organization has proven me that I am CAPABLE of love. That I am CAPABLE of loving even after being heartbroken.

Ten

VYLH can be any kind of home - a mansion, a duplex, a village, a small room, or a hostel. In VYLH, you will never experience being homeless. Time and time again, I have always felt lost. Even with the organization, feeling lost is not something you don’t experience especially when you’re navigating the 20s. But one thing I have never felt was feel homeless. I may have been lost and distant several times but VYLH always continued and consistently called itself my home. It would be a mansion filled with so many characters when I wanted life to look brighter. A duplex when I wanted a quaint and intimate meet-up just to talk about how I felt. A village when I needed help raising a newV (new VYLH volunteer) and teaching them the ropes of how to advocate for our advocacies. A small room if I needed to be left alone without them wanting to force themselves in. A hostel if I wanted to meet new people. VYLH was every kind of home. And it will always continue to be, I guess. I guess, I will never be homeless.#

_________________

Kristofer Ralph Supil @TaylorKristof13 is an Intensive Care Unit nurse at Holy Child Hospital, Dumaguete City. A graduate of Silliman University, Ralph became affiliated to VYLH in 2015. He is also a former Health Leadership and Governance Program Nurse of the Department of Health Region VII. 

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