Bahay Pag-asa (Bacolod) residents join with their families to celebate Christmas

Club Pag-asa USA recognized at Bahay Pag-asa, Bacolod Christmas Family Day

Yesterday, by Skype, we joined the Christmas Family Day celebration at Bahay Pag-asa, Bacolod. Ms. Jensan Lazarito, Director, sends this message to all Club Pag-asa members (at Cathedral High School, Los Angeles, CA and at San Miguel High School, Tucson, Arizona) and supporters: "We also recognized Club Pag-asa in the ceremony. We will send via mail, the certificate we made . Tomorrow, the boys will have their caroling at Granada Ecopark, then take a free splash on the pool as their reward. I and 2 other boys will accompany our visitor from Hong Kong to 2 other institutions to distribute the things he brought for infants and the elderly. As for the list of scholarship needs, we will have it mailed, hopefully first week of January. Happy Family Day to you Br. Dan and Club Pag-asa! Happy New year too! God bless!"

"Lord of heaven and earth, look upon our planet, frequently exploited by human greed and rapacity. Help and protect all the victims of natural disasters, especially the beloved people of the Philippines, gravely affected by the recent typhoon."    - Pope Francis I, Christmas Message

"On this night, let us share the joy of the Gospel. God loves us. He so loves us that he gave us his son to be our brother, to be light in our darkness. To us the Lord repeats, 'Do not be afraid,' ... And I, too, repeat, do not be afraid,'"  - Pope Francis I

We wish our friends, the staff and residents of Bahay Pag-asa a blessed and joyous Christmas!

Philippines Schools Provide Protection From Bullying

DepEd issues implementing rules on Anti-Bullying Act

By: Aerol B. Patena, Philippine News Agency
December 14, 2013 4:11 AM

MANILA, Philippines - “Every Filipino child must be protected,” Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro stressed following the signing Friday by DepEd of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.
“The Anti-Bullying Act is part of our child protection policy,” Luistro said in his address during the signing ceremony on Dec. 13 at Bulwagan ng Katarungan DepEd Complex on Meralco Ave., Pasig City.
Secretary Luistro said anti-bullying acts include cyber-bullying aside from inflicting physical harm to the child and utterance of slanderous statements or accusations which causes the victim undue emotional distress such as the use of profanities, name-calling and commenting negatively on the victims’ looks, clothes and body.
Bullying would also include social bullying which refers to any deliberate, repetitive and aggressive social behavior intended to hurt others or belittle any individual or group and gender-based bullying that humiliates a person on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The education secretary also noted that the Philippines is one of the first countries to implement an anti-bullying act in the world.
All public and private kindergarten, primary and secondary schools as well as alternative learning centers are mandated to adopt anti-bullying policies and establish intervention programs which include counseling, life skills training and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and the psycho-social well-being of both the victim and the bully with the inclusion of all concerned parties such as bullies, victims, witnesses, parents, school officials as well as other persons that may be affected by the bullying incident, he said.
Schools must also impose disciplinary measures as part of their child protection policy against the perpetrators depending on the gravity and nature of the cases.
They may also refer the victims and bully to trained professionals outside the school such as social workers, guidance counselors, psychologists or child protection specialists for further assessment and appropriate intervention measures if necessary, Luistro said.
The law also states that the provisions of Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, will apply in case bullying incidents result in serious physical injuries or death.
Private schools shall be given 30 days to comply with the policy and the DepEd may suspend or revoke the permit of a school in cases of noncompliance.
On the other hand, school personnel of public kindergarten, elementary or secondary schools who fail to conform to the act will be imposed sanctions in accordance with the Civil Service Rules and relevant issuances of the department, he said.

All About Heart...

Christmas Approaches at Bahay Pag-asa

    Every year our volunteers, after just a few days, say the same thing.  "They're just kids."  It's the truth about almost every "child in conflict with the law."  Change the equation and a perfectly good kid can become an "offender" or a "criminal."  Bahay Pag-asa is working to change the equation in the other direction.  Provide a troubled kid with a place to sleep, nutritious meals, the opportunity to get an education and some hope that in the future they will find employment and a way to help their family...provide this and you have won heart and mind.  The "boys of Pag-asa" wish you a Merry Christmas and pray that you will consider journeying with them through your prayers, your support and your friendship.  Blessings!