The Official Publication of Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health - Philippines

  • Youth for Health

    VYLH-Philippines is a network of pro-active, service-oriented youth leaders and youth organizations linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service, to improve birth outcomes through advocacy.

  • Promoting Volunteerism

    VYLH-Philippines is a network of pro-active, service-oriented youth leaders and youth organizations linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service, to improve birth outcomes through advocacy.

  • A Culture of Concern and Commitment

    VYLH-Philippines is a network of pro-active, service-oriented youth leaders and youth organizations linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service, to improve birth outcomes through advocacy.

  • Moving towards the Communities

    VYLH-Philippines is a network of pro-active, service-oriented youth leaders and youth organizations linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service, to improve birth outcomes through advocacy.

  • Glocal and Proud to be Filipino

    VYLH-Philippines is a network of pro-active, service-oriented youth leaders and youth organizations linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service, to improve birth outcomes through advocacy.

VYLH-Philippines celebrates Fifth Founding Anniversary

Written by Aple Dowanie Tadlas
Published Newborn Screening 
July-August 2014 Issue

Anchored on the theme “VYLH High Five: Educate, Empower, Engage and Experience,” the anniversary celebration was set to encourage every VYLH member to be updated with the current trends of being a volunteer youth. Coincidentally, July was also VYLH’s Organizational Orientation Month, a time when all member organizations are requested to reorient their members about VYLH-Philippines. Orientation sessions were held during the anniversary week and all of July.

Activities during the one-week celebration were not confined to the grounds, social media activity was also launched. The VYLH anniversary celebration used the official hashtags #HighFiveVYLH and #VYLH5thAnniversary, which volunteers could use on Facebook and Twitter. Volunteers were also invited to participate in social media campaigns such as High Five! (July 14), VYLH Five-orites (July 15), and IVolunteer (July 16).

Related: #HighFive: A Primer to the VYLH-Philippines 5th Founding Anniversary Celebration

Traditional Pasasalamat. Through the aid of technology, VYLH-Philippines has annually conducted a Skype session in concurrence with a simultaneous nationwide dinner held at key locations in the country. Participanting core groups include NCR, Visayas and Mindanao. 

Street Fashion and Zumba 5inco. The streets of Davao City on July 12, 2014, were host to the Street Fashion Photo Shoot, the kick off activity of the 5th Founding Anniversary of the VYLH-Philippines in Mindanao. Organized by Mindanao young volunteers, the photo shoot showcased a collection of VYLH-Philippines apparel and other souvenir items given throughout the different conferences and congresses since 2009. The rest of the activities were slated on July 14-18.

Together with the Newborn Screening Center–Mindanao, the volunteer youth leaders spearheaded the highlight of the celebration, the Zumba 5inco for Health, a Zumba dance exercise open to all healthy lifestyle enthusiasts in Davao City. The event was held at People’s Park, Davao City, from 5:30 to 6:30 in the morning and was attended by 142 joggers, youth volunteers, and students from University of Southeastern Philippines and Mindanao University. A brief presentation about the VYLH network and its advocacies was also conducted before the program started. A free blood pressure checkup booth was also installed near the activity grounds. Free water and bananas were also given to the participants.

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#HIGHFIVE Talk: 5th Anniversary Message From Kuya Emman

Words from VYLH-Philippines National President, Christian Emmanuel Enriquez of VYLH-Philippines Cebu Chapter on the organization's 5th Anniversary.

Words will not be enough to express how far we have come. I am humbled, honored and will forever be 
grateful to be part of something so grand not because of its increasing size but because of the value, 
effort, love and commitment the members of this organization have continuously shown all throughout 
this journey. 

Five years of friendship, experience, challenges, work, fun and five years of building a family so strong 
that was able to withstand even the challenges of time and calamity (typhoon Yolanda). 

To the Pioneers "The Visionary" I salute you, for planting the seed of which the fruits are what we 
harvest today. Thank you for your continuous, unending and unselfish support to make sure that the 
organization can move and reach its goals. 

To my batch mates K4 "The Creative Mind" I admire you, for your creativity, talent and enthusiasm that 
allowed us to conceptualize and deliver activities that are considered best practices in the hopes of
strengthening our advocacies. 

To our successors I3 "The Silent Worker" I congratulate you, for taking on the challenge and 
continuously doing the leg work of inspiring people and transforming them to become learned 
individuals. 

And E4 "The Future" I thank you, for accepting the responsibility of upholding the principles and 
advocacy of the network. You are the hope of the organization. 

Our existence would not have been possible without the support of our partners, mentors, advisers, 
secretariat among others who I consider as the backbone of the organization. To our Community 
Based Organizations, School Based Affiliates my sincerest appreciation for allowing your representatives 
to take part of the network's growth and journey. 

Indeed you are all GIFTS. It is amazing how the Almighty has allowed us to meet each other and has blessed this unique family we can truly call our own. 

May we continue to find light and inspiration from and in each other. May we continue to share knowledge, 
creativity and passion. May we continue to strengthen the advocacies of the network and reach wider 
coverage of transformed and learned communities. Finally may we continue to become GIFTS to 
others. 

That is to Give, Invest in Friendship, Time and Spirituality

The VLYH journey continues. Happy Fifth Anniversary! 

Salamat ug Padayon, 


Christian Emmanuel "Kuya Emman" P. Enriquez RN, MAN
VYLH-Philippines National President
2012-present
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Anniversary Message from PSOD and Launch of the Online Petition for a Rare Disease Act of the Philippines



July 18, 2014

Dear Officers and Members of the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health - Philippines, 

Greetings and congratulations on your 5th Founding Anniversary! 

In behalf of the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders (PSOD), we convey our deepest gratitude for the nationwide support you have given us for the past five years in promoting our advocacy. 


Over the years, we have felt significant progress in growing awareness and support from the general public and private sectors for our member patient families. Much of this we sincerely attribute to the creative programs you have launched nationwide, most especially during the yearly celebration of the National Rare Disease Week and World Rare Disease Day. The voluntary participation of your members at PSOD’s activities is much appreciated. We are truly so blessed by your partnership.

We are ecstatic that you have initiated and have chosen to launch the online petition to call for the support of the enactment of the “Rare Disease Act of the Philippines” at Change.org on this special day, your Fifth Founding Anniversary. The journey to realize this into law will be long and very challenging. Your viral support will be very crucial. We truly believe that hand in hand, working together, this can be realized, and that someday, soon sustainable access to health support for persons afflicted with rare disease and their families will be possible. 

We wish you success in growing your organization and individual fulfillment in the laudable work you all do together. In behalf of our member patient families, the Board of Directors and staff of PSOD,….MARAMING, MARAMING SALAMAT.

Sincerely, 

(signed)
Cynthia K. Magdaraog
President


SIGN NOW. Visit the Online Petition for the Early Deliberation and Passage of a
"Rare Disease Act of the Philippines" within the 16th Congress

Since it's inception in 2009, VYLH-Philippines has been conducting activities designed to increase the public's awareness on the plight and fight of Filipino with orphan or rare disorders. These 

Persons (mostly children) afflicted with a rare genetic disease are "orphaned" by society. They suffer from social abandonment because of lack of existing network of support to aid them. Medical help is elusive under the conditions of the country's health priority. Because the nature of rare disease (otherwise known as orphan disorders) are long standing, life threatening, progressive and require multidisciplinary care, essential treatment and supportive care likewise require lifelong administration.

Persons born with and afflicted with rare or orphan disorders are a vulnerable and special population. Despite the small population, like any other Filipino citizen, they too have an equal right to life and and equal right to access health support.

The law will put in place a permanent and sustainable mechanism by which the State shall institutionalize a system that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable, and will facilitate the collaboration of various stakeholders towards the provision of early and sustainable care of every person afflicted with rare or orphan disorders. 


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VYLH-Philippines NCR conducts Mothers' Classes

Written by Christine Querubin

VYLH-NCR on the go! Volunteers conducting the Mother's Class, a regular session done to provide information to the mothers of Ward 15, PGH.

The Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines NCR region conducts a regular Mother’s Class at Ward 15 (OB GYN), Philippine General Hospital every Saturdays, 9-10 o'clck in the morning.

The regular classes started on April 12, 2014 after the approval of Dr. Myka Martinez, OG GYN Chief Resident. VYLH-NCR members give short talks on Folic Acid Supplementation and Newborn Screening to mothers and their families who are in direct need of the organization’s advocacies. Brochures are also distributed to the patients and their relatives after each class.


The Mother’s Class is aimed to encourage the patients in the OB GYN ward to have their newborn babies screened. Talks on the organization’s advocacies are timely for mothers and families who may not be aware of the benefits of Newborn Screening and Folic Acid Supplementation as revealed by recently concluded classes.

The mothers classes also serve as a training ground for Batch E4 volunteers who are expected to conduct similar talks in their respective schools and communities.




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#HighFive: A Primer to the VYLH-Philippines 5th Founding Anniversary Celebration


Why do we celebrate July 18? 

It was on the night of July 18, 2009 when the pioneer batch of VYLs pledged their commitment to the network, and offer their voluntary service for the alleviation of health conditions, the alleviation of the public's awareness on the flagship advocacies of the network, and the mobilization of the Filipino youth for health.

On that night, VYLH-Philippines was born. 

Read more about the VYLH-Philippines story in our website.


Planned Activities #HighFive

National 

  • Pasasalamat (The VYLH 2014 Skype-Dinner). A  simultaneous nationwide dinner held at key locations in the country. The Skype session will be held at 6:00 PM. 
  • Organizational Orientation Month. All member organizations are requested to orient their members about VYLH-Philippines. Orientation sessions are suggested to be held during the Anniversary week and the succeeding days of July. Orientation materials (PowerPoint presentations and printed materials) are available by request.
Social Media (Week-long)
  • Official Hashtags:  #HighFiveVYLH #VYLH5thAnniversary
  • Tag our official social media accounts in Facebook and Twitter (@vylhphilippines)
  • July 14 High Five! Prepare a fansign with “Happy High Five VYLH!” Invite 2 or more co-volunteers, friends, classmates, co-workers, neighbors, even strangers to have a groupie shot, holding your fansign. Make it as fun as you want it to be. Upload your photo on your Facebook Page, Twitter & Instagram accounts and include the official hashtags #HighFiveVYLH #VYLH5thAnniversary #VYLHFansignGroupie Don’t forget to tag the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health Philippines Fan Page.
  • July 15 VYLH Five-orites. What’s your favorite? Pick five (songs, music videos, news articles, photos) that remind you of your most memorable VYLH experiences. Share a short description for each pick. Post them on your fb wall and tag the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health Philippines Fan Page. Use hashtags #HighFiveVYLH #VYLH5thAnniversary #VYLHFiveorites
  • July 16 IVolunteer. Show some love! Upload a 5-10sec personal video sharing your biggest “why” in volunteering. Start your line with “I volunteer because __,” and end it with a greeting “Happy 5th Anniversary, VYLH!” Post your videos in social media sites using official hashtags #HighFiveVYLH #VYLH5thAnniversary #IVolunteerVYLH Also, tag the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health Philippines Fan Page.
  • July 17&18 Let’s go back to the beginning! Upload a photo(s) of your most memorable moment(s) throughout your VYLH journey. Post them in your fb wall, IG and Twitter and tag the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health Philippines Fan Page. Don’t forget to use the anniversary hashtags #HighFiveVYLH #VYLH5thAnniversary #UltimateVYLHThrowbackThursday and #UltimateVYLHFlashbackFriday

Launch of the Online Petition for a Rare Disease Act of the Philippines

Since it's inception in 2009, VYLH-Philippines has been conducting activities designed to increase the public's awareness on the plight and fight of Filipino with orphan or rare disorders. These 

Persons (mostly children) afflicted with a rare genetic disease are "orphaned" by society. They suffer from social abandonment because of lack of existing network of support to aid them. Medical help is elusive under the conditions of the country's health priority. Because the nature of rare disease (otherwise known as orphan disorders) are long standing, life threatening, progressive and require multidisciplinary care, essential treatment and supportive care likewise require lifelong administration.

Persons born with and afflicted with rare or orphan disorders are a vulnerable and special population. Despite the small population, like any other Filipino citizen, they too have an equal right to life and and equal right to access health support.

The law will put in place a permanent and sustainable mechanism by which the State shall institutionalize a system that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable, and will facilitate the collaboration of various stakeholders towards the provision of early and sustainable care of every person afflicted with rare or orphan disorders. 

SIGN NOW. Click this link to visit the Online Petition Site.

Activities for VYLH-Philippines members and member organization:

NCR-South Luzon
  • VYLH-Philippines Orientation at De La Salle Lipa. About 150 students are expected to attend the said orientation. The activity was initiated by De La Salle-Lipa Biology Society which is one of the newly affiliated organizations of the network after their attendance to the VYLH-Philippines NCR- South Luzon Cluster Orientation held last May 3 (Rescheduled)
  • Newborn Screening Center-NIH (NSC-NIH) Laboratory Tour
  • Talk on Expanded Newborn Screening during the Anniversary Dinner celebration (Venue: TBA)


Visayas
  • FlyFive. Symbolic release of balloons during the 5th Anniversary Celebration Pasasalamat Dinner.

Mindanao
  • Zumba 5inco (Cinco for Wellness). A Zumba dance exercise event and invitational event for Zumba dance groups in Davao. Scheduled to be held at 5:30 in the morning, the dance exercise will be followed by a brief presentation of the network and its advocacies. A Free BP Check-up booth will also be set-up near the activity grounds. (Venue: TBA)
  • Street Fashion/Passion Photoshoot of VYLH-Philippines Apparel. A collective of all VYLH-Philippines clothing and other souvenir items provided during conferences and congresses starting from 2009. 

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