JUANA, YOU ARE NOT A PROBLEM, YOU ARE A VERY IMPORTANT SOLUTION

      The COVID‑19 pandemic is harming health, social and economic well-being worldwide, with women at the centre. First and foremost, women are leading the health response: women make up almost 70% of the health care workforce, exposing them to a greater risk of infection. At the same time, women are also shouldering much of the burden at home, given school and child care facility closures and longstanding gender inequalities in unpaid work. Women also face high risks of job and income loss, and face increased risks of violence, exploitation, abuse, or harassment during times of crisis and quarantine.

 

      The COVID‑19 pandemic is creating a profound shock worldwide, with different implications for men and women. Women are serving on the frontlines against COVID‑19, and the impact of the crisis on women is stark. Women face compounding burdens: they are over-represented working in health systems, continue to do the majority of unpaid care work in households, face high risks of economic insecurity (both today and tomorrow), and face increased risks of violence, exploitation, abuse, or harassment during times of crisis and quarantine. The pandemic has had and will continue to have a major impact on the health and well-being of many vulnerable groups. Women are among those most heavily affected.  

      Women are at the forefront of the battle against the pandemic as they make up almost 70% of the healthcare workforce, exposing them to greater risk of infection, while they are under-represented in leadership and decision-making processes in the healthcare sector. Moreover, due to persistent gender inequalities across many dimensions, women’s jobs, businesses, incomes, and wider living standards may be more exposed than men’s to the anticipated widespread economic fallout from the crisis. Among seniors, globally, there are more elderly women living alone on low incomes – putting them at higher risk of economic insecurity.

 

      Women are playing a key role in the health care response to the COVID‑19 crisis. Women constitute an estimated two-thirds of the health workforce worldwide, and while globally they are under-represented among physicians, dentists and pharmacists, they make up around 85% of nurses and midwives in the 104 countries for which data are available. In OECD countries, almost half of doctors are now women. Women also make up the overwhelming majority of the long-term care (LTC) workforce – just over 90%, on average across OECD countries. Despite the fact that the majority of the health care workforce is female, women still make up only a minority of senior or leadership positions in health.

Sources:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpcw.gov.ph%2F2021-national-womens-month%2F&psig=AOvVaw0HWlwIB4w2oqI2tYsRB0QZ&ust=1651657876177000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCPClmqOHw_cCFQAAAAAdAAAAABA2

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.csis.org%2Fanalysis%2Felevating-women-peacebuilders-amidst-covid-19&psig=AOvVaw0HWlwIB4w2oqI2tYsRB0QZ&ust=1651657876177000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCPClmqOHw_cCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.intracen.org%2Fnews%2FWomen-have-a-vital-role-to-play-in-post-pandemic-recovery%2F&psig=AOvVaw21_OIAUL0f-F_236brOp9l&ust=1651657739588000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCPCemN-Gw_cCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

 

 

THIRD QUARTER: A CHALLENGING QUARTER

      Another quarter of this school year has been done, a quarter that gave me again new learnings and discoveries. This quarter introduced to me the Community-Based Research, I have no idea how to compose one. However, because of the Concept Notes, I gradually learned how to make and accomplish one. I learned all the components of the Community-Based Project which is very helpful because it served as my guide in composing my Community-Based Research/Project. This quarter also made me deepen my knowledge about the community to which I belong, I was able to gather different information and fun facts about my beloved municipality, Bantay, which made me more aware now about the municipality I belong in. I was also able to share my learnings with my brother which will serve as a “getting-ready” thing for him.

 

            

      Upon accomplishing all our tasks, the problems and challenges are unavoidable. Some of the problems and challenges I have encountered are my difficulty in composing essays and composing my Community-Based Research. Since this quarter has a lot of essay-making, there are times that I was running out of words and ideas. And in composing my Community-Based Research, I had difficulty composing the components of it. Among all of our tasks, this task was the one that badly challenged me. Furthermore, I also experienced procrastinating all the time and just disregarding my school works to worn on. Consequently, I end up cramming all my unaccomplished tasks and school requirements.

      However, I’m grateful because I was able to cope with those problems and challenges. I addressed those problems and challenges by reminding myself that I am a completer of Junior High School, and it is only a matter of time before I will soon graduate from Junior High School, that is why I am motivated to do my activities to work on. I was able to able to address all of those by motivating myself. And about the difficulties I encountered, I am giving myself a time to learn well a certain thing that I am challenged with and for me to be better, I also take time to keep on trying until I am satisfied with the outcome, for instance, is the composing of my Community-Based Research.

                                  

      Moving on, I will still learn and practice more with the topic I am having difficulty with. I will still continue making myself aware of the community I belong in, I will still gather more reliable information and fun fact about our community in different matters, especially with its Arts and Culture. In addition, I will still expand my knowledge so that I can share even more information and learnings with my friends and family. Lastly, I will treasure again these new learnings and discoveries that I have gained, I will take all of these as I enter Quarter 4. 

Sources:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcu.ie%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fcommunity%2Fpdfs%2Fcbr_methods_an_introduction_prof_munck.pdf&psig=AOvVaw1Tg-NPQ1-QXqHyoMMx_6sr&ust=1651653462740000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCMC9t4P3wvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.editage.com%2Finsights%2F3-basic-tips-on-writing-a-good-research-paper-title&psig=AOvVaw1OSR3M8kdLf8StP4pFKxcO&ust=1651654021844000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCLiFkP74wvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAQ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.freepik.com%2Fpremium-photo%2Flittle-girl-thinking-hard-failed-many-times-while-writing-composition-difficult-subject_16647602.htm&psig=AOvVaw1OSR3M8kdLf8StP4pFKxcO&ust=1651654021844000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCLiFkP74wvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAW

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.enago.com%2Facademy%2Fhow-to-gather-information-for-research-smartly%2F&psig=AOvVaw11i2U8RBspdEO3eBnP3udv&ust=1651654266452000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCKC3r-z5wvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

ACCELARATING A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE COVID-19 VACCINE

 

      Since the pandemic began, RAND expertise has helped leaders and decision-makers tackle important issues related to health care responses; reopening schools and businesses while preventing further disease spread; and how to address hesitancy and misinformation about vaccines. And while much of the world has shifted its focus from pandemic response to pandemic recovery, many important questions remain. How has the COVID-19 era exacerbated inequities in health, economic, and education outcomes? What is known about the mental health toll of the crisis? Are there lessons that can help prevent future pandemics?

 

      Answers to these questions may help communities, businesses, and individuals recover long after the worst of the pandemic has passed. The availability of a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 is well-recognized as an additional tool to contribute to the control of the pandemic. At the same time, the challenges and efforts needed to rapidly develop, evaluate and produce this at scale are enormous. It is vital that we evaluate as many vaccines as possible as we cannot predict how many will turn out to be viable. To increase the chances of success (given the high level of attrition during vaccine development), we must test all candidate vaccines until they fail. WHO is working to ensure that all of them have the chance of being tested at the initial stage of development. This is a major and extraordinary global research undertaking: WHO is facilitating collaboration and accelerated efforts on a scale not seen before; it is convening vital communications across the research community and beyond.

 

      CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19. Everyone ages 12 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster shot. Currently, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only vaccine authorized or approved for children ages 5 through 17 years. Children and teens need two doses of a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Everyone ages 12 years and older should also get a booster shot. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 years has the same active ingredients as the vaccine given to people ages 12 years and older. However, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for teens and adults cannot be used for children ages 5 through 11 years. It is important to have a vaccine, especially for children because they are the one who has a low immune system. The COVID-19 Vaccines mimic the virus or bacteria that cause disease and trigger the body’s creation of antibodies. These antibodies will provide protection once a person is infected with the actual disease-causing virus or bacteria. Vaccines will help children and teens to boost their immune systems.

Sources:

https://www.rand.org/latest/covid-19.html

https://doh.gov.ph/faqs/vaccines

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rand.org%2Flatest%2Fcovid-19.html&psig=AOvVaw3X3SHQoS4j_uIaCTwlvBUB&ust=1651649140323000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCNjX64rpwvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yalemedicine.org%2Fnews%2Fvaccine-content-center&psig=AOvVaw2aTEw3wt21G8dDOzwSa41P&ust=1651649223563000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCJDd0JvnwvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fnewshour%2Fhealth%2Fthe-covid-19-vaccine-and-kids-your-questions-answered&psig=AOvVaw30dSQS1mh7Aytdum3rM0mK&ust=1651649331128000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCIjBsbLnwvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAX

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO COMMEMORATE THE “DAY OF VALOR” WHICH IS ALSO THE DAY OF THE 'FALL OF BATAAN'?

    

            

                                                

 

      The Battle of Bataan (7th of January 1942–9th of April 1942) took place between American and Philippine troops against Japanese troops during World War II. This battle is considered the most intense part of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II. In January 1942, Imperial Japanese Army forces occupied Luzon along with other Philippine islands, after Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Although Manila was then declared an “open city” so as not to be much affected by the war the Japanese still dropped bombs on it. The capital fell completely to Japan in January 1942.

 

                 

                                        

      It is not a celebration to commemorate Araw ng Kagitingan or the Day of Valor if not to remember the courage of the Filipinos who fought and gave their lives for the people even though the country's defense at the Corregidor in Bataan "collapsed" on April 9, 1942. This happened during the second world war and Japan wanted to occupy America's allies, including the Philippines. To prevent Japanese soldiers from entering Manila immediately, the country set up a strong defense in Corregidor, accompanied by Filipino and American soldiers.

             

      Day of Valor isn’t just a nationwide regular holiday --- it is one of those special days that brings back to life the stories of gallant Filipinos who fought for the country’s freedom during World War II. Amid the unsparing battles happening throughout WWII (1938 to 1945), the Philippines was the last country among the Southeast Asian nations that surrendered to the Japanese forces. While invaders occupied countries such as Singapore, British Malaya (Malaysia), and the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), the campaign for the Philippines was the longest to take place. Filipino and allied American troops kept resistance against the Japanese invaders not until April 9, 1942, when the forces officially surrendered, marking the historical day of the Fall of Bataan.

      The world will long remember the epic struggle that Filipino and American soldiers put up in the jungle fastness and along the rugged coast of Bataan. They have stood up uncomplaining under the constant and grueling fire of the enemy for more than three months. Besieged on land and blockaded by sea, cut off from all sources of help in the Philippines and in America, the intrepid fighters have done all that human endurance could bear,” this was the message delivered by Third Lieutenant Normando Ildefonso Reyes, as written by Captain Salvador Lopez, through the Voice of Freedom Radio Broadcast following the unfaithful announcement: “Bataan has fallen”.

              

                                               

      For the Bataan and Corregidor Defenders and their descendants, memories of the battle may be too painful to remember; a father was lost, a brother suffered, and a comrade was killed. But these memories are now written in history as a true testament to the Filipino forces’ bravery in the face of strong opponents and all odds. 

      Remembering the Fall of Bataan is not just an event to look back on history and recall what happened that day. Araw ng Kagitingan is a day to honor the nation’s heroes and recognize their sacrifices for the sake of the freedom Filipinos enjoy today. Letting their stories of dedication, gallantry, and love for the country be written not only in history books but also in the hearts of every Filipinos, continuously inspiring them to take a brave step forward when challenges of the country come.

 

Sources:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/talakayan/783136/bakit-mahalagang-gunitain-ang-araw-ng-kagitingan-na-araw-din-ng-fall-of-bataan/story/

https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araw_ng_Kagitingan

https://army.mil.ph/home/index.php/featured-stories/1226-araw-ng-kagitingan-remembering-the-brave-in-the-fall-of-bataan

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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBattle_of_Bataan&psig=AOvVaw0XUN64B38Hr2DXkENVrGG7&ust=1651643276924000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCOi0nO7QwvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBattle_of_Bataan&psig=AOvVaw0XUN64B38Hr2DXkENVrGG7&ust=1651643276924000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCOi0nO7QwvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAN

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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fphilippinemorningpost.com%2Faraw-ng-kagitingan-the-fall-of-bataan-the-rise-of-modern-day-heroes%2F&psig=AOvVaw3BKjSFl3c9vS5IUKnC7HtI&ust=1651643718177000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCMD90tTSwvcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD