500 Naga girls to champion rights through film, music

By Jason B. Neola

About 500 female junior high school students from 15 schools in Naga City will take part in a girls’ rights workshop using film and music as platforms for dialogue, self-discovery and creative expression on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The “Sine Niña Girls’ Rights Workshop Through Film and Music” will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at the ST Quadrangle of Naga College Foundation, Inc. (NCF) along M.T. Villanueva Avenue.

The activity is being organized by the City Government of Naga through the Naga City Youth Development Office (NCYDO), in collaboration with the Naga City Children’s Affairs Office (NCCAO), and in partnership with SPARK! Philippines and Sony Music, and the Naga College Foundation, Inc.

Participants, mostly girls aged 13 to 17, will come from public secondary schools identified in coordination with the Department of Education Schools Division Office of Naga City, along with junior high school students from NCF.

The workshop will center on “Sine Niña,” a documentary produced through the Sony Global Social Justice Fund that features real-life stories highlighting girls’ empowerment and community building.

The program will include the documentary screening, panel interviews and guided discussions on girls’ rights, followed by a hands-on music creation workshop.

Sony Music recording artist and Bicolana singer-songwriter dwta will co-facilitate the song-writing workshop, where participants will create original songs that will be performed during a live showcase.

City Mayor Maria Leonor G. Robredo will deliver a pre-recorded message, while Vice Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado Jr. and Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Susan S. Collano will also address the participants.

Representatives from SPARK! Philippines and Sony Music will join the panel discussions and music workshop.

The participating schools are Balatas National High School, Camarines Sur National High School, Cararayan National High School, Carolina National High School, Concepcion Pequeña National High School, Del Rosario National High School, Leon Q. Mercado High School, Mabolo National High School, Naga City School of Arts and Trades, Naga City Science High School, Naga College Foundation, Salunguigui High School, San Isidro National High School, Sta. Cruz National High School, and Tinago National High School.

The organizers said the initiative forms part of the city government’s continuing efforts to promote youth development while providing young girls with a creative space to learn about and express their views on their rights and experiences.

The event’s panel will bring together three advocates and public servants working in the areas of gender equality, child protection, and youth participation:

Shyla Joy R. Bernal-Dumalasa, Head of the Naga City Gender and Development Office (NCGADO), leads the city’s efforts to promote gender-responsive governance and advance gender equality.

Glyza C. Nasayao, Executive Director of the Naga City Children’s Affairs Office (NCCAO) and Secretariat of the Naga City Council for Welfare and Protection of Children (NCCWPC), works to strengthen programs and policies that uphold children’s rights and welfare.

Estella Khelen Shaye O. Chan, External Vice President of the Naga City Child-LED Network, brings the perspective of young people themselves, particularly in promoting meaningful child and youth participation in initiatives that affect their lives.