IAWRT Philippines “Kumustahan sa Hulyo”

Women’s effort to check on one another amid the quarantine and pandemic

 

by Margarita Valle

 

Dubbed as “Kumustahan sa Hulyo” (Meet and Greet in July), 21 members of the IAWRT Philippines came together on July 11, 2020 via an online meeting.

 

 It was an effort to keep abreast of each member’s conditions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage through the country and the rest of the world.

 

 Among the matters taken up included a report given by IAWRT Philippines president Lynda Garcia, who appraised the members with the activities undertaken by the organization since the last general assembly on November 7, 2019.

 

Garcia likewise shared the rest of the activities undertaken by the chapter’s Executive Board that included meeting funding partners and discussed potential projects for IAWRT Philippines.

 

A brief break during the discussion was spent for “Mindful Breathing” presentation that shared tips on how to ease one’s stress amid this pandemic and the growing unease among women journalist facing the growing political and social tension as of late.

 

The passing of Anti-Terrorism Law and the non-approval of the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, the biggest broadcast network in the country, have been major issues that shook Filipino journalists and the Filipino people during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

 

The meeting ended with plans of moving forward despite the restrictions due to the pandemic and quarantine, while each one makes a mental note on keeping tab of each other as we continue to fight together to help each other protect our common interest to protect our rights as human beings and as journalists.