Violence against women and children remains a global problem to this day. Although not all are directed at women, they bear the burden of physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

With this, the UPLB Office of Student Activities (OSA) in partnership with Eduksine, marked the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) with Cine Makiling: Mga Palabas ng Panahon, during which three independent films were screened on Nov. 14, 21, and 28.

The three films, Verdict by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez, Pink Halo-Halo by Joselito Altajeros, and Bagahe by Zig Madamba Dulay sought to raise people’s consciousness about the significance of safeguarding the rights of women and children in a society that is constantly plagued by abuse, prejudice, injustices, and discrimination.

Faculty, staff, and students attended the film screenings held at the Makiling Ballroom Hall, Student Union Building, which was moderated by Moses O. Villanueva, a faculty member at the Department of Humanities of the College of Arts and Sciences (DHUM-CAS).

Each week, different reactors were invited to share their insights about the film after the screening. These were faculty members Rachel DR. Katimbang, Ivan Emil A. Labayne, and Jerard Ancel D. Eusebio of the Literary and Cultural Studies Division of DHUM-CAS.

Proclamation 1172 series of 2006 declares Nov. 25  to Dec. 12 of every year as the “18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women in the Philippines.” Republic Act No. 10398 mandates all government agencies to raise awareness about the issue of violence and the abolishment of all forms of violence against women and children. (Tiffany Angela Postrero and Charisse Bautista)