Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia The Mindanao leg of the National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education were conducted in Crown Regency Suites, Davao City, from March 11 to 13. In attendance were educators and young people from a variety of institutions and sectors in Mindanao: teachers, administrators, social workers and students. The Davao workshop followed the same structure as the preceding workshops in Cebu and Subic for the Visayas and Luzon areas, respectively.

The conference area of the Crown Regency Residences was packed full as participants avidly listened to the speakers. The initial portion of the workshops seating arrangement allowed for a seminar-type experience.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia The workshop was moderated by January Cutin and Emee Lei Albano-Valdehuesa, who ensured that the participants were always actively engaged in discussions. Their spirited hosting cast the importance of the workshops topics in an enjoyable light: they reinforced the idea that RH education, while challenging, doesnt have to be thought of as problematic.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

One of the initial presenters at the wokshop was Percival Cendaa, the Commissioner-at-Large of the National Youth Commission. His presentation was titled, Understanding the Complicated: Issues, Trends and Concerns on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

To keep the participants energetic and ready for new ideas, the facilitators made use of a variety of icebreaker activities throughout the workshop. Some of them, such as the one seen in this photo, involved impromptu in-place dances and cheers.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

After the initial talks of the first day, the participants were divided into three large groups to discuss issues that were pertinent to their specific contexts. These round-table discussions allowed them to flesh out concerns and issues that would later be presented to the plenary for more general awareness.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

The facilitators made use of visual aids whenever possible to assist in the capture of ideas and concepts. This proved very useful for the documentation of the event, as the material was much easier to record as opposed to just transcription from recordings. It also allowed participants at-a-glance recall of everything that had been discussed.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

The presentations provided by each speaker held thorough amounts of data, highlighting specific trends and information that supported the need for comprehensive RH education. Participants were given copies of these presentations so that they could bring the materials back to their own organizations for reference.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

Various organizations also presented proposals for education plans that could be implemented in different areas of the Philippines. They gathered input and constructive criticism from the participants, as the latter shared how they felt the strategies would apply in their own local contexts.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

Throughout the workshop, the facilitators tirelessly engaged the participants in conversation, soliciting commentary and suggestions. Some of the participants later remarked on the comparative youth of the facilitators, and commended them on their commitment to issues that are most relevant to them and their peers.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

While the participants were primarily administrators, teachers and counsellors, there were also a few students present. This wide spectrum of attendees was a boon to the workshop, as it allowed for the citing and addressing of issues that might otherwise have been overlooked.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

Towards the conclusion of the workshop, the facilitators processed all the input gathered from the workshop. The information they put together was essential to the success of the full NCWRHSE project, and would later be combined with the input gathered from the other regional workshops.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

Throughout the workshop, an exhibit was set up outside the main conference area. The different participating organizations showcased their supporting documents, teaching materials and instructional manuals. This wealth of information was made available to the participants at the latters request.

Photo Essay: National Consultative Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education, Davao

By Dante Gagelonia

For Mulat Pinoy, the Davao workshop was also a major highlight. The Commission on Population gave Mulat Pinoy a special award, commending the project for its continuing efforts to disseminate credible information to the general public. Shown here receiving the best-practices accolade from PopCom Director Maduh Damsani are Mulat Pinoy project coordinators Regina Layug-Rosero and Dante Gagelonia. Check out the RH and Consultative Workshops Facebook page for more detailed information about the facts, figures and issues discussed during the workshops!