We invite you to—LAOANEN: Women Stand for Marawi Information & Fundraising Drive on August 12, Saturday, 1 to 5 PM at the Fully Booked BHS, B6 Bonifacio High Street, 11th Avenue, Taguig City.

Dear Friends,

The ongoing conflict in Marawi has led to the displacement and separation of thousands of Maranao families, the death of soldiers and evacuees, and the absolute ruin of homes, schools, and livelihoods. In times of despair, women are especially vulnerable. Women evacuees suffer anxiety and depression from the loss of resources and sustenance for their families; or become exposed to sexual harassment in open, shared spaces. Likewise, the vital role of women in dealing with crisis is often unexamined or ignored altogether.

To facilitate the important discussions and push for greater awareness and action on the plight of women and children in the Marawi conflict, we are hosting—and want to invite you to—LAOANEN: Women Stand for Marawi Information & Fundraising Drive on August 12, Saturday, 1 to 5 PM at the Fully Booked B6 Bonifacio High Street, 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

We believe that solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Mindanao, particularly the Maranao, is needed now more than ever. The film screening and women’s forum seek to initiate important discussions about war, its effects on women in particular, and its repercussions on families and societies in general. The event is a compassionate look and a deeper dive into what is happening and how we can help. LAOANEN also aims to raise funds that will help address the needs of evacuees:

1) nutritious food for breastfeeding mothers

2) clean, equipped kitchens

3) safe spaces for women, children, and infants

Among our partners are accredited organizations such as Modern Nanays of Mindanao, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, The Moropreneur, Inc., and Ranao Rescue Team which are all working with evacuees on the ground in Iligan City. We have already donated funds from the first run of LAOANEN in Quezon City, but due to the extent of damages on this once-beautiful city and its citizens, more is needed.

Your pledge of Php 1,000 or Php 500 will go a long way. Should you wish to give more than these amounts, that would be more than welcome. Your gift will be acknowledged with a certificate of donation and an official receipt.

The LAOANEN Programme is as follows:

1:00 PM Registration
1:30 PM Film Screening, War is a Tender Thing (2013, dir. Adjani Arumpac. nom., Gawad Urian for Best Documentary)
2:40 PM Conversation with the director, Ms. Arumpac
3:10 PM Break
3:20 PM Brief background/situationer of the Marawi crisis
3:40 PM Personal narratives of the Marawi siege
4:20 PM Prospects of rehabilitation and reconstruction in Marawi
4:40 PM Protecting women’s welfare in the face of war
5:00 PM What we can do to help

Speakers:

SAMIRA GUTOC is a Maranao leader who has worked as a journalist, activist, trainor, organizer, and legislator. She is the spokesperson of the Ranao Rescue Team which responds to the crisis resulting from the Marawi siege.

ADJANI ARUMPAC is a filmmaker from General Santos City. Her film, Walai (2006) is the first in an autobiographical trilogy on internal diaspora in the Philippines, followed by War is a Tender Thing (2013).

ALMAYRAH TIBURON currently teaches at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City. She is a Maranao writer and translator.

DIAMOND KALAW is the chairperson of MANLABAN (Manininda Laban sa Ebiksyon at Kahirapan). A Muslim woman, she lives in Quezon City.

SHALOM ALLIAN is program manager of Nisa Ul Haqq fi Bangsamoro (Women for Justice in the Bangsamoro), an organization advocating for women’s rights in the context of religion and culture.

ICA FERNANDEZ is an urban planner and development consultant who has been exclusively working in Mindanao since the signing of the 2012 peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

GRACE BRILLANTES-EVANGELISTA, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and professor with a demonstrated history of working with various communities.

KRISTINE VALERIO used to work in conflict zones like Palestine and South Sudan, advancing human rights and women’s protection.

~ ~ ~

Seats are limited so early registration is highly encouraged. To register and pledge, please go to www.tinyurl.com/laoanen. Choose the amount of your pledge and please deposit to:

Account Name: Faye Johanna J Cura
BPI Savings Account Number: 4979-0220-72
Bank of the Philippine Islands

Please email the deposit slip to gantalapress@gmail.com and indicate to whom we should write out the certificate of gift and official receipt.

For enquiries, please contact Faye Cura at 09175441431 or Lai Parcon at 09985349608.

Thank you very much and God bless the Philippines!

Sincerely,

Babai Women’s Network:

• Gantala Press, Inc.
• Filipina Pen & Ink
• Feminista PH
• Jovenes Foundation, Inc.
• Gabriela Network of Professionals

LAOANEN BGC Partners: 

• Uno Morato Bookstore
• High Chair Poetry
• Me & My Veg Mouth
• Good Food Community

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