By: Andrea Eleanor Cabaron, Sophia Pacheco
Photo by: Julia Iris Equillano and Maverick Rhoy De Vera
The National Service Training Program (NSTP), in collaboration with recognized student organizations (RSOs), hosted the NSTP Lecture Series 2024 on November 15, featuring two discussions: "Paglaya at Paglayag," which focused on gender fairness and empowerment, and "Bayanihan Tayo!" addressing socio-economic issues.
In collaboration with Letran Community Volunteers (LCV), the event “Paglaya at Paglayag” brought together students, faculty, and advocates to explore the nuances of gender equality and the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces.
The panel of speakers featured Instructor Rance Abelgas, Prof. Jean Encinas, and celebrated drag queen icon Tita Baby, each offering their unique perspectives on fostering respect and understanding within diverse communities, with a focus on empowering women, children, and the LGBTQIA+ sector.
During her talk, Prof. Jean Encinas emphasized that gender is not just a personal identity but a societal framework that often perpetuates inequality.
“The way our society has been organized is by following the rules of being binary. Ang gender ay pananaw—hindi lang ng identity—pero ng lipunan,” she explained.
She highlighted that gender and sex are distinct topics, with gender as a social construct contributing to systemic divisions.
Tita Baby, known for her captivating stage presence and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights, infused the discussion with her personal experiences, she underscoring the importance of visibility and acceptance, particularly in conservative communities.
“We are not fighting for special treatment, what we are fighting for is equality, is equity, because we grew up in a society that is so [misogynistic].” Tita Baby stated.
Addressing Socio-Economic Issues
The second phase of the NSTP Lecture Series 2024, titled “Bayanihan Tayo!”, organized by the second-year Political Science students, delved into socio economic challenges in the Philippines, focusing on the urban and rural poor, laborers, and the pandemic’s effects.
Esteemed speakers included Dr. Reynold Agnes, Mr. Jose Enrique Africa, Instructor Arnel Galgo, and Ms. Niña Abryn L. Perez, who discussed various contemporary issues affecting Filipinos today.
Dr. Agnes addressed how government initiatives, such as lockdowns and the declaration of a state of emergency, have adversely affected vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile during his talk, Mr. Africa critiqued government inefficiencies and their impact on laborers, stating "Hindi pwedeng hayaan sa mga mayayaman ‘yung pagpapatakbo ng lipunan. Hindi pwedeng hayaan sa mga trapo ‘yung pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno."
Instructor Galgo discussed job insecurity, unemployment, and low wages, urging for policies prioritizing workers' welfare. Consequently, Perez, representing the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), provided updates on efforts to improve labor conditions.
"Marami pang mga polisiya na dapat talagang ayusin at baguhin," she stated, emphasizing the department’s evolving initiatives.
Perspectives from the NSTP Chairman
NSTP Chairman Instructor John Renzo Espinosa shared his vision for the lecture series in an exclusive interview with The LANCE.
"We all believe that our NSTP students are leaders. We aim to provide an environment where these leaders can champion gender rights and fight for equality. NSTP should be an advocacy for marginalized sectors." he stated.
"Para sa pagmulat ng kamalayan ng mga estudyante." Espinosa emphasized the importance of raising student awareness through programs that integrate progressive ideas and practical applications.
He also outlined future plans for the NSTP program, including partnerships with schools for first aid training and exploring virtual reality tools for interactive learning. Espinosa encouraged students to engage in volunteer work as part of their academic and personal growth.
The second phase of the NSTP Lecture Series 2024 in partnership with the Letran Psychology Society (LPS) is set to be held on Nov. 26 at the SC Auditorium.