Get to converse with Lala, Rius, Tops and Cha after viewing the film on SUNDAY, 25 July 2021. Join us!!
REGISTER: https://bit.ly/bulletlaceddreams
To watch, please reserve a slot!
€5: students/unemployed €10: others
Chricelyn Empong
Lala
18 years old, High School Graduate
Manobo
Resident of Brgy. Dao, Arakan, Cotabato
Chairperson, Sabokahan Youth Women’s Organization
After the forcible closure and destruction of MISFI Academy school in Barangay White Culaman, Bukidnon by members of the AFP and local village chief in 2015, Chricelyn along with all the students and teachers evacuated in the Lumad sanctuary of UCCP Haran in Davao City. An evacuation school was then established in the sanctuary to continue their education.
In November 2018, while Chricelyn continues with her education along with other lumad children in the Bakwit school, her father, Esteban Empong, was shot dead by members of the paramilitary while he was sleeping. Esteban was a community leader and a council member of the local indigenous organization TIKULPA or Tinananon Kulamanon Lumadnong Panaghiusa. He was also one of the pioneering teachers of the first established lumad school Tribal Filipino Program for Community Development Inc. (TFPCDI) in Cotabato province by the slain Italian missionary priest, Fr. Fausto ‘Pops’ Tentorio, way back in 1980’s.
Last 17 July 2021, Chricelyn is one of the 11 lumad graduates in the Bakwit school. Finishing Grade 12 of online and modular learning.
Rius Valle
Rius
National spokesperson, Save Our Schools Network
Acting Regional Director, Children’s Rehabilitation Center – Southern Mindanao
Mandaya/Cebuano
Resident of Davao City
- Children and Indigenous Peoples (IP) rights advocate
- Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Community Development at the University of Southeastern Philippines in 2010
- Tasked as the spokesperson of Save Our Schools Network since its establishment in 2012.
- Suffered continuous harassment and intimidation through fabricated criminal cases since 2015- kidnapping and serious illegal detention, libel, illegal assembly and human trafficking cases.
- Have been in the Bakwit school since 2017
Kristoffer Brugada
Tops
Independent documentary filmmaker, screenwriter
Professional university lecturer
Kristoffer has over a decade of experience in Philippine local media and has led several documentary productions that have won awards from international award-giving bodies such as the George Foster Peabody Award, the New York Festivals, Japan Prize for TV, and the Asian TV Awards.
A film graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Kristoffer recently finished three documentaries, including the short documentary Bullet-Laced Dreams.
CHA ESCALA
CHA
Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Producer and Editor
Her first feature-length film NICK and Chai has competed at international fil festivals such as the International Documentary Festival Amstermam, Busan International Film Festival, and New Caledonia Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award. Cha has attended numerous film workshops and pitching for a such as Berlinale Talent Campus, Docsport Incheon, Tokyo Talents, AsiaDoc Documentary Scriptwriting Residency among many others.
A film graduate of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, her thesis film INTOY”S CHRISTMAS was awarded best production thesis in 2007. She recently finished her second feature-length film, REMNANTS of a REVOLUTION.
Last Updated: 24 October 2022 by marianne
De legende van de waterdraak
Support Save Our Schools Network, #OwnVoices authors, and get a great read by purchasing De legende van de waterdraak!
Liway woont in de Filippijnen op het eiland Mindanao. Haar oma is een van de belangrijkste leiders van de Lumad, een inheemse bevolkingsgroep. Zij strijdt voor het behoud van het grondgebied van haar stam. Liway is dol op haar oma, maar ziet ook dat ze zich veel zorgen maakt. Leonie woont meer dan tienduizend kilometer ver weg, in Nederland. Leonie en Liway ontmoeten elkaar voor de eerste keer als Leonie met haar ouders tijdens de zomervakantie op het eiland is om de school van Liway te ondersteunen. Leonies oma is nog niet zo lang geleden overleden en Leonie vindt het erg fijn om met Liways oma te praten. Maar op een dag gebeurt er iets wat niemand had verwacht, zeker Leonie niet…
Liway lives in the Philippines on the island of Mindanao. Her grandmother is one of the main leaders of the Lumad, an indigenous people group. She fights to preserve her tribe’s territory. Liway adores her grandmother, but also sees that she is very worried. Leonie lives more than ten thousand kilometers away, in the Netherlands. Leonie and Liway meet for the first time when Leonie and her parents are on the island during the summer holidays to support Liway’s school. Leonie’s grandmother passed away not so long ago and Leonie really enjoys talking to Liway’s grandmother. But one day something happens that no one expected, especially Leonie…
De legende van de waterdraak is a middle grade (ages 9-12) book written by authors Isolde Boers and Ilena Saturay, and illustrated by Ilena Saturay. Inspired by the Filipino children’s book Sayaw ng Pantaron, and based on the life of Lumad leader Bai Bibyaon, Isolde Boers and Ilena Saturay wrote a story that tells about the Lumad struggle; the struggle for self-determination and education that revolves around the legend of the waterdragon and based on true stories through the adventures of two girls, Leonie and Liway.
The book began as a non-profit project in agreement with Dutch Venture Publishing. All proceeds from the sales of the book will be transferred to our partner Save Our Schools Network for paying the rent, food, transportation and school supplies for the Lumad students who remain to seek sanctuary in the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, due to militarization in their home communities.
Purchase Info
Hardcover copies are available for purchase directly from the Foundation; send us an email through inquire@filipinochildren.net to order your hardcover copy! Hardcover copies will also be sold at the book launch on 5 November 2022. Click here for more information about the book launch event.
The book is also available as hardcover, ebook and audiobook from the following online retailers:
Last Updated: 24 October 2022 by marianne
Booklaunch of “De legende van de waterdraak”
The Foundation for Filipino Children in cooperation with Women for Filipino Women and Children (WoW) and Dutch Venture Publishing (DVP) invite you to the booklaunch of “De legende van de waterdraak” coming November 5, 2022 in Moira Exporiment, Utrecht.
The book (9-12yrs) is written by authors Isolde Boers and Ilena Saturay, and illustrated by Ilena Saturay. Inspired by the Filipino children’s book “Sayaw ng Pantaron”, and based on the life of Lumad leader Bai Bibyaon, Isolde Boers and Ilena Saturay wrote a story that tells about the Lumad struggle; the struggle for self-determination and education that revolves around the legend of the waterdragon and based on true stories through the adventures of two girls, Leonie and Liway.
Address: Wolvenstraat 10, 3512 CH Utrecht
Time: 14:00 til 15:30
In agreement with the publisher, DVP, the bookproject emerged as a non-profit bookproject. All proceeds from the sales of the book will be transferred to our partner Save Our Schools Network for paying the rent, food, transportation and schoolsupplies for the Lumad students who remain to seek sanctuary in the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, due to militarization in their home communities.
Entrance is free.
Donations are welcome.
The event is in Dutch, but questions in English will be taken too.
“Liway lives in the Philippines, in Mindanao. her grandmother is one of the few strong leaders of the Lumad, the indigenous people in the South of the Philippines. her grandmother struggles and fights for their right or their tribe to their ancestral land. Liway loves her grandmother very much, but she also sees that her grandmother is worrying a lot.
Leonie lives more than six thousand miles away, in the Netherlands. Leonie and Liway meet each other for the first time when Leonie travels to the same island were Liway lives, joining her parents during the summer vacation, who are supporting the Lumad evacuation school. It hasn’t been long ago since Leonie’s grandmother has passed away and Leonie enjoys talking to Liway’s grandmother.
Then one day, something happens what no one expected, especially Leonie…”
Hardcover copies are available for purchase directly from the Foundation; send us an email through inquire@filipinochildren.net to order your hardcover copy! Hardcover copies will also be sold at the book launch on 5 November 2022. Click here for more information about the book launch event.
The book is also available as hardcover, ebook and audiobook from the following online retailers:
Last Updated: 02 March 2022 by editors
Justice!
As partners of Save our Schools (SOS) Network where we organise projects for the benefit of the Lumad students, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and comrades of Lumad teachers Chad Booc and Jurain Ngujo II, and Lumad community health worker Elegyn Balonga. We also send our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Robert Aragon and Tirso Añar.
Last Thursday, 24 February 2022, the 10th Infantry Division (ID) and 101st Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) massacred Chad, Jurain, Elegyn and their two drivers — Robert and Tirso in New Bataan, Davao de Oro, Mindanao. According to reports, the group, now collectively known as New Bataan 5, were on their way home from visiting rural villages in southern Mindanao as part of their research work for Save our Schools Network.
Read MoreLast Updated: 21 July 2021 by angie
LALA, RIUS, TOPS and CHA: Bullet-Laced Dreams, 25 July 2021, Sunday
Get to converse with Lala, Rius, Tops and Cha after viewing the film on SUNDAY, 25 July 2021. Join us!!
REGISTER: https://bit.ly/bulletlaceddreams
To watch, please reserve a slot!
€5: students/unemployed €10: others
Chricelyn Empong
Lala
18 years old, High School Graduate
Manobo
Resident of Brgy. Dao, Arakan, Cotabato
Chairperson, Sabokahan Youth Women’s Organization
After the forcible closure and destruction of MISFI Academy school in Barangay White Culaman, Bukidnon by members of the AFP and local village chief in 2015, Chricelyn along with all the students and teachers evacuated in the Lumad sanctuary of UCCP Haran in Davao City. An evacuation school was then established in the sanctuary to continue their education.
In November 2018, while Chricelyn continues with her education along with other lumad children in the Bakwit school, her father, Esteban Empong, was shot dead by members of the paramilitary while he was sleeping. Esteban was a community leader and a council member of the local indigenous organization TIKULPA or Tinananon Kulamanon Lumadnong Panaghiusa. He was also one of the pioneering teachers of the first established lumad school Tribal Filipino Program for Community Development Inc. (TFPCDI) in Cotabato province by the slain Italian missionary priest, Fr. Fausto ‘Pops’ Tentorio, way back in 1980’s.
Last 17 July 2021, Chricelyn is one of the 11 lumad graduates in the Bakwit school. Finishing Grade 12 of online and modular learning.
Rius Valle
Rius
National spokesperson, Save Our Schools Network
Acting Regional Director, Children’s Rehabilitation Center – Southern Mindanao
Mandaya/Cebuano
Resident of Davao City
Kristoffer Brugada
Tops
Independent documentary filmmaker, screenwriter
Professional university lecturer
Kristoffer has over a decade of experience in Philippine local media and has led several documentary productions that have won awards from international award-giving bodies such as the George Foster Peabody Award, the New York Festivals, Japan Prize for TV, and the Asian TV Awards.
A film graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Kristoffer recently finished three documentaries, including the short documentary Bullet-Laced Dreams.
CHA ESCALA
CHA
Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Producer and Editor
Her first feature-length film NICK and Chai has competed at international fil festivals such as the International Documentary Festival Amstermam, Busan International Film Festival, and New Caledonia Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award. Cha has attended numerous film workshops and pitching for a such as Berlinale Talent Campus, Docsport Incheon, Tokyo Talents, AsiaDoc Documentary Scriptwriting Residency among many others.
A film graduate of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, her thesis film INTOY”S CHRISTMAS was awarded best production thesis in 2007. She recently finished her second feature-length film, REMNANTS of a REVOLUTION.
Last Updated: 08 July 2021 by editors
25 July 2021, Sunday: Bullet-Laced Dreams
The Foundation for Filipino Children in cooperation with Women for Filipino Women and Children (WoW) and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – Europe Chapter (ICHRP-EU) invite you to view:
Please register before July 24, 2021 (only 90 slots available)
REGISTER HERE
Donations for Entree: €5:students/unemployed €10:others Additional donations are welcome!
How to send your donations:
Account name: Stg. Filippijnse Kinderen
IBAN: NL83 TRIO 0379 2148 06
BIC: TRIONL2U
Important Note: Only after receipt of your donation will your (Zoom) registration be approved.
Last Updated: 23 December 2020 by editors
WOW successfully raises funds for Lumad Bakwit Schools
The Women for Filipino Women and Children (WOW) rounded up its fleamarket (Ukay-Ukay) last November 29, 2020, collecting a total of three hundred seventy-nine (379.00) Euros to benefit the foundation’s campaign to Support the Lumad Bakwit Schools.
The Foundation for Filipino Children wishes to thank all who participated in the event. You may still contribute to this campaign by sending in your donation through:
Account name: Stichting voor Filippijnse Kinderen
IBAN: NL83 TRIO 0379 2148 06
Swift code/BIC: TRIONL2U
Address: Burgemeester Patijnlaan 14, 3705CE Zeist, the Netherlands
Please indicate: “Support Lumad children”
Last Updated: 23 December 2020 by editors
Invitation to an online fundraiser, 29 November 2020
Welcome to our online ukay-ukay (flea market)!
By selling all kinds of items, ranging from books to clothes to handmade soaps to jewelery to trendy bags and other accessories, we are raising money for the Lumad school children. The Lumad are from various indigenous tribes in the Philippines who need our support because they have been driven from their homeland. More information about the Lumad will be shared in the event over the next few weeks. We hope everybody will attend and find something they like! All sales happen online due to Covid-19.
This event is brought to you by Women for Filipino Women and Children in cooperation with the Foundation for Filipino Children.
Welkom op onze online ukay-ukay (vlooienmarkt)! Door allerlei spulletjes te verkopen, variërend van boeken tot kleding en handgemaakte zeepjes tot sieraden tot trendy tassen en andere accessoires, zamelen we geld in voor de Lumad schoolkinderen. De Lumad zijn een inheemse stam in de Filippijnen die onze steun nodig hebben omdat ze van hun grondgebied zijn verdreven. Meer informatie over de Lumad wordt de komende weken tijdens het evenement gedeeld. We hopen dat iedereen komt en iets vindt dat ze leuk vinden! Alle verkoop vindt online plaats ivm corona.
Dit event wordt georganiseerd door Women for Filipino Women and Children, in samenwerking met Stichting Filippijnse Kinderen.
Learn more about the Lumad:
Last Updated: 31 October 2020 by editors
Invitation to a Webinar
Women for Filipino Women and Children (WOW), International Women’s Alliance (IWA) – Netherlands and the Foundation for Filipino Children (Stichting voor Filippijnse Kinderen)
cordially invite you to a WEBINAR
Amidst DUTERTE’s “War on Drugs”: A mother’s search for justice
On 06 June 2020
3:00 pm Amsterdam, Netherlands
To get the link for Zoom, please pre-register: HERE
6:00 am Vancouver, Canada and Los Angeles, California / 7:00 am Guatemala City, Guatemala / 10:00 am Buenos Aires, Argentina / 1:00 pm Dakar, Senegal / 6:00 pm Karachi, Pakistan / 9:00 pm Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Manila, Philippines / 9:00 am EDT, Montreal, Canada and New York / 11:00 pm Melbourne, Australia / 4:00 pm Nairobi, Kenya and Amman, Jordan / 8:00 am Mexico City, Mexico / 3:00 pm Lusaka, Zambia
Llore Pasco is a strong and courageous woman. She is the mother of Juan Carlos and Crisanto Lozano, who were killed by the police on May 12, 2017. Like many other victims of Duterte’s war on drugs, Nanay (mother) Llore seeks justice for her two sons. She is with us to share her pains as well as her hope in looking for justice, while holding on to the collective strength of other mothers and families grieving yet fighting for the loss of their loved ones. She is here to share her story, her hope and her reason for fighting for justice.
Currently, Nanay Llore is an active leader of Rise Up for life and for rights, a network of families of victims of drug related killings and human rights violations and advocates to Stop the Killings!
Organizers/Sponsors:
WOW
Women for Filipino Women and Children, or WOW, is an organization based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. It is a founding member organization of the International Women’s Alliance (IWA). Among its activities is generating solidarity support for women and children in the Philippines.
International Women’s Alliance – the Netherlands:
IWA Netherlands was just organized in 2020. Among its first activities was to participate in the celebrations of International Working Women’s Day on March 7, 2020 in Utrecht, the Netherlands and in Amsterdam on March 8, 2020. Among its other activities is linking up with women’s organizations in the Netherlands.
Foundation for Filipino Children: Established in 1993, committed to promoting the rights and welfare of the Filipino child. It is a proud member of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP).
With
Rise Up for Life and for Rights is an alliance that was started to respond to the upsurge in Drug-Related Killings (or Extra-Judical Killings since all these killings are because of a state policy under Duterte’s so-called “War on Drugs”) in the Philippines. Initiated by Church and human rights advocates as well as social activists, it is envisioned as an organization of survivors/ victims/families affected by the Drug-Related Killings with the solidarity and broad support from concerned citizens from across the country and around the world. Its secretariat is hosted by the Promotion of Church People’s Response in the Philippines.
Last Updated: 31 May 2020 by editors
Lumad children value their education
The mountainous countryside of Mindanao, Southern Philippines is home to the indigenous Lumad communities whose lives are constantly threatened by militarization and state-sponsored attacks. Through sheer determination and with the help of non-governmental organizations, they were able to establish their own schools for the education of Lumad children based on a homegrown curriculum that respects and promotes their indigenous rights and way of life. Today, many of these Lumad schools have been forcibly closed as nearby communities evacuate their homes to flee from continuing threats, harassment and killings.
Read MoreLast Updated: 06 April 2020 by editors
Thank you for your continuing support!
The Stichting voor Filippijnse Kinderen (Foundation for Filipino Children) wishes to thank all who have helped us raise a total of €2257.06 for the Lumad Bakwit School in Metro Manila. Donors come from Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Canada, the USA and Australia.
Your gift made a significant difference to children like Katkat at the Lumad Bakwit School in Metro Manila.
Life tries to go on in the Bakwit School for displaced Lumad children, but they have had to adjust to the heavy-handed military quarantine in Luzon.
“Food and other resources are a serious challenge in this time of enhanced quarantine since we can’t leave the premises”, Bakwit School teachers worry for the next few weeks and months with the enhanced quarantine that could cut off resources for the students.
We know that times are becoming difficult with much of the world experiencing fear, anxiety, and social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This type of experience is an everyday reality for many Filipinos, especially these Lumad students.
But amidst all these, we are reassured, more than ever, that it is the people’s collective movement that will defeat not just this virus but social inequality and injustices!
Give today.
We hope that you and your family keep safe in the coming days. It is through social solidarity, and not isolation that we all keep safe.
With gratitude, and solidarity,
Angie, Consie and Lyn
Stichting voor Filippijnse Kinderen
P.S. Every small donation counts. Please give the gift of social solidarity in these trying times.
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