Influenza A(H1N1) Informtion Dissemination

June 8 and 16, 2009

The hype of the Influenza A(H1N1) that was caused by the media took the attention of the country from its usual entertainment of scandals and politics. It caused public unrest and fear, especially since there was a huge gap between statistics of people acquiring the virus as well as news of governments ensuring strict measures to contain its spread, and information dissemination. As a proactive response to the pandemic, the UPRCY was invited by Dr. Zayas of the Center for International Studies in UP Diliman to give a talk to her three SEA 30 classes of around forty to fifty students each regarding the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

To arm the UPRCY members of pertinent information on the health issue, the org requested for an Influenza A(H1N1) Educators' Training from the Community Health and Nursing Service (CHNS) of the QC Red Cross Chapter. The training was conducted by the Chapter Service Representative or the head of the CHNS, Ms. Janice Melody Adolfo on June 8, 2009 at the QC Red Cross Chapter and was attended by UPRCY members Via Go, Hannah Villanueva, Ellaine Lopez, Patrick Caraig, Jean Gregorio, Mel Quintos, Sue Quirante, CJ Prelliguera, Yssa Idolor, Didi Parlade, Kiteng Cabling, Kamille Ignacio, Kash Engada, Steve Santos, Ttin del Prado,Dope Cobarrubia, Khen Bautista, Yanna Feliciano, and UPRCY Faculty Adviser Ms. Loida Famador.

Priorly, the start of classes, supposedly June 9, 2009 for UP Diliman, was suspended for one week by the Department of Education (Dep.Ed) and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) for schools to prepare measures to prevent the spread of the virus within their campuses. Hence, the A(H1N1) Lecture for the SEA 30 students commenced on June 16, 2009. Only members who attended the the Educators' Training gave talks regarding the origin and characteristics of the virus, its pathology, its infection statistics, and ways to cure and prevent infections.

Through undergoing the Educators' Training and arming the members with information regarding the A(H1N1) virus, the UPRCY not only dispelled anxiety and misconceptions about the virus, but also performed a small but vital role in keeping the UP Community informed so that it may safeguard its health and well-being.

International Humanitarian Law Debates

June 2, 2009

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the University of the Philippines College of Law held the First Invitational International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Debates last June 2, 2009 at the Bocobo Hall, UP Diliman.

The PNRC requested for the assistance of the UPRCY to volunteer as staff for the debates. Along with two Red Crossers from New Era University and Fatima University, the youth volunteers manned the registration booth, helped in setting the venues and ushering guests and participants, and served as bell and timekeepers for the debates.

Many different debating teams composed of law students from different universties took part in the competition, such as Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Davao, Arellano University, and the University of the Philippines - Diliman. However, other invited debating teams such as that from the University of Sto. Tomas failed to confirm attendance or take part in the debates. The debating team from Ateneo de Davao bested UP Law and had emerged as the first chamion of the IHL Debates and represented the Philippines in the international IHL debates in Malaysia the following week. The ICRC, PNRC, UP Law administrators, participating debate teams, guest speakers, youth volunteers, as well as QC Red Cross staff invited from the QC Red Cross Chapter delighted themselves with a generous buffet by the organizers after the awarding ceremony.

The UPRCY, following its duties as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, has, as one of its functions as stated in its constitution, the responsibility of promulgating awareness of the Internatonal Humanitarian Law or The Law of Armed Conflict. Volunteering in the said debates served to fulfill this responsibility since the event aimed to promote knowledge and advocacy for the IHL among law students. Though the tasks were humble, the organization takes pride in ensuring the success of the debates and in promoting the said humanitarian law.