Advocacy

My journey as a social work student intern became more meaningful when viewed through the lens of humanism, an approach that places dignity, autonomy, and the full potential of every person at the center of helping. Humanism taught me that social work is more than addressing problems; it is about recognizing the inherent worth of […]

“The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power.” – Wael Ghonim The Trillion Peso March was a huge wave of protests that swept across the Philippines on September 21, 2025. People from all walks of life – including church groups, student organizations, labor unions, civic groups, and political movements –

In a world that seems to be constantly in crisis, such as climate change, social injustice, and political problems, it’s hard not to feel the weight of responsibility. For those of us who were once deeply involved in activism, that weight can be even heavier. I used to be on the front lines, attending protests,

“Taga-bigay lang kayo ng ayuda, ‘di ba?” That’s one of the most frustrating yet common remarks I’ve heard since choosing to study Social Work. For many, our profession is limited to a one-dimensional image: someone who hands out relief goods, processes cash assistance, or shows up during calamities with sacks of rice and canned goods.

In the bustling streets of the Philippines, it’s common to see abandoned and mistreated animals – a limping dog on a crowded road, a cat scavenging through waste for scraps, or a carabao left tethered in the sun without access to water. These distressing sights are not isolated incidents but rather symptoms of a deeper,

To claim that illness is deserved is to abandon compassion and to weaponize theology in place of understanding. It is no coincidence that with the rise in reported HIV cases, conveniently timed during Pride Month, some voices of religious bigotry have crawled out and hastily used this moment to justify their religiously motivated homophobia and

Teen pregnancy remains a significant concern in the Philippines, affecting not only young mothers and their children but also the nation’s overall development. With one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Southeast Asia, the country faces challenges such as disrupted education, economic instability, and health risks for both mother and child. Addressing this issue

My journey with the Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI) began in 2022 when I joined its Sorsogon chapter. Little did I know that this first step would spark a passion for advocacy that has grown stronger over time, eventually leading me to assume roles of greater responsibility and purpose. This first step would spark a

As we quickly approach the middle of a seemingly quiet 2024, a lot has been brewing in HAPI’s chapters behind the scenes. Let’s find out what three of those chapters and their volunteers have been up to since the beginning of the year! HAPI-Alabang has always been one of our most active chapters through the

Cover Photo (c) Nguyễn Hiệp on Unsplash Blood donation is a vital part of healthcare systems worldwide, a silent yet profound gesture of solidarity and compassion. Approximately 120 million units of blood are donated yearly, with 40 percent of these donations collected in high-income countries (as per the World Health Organisation). The Philippine Red Cross