With hopes of continuously bringing meaningful, critical, and assertive discussions for positive social change in the comfort of our homes despite the pandemic, UP Economics Towards Consciousness (UP ETC) held its first online Consciousness Month, a month-long anniversary initiative in line with its celebration of the 42nd year of founding this February 2021.
This year’s theme Bouncing Back from the Pandemic: A look at the road to recovery of key sectors in the Philippines seeks to explore the progress to recovery of crucial sectors in the country, with particular emphasis on the role of the youth, the economy, and the government.
UP ETC rolled out CM (Consciousness Month) by introducing like-minded youths who are passionate about different advocacies with the Alliance Day on February 10. These advocacy groups which operates within and outside the UP system, fight for their causes ranging through diverse fields such as health sector, information dissemination, data science, and many others The highlight of month’s first event is the insightful talk on legislation and lobbying of Mr. Allan Pangilinan, political officer at the Office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
Mr. Pangilinan giving his talk on lobbying and legislation
Afterward, the organization held the Kapekonomiya Linked: Bridging the Digital Divide during the COVID-19 Pandemic, one of the most awaited events of iskos and iskas especially those interested in politics, economics, and sociology. It is an educational forum that analyzes the bridging of the digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic through a multi-sectoral discussion under the three fields mentioned. Moreover, the event was delighted by distinguished professionals, Mr. Samuel Cabbuag, Mr. Emil Francis de Quiros, and Engr. Leo Cipriano Urbiztondo Jr. who hailed from the academe and the government.
Last but not least, UP ETC gave a return of another awaited event for high school students as they commenced Youth in Action; an educational discussion and case study competition last February 25-27. This fun-filled three-day event is composed of two days of educational talks which discussed the Role of Youth in Good Governance (and also during the Pandemic), Recovery Plans of numerous sectors, and writing and analytical skills in creating a case study and the case study presentation.
Representative Sarah Elago, Kabataan Partylist Representative, honored the first discussion of YIA, together with Mr. Dexter Yang, executive director for GoodGov PH, and Mr. Carlos Cabaero, former USC Councilor and ETC alumnus to present opportunities on how and where youths could forward their advocacies. On the second day, the organization throwed another multi-sectoral discussion with its four distinguished speakers, Ms. Bianca Pearl Sykimte, Mr. Raul Socrates Banzuela, Mr. Ramil Basuel, and Dr. Marie Danielle V. Guillen who talked about the recovery of Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism, and Transportation Sectors respectively.
Awarding of certificates for the Youth in Action Day 1 speakers
For the case study competition, 38 groups of highschool students around the country fought for the case study winner titles with their case study papers about A Case on Brazil’s Failed Policies on Education, Healthcare, and MSMEs. The team Liwa Babes of Regional Science High School III snatched the People’s Choice Award, while team Shynne of the Philippine Science High School CALABARZON Region Campus bagged the Most Innovative Award, both bringing home a cash prize of Php 2,000. The paper and presentation of team Tinola of University of the Philippines Integrated School appealed the most to the judges as they secured the Overall Champion Title and a Php 10,000 cash prize.
An economics student in UP Diliman and attendee of Consciousness Month, Jewelle Anne Lalunio, also said that, “From Kapekonomiya to Youth in Action, the event served us with speakers full of enthusiasm who equipped us with knowledge in economics and various aspects. It was an excellent experience for me – better exposure to reality. Kudos to UP ETC!”
Already hyped up for the 2022 Consciousness Month event? Follow the Consciousness Month page here: https://www.facebook.com/ConsciousnessMonth and UP ETC page here: https://www.facebook.com/upetc. Watch out and join the organization’s continuous and new events in pursuit of meaningful social action and positive change.
