Our Stories, Our Voices

16/06/2026

DONATION DRIVE UPDATE | Mindanao Earthquake Relief Response

As of 10:00 PM on June 15, 2026, we have raised ₱246,000 for families and communities affected by the recent earthquakes across Mindanao.

This achievement belongs to everyone who chose to help. Whether you donated, volunteered, visited our Community Yard Sale, shared our posts, or simply encouraged others to support the cause, you became part of this effort. Thank you for standing with communities facing the challenges brought by the disaster.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the organizations and individuals who have reached out to partner with us. Your trust and support continue to strengthen this initiative and help us reach more people in need.

While we are grateful for what has been raised so far, many families still need assistance. We continue to welcome both cash and in kind donations as we prepare the next wave of relief support.

If you would like to contribute, please refer to the donation channels and donation details below.

For inquiries about the relief drive or possible partnerships, you may contact us at 09544785572 or message Harold Banggay or May Fiel Divino.

Thank you for reminding us that even in difficult times, people continue to show kindness, generosity, and solidarity with one another.

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This initiative is made possible through the collective efforts of United States Government Alumni Association - Davao, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative- Davao Hub, 3:45 Coffee House, Rotary Club of Davao - RCD, Rotaract Club of Davao, Rotaract Club of Davao, Rotaract Club of Digos, Mapúa MCM Supreme Student Council, Girl Up Davao, Sangguniang Kabataan - Brgy. Ma-a, Our Stories, Our Voices , Mariknows Philippines, and DMMA SOME Student Organization of Marine Engineering.

10/06/2026

09/06/2026

CALL FOR DONATIONS

Help us bring relief and hope to families and communities affected by the recent earthquake in Mindanao. We are accepting pre-loved items for our Community Yard Sale, as well as monetary and in-kind donations to support ongoing relief efforts.

COMMUNITY YARD SALE FOR MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

📅 June 12–14, 2026
📍 3:45 Coffee House
345 Palm Drive, Buhangin, Davao City

Join us for a Community Yard Sale in support of earthquake-affected communities.

DONATE YOUR PRE-LOVED ITEMS UNTIL JUNE 11!
100% of the proceeds from the donated items that will get sold will go directly to the relief and recovery efforts.

Drop off your donations at:

📍 3:45 Coffee House
345 Palm Drive, Buhangin, Davao City

📍 SK Office, Barangay Hall of Barangay Ma-a
Davao City

We gladly accept clean and usable:
• Clothing and shoes
• Books and school supplies
• Toys and games
• Bags and accessories
• Household items
• Small working appliances
• Other saleable items in good condition

WE ALSO ACCEPT DIRECT RELIEF DONATIONS

If you prefer not to donate items for the yard sale, you may contribute through:

Monetary Donations
Financial contributions will support the purchase, transportation, and distribution of relief supplies for affected communities.

In-Kind Donations, including:
• Rice
• Canned goods
• Instant noodles
• Bottled drinking water
• Hygiene kits (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, diapers)
• Basic medicines and first-aid supplies
• Blankets, sleeping mats, and towels
• Flashlights and batteries
• New clothing and underwear for children and adults

All proceeds and donations will support earthquake-affected families and communities in General Santos City, Tupi, Sarangani Province, and other impacted areas in Mindanao.

Every donation, purchase, and act of generosity helps communities recover and rebuild.

27/05/2026

𝗣𝗛𝗟 𝟭𝟭𝟳 | 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗦

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵.

A day of empowerment and advocacy unfolded as the spotlight of awareness focused on the youth of Brgy. Bagong Silang. The entire discussion on VAWC and gender-based violence resonated with the strength of a generation ready to protect filled with courage and community action.

From breaking down complex legal protections to equipping the youth with practical safety toolkits, every moment of the Hand in Hand Iligan Leg 3 outreach was a celebration of agency, vigilance, and the shared responsibility of keeping our safe spaces secure.

Look back at how our young leaders stepped up to own their narrative, turning knowledge into their first line of defense. This mission proved that gender justice is a collective effort, built through every knowledge shared and every young voice amplified.

Written by: Charles Perolino
Photos by: Mai Cuarte & Kyle Jumawan

10/05/2026

𝗣𝗛𝗟 𝟭𝟭𝟳 | 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗦

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗩𝗔𝗪𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲?

We start by translating legal concepts into Safety Powers and turning personal boundaries into a child's first line of defense. On May 9, 2026, Hand in Hand Iligan brought this philosophy to life during its second leg at the Happy Life Children’s Home, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲.

The heart of this visit was about fostering a deep sense of safety and trust amongst the children. Through interactive activities, storytelling and fun engagements, the extension work encouraged children to recognize their own agency. Rather than just presenting rules, the outreach focused on breaking down restrictive social boxes and celebrating the unique, colorful stories that define each individual. This approach ensures that safety isn't rooted in fear, but in the confidence of knowing one's worth and boundaries.

The outreach empowered children through Safety Powers, beginning with bodily autonomy by teaching them they are the "boss" of their own personal territory. Participants then built a Safety Squad of trusted adults who listen without judgment and respect boundaries. The program also dismantled restrictive Gender Boxes, reframing gender as a colorful, personal story of who a person is on the inside. Finally, the children learned to view safety through a protective lens, training them to trust their gut and recognize red flags in behavior.

The success of this second leg serves as a powerful reminder that bridging the gap is not a quiet act of study, but a loud, collective effort of connection and care. 𝗔𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲. We move forward with our spirits high, knowing that every boundary respected and every voice amplified brings us one step closer to a future where gender justice is a lived reality for all.

Written by: Valerie Acama
Photos by: Kyle Jumawan, Johanisah Mohamad, Estella Aballe, Shara Agnarayngay, Mai Cuarte

10/05/2026

Where stories are heard and voices become spaces for awareness and empowerment, one of the ? Ambassadors’ capstone projects came to life in Tagum City 🇵🇭🇩🇪

Led by ambassador Melona Bates under the ? Ambassadors Program of Our Stories, Our Voices and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH – Ziviler Friedensdienst, the TAYO TAYO Project gathered youth leaders, victim-survivors, women and LGBTQIA+ champions, representatives from the Public Information and Women’s Desk of the Philippine National Police, and barangay women and family relations leaders for meaningful conversations on gender, human rights, and addressing gender-based violence in our communities. 🩷💜

Grounded in the vision of creating safer and more inclusive spaces, the initiative highlighted the importance of community-led action, dialogue, and education through the Atingi Digital Enquirer Kit on GBV localized in Bisaya and Tagalog, alongside the establishment of OSOV hub that will serve as safe space in Tagum for reflection, engagement, and empowerment. Special thanks to SK Cuambogan for opening their community and making this initiative possible.

Together, we continue to amplify voices, uphold human rights, and inspire collective action toward safer and more inclusive communities for all. Excited to see the establishment of this OSOV hub and its growth in creating more spaces for awareness, dialogue, and empowerment.

07/05/2026

𝗣𝗛𝗟 𝟭𝟭𝟳 | 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗦

'𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽?' 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.

In the spirit of bridging the gap between theory to application, Hand in Hand Iligan holds its first leg at the CAA Detachment on May 6, 2026 at Matungao Patrol Base, Poblacion, Matungao, Lanao del Norte marking the start of a month long campaign and community extension led by the third year BS Philosophy Students in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.

Hand in Hand Iligan's first staged brought together MSU-IIT’s third year BS Philosophy students and a community of CAFGU Active Auxiliary in a lecture session that fostered empowerment and learning.

Alongside the knowledge mapping and formal lecture, the event also featured its trademark which is the Hand In Hand Solidarity Wall. These activity symbolizes the ongoing commitment for a broader mission to end any form of violence against women and children as well as gender based violence.

The success of the Hand in Hand Iligan first leg is a reminder that all sectors are directly involved in the issue and so it prompts us to keep our spirit high in our upcoming legs for the following days.

Written by: Charles Perolino

04/05/2026

Our next stop brings us to Iligan City! 🩷💜

Led by our ambassador Valerie Acama under the ? Ambassadors Program of Our Stories, Our Voices and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ (GmbH) - Ziviler Friedensdienst (Civil Peace Service).

Our sincere thanks to Valerie Acama and the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Mindanao State University - IIT for making this implementation possible.

Read the original caption:

𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘆. 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗼. 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽.

A bridge is only as strong as the hands that hold it together. 🩷💜

What started as a vision for gender justice is now a city-wide reality. Hand in Hand Iligan is a community outreach initiative designed to bridge the gap between Anti-VAWC legal protections and grassroots implementation, ensuring that gender justice is not just a policy but a lived reality for every citizen. It seeks to establish pro-active Anti-VAWC and GBV advocacy hubs to provide the tools, education, and support necessary to break the cycle of violence and strengthen local mechanisms for reporting and intervention.

This initiative is a collective movement that transcends theoretical justice to create tangible change. Armed with a relentless commitment to empower communities and ensuring safe spaces for everyone, we are extending our reach from the academe to the heart of the community—empowering voices and fortifying the frontlines of everyone.

Through the commencement of its 3-Leg Community Extention Work, we will closely understand the layers of gender-based violence, not just to inform, but to transform. From the first handshake to the final bridge built, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of a violence-free Iligan where every individual is protected, heard, and valued.

Guided by the spirit of solidarity by the Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Our Stories, Our Voices , Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit - Ziviler Friedensdienst (ZFD), we step out to ensure that the light of justice reaches every corner of our society.

Because in Iligan, no one should walk alone. 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝘄𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿. 𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲.

Want to know more about HIH's mission? Visit our Microsite here: https://tinyurl.com/handinhandiligan

𝘑𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘗 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦:
Twibbonize: https://twb.nz/handinhandiligan
Canva: https://canva.link/uzjq5cncmgzsfgb

01/05/2026

Join us in Tagum City on May 2 as we meet the speakers and leaders behind the TAYO TAYO Project, coming together to advance conversations on gender, human rights, and addressing gender based violence in our communities.

This initiative is led by one of our ambassadors, Melona Bates, under the ? Ambassadors Program of Our Stories, Our Voices and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH - Ziviler Friedensdienst. Grounded in the vision of creating safer and more inclusive spaces, the program brings together leaders committed to promoting dignity, equality, and protection for all.

We extend our sincere appreciation to SK Cuambogan for opening their community and making this implementation possible. Their support reflects the vital role of local leadership in upholding human rights and driving meaningful change.

At the core of this program is the Atingi e-toolkit, a localized digital learning resource focused on gender, human rights, and gender-based violence. It is supported by GIZ, the German International Cooperation, and the European Union, with Our Stories, Our Voices as part of the localizing team of the platform.

Alongside this, the program also supports the establishment of community hubs led by ambassadors. These hubs are separate from the Atingi platform and serve as safe spaces for dialogue, reflection, and community engagement, strengthening local action to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

Our speakers and leaders bring lived experiences, expertise, and a deep understanding of the social, cultural, and digital realities surrounding gender-based violence and human rights. Through meaningful conversations, they will guide participants in unpacking challenges, sharing insights, and identifying pathways toward safer and more inclusive communities.

Together, this is more than a program. It is a collective effort to uphold human rights, empower individuals, and inspire action toward ending gender-based violence.

18/04/2026

Calling all leaders in Cuambogan, Tagum City! Apply now and take action against gender-based violence in Tagum!

Organized by one of our ambassadors, Melona Bates, under the ? Ambassadors Program of Our Stories, Our Voices and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH – Ziviler Friedensdienst (Civil Peace Service). We would like to thank the SK Cuambogan for this implementation in their community.

Read the caption:

From diverse communities and identities, we proudly bring together passionate advocates, allies, and survivor-leaders united under the TAYO, TAYO Project with the theme “Standing Together Against Gender-Based Violence in All Identities.”

We are looking for 20 Youth Participants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies, and survivor-leaders aged 18 years old and up, who are ready to learn, lead, and take action against gender-based violence in their communities.

✨ This is a one-day, fully funded opportunity, ensuring that participants can fully engage, learn, and connect without financial barriers.

Through this initiative, Our Stories, Our Voices continues its mission of amplifying lived experiences and strengthening grassroots movements from the Mindanao level down to the community level. The project centers the voices of young women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies, and victim-survivors—recognizing their stories as powerful drivers of leadership, solidarity, and change.

Together, we’ll build strong connections, fuel solidarity, and turn shared stories into bold actions that create lasting change.

At Our Stories, Our Voices, we turn stories into strength—standing together against gender-based violence in all identities.

𝑨𝒏𝒐, 𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒂? Join us!

📩 Click the link or scan the QR code to apply now!

Apply here:
https://docs.google.com/.../1AG2-y.../edit

Original post: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122239078436128314&set=a.122116866320128314