In this episode, we talk about the different activities in the celebration of NDPR week and also discuss different disability perspectives in education, employment, and government.

This is in celebration of the 44th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR). This year’s theme is “working with the government in achieving equal access to education, employment and livelihood towards empowerment of persons with disabilities”.

In this episode, we talk about the Australia Alumni Network Summit 2021 with the theme: ‘Regeneration Nation: Co-creating a more Inclusive, Innovative & Sustainable Future’.  Jose Decolongon, the National Convenor of the Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh), and the Summit Chair, talk about what to expect in this flagship event and why the Summit is so important to Australia Alumni.  

Going beyond recovery, regeneration or regenerative development pertains to 'the use of resources to improve society’s well-being in a way that builds the capacity of the support systems needed for future growth.  This is achieved through a series of inspirational lectures by Australian and Alumni speakers with interactive ideation workshops that will strengthen participation within our community and equip us with innovative, inclusive and practical tools and approaches that will increase our capability to change inhibiting narratives and drive positive change in the country. 

The Summit has been an annual event since 2018.  For the first time, this year it is being organized by AACPh under the auspices of the Australia Awards and Alumni Engagement Program - Philippines (AAAEP-P), and with special partners - the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCHAM) and the Philippine Australian Alumni Association (PA3i).

Host:

Music: Moon Danipog and John Eric Tumbado

Cover art: Mike Malicsi

Editor: Jose Decolongon

Produced by Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh)

In this episode, we invited the winners of the Sustainability Hackathon, Team MapaHilaga, to chat about their tips for working successfully with teammates and how their experiences in the Hackathon have helped them on their start-up journey. Their winning concept is RainFrog, an app that will assist Filipino real estate developers, planners, architects, and engineers in gaining access to reliable and up-to-date data and property information.

The Sustainability Hackathon is an ideas competition organized by AACPh and the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, co-presented together with the GHD Group. Partners for this event include the Australia Global Alumni, Asian Institute of Management - Dado Banatao Incubator, Embiggen Consulting, and Limitless Lab.

Guests:

Harold Jay Delima (University of Sydney, 2017)

Edna Patricia Mendoza-Villena (The Australian National University, 2017) (Community Convenor, Environment & DRR Community of Practice)

Jean Michael Diosma

Leonides Katigbak II

Miguel Enrico Villena

Hosts:

Bern Certeza, Core Member, Sustainable Built Environments Community of Practice

Ann Marie Cunanan, Core Member, Business and Social Enterprise Community of Practice

Music: Moon Danipog and John Eric Tumbado

Cover art: Mike Malicsi  

Editor: Jose Decolongon

Produced by Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh)

This episode delves into the inspiring stories of a few of our alumni in the Social Development Community of Practice.  They share about their work, advocacies, and initiatives to build a more inclusive society, especially during this time of the pandemic and beyond.

This is our longest episode ever but it is definitely worth listening to as our alumni stories remind us to go beyond ourselves and that each and every one of us can make a difference.

Australia Alumni in this podcast:

Naprey Almario, Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, a leader of the Association of Differently-Abled Persons (ADAP), Managing Partner of Hub International Education, Owner of Almario Travel and Tours, and Core Team Member of the Social Development Community of Practice, AACPh

Kritzia Santos, Co-Founder, Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid (2KK) Foundation and part of the Social Transformation Team of WeGen Laudato Si. She is also Core Team Member of the Social Development Community of Practice, AACPh

Charles Anthony Vega, Local Government Operations Officer V at the DILG-Bureau of Local Government Supervision, College Instructor at the University of Santo Tomas, and Core Team Member of the Social Development Community of Practice, AACPh

Hosts:

Glory Dee Romo, Social Development Community Convenor, AACPh

Jose Decolongon, National Convenor, AACPh

Music: Moon Danipog and John Eric Tumbado

Cover art: Mike Malicsi

Produced by Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh)

This episode celebrates alternative narratives of Filipino leadership through the lens of the Young Positive Leaders of the Philippines Awards.  This initiative is led by Australia Alumni and aims to recognize young Filipino leaders who possesses positive leadership qualities.  Jaymie Benemirito, who is the grand winner of this award also joins the episode to share her inspiring story and how life changed after she received the recognition.  

Australia Alumni in this podcast:

John Baluyot, CEO & Co-Founder, Positive Workplaces and Core Team Member of the HR Community of Practice, AACPh

Nikki Vergara, Chief Well-Being Officer & Co-Founder, Positive Workplaces

Hosts:

Jose Decolongon, National Convenor, AACPh

Adrian Robles, HR Community Convenor, AACPh

Music: Moon Danipog and John Eric Tumbado

Cover art: Mike Malicsi

Produced by Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh)

This episode is a special post-panel discussion from the very first Educ Convo of the Education Community of Practice held in May 2021.  It continues this discussion through stories of real life experiences and challenges of three educators and Australia Alumni.  They recount the early days of transition to remote learning brought about by the unexpected global health crisis, and what's needed moving forward.

The convo centered on the theme: “What CAN Should MUST work? Now na!... Navigating through Various Learning Environments.”  

Australia Alumni in this podcast:

Anna Cherylle Ramos, Director, Ed Tech Center, University of Santo Tomas

Ana Marie Hernandez, Project Development Officer,  Dept of Education Central Office

Bai Faridah Mamintal, Secondary School Principal at Mulondo NHS Schools Division of Lanao Del Sur-1, BARMM Region

Moderator: Dr Consuelo Habito, Faculty, University of the Philippines Open University  

Host: Thennie V Mariano, Lecturer, University of the Philippines Open University and Convenor, Education Community of Practice

Music: Moon Danipog and John Eric Tumbado

Cover art: Mike Malicsi

Editor: Jose Decolongon

Produced by Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh)

This is a special episode because we recorded this during the culminating activity of the Live Lokal initiative.  

Live Lokal aims to empower local micro, small, and medium businesses, with particular focus on women-led enterprises that promote locally sourced and crafted products by providing access to market, talent, and new technologies for women entrepreneurs to thrive in the new normal to ensure business continuity and sustainability in the long term. Special thanks to Live Lokal project members: Thermina Ann Akram, Jhanette Co, and Edna Mendoza for this episode.

The culminating activity featured three (3) inspiring women entrepreneurs and fellow Australia alumnae to share their stories in a live panel discussion.  They share the origin stories of their respective businesses, the challenges wrought by the pandemic and how they turned their businesses around, and insights and words of wisdom to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Australia Alumni in this podcast:

Anya Lim of Anthill Fabric

Mary Grace Belviz or Rosarios Delicacies

Wit Holganza of Wit's Sweets & Savouries.

Host: Bea Almoite (Social Development Community Member) 

Music: Moon Danipog and John Eric Tumbado

Cover art: Mike Malicsi

Editors: Jose Decolongon and Jhanette Co

Produced by Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh)

In this episode of Bayanimates, Australia alumni discuss the REAP (or Re-Entry Action Plan) and its significance to nation-building.  They each talk about their respective REAP journeys and share valuable insights and advice.  This is relevant to those who are just thinking about a topic for their REAP, or about to start (or restart) their REAP, or in the process of completing their REAP journey.

This episode hopes to inspire all alumni (whether you are an Australia Awards scholar or not) to make a difference to our communities and our country.

Australia Alumni in this podcast: 

Bea Almoite (Social Development Community Member)

Hosts: Jose Decolongon (National Convenor) & Adrian Robles (HR Community Convenor) 

Music: Moon Danipog and John Eric Tumbado

Cover art: Mike Malicsi

Editor: Jose Decolongon

Produced by Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh)

In this maiden episode of Bayanimates, Australia alumni share the origins of the Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh) and reminisce about their experiences as a Filipino student in a foreign land. 

This episode is also a call to action for us alumni to be more mindful of the narratives we choose to define ourselves, and in so doing we can have new stories about what it means to be the New Filipino. 

Australia Alumni in this podcast:

Music: Moon Danipog and John Eric Tumbado

Cover art: Mike Malicsi

Produced by Australia Alumni Communities Philippines (AACPh)