Daily Archives: August 14, 2024

By: Matthew Chavez

When we were told that for the summer of our 3rd year in college, we would have our On-The-Job training with the company or group of our choice, a list was given to us containing the possible sectors in which we can render our internship hours. I did look at the list; they were good companies in their respective fields, but I have asked myself, can I find my purpose, my calling, one that will satisfy the knowledge I thirst for within the names on the list? That became my primary consideration. 

As I continued to browse and fill myself with knowledge about the background of each of the companies I stumbled upon where I can apply to be their intern, the realization came to me that I need more than what they offer, my knowledge from studying the different concepts revolving around DevCom is not inclined with their functions in the society because, after all, DevCom is about alleviating the situation of those who are in the marginalized and helping them understand that there is more to their current standing in the community, and we are there to help them achieve it.  

From there, I recall how HLAF was introduced to us during our classes by our college professor, Mr. Melvin Nunez. I remembered how the purpose of HLAF serves the best interest of those in the marginalized, more specifically, the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), children in conflict with the law (CICLs), and persons restored of liberty (PRLs). And then I realized if I want to further myself in terms of being an effective future DevCom practitioner, this is the one I should try to engage myself with. I then submitted my application, underwent an interview proper, and the rest was history. 

Before I officially began my internship with HLAF, I had a few thoughts in my mind on how it would turn out. I thought that from browsing their web pages and reading their mission, vision, and programs, I only thought that I would only just be a help to the best I can to contribute to the works and advocacies they have in line. I thought that I would be just in their office, working on their advocacies for the PDLs and such, and I thought that the people that I would get to meet and work with were my co-interns and their staff. I imagined it too shallow. 

On the very first day of my internship, my perspective on human rights quickly changed. I only thought that it was about the rights of the people to education, food, and shelter, that’s how I only understand it, but on the very first day, I realized that I hadn’t even scratched the surface of what human rights is all about. One of my co-interns attended a meeting together with some staff from HLAF, we do not have an idea of the whole concept of the said meeting, we just do our best to understand what is it all about. It was a meeting that tackled how the lives of PRLs can be improved through the reintegration program offered to them after their life from inside the prison. From there, I had a glimpse of understanding what human rights are. It is not something that can be offered only to a specific group of individuals, but rather to every one of us, no matter our standing in society. Every individual should be given a chance to uplift their own lives, even if in the past, they made a mistake and society painted a different picture for them. I understand that human rights know no conviction, whether you’re a free man or not, you have them within yourself, and I understand all of this in just a few hours I spent at that meeting, observing how the different officials work together to serve the interest of those in the marginalized.  

And with those in the non-governmental organizations or NGOs who actively work on these matters, there is no doubt that personnel are a given need for them. Again, in my thoughts, DevCom is only for any media-related practices, and administrative occupations because that’s where our predecessors usually render their internship hours, I try to piece the parts in my mind, where is DevCom in these practices? We were supposed to be with the community, helping them with their situation, but how could we do it if we just sat in the air-conditioned rooms? It does not make any sense to me but I just let it be, what can I even do about it? None. It was only until I learned that some NGOs for the community accept student interns, one being HLAF. 

At first, I was nervous because maybe I would meet other interns from our program or other related programs and I wouldn’t be a great companion with them. That’s what I thought. In HLAF, we are the only interns during our on-the-job training, but many have come before us. I assume they were students just like us, but no, they were individuals pursuing to uplift themselves in the field of human rights such as juris doctors students, law practitioners, and other professionals. If I were to understand, it is not only students such as ourselves but professionals in their respective fields who have the heart to serve their people. Being an intern for a group that forwards human rights in society, was worth it. 

Why was it worth it? It is because we get to accomplish things that we did not just for the sake of requirement, but because there is a bigger purpose that we try to achieve. One of the activities that we have done that I can say is the main highlight of our internship is when we planned, organized, and facilitated an activity in which the purpose is to create a stronger bond and relationship between the women PDLs and their children. It was a heartwarming moment for us because even in a small way, we made up for the time they lost being with each other, even just for a few hours. We were relieved not because we accomplished the activity, we can put a check on it on our list, but because we provided the PDLs of something that might seem small to us but for them, something that they are very grateful to have been offered to them. It was also worth it because we got to participate in meetings, prestigious events, and activities that we may not have experienced for a very long time such as the TFKK meeting wherein we were surrounded by honorable officials such as the executive judge and judges of the judiciary, we also have the Basta Run Against Torture (BRAT) in which we get to attend and alongside human rights groups, we advocate for the stoppage of torture in the Philippines. From these experiences, it was all worth it. 

The most memorable event for me that I attended was the TFKK meeting in the city of Malabon because I got to witness different officials from the government working with one another that aims to aid the PRLs to be reintegrated successfully into their community and of course, the Stella coloring book activity in the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory because it is such a one in a lifetime experience for me. 

My whole internship in HLAF is not as easy as I want it to be at first.  A lot of challenges but at the same time, it honed me to be a much better DevCom student compared to before I began my internship. I am grateful for all the experiences because I have gained so much knowledge that I know I wouldn’t be able to obtain if I hadn’t applied to be an intern at HLAF. This is an experience that I know I will carry throughout my life and I am proud to say that even in just a time, I was able to at least contribute in the simplest of ways to the welfare of people in the marginalized, especially the PDLs, CICLs, and PRLs. Adios y gracias, HLAF! 

By: Macaraig, Janessa Xylene C. 

A heart that belongs to the community is now a heart that concerns human rights. From a mere perspective of extending hands and providing activities, to a deeper understanding of the crucial role of prioritizing the people and delivering long-term solutions. As a development communication student practitioner and now a Development Communications and Advocacies intern. HLAF, look what you did to me…  

Having the fact that On-the-Job Training was still under the academic field and requirements, I believe it is quite easy, full of assistance and spoon-feeding experience that will allow us to just see how the work environment runs. This internship journey is not something I am looking forward to acquiring. Just like anyone else, I’ll do well as part of compliance but not as an opportunity to hone my skills and knowledge as a future worker. This journey of mine with HLAF exceeds all expectations and draws a standard of how I should work as a DevCom practitioner.  

As someone who finds herself enjoying the duties of community work, assessing the needs of the people, establishing networks with different groups, and spearheading events, I always knew that I’d work with government and/or Non-Government Organizations that have duties of humanities and social communications. With a simple yet genuine reason, I had a sense of fulfillment whenever I worked with related responsibilities. But beyond this emotional cause, I have not been able to dig a wider perspective of its social grounds. This has been the greatest contribution of HLAF to my growth and motivation which strengthened my inner purpose in the development work.  

As a DevCom student, we are exposed to social issues as we try to alleviate poverty in all forms through effective and proper utilization of communication. Despite the aim of reducing the problems and challenges in the community, we are not very exposed to the rights and protection a human being must have access to. Firstly, the Task Force Katarungan at Kalayaan (TFKK) discussion at Malabon City Regional Trial Court, was the first activity I attended that surprised me with tons of new learnings. There, I witnessed the importance of gathering all the stakeholders to establish a more convenient, precise, and effective discussion and sharing of comments and suggestions that will improve the status of all plans. More this, I found out about one of HLAF’s efforts to help and stay true to their mission when I learned about the Focused Reintegration of Ex Detainee (FRED) program; a program that anchors the welfare of the Persons Restored with Liberty (PRL) as they provide ways on how these people can be rehabilitated at the community after jail releases. It was my first time hearing this kind of strive and it was the starting point of how my care for human rights came into existence. Another event that escalated my interest in human rights was when I attended the 4^th Philippine Human Rights Planning. Surrounded by various officers, advocates, and volunteers united with one goal — to champion the human rights of each vulnerable sector and amplify their voices by representing them in the platforms that higher-ups can hear.  

Being exposed to various seminars, discussions, campaigns, and planning that unearth the importance of human rights has been my eye-opener to the truth behind media representation. As a Communications and Advocacy intern, I was able to work with different fields that are not limited to writing and speaking skills. Aside from learning the professional structure of communications documents such as activity reports, presentations, communications plans, articles, compelling stories, and hope-based outputs, I also familiarize myself with how networking works as it is one of the major components for an organization to continuously progress. We spearheaded an event that allows PDLs and their children to reunite with ample amount of time and impart a positive outlook to their situations. Moreover, we also proposed activities that would advocate the rights, welfare, and well-being of the PRLs and crafted a concept note about this. We also facilitated the shooting, transcribing, and editing of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) videos of the organization which is an educational effort that they would produce to share knowledge, experiences, and expertise with other professionals. With about one and a half months of stay with them, I was able to unravel more of my skills, discover abundant information, and found my interest in advocating human rights. 

With all honesty, each event, project, and activity I participated in has left an impact, maybe because I saw the purpose and drive of them all to provide change and hope to the vulnerable. But to share my top 3 memorable experiences, the first on my list is the first event I attended. TFKK amazes me in so many ways. It brought light to a dim knowledge of how a law can be a lobby and be an ordinance in a city. I saw the eagerness and passion of each shower to one project just to give a chance and hope to those who need it. Next is the activity that my co-intern and I proposed. Because of the previous events we’ve attended, we were able to create an activity proposal that empowers the goal of reintegrating the PRLs by honing and preparing them with the necessary skills they need to be reintegrated into the workforce. ‘Good Job, PRLs!’ is one of the fruits of all the learned information and a representation of me putting effort to help advocate human rights. Lastly, the event we spearheaded at Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory entitled ‘Stella’. Through this event, I have corrected the stigma that the media points out in the jail situation. With firsthand experience, I learned different stories, reasons, and hopes of the incarcerated mothers and how they’ve been just victims of life’s circumstances. As the mother PDLs and their children spent time with one another, I felt a touch in my heart as I realized that hope-based should not just end in dialogues but should be put into action.  

This journey allows me to grow, especially in the work setting. I’ve risked a lot just to be here and it’s a worth risking experience. ‘Hindi PDL pero salamat HLAF sa pagpapalaya sa akin’. It was a great release from a work with unknown causes. HLAF transformed me into a better Development Communication student practitioner and a future Development Worker. Isa akong PRL mula sa HLAF. Sa wakas, malaya na…