At the time of our visit, the center had 12 pregnant women/ girls and 4 women who recently gave birth, with ages ranging from 13 to 33 years old After giving birth, the moms are allowed to stay in the shelter for a month for recuperation. If the mother decides to place her baby for adoption she is asks to sign a waiver. Since the shelter is a Child Caring Agency, the babies can stay with them until the are able to obtain a Certification that the Child is Legally Available for Adoption. Once this Certificate is issued, the babies are referred to Hospicio De San Jose or other licensed orphanages. If you are interested to help Grace to be Born, contact Rey Ortega at 09275010605 or 09228597035, or Myrna Ortega at 09178039139.
Last week, Phase 1 of the Advocacy Campaign on Adoption was launched. The campaign entitled " Love Sees Beyond Differences," with the song "I Love You Anak" sends a positive message on adoption and the relationship between parents and their adoptive children. Because of my visit to Grace to Be Born, I really wanted to attend the launch and meet the various stakeholders in the adoption process which includes Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM), Hospicio de San Jose, Kaisahan Buhay Foundation (KBF) and Adoptive Families Foundation (AFF).
The second phase of the campaign was launched yesterday. Again, I was disappointed that I wasn't able to attend. It would have been my chance to meet adoptive families who will share their stories and adoption journey.
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| The advocacy panel with the adoptive families; (from left to right) McCann Worldgroup Managing Partner Cecile Gabutina-Velez, Michelle Logan, Craig Logan, Jojo Villa, Janet Villa, Sen. Pia Cayetano, DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji, Ogie Alcasid, ICAB Board Member Rafael Tinio, Jenny Paraiso, AFF President John Boren, and Butch Albert. |
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| Mrs. Cecile Gabutina-Velez, from McCann Worldgroup, explains the importance of the adoption advocacy campaign and how close it is to her heart. |
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| Mr. Craig Logan and his wife, Mrs. Michelle Logan sharing how blessed they are to have their kids, Justin and Ashlyn. |
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| DSWD Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji encouraging everyone to open their hearts to the adoption program. |
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| Multi-awarded singer and songwriter Ogie Alcasid shares his talent by singing, "I love you anak" at the media launch of "Love Sees Beyond Differences" Adoption Advocacy Campaign by DSWD, ICAB and McCann WorldGroup. |
Please see below for more details about the adoption advocacy campaign.
DSWD
and ICAB Launch “Love Sees Beyond Differences”
An Adoption Advocacy Campaign
An Adoption Advocacy Campaign
The Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), Inter-country Adoption Board (ICAB)
and McCann Philippines launched Thursday their Advocacy Campaign on
Adoption entitled, “Love Sees Beyond Differences.”
“We have long sought to
undertake a communications campaign give a new, more relevant
perspective about legal adoption. Now, the Department, together with
ICAB and McCann Erickson has finally made this possible,” says DSWD
Secretary Dinky Soliman.
This advocacy
communications campaign seeks to soften the stigma on adoption.
“There are so many
children in orphanages and other child-caring agencies waiting to be
adopted. But families hold back on adoption because of its stigma,”
adds Soliman.
According
to DSWD, from January to November 15, 2012, a total of 457 cases of
children were issued with certificate of a child legally available
for adoption (CCLAA). RA 9523 requires a certification of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to declare a
“child legally available for adoption” as a prerequisite for
adoption proceedings. From 457 cases issued with CCLAA, 24 cases were
matched to local families. Another 38 cases matched to local families
whose CCLAA were issued in previous years. A total of 62 cases were
matched to local families from January to November 15, 2012.
“I
just want to also extend my full support behind everyone working very
closely on this. And for those in the government agencies, especially
DSWD, I should very well know, I continue to push for funding for
this very important cause,” Senator PiaCayetano said.
The
Adoption Process
John
Boren, President of Adoptive Families Foundation, Inc., explains that
while adoption takes time and some amount of money, the fruits and
rewards are limitless. “Our organization helps adoptive families
during and after the process of adoption. We sponsor forums on the
legal, social and psychological issues related to adoption. But above
all, we want families to openly share their stories so more families
will be inspired to adopt.” Keeping adoption hidden from both the
adopted child and family and friends, results in adoptive families
living a lie. Because of this, there are adoptive parents who carry
unnecessary psychological baggage.
Members
of AFF have joined together to sponsor forums which bring together
all kinds of families to learn about the legal requirements of
adoption, how to rectify simulated adoptions, how to talk to a child
about adoption and especially tell them about their own adoption, how
to decide on what information needs to be shared with others and how
to deal with overly-inquisitive acquaintances; how to build and
reinforce a positive self-image, both in our adopted children and in
their adoptive parents, and how to deal with adoption issues at
school, with teachers and administrators and other students.
“Despite
the stringent legal process, there are 1,000 foreign families highly
interested to adopt Filipino children,” says Bobby Tinio, board
member of ICAB. There were 93 cases of children cleared for adoption
as of September 2012.
DSWD
Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji, ICAB Alternate Chair, says, “There
is room for improvement within our own best practices. Through this
advocacy, we hope that the stakeholders in the adoption process will
come together to address adoption-related issues and concerns.”
The
story of Anna Villa
Jojo
and Janet Villa journey for adoption started in November 2009. The
petition for adoption was filed in 2011 and they welcomed Anna to
their home last February 25, 2010. “The waiting time was relatively
short. Our social worker, Mrs. Myrna Pineda, had guided us patiently
through the process and has always made herself available for
questions and assistance. She has since become our friend and
eventually my ‘kumare’ when we both become godmothers in a
wedding,” says Janet. Her husband, Jojo, is a basketball coach in a
leading university. Anna is now 3 ½ years old. Janet says that Anna
understands that some children don’t have fathers, others don’t
have mothers, and others don’t have both. “There are three in our
family whom we have encouraged Anna to call Mama: her Mama Gay (who
is the second mother we appointed when we were asked to do so by
KBF), her Mama Inday (the helper who has been with the Villa family
for 37 years), her Mama Baby (the helper who has been with the Villa
family for 23 years). I want Anna to realize how many mothers love
and care for her,” adds Janet.
The
story of Justin and Ashlyn
The
Logans are among the many foreigners who have adopted Filipino
children. They have lived in the Philippines for nearly 24 years.
They first learned about KBF through Chosen Children, an orphanage
for special children. They adopted their first child named Justin.
“Our
first response was pure joy in our hearts when we heard that we had
been matched with a child. We wanted to jump in the car and drive
the 5 hours to meet our precious little one right then and there. Of
course, we followed procedure but the excitement grew by the day!”
says Michelle.
Last
Thursday, Ashlyn, 2-year old girl joined their family. “We
are always encouraging others that have a desire in their hearts to
adopt to go ahead and take that first step. The first step is always
the hardest, not knowing what you may be doing. Once we contacted
KBF, we were encouraged as they led us through each step and informed
us what would be next” adds Craig.
The
Story of the Skopakows
Peter
and Darlene Skopakowwas recently united with his adopted child from
Leyte. He filed his petition for adoption with ICAB in February 2009.
Today, he and his wife, are proud parents to Mary Jane. “This is
our second adoption. We have had Mark, our first adopted son since
April 2005. Mark has brought so much love to our home, which is why
we considered a second adoption.” Peter and Darlene say that they
have heard from friends that the Philippines has one of the best
legal adoption process in Asia. “This is why we have sought an
adopted child in Manila. While it might have been a long wait to have
Mary Jane nothing comes close to loving two beautiful children,”
adds Peter Skopakow.
The
Role of ICAB
The
Inter-Country Adoption Board works directly with 105 international
partners, communities and organizations and 99 local child-caring
agencies (CCAs). ICAB’s mission is to place Filipino children with
suitable foreign adoptive families abroad and ensure the protection,
security, and the best interest of Filipino children.
According
to ICAB, there have 6,265 foreign families who have adopted Filipino
children since 1995 to October 2012. “Despite the stringent legal
process, there are 1,000 foreign families highly interested to adopt
Filipino children,” says Bobby Tinio, board member of ICAB.
Atty.
Bernadette Abejo, Executive Director of ICAB, “I am happy to see
this adoption advocacy campaign finally come to reality and I am very
positive that this campaign will soften the stigma on adoption.”
The
Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB)
created by Republic Act 8043 (RA 8043) was designated as the
Central Authority in matters relating to inter-country adoption
of Filipino children.
The
Adoption Song
Through
music, specifically, the song, “I love you anak” sung by
award-winning singer and songwriter, OgieAlcasid, the advocacy hopes
to change the mindset of many Filipinos about adoption and encourage
families to open their homes to adoptive children.Ogie prides himself
as being a family man. He is married to Regine Velasquez, with whom
he has a son, named, Nathaniel James.“I'm glad that they've used
music as a start, as a kick off for the campaign because music is
very powerful. We always say that music is the language of the soul,”
Ogie said. His US-based sister is married to an American and they
currently going through the adoption process. They have also met with
officials from ICAB. “I also have friends who are adoptive parents
and there is no difference from the love that they show to their
biological and adopted children,” added Ogie.
Raul
Castro, Chief Executive Officer of McCann Worldgroup, knows that
through this advocacy the agency can be true to its vision of driving
positive values that will help transform lives. “This campaign on
adoption is enabled by a team who commits
to
the advocacy on a personal level. Many wanted to get involved in the
creative work, which aligns with our desire as a company to
positively impact on lives”, proudly says Raul.
“Many
Filipino families are willing to open their hearts and homes to
adoptive kids. There is an opportunity to encourage this mindset and
this is what the communications aims to do. The campaign is a
solution that magnifies the life-changing, positive impact of
adoption, adds Raul.
Like
what Craig said, “Every day with our children brings many special
moments. Whether it’s from the funny things they do or the new
things they learn or the special family bonding times we have.”
The
following companies have partnered with McCann in support of this
advocacy campaign, namely: Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation
(FBDC) for allowing the organizers to use the 28th
Terra Park in BGC for the upcoming on-ground family picnic event;
Just Add Water (JAW) for managing the audio and video production of
this campaign; LoudBox Studios for the musical arrangement and
recording of “I love you anak” song sung by OgieAlcasid;
Informer Media for the video production and volunteer students from
the Communication Arts Department of UST.
Media
Contacts:
Mel
Dominguez
Dominguez
Marketing Communications, Inc.
Mobile:
0918.901.5841 / 0917.584.1884
Lailainne
King
Dominguez
Marketing Communications, Inc.
Email:
lannie.king@dominguez.com.ph
Mobile:
0927.797.0507
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