MANILA, Philippines — It’s been a week since Filipino-American singer-songwriter and actress Olivia Rodrigo played her biggest venue yet at the Philippine Arena on October 5 for her GUTS World Tour.
Singing her hits “Deja Vu,” “Bad Idea,” “Traitor,” and many more, it was a memorable night, not just for her fans, also known as Livies, but also for Rodrigo, as she showed her Pinoy pride by speaking a little bit of Filipino, telling stories of the local food she ate during her stay, and even wearing a now-iconic “Miss So Filipina” sash from a fan in the crowd.
But what made the Manila show even more special was that it was a “Silver Star Show,” which meant tickets were priced at an affordable rate, P1500 in this case. Not only that, Rodrigo shared in her Manila Instagram post on October 6 that she donated her net ticket sales to Jhpiego, a nonprofit organization providing healthcare to women and girls in the Philippines through her “Fund 4 Good.”
“I got to visit the organization while I was in Manila and was so impressed by the work they are doing providing healthcare to women and girls in the Philippines.” Rodrigo wrote in her Instagram post on Sunday, October 6.
John Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1973 committed to women’s and children’s health since 1980. JHPIEGO is affiliated with John Hopkins University, a university in Maryland, United States, known for medical research.
Jhpiego PH’s focal concerns in the Philippines are:
The organization has addressed these concerns through several projects. Here’s a few of them:
The SHE Project initiates improvement on the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services of both public and private health systems. It is currently focused on six regions in the country which are disadvantaged and under conflict. Under this project, Jhpiego gives training to health providers, upgrades health facilities, and refines gender-based violence services.
Through funding from Boeing and Roche, SUCCESS strengthens the prevention of cervical cancer in the country through innovations like self-collected HPV testing, better treatment methods, and promoting knowledge on cervical cancer. SUCCESS emphasizes the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.
Continuing the initiatives of SUCCESS, CLAMS promotes better access to early HPV screening and treatment technology like thermal ablation to combat cervical cancer. The project introduces a model on better laboratory handling of HPV and heightens awareness on existing cervical cancer services in Manila, Navotas, Quezon City, Taguig, and Muntinlupa.
Since the late 1970s, Jhpiego has made a significant impact on women’s health. So far, their emphasis on early HPV testing through SUCCESS and CLAMS has resulted in the HPV screening of more than 45,000 women.
Their Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) Project has helped 62 health facilities raise their standards for better youth and gender-sensitive services. Up to this point, 700 health service providers have been given training on gender-responsive and youth-friendly service whereas 6,800 women, 250 men, 149 girls, and 80 boys have been given family planning services.
Jhpiego also co-developed the National Reproductive Health/Family Planning Guidelines, which is still being used in family planning services throughout the country.
Check out how to donate to Jhpiego through their website.
Another non-government organization which started as a local effort similar to Jhpiego is Likhaan Center for Women’s Health Inc.
Likhaan works with women and young people in communities under poverty, empowering them to assert their right to reproductive health care.
As of fiscal year 2023-2024, Likhaan has given out a total of 46,093 reproductive health consultations and 42,447 family planning services. – Felise Calza and Gabby Busto/Rappler.com
Felise Calza and Gabby Busto are Digital Communications interns at Rappler.
