The Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity on the TAYO Magazine

The TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) Magazine released a feature on the Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity as it introduced the winners for TAYO Year 6. The same issue also published the message of Brod Kiev Tanayan ΜΣΦ 2012, who was chosen to give the response on behalf of the TAYO Year 6 winners and finalists during the December 2008 Awarding Ceremonies.

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HEALING THROUGH THE DIFFERENT LENSES
Organization: Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity
Project Entry: The 1st Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for Health

Film has become such a powerful force in today's media-inundated society that it has been used over and over again to attract attention, spark debate, and underscore issues that are sometimes left in the sidelines of collective consciousness.

Recognizing this, the Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity one of the most prestigious fraternities in the U.P. College of Medicine-used the power of film to bring public attention to health issues and inspire other Filipinos to "do their shore towards attaining change." It sought to bring into the spotlight matters that people sow in the papers but hardly did anything about: the diaspora of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals; the continuing prevalence of tuberculosis and dengue in urban areas; the rising cost of medicines; poor hygiene and sanitation in rural communities; the ongoing incidence of child labor and prostitution; and many others.

However, more than just organizing a film screening of a popular Hollywood or local movie, the members of Mu Sigma Phi wanted to include their audience in the dialogue for health. Thus, it organized the 1st Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for Health and brought together filmmakers, medical professionals, and other individuals and organizations that wanted to bring about positive change in the field of health and the medical sciences.

Named after two martyrs of the U.P. College of Medicine, Dr. Honorato Quisumbing and Dr. Johnny Escandor,and with the theme "Malayo sa Bituka" ("For from the Guts"), the film festival brought together a total of 37 entries from amateur filmmakers and 17 guest presentations from local film greats. Over three days, the films were previewed at the U.P. Film Institute in U.P. Diliman, drawing in students, medical professionals, academics, and artists to the event. On the last night, the FilmFestival Awards Night was held, giving away prizes for Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Narrative, and Best Experimental Film for the major awards, and Best Script, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and the Gomez-Lim Award for minor awards.

Present at the ceremony were Sherilyn Bruan (Executive Producer, GMA's Emergency), Abner Mercado (ABS-CBN's The Correspondents), representatives from the United Nations Populations Fund, World Health Organization, the Department of Health, Ayala Business Club, Ayala Young Leaders Alliance, University of the Philippines, as well as filmmakers, artists, partners, supporters, and students.

The film fest wasn't the only item in Mu Sigma Phi's agenda, however, as it also worked to organize a press conference and a symposium before the awards night. On February 5, 2008, a press conference was held in cooperation with the Philippine College of Physicians. It was attended by Dr. Alberto Romualdez, Dr. Rafael Bundoc (Physicians for Peace), Dr. Michael Tee, Dr. Bernadette Madrid (current director of the PGH Child Protection Unit), and film fest organizers. Then, two weeks later, a symposium called "Malayo sa Bituka: Ang Pagsasapelikula" was organized to bring together students from the media and medical fields to discuss health issues. Present were Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, film director Gil Portes, documentary filmmaker Ditsi Carolino, and Dr. Anthony Cordero, current director of the PGH Center for Gender and Women Studies. It was a well-attended event and even earned coverage from Y! Speak of ABS-CBN.

In using a popular medium to underscore pressing health issues, Mu Sigma Phi has tapped into a powerful source of inspiration and momentum for health professionals and advocates all over. In paying tribute to two martyrs through the naming of the film festival, the organization showed great sensitivity to the sacrifices borne by many of the unsung heroes in the medical profession. Lastly, in empowering and informing hundreds, if not thousands, of young Filipinos, it has empowered and emboldened future advocates who will continue to use their gifts to work tirelessly for a better, healthier Philippines.

The TAYO Finalists' message delivered by Kiev Tanayan ΜΣΦ 2012 during the Awarding Ceremonies. Click here to view the article in a larger size. Text version is available below.

The Response of TAYO 6 Finalists
as delivered by Christopher Ray Tanayan,
Official Representative, Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity

In behalf of the TAYO Year 6 Finalists, I would like to thank the people who have helped us to be where we are right now. First and foremost, we the thank the Lord Almighty for the guidance and blessings; our families, organizations, orgmates and our respective sponsors-for without them, all these would not be possible. To the presenters of TAYO Awards-Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and Team Energy Foundation; to the organizers-the National Youth Commission, the Office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan and TAYO Awards Foundation-our deepest gratitude for this whole event that provided us, the youth, a venue to be heard and be recognized as an important sector of our society. To the judges, who lent us their precious time, who listened to what we do and gave such inspiring messages, we appreciate the advice, the encouragement and even just your mere presence. These boost our morals to continue what we are doing. To the people working for this endeavor, who have been with us all this time, guiding us, catering to our needs, taking videos and pictures for us and making sure that everything goes right-you too are our inspiration. Adapting what Sir Isaac Newton said, "If we have seen farther, it is because we have stood on the shoulder of giants". Thank you to all of you.

The past few days have been a different kind of experience for all of us. Coming from different places and backgrounds, we were at first hesitant to immediately open up to our fellow finalists. But because of how this five-day event was set-up and organized, we were able to get out of our comfort zones and express our individualities, then eventually discover that we share a common passion with our co-finalists and their organizations-that is to serve.in our own way, no matter how simple, our country and fellowmen. It is comforting to know that wherever we go, be it in Luzon, Visayas of Mindanao, we have at least four or five equally sincere and passionate people to say hello to and reminisce experiences with (such as) the zip line, the boating, the fire truck, the fire truck hose, the fire scene, the games, the bilog dance steps and its many versions, the worms, the trees, the sun dance, the food, the venue, the PEOPLE.

After gaining nineteen new friends and learning from them, being inspired by them-we were all winners here already. Although the TAYO week is about to end and we shall soon be going back to our own organizations and parting ways, we know that in one way or another, we will stay connected bringing with us the lessons of TAYO. Just like the zip line, it happened so fast but the memory of its experience is long-lasting. To our fellow youth, TAYO is sending us a message: We remain to be the promise of our nation. let our generation leave legacies through our projects and bring optimism and hope to the ones who have gone before us. let us make them continue to believe na TA YO ang pag-asa ng bayan.

 

Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity receives the TeaM Energy Award

TeaM Energy Special Award from TeaM Energy Foundation

This award is given to the organization who best exemplifies strength in synergy while demonstrating the power to serve and help build lives to inspire change among the Filipino youth. The award was given to the MU SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY for innovative approach to health problems with their project entry which is the 1st Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for Health.

The film festival is a nationwide documentary, experimental, and short narrative film-making contest opened to amateur film makers. The theme was Malayo sa Bituka which underscores Filipinos' misconception on the value of health. The film festival aimed to establish a network of active advocates for health who use film as a medium for education, training and policy-making.

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