The event highlighted the importance of fire safety awareness while officially kicking off the celebration of National Women’s Month, reinforcing the shared responsibility of fostering a safe environment and honoring the invaluable contributions of women, setting the tone for a month dedicated to recognition, education, and inspiration.

Serving as the convocation’s subject matter expert, Prof. Hermie P. Pava, Vice President for Administration, delivered a lecture on Basic Fire Safety. He underscored the importance of preparedness and strict adherence to safety protocols across the university.

“That’s why we really need to practice safety and make it part of our culture of preparedness in CMU,” Prof. Pava emphasized.

Prof. Pava also highlighted the observance of Women’s Month Celebration and Fire Prevention Month, both held in March, noting their shared emphasis on awareness, empowerment, and community well-being.

In support of these initiatives, the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD) distributed whistles to participants in line with the Safe Spaces Act. This proactive measure aims to strengthen safety and protection within the community, particularly for women and children, by promoting vigilance and enabling immediate response during emergencies.

Moreover, the CMU community, through its CGAD, formally launched the Women’s Month Celebration with the theme, “Lead Like the Babaylans, Filipinas!” The theme calls on women to embody the courage, wisdom, and leadership exemplified by the babaylans of pre-colonial Philippines.

Dr. Katherine Mae I. Caterial, OIC-Chief of CGAD, presented an overview of the National Women’s Month Celebration and announced the lineup of activities scheduled throughout March. These activities were also posted on the official CMU Facebook page.

The convocation recognized outstanding faculty members and colleges for their exceptional contributions to academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement. Their achievements serve as a testament to CMU’s commitment to quality education and transformative impact on society. [Mary Jane D. Bravo]

#SDG5 Gender Equality #SDG10 Reduced Inequalities #SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities #SDG15 Life on Land #SDG16 Peace and Justice Strong Institution

The convocation’s keynote address was delivered by Atty. James M. Violon, the University Legal Counsel, who also serves as a Gender and Development (GAD) representative for the Legal Office. His discussion centered on the legislative frameworks that ensure protection within and outside the academic community.

Atty. Violon meticulously outlined three foundational pieces of Philippine law, emphasizing that the fight against violence requires both legal knowledge and institutional commitment.

RA 9262: The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (VAWC)

This law protects women—including wives, former spouses, dating, or sexual partners—and their children from four primary types of abuse: physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence. Atty. Violon stressed that the law recognizes the State’s duty to intervene in domestic matters when violence occurs.

“The law is clear: Violence Against Women and Their Children is not a private matter; it is a crime that the State guarantees to protect the family from. VAWC doesn’t just cover physical abuse; it equally condemns economic, sexual, and psychological suffering,” he stated. 

IRA 7877: The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

The discussion highlighted this law’s focus on the abuse of power. It criminalizes the demand for sexual favors or the creation of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment by a person with authority, influence, or moral ascendancy over a subordinate, student, or applicant in the workplace or educational setting. Atty. Violon emphasized the gravity of this law, especially for government employees, including those in the teaching profession. 

RA 11313: The Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law)

Atty. Violon explained the revolutionary scope of the SSA, which introduced Gender-Based Sexual Harassment (GBSH). This law extends protection to any person—including those targeted due to their gender identity and/or expression (SOGIE)—in streets, public spaces, and online, regardless of the relationship or power dynamic. It mandates institutional liability even if harassment is committed by a peer or a subordinate.

 “While the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 focused on the abuse of power, the Safe Spaces Act is the evolution that tells us respect has no rank. Harassment is forbidden whether it comes from a superior, a peer, or even a subordinate,” Atty. Violon clarified. 

The University Legal Counsel stressed that administrative sanctions (such as reprimand, suspension, or termination) serve as an independent mechanism within the institution. Furthermore, heads of offices, principals, and school heads can face liability for failing to act on reported cases or failing to establish the required investigation committees.

Meanwhile, Dr. Teresita H. Borres, the Chief of the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), presented sobering statistics to underscore the grim reality of VAW: “Globally, nearly one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence. In the Philippines, 17.5% of women aged 15–49 report intimate partner violence, contributing to 11,585 VAW-related cases recorded by the PNP in 2023 alone,” Dr. Borres revealed. 

“Today’s convocation is not just a solemn reminder of these grim realities—it is also a call to action. A call for each one of us to hold firm in our commitment: to speak out against violence, to protect the dignity and rights of women, to build a culture of respect, safety, and equality,” Dr. Borres emphasized. 

The convocation was part of a broader set of activities organized by the CGAD to actively engage the CMU community in the VAW advocacy. Other campaign highlights include: “Healthy Orange Fridays,” “Dance Aerobics,” distribution of emergency flashlights and awareness materials, and the posting and display of VAW campaign materials in strategic locations. (Iyren Dalipe Neri)

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#SDG3 #GoodHealthandWellBeing #SDG10 #ReducedInequalities #SDG16 #PeaceJusticeandStrongInstitutions

Representing CMU and the Philippines was Mr. Alexander James Sayson De Grano, AIMS alumnus and student ambassador.

Hosted by SEAMEO RIHED and the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, this year’s ARM highlighted the theme “Consolidate and Connect,” emphasizing regional unity as AIMS prepares for the rollout of the Bacolod Strategy (2026–2028) and the Da Nang Objectives.

Sessions revisited AIMS’s achievements, including its growth to over 90 universities and 6,500 alumni across Asia. Industry leaders such as Dr. Iskandar Abdullah of MAXIS and Ms. Suhaini Haron of the Malaysia Forest Fund emphasized the rising value of soft skills: adaptability, diplomacy, and cross-cultural communication in preparing students for a global workforce.

Mr. De Grano noted that the meeting underscored the increasing importance of intercultural understanding and coordinated regional strategies. He shared that mobility’s strongest impact lies in developing students’ confidence, leadership, and global awareness—insights further highlighted during the AIMS Parliamentary Debate Session, where he served as part of the Opposition team.

Moreover, De Grano shared that the networking sessions enabled him to build connections with universities across Asia, opening doors to potential collaborations and future exchanges.

“AIMS’s strength lies not only in its policies but in the cultural bridges it builds, the lifelong friendships it fosters, and the collective commitment of its members to nurture globally competent and socially responsible learners,” De Grano asserted. 

A symbolic highlight of the event was the passing of the AIMS flag to the Philippines, which will host the 20th ARM in Ilocos Norte in 2026.

Overall, the meeting demonstrated AIMS’s enduring role in shaping globally competent and socially responsible learners—an advocacy CMU continues to uphold through active international engagement. [Iyren Dalipe Neri with information from Alexander James Sayson De Grano, AIMS student ambassador]

#SDG4, #QualityEducation, #SDG17, #PartnershipsForTheGoals, #SDG10, #ReducedInequalities, #SDG16, #PeaceJusticeandStrongInstitutions