Steven Universe x Dove - Together for Empowerment!

Dove announces a two-year global partnership with Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe to educate young people on body confidence through the cartoon’s themes of inclusivity and empowerment, world and characters – going directly to them in a medium they know and love, something that has never been done before.

This pioneering collaboration comes from the Dove Self-Esteem Project which has been helping young people build self-esteem and body confidence through educational programmes since 2004. The project is based on the knowledge that over half of girls do not have high body confidence, leading them to avoid spending time with friends and family, put their health at risk and opt-out of important life events. The Dove Self-Esteem Project exists in 140 countries around the world is committed to reaching 40 million young people by 2020 through its existing educational programmes; and with the help of Steven Universe, will now reach 20 million more.

HEALTHY LYF: Help your child cope with lice-triggered bullying

Having lice poses bigger problems for Filipino kids than just an itchy scalp—in fact, it can result in psychological trauma that may have long-term effects on a child’s mental health. The psychological trauma may result from the shame and low self-esteem triggered by cruel teasing, if not outright bullying, inflicted on a child with lice.

According to psychiatrist Dr. Genuina Ranoy, who is also a specialist in child psychiatry, she has adult patients who are still suffering from the psychological trauma due to bullying and teasing they experienced as children.

“Bullying and teasing can have far-reaching effects on a person’s mental health. It doesn’t matter what the reason for the teasing is, as long as the teasing reaches a degree that damages a person’s sense of self-worth. For example, I had a patient who suffered from mental anguish that was rooted in the teasing and bullying she experienced as child. The reason? She was teased and bullied because she had old, worn-out socks. Her family was poor and so her parents couldn’t afford to buy her new socks. She suffered psychological problems as a result of this trauma,” Dr. Ranoy said.

REEL DEAL: Bully - NEWS

“Bully” film to launch anti-bullying campaign

The Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC), in cooperation with Solar Entertainment, is bringing the acclaimed documentary “Bully” to the Philippines. The film, directed by Lee Hirsch, will have a limited theatrical run in November, after the by-invitation premiere on November 13, 6:30 PM, at Robinson’s Galleria Cinema 4. 

The film focuses on the alarming rise in bullying faced by teenage students in America. It chronicles the experiences of victims in high schools in Georgia, Iowa, Texas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, focusing on the cases of Tyler Long and Ty Smalley, both of which tragically ended in suicide. 

JBEC will use this powerful documentary to launch the anti-bullying campaign, “Not in Our School,” endorsed by the popular sportsman, Chris Tiu.  The advocacy is aligned with the DepEd’s Child Protection Policy which seeks to defend the student from any form of abuse, including bullying. In light of recent local and international headlines about bullying, this film can be a timely wake-up call for all involved: parents, teachers, administrators, and especially students.