Telekuwentuhan: Conversations, Learning, and Fellowship

AFICS Phil has already organized six virtual online discussions under its Telekwentuhan series. Of these, two were focused on voters’ education and empowerment as lead up to the 2022 Philippine Presidential elections. In February 2022, the traditional Valentines theme was slanted to focus the Telekwentuhan on Love in the Time of Politics. The event was aptly titled “Nasa Puso ang Pagbabago, Isapuso ang Pagboto”. The guest speaker was Jenilyn David, a dynamic community organizer from the Alliance of Peoples’ Organization Along the Manggahan Floodway.

In April 2022, just weeks before the actual hotly debated Presidential elections, and to update the AFICS members on how to help ensure an honest and safe election, the Telekwentuhan Committee once again organized a zoom webinar, this time titled, “Bantay Balota 2022 - How to Protect the Vote”. It was a well-attended public seminar, livestreamed also on Facebook, with guest speakers from electoral watch organizations—NAMFREL, represented by its National Council Member, Angel Averia, Jr. and KONTRA DAYA, represented by Professor Danilo Arao, Convenor.

In the previous year, two discussions were organized by the Telekwentuhan Committee. One was in October 2021, on the UN Response to COVID-19 in the Philippines with guest speaker Dr. Malalay Ahmadzai, Chief, Health and Nutrition, UNICEF. The exchange tackled anti-COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters, the entire supply chain management, vaccine donations, perceptions and fears, inefficiency and mistrust of the health care system, and the country’s low ranking in the pandemic response.

The very first Telewkentuhan was held in August of 2021 featuring AFICS Phil’s own Maria Eloisa Diaz as guest speaker. The session focused on her passion, agri-entrepreneurship, inspired by her late husband Ralph Diaz, AFICS Phil’s Founding President. In her presentation, Maria talked about the techniques and challenges of building your own greenhouse, aquaphonic system, vermicomposting, fruit processing, and mushroom chicharon and marketing farm produce.

In 2024, an expert was cyber security was the resource person for Telekwentuhan. Engineer Luis Jacinto provided several information to alert against scammers. A year before that, Mary Racelis’ experiences and advocacies were the focus of Telekwentuhan.

Seniors are often targeted by scammers due to their vulnerability, warned Engineer Luis “Chito” Jacinto, an experienced banking security expert. 

Speaking to 70 online and face-to-face participants to the “AFICS Telekuwentuhan on Cyber Security”, Engr. Jacinto said that scammers deliberately prey on seniors, especially those with financial resources and who would lack the technical skills needed to effectively protect themselves from such threats. 

The session addressed common types of scams, red flags to watch for, steps to protect oneself, and actions to take if scammed. Engr. Jacinto shared several helpful resources for assistance and information in cases of cybercrime. 

The Telekuwentuhan was held on November 26, 2024 at the UP School of Economics. Engr. Jacinto is an Information Technology (IT) practitioner, a training professional, and an educator. He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer for the Executive Diploma Program in Cyber Security at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.

The session was highly interactive, with lively questions from both online and face-to-face participants. Participants to the Telekuwentuhan came from AFICS-PHL as well as their relatives and friends, retirees, staff of UN agencies, Helen Keller, UP Los Banos, 1973 alumni of the University of Santo Tomas, AFICS India and Myanmar, and colleagues from the private sector. Also present were the Dean of the UP School of Economics and her team, who graciously hosted the event. 

On 25 May 2024, UN retirees visited “LIKHA VERDE", the wellness and eco-friendly home of Ed and Tina Valenzuela at Hacienda Benito in Lipa, Batangas. 

A retired FAO staff member, Ed hosted the group to a sumptuous and healthy lunch while sharing his experience in building an eco-friendly home and the couple’s joy in growing and eating healthy food.

The visit was organized as an educational field trip and an on-the-road extension of the Telekuwentuhan series. It provided members with an opportunity to learn, reconnect, and enjoy each other’s company. Throughout the day, participants shared stories and amusing memories from their years in the UN while enjoying the warm hospitality of their hosts.

The visit also highlighted the Valenzuelas’ efforts to promote environmentally friendly living, including their zero-plastic initiative. AFICS-PHL thanks Ed and Tina for opening their home to the group and sharing their home-grown, healthy, and delicious food.

Zenaida Willison and husband Rob Willison have a seven-hectare farm in Batangas City. It was the site for the November 2023 “Telekuwentuhan on the Road: Talumpok Center”. 

The Willisons hosted fifteen AFICS members at their farm, sharing a glimpse of their healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Inherited by Zen from her father, who lived to the age of 104, the farm reflects a relaxed approach to living with nature—low-maintenance and somewhat wild, yet thoughtfully tended, where the natural and man-made coexist.

Talumpok Center promotes Christian lifestyle based on health and healing of the body, mind and spirit and care for God’s creations. The holistic approach is anchored on their NEWSTART philosophy of on Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in God.

The visitors enjoyed the plant-based lunch and snacks prepared by Zen. Organic products of turmeric, ginger and air-borne sweet potatoes were in their bags when they left for home. 

The day was a bonding time with AFICS members embracing environmental sustainability and healthy living.

The 7 October 2023 AFICS-PHL Telekuwentuhan, “People and Places with Mary”, holds the record for the session with the highest number of participants. Those who tuned in came from the academe, NGOs, the UN community, universities, and government, both in the Philippines and abroad.

The two-hour online session featured Dr. Mary Racelis, who at 91 remained healthy, active, and deeply engaged in advocacy. Throughout her career, Mary championed human, women’s and children’s rights, particularly those of the urban poor.

Her 70-year professional journey included teaching and research at Ateneo de Manila and the University of the Philippines, senior positions with UNICEF, including Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, and later leadership of the Ford Foundation in the Philippines.

A panel of colleagues, advocates, a student, and her daughter shared reflections on her remarkable life and continuing passion for advocacy.

And Mary's formula for remaining active and engaged at 91? Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and stay socially and intellectually active.

More than twenty AFICS-PHL members joined the Telekuwentuhan trip called “A Taste of Laguna” organized by Delia Barcelona and Ces Adorna. 

The members visited the historic Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church in Pakil, and proceeded to Sta. Cruz to witness the Anilag Festival to explore the various stalls set up by municipalities of Laguna, showcasing local handicrafts and agricultural products.

The members also marveled at the centuries-old houses of Pila, with their large windows, 12-inch wooden floor planks, decorative ironwork, and beautifully preserved antique furniture.

For lunch, the group enjoyed a selection of provincial specialties prepared at the home of Ces and Toots Adorna in Pangil. 

Overall, the March 12, 2023 trip was a fun and educational tour that gave members an opportunity to discover Laguna’s rich history, culture, and local traditions.

Just weeks before the Presidential elections, the Telekuwentuhan Committee organized the April 2022 Zoom webinar to help AFICS-PHL members understand how they could contribute to ensuring an honest and safe election. 

Titled “Bantay Balota 2022 – How to Protect the Vote”, the well-attended public seminar was also livestreamed on Facebook.

The webinar featured guest speakers from two electoral watch organizations: NAMFREL, represented by National Council Member Angel Averia, Jr., and KONTRA DAYA, represented by its Convenor, Professor Danilo Arao.

As the 2022 Philippine presidential elections approached, voter education and empowerment became an important focus of Telekuwentuhan. 

With Valentine’s Day also drawing near, the February 22 event invited Jenilyn David, a dynamic community organizer from the Alliance of Peoples’ Organizations Along the Manggahan Floodway, as guest speaker.

Aptly titled “Nasa Puso ang Pagbabago, Isapuso ang Pagboto”, the event emphasized the importance of informed and responsible voting.

In October 2021, in the midst of lockdown due to COVID, Telekuwentuhan featured Dr. Malalay Ahmadzai, Chief of Health and Nutrition at UNICEF, who spoke on the UN and COVID-19.

“The UN Response to COVID-10 in the Philippines” discussion covered vaccinations and boosters, vaccine supply chain management and donations, as well as public perceptions and fears. 

It also explored concerns about inefficiencies and mistrust in the health-care system and the country’s low ranking in its pandemic response.

The very first Telekuwentuhan, “Maria Diaz - Agri-Entrepreneur”,  was held in August 2021 featuring AFICS-PHL’s own as guest speaker. 

The session focused on Maria’s passion for farming and agricultural enterprise, inspired by her late husband, Ralph Diaz, AFICS-PHL’s Founding President.

Maria talked about her Green Balai Farm in Bataan. She discussed the techniques and challenges of building your own greenhouse, aqua-phonic system, vermicomposting, fruit processing, mushroom chicharon, and marketing farm produce.