UPB Kasarian Gender Studies Program

16/10/2026

October is 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵.

In 2024, the World Health Organization recorded breast cancer as the leading case of cancer in the Philippines, constituting 31.7% of the total number of cancer cases experienced by women. However, despite its prevalence, majority of the detected cases are already in their advanced stage, which negatively affects the five-year relative survival rate of patients with breast cancer (PhilHealth, 2025). This delayed diagnosis can be attributed to causes such as poor access to screenings along with geographic disparities and high out of pocket costs for patients (Ho et al., 2022).

While this is a year-round cause, every October is set to provide dedicated focus and attention in 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 for patients with breast cancer. This month, we also honor everyone who has 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 and is 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 this disease.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆, 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. Every action taken is a meaningful step towards making a difference, both for yourself and for the world.

For Baguio and Benguet Residents, be informed of the following free screenings:

📌 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆
Where: 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑡 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙
When: 𝑶𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝟐𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
More details:
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
OB-OPD | 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
OB-OPD | 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
SURGERY-OPD | 8:00 AM - 12:00 NN

📌 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆
Where: 𝐵𝑎𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑜 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟, BGHMC Gardens
When: 𝙊𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦
Ho, F. D. V., Arevalo, M. V. P. N., de Claro, P. T. S., Jacomina, L. E., Germar, M. J. V., Dee, E. C., & Eala, M. A. B. (2022). Breast and cervical cancer screening in the Philippines: Challenges and steps forward. Preventive medicine reports, 29, 101936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101936

International Agency for Research on Cancer (2024). Philippines Population Factsheets. World Health Organization https://gco.iarc.who.int/today/en/fact-sheets-populations/608/philippines

PhilHealth (2025). PhilHealth Pushes for Early Detection to Prevent Breast Cancer. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/news/up/article/2025/news_6901b9982e9da.php

16/10/2026

📣 FREE BREAST CANCER SCREENING! 🎀

The Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Surgery – Section of Surgical Oncology invites everyone to join our Free Breast Cancer Screening on October 23, 2026 at the BGHMC Gardens! Get screened, know your risk, and take a step toward a healthier tomorrow for you and your loved ones. Early detection means more options and better outcomes.

Plus, don’t miss our raffle draw with exciting prizes! 🎁 Raffle tickets are available now: just approach any Surgery resident or Surgical Oncology fellow to purchase yours.

All proceeds will go to the cancer patients of BGHMC, so every ticket you huy helps support their care and treatment.

Bring your family and friends, and let’s spread awareness together. Early detection saves lives!

16/10/2026

14/10/2026

14/10/2026

The Kasarian Gender Studies Program endorses an ongoing research from undergraduate students of the BA Social Sciences (Economics) at UP Baguio.

--
Good day! We are Darylle Bradecina and Jorros Pedragosa, undergraduate researchers from the University of the Philippines Baguio conducting a study on the role of LGBTQIA+ in the care economy of Baguio City. Our research looks at paid and unpaid care work, its economic value, and its connection to social protection and well-being.

We are seeking individuals in Baguio City who self-identify as LGBTQIA+ and who perform care work, which includes:
- Paid care work, such as working as a caregiver, nurse aide, health worker, or in other care-related jobs, including part-time or non-clinical roles
- Unpaid care work, such as caring for children, elderly relatives, or family members who are sick or have disabilities in any form

We are inviting you to be a respondent in our study. Your experiences and insights will help us better understand and document the care work that LGBTQIA+ individuals contribute to their families and communities.
What this involves:
1. Answering a questionnaire covering five parts: your socio-demographic profile, your care work activities (including a short 7-day time-use log), your economic profile, your use of social protection programs, and your views and experiences related to caregiving.
2. The activity should take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete.

Please note:
- Your participation is voluntary, and you may decline, skip any question, or withdraw at any point without any penalty.
- All your responses will be treated with strict confidentiality and used only for academic purposes.
- Your name and identifying details will not appear in our thesis or any related output.
- Your responses will be reported in aggregate form and will be included in the final data analysis of the study.

We greatly value your time and willingness to share your experiences, which will help us produce research that is accurate, respectful, and meaningful for our community.

If you agree to participate, kindly provide your consent to the researcher/s who reached out to you. Thank you very much for your generosity and support.

Link: https://forms.gle/EQHjd3LBiyRxf5ZW7

14/10/2026

11/10/2026

REMEMBER JENNIFER LAUDE! JUSTICE FOR GANDA!

Jennifer Laude was a 26-year-old Filipina transgender woman whose life was violently taken on October 11, 2014, in Olongapo City. Laude was killed by Joseph Scott Pemberton, an off-duty United States Marine deployed in the country for the joint military exercises under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). After checking into a motel and discovering Laude was a transgender, Pemberton violently attacked her, drowning her in the room's toilet.

During the trial, Pemberton's legal team employed a "trans panic" defense, arguing that he acted out of shock and diminished capacity upon realizing her gender identity. In 2015, the Regional Trial Court of Olongapo City convicted him of homicide, a lesser charge than murder. Five years later, in September 2020, then-President Rodrigo Duterte granted Pemberton an absolute pardon, allowing his immediate release and deportation to the U.S.

Ganda's death is not an isolated incident of violence against trans people; her stolen life stands at the tragic epicenter of the transfemicide crisis in the Philippines. Transfemicide is a term that "highlights how, in the context of murders of transgender women, gender identity is a significant factor that increases their vulnerability. [1]" Advocacy organizations like the Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP) and the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) have recorded an increasing number of transfemicide cases in the country: since the beginning of 2025, at least 15 trans people have been killed in the Philippines. These numbers only account for reported cases, and the actual numbers could be much higher.

Justice for her and all the lives taken by hate, prejudice, and impunity! DO NOT FORGET GANDA!





Read more below:

[1] Transfemicide in the Philippines: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QzzUZN5aT8CHyp-SpOHzNsIMd1LUheAF/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawU4i8tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMUh5RFJaWWkzMWFNS1BSSmlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe4bUB0KBDXAUK4TKY87BxXJlVCbqZgnsH99km0KK4NM12i9u33_7iHjXHCWU_aem_nwc2Cbv0WMWP5Sd1l80S8w

The Jennifer Laude Case: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/timeline-jennifer-laude-killing-joseph-scott-pemberton-release/
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/08/asia/us-marine-philippines-transgender-killing-pardon-intl-hnk-scli

Transfemicide Statistics in the Philippines: https://www.weareaptn.org/2026/08/21/philippines-four-trans-women-have-been-killed-within-the-span-of-two-months/

09/10/2026

In response to recent inquiries regarding the Gender Sensitivity and Anti-Sexual Harassment (GS-ASH) orientation, we've compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) along with answers below!

Q: Is it required?

Yes. The anti-sexual harassment orientation (ASHO) is a requirement for all members of the UP Community pursuant to Section 30 of the UP Anti-Orientation and Clearance Requirement. – All members of the UP community shall undergo an orientation on anti-sexual harassment, once every three (3) years."

Q: I missed my GS-ASH orientation during my first year. Can I attend?

Yes.

Q: I am a graduating student, can I attend?

There will be a GS-ASH orientation especially for graduating students next semester. Please attend that one instead. If you haven’t attended any GS-ASH orientation during your stay in UPB, please attend both the GS-ASH orientation for freshies and graduating students.

If you have any other questions, kindly email us at [email protected]

29/09/2026

In line with the Kasarian Gender Studies Program's mandate of promoting Gender and Development (GAD) programs within the University, the office, in partnership with the Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH), will conduct a series of 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘀 for the first year students of UP Baguio.

This orientation aims to cultivate a safer, more respectful environment at the University by strengthening our new students' understanding of gender sensitivity and the UP System's anti-sexual harassment policies.

So, freshies of the coldest campus, join us in working together to build a safe, respectful, and inclusive community. See you there! 🌸

📌 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐂 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒
October 19, 2026
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (3 Sessions)
Teatro Amianan

📌 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒
October 26, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (1 Session)
CSS AVR

𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄!
https://forms.gle/Hp2iXXrYpqLL6ttD6

https://forms.gle/Hp2iXXrYpqLL6ttD6

https://forms.gle/Hp2iXXrYpqLL6ttD6

17/09/2026

📣 ICYMI | INVITATION FOR SUBMISSION

The Review of Women’s Studies (RWS), a refereed journal published by the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), invites submissions for a special issue on q***r studies in the Philippines.

Co-edited by John Andrew G. Evangelista and Jose Antonio R. Clemente, this special issue is dedicated to publishing papers and creative work presented during the 2024 and 2026 Philippine Q***r Studies Conference. During these conferences, our conversations revolved around the intersection between q***r theorizing and practice. We seek to translate these jubilant and critical conversations into the pages of this special issue.

If you missed the email about this invitation, kindly email [email protected] to get more detailed information about the invitation and submission process.

📌 Submission deadline: October 15, 2026