In support of the nationwide 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, UP Tacloban’s Social Science 5 (Understanding Gender) classes, in partnership with the UP Tacloban Gender and Development Program (GDP) and Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH), organized SPEAK UP 2: United for a VAW-Free Philippines, a festival of student-produced short videos on gender issues held at the campus Library Hall on 26 November 2025.

 

The festival featured 16 short videos depicting awareness efforts, preventive measures, and avenues for help on social concerns including domestic violence, child marriage, rape culture, victim blaming, human trafficking, and LGBTQIA+ bullying.

 

“CASE 6140” was declared the SPEAK UP 2 champion for its powerful presentation of the horrors experienced by human trafficking victims, most of whom are women. “Kape,” about domestic violence and emancipation, and “Fields of Her Own,” a documentary that probed the challenges encountered by female farmers in carrying out both household and agricultural responsibilities, were first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.

 

This activity of the SOC SCI 5 class, a course in the General Education (GE) curriculum, aims to magnify student voices in raising awareness on gender-based violence and promoting safe, inclusive, and empowered communities.

 

The nationwide 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) commenced on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and will conclude on 12 December, the International Day Against Trafficking.