FROM ART TO ADVOCACY: Sorsogon Youth Lead the Charge Against Teenage Pregnancy and Gender-Based Violence!

SORSOGON CITY — The youth of Sorsogon are no longer just listeners—they are now the creators of change.

In a powerful move to address rising concerns over adolescent health and safety, 30 young students from across the province gathered for a three-day creative workshop titled “An Pag-Kurit ulit kan Saradit: A Writeshop on IEC Materials through Visual Communication on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health.

Their mission? To transform complex issues like Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) into visual stories that their peers can actually understand and relate to. 

Why it Matters

Sorsogon continues to face challenges with limited access to accurate health information and the persistent rise of teenage pregnancy. Often, these topics are treated as "taboo," leaving young people in the dark.

"Too often, young people are the subjects of programs but not the authors of the message," says Jobeth Jerao, Executive Director of FACE Inc. "Through this workshop, we saw them take ownership of their narratives."

The Power of "Pag-Kurit"

Armed with laptops and the design tool Canva, these adolescents (aged 10-19) didn't just make "posters." They engaged in:

✅ Message Mapping to identify local health gaps.

✅ Storyboarding to tell authentic Bicolano stories.

✅ Content Creation producing flyers, social media graphics, and short videos focused on consent, respect, and healthy relationships.

Geri Matthew Carretero, a visual communication specialist, noted that when youth design the message, the result is more authentic. "It is more likely to spark real conversations and positive behavior change," he shared. 

Resource speaker and visual communication specialist Geri Matthew Carretero, Kurit-Lagting co-founder, underscores the value of creative approaches in tackling complex and often stigmatized issues.

Voices of the Future

For the participants, the workshop was a breakthrough.

"I used to find it difficult to talk about these issues, but through the workshop, I learned how to express them in a way that my fellow young people can understand," shared Angelica Noga, 17, from Gallanosa National High School. 

Students at the writeshop develop peer-led health education tools by addressing critical issues like teenage pregnancy and healthcare access.

Ingrid Fidelson, 16, of Prieto Diaz National High School, added: "I learned that we can use creativity to speak up about serious issues affecting young people."

What’s Next?

This isn't just a one-time event. The students have developed an Adolescent-Led Communication Plan. Soon, you will see their work—from IEC prototypes to digital campaigns—circulating in schools, barangays, and online platforms across Sorsogon! 

This initiative was made possible by the Federation of Associations for Communities and Children’s Empowerment Inc. (FACE Inc.), in partnership with Good Neighbors Philippines (GNIP), with support from ChildFund Philippines and the Sorsogon Provincial Health Office.

Participants and organizers pose after a productive session of brainstorming and content creation.

Photo Credits: JV Garcia Jr., Allan Abrigo, and Gilbert Catabian

#SorsogonYouth #AnPagKurit #ASRH #EndGBV #YouthEmpowerment #BicolAdvocates #SafeSorsogon #YouthLedChange