PLDT, Smart empower GenSan youth through storytelling series on mental health

PLDT and Smart, through its Better Today program, supported the “Sugakod Series” of the local government of General Santos (GenSan) City. Led by its Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), the storytelling series took a deep dive into GenSan’s community-based mental health program, Project Hinabi. Last year’s Sugakod series has garnered over 66,000 social media reach.

Present during the live session of the Sugakod series, mental health talk, are from left: John Salvador Demdam, Brgy. Calumpang SK Chairperson and GenSan SK Fed President; Kimberly Cloi Cancer, Brgy. Lagao SK Chairperson; Sharmiella Calinawan, Host; and Joshua Jemore Madria, Brgy. Baluan SK Chairperson.

‘Hinabi’ is a Cebuano word for conversation and the Tagalog word for woven. Project Hinabi is a series of woven efforts of the community to create safe spaces and conversations.

“The youth of GenSan aims to cultivate a culture of empathy and kindness within our communities. When we launched “Project Hinabi” last year, we thought of ways where we can reach out to individuals who are in most need of mental health support. With “Project Hinabi”, we are creating safe spaces for people to seek help,” said Sangguniang Kabataan for General Santos City Federation President John Demdam. “Our Sugakod series is a place where we can talk about relevant issues and promote initiatives related to mental health. We are happy to share our different mental health programs made for and by the GenSan youth.”

The City Mayor’s Office, through its Youth Affairs and Development Office (YADO) and SK, launched Project Hinabi last year, a youth-led community-based mental health initiative.

Better Today is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s continuing commitment to help the Philippines contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly UNSDG #3 that stands for good health and well-being, and UNSDG #16 that stands against abuse, violence, and exploitation of children.

“We envisioned Better Today to be a safe space where the youth takes an active role towards changemaking and nation-building. General Santos is our model city when it comes to mental health initiatives, and we hope to replicate and create ripple effects of change among our other partner LGUs as well,” said Jose Lukban Rosete, Smart Assistant Vice President for Government Relations.

“The national government has prioritized General Santos City for transformation into a digital city. This is why it is important that we start creating safe spaces on the internet for the youth early,” Rosete added.

For collaborations and conversations on wellness, safe spaces, and changemaking in the digital space, follow @BetterTodayPH on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube.