Speaking for Children
Ann Lourdes Lopez
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication; UNICEF Manila
E-mail: aijcmla@info.com.ph, unicefph@globe.com

Vine Grace Pasquito, or Bing, was chosen "child advocate" of Barangay Zillovia in the municipality of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. Barangay Zillovia is a Child-Friendly Barangay, one of the six barangays designated by UNICEF in the province. Zillovia Elementary School, where Bing is a student, is also a Child-Friendly School, one of the 131 pilot CFSS schools in the entire country. Twelve-year-old Bing is bright and articulate. As a child advocate, she is enthusiastic in sharing with other children in Zillovia about their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. With another child advocate from high school, she looks forward to her regular participation in the community radio program twice a month on Saturday mornings.