𝗖𝗧𝗨 𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗠𝗢𝗔 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁

To formally mark the second year of the 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗪.𝗢.𝗠.𝗘.𝗡.) project—the first-ever menopause initiative in the Philippines—for women in Barangay Ermita, Cebu Technological University (CTU) and its partners signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 27, 2025, at the University President’s Conference Room, CTU Main Campus.

The said project responds to the pressing and frequently overlooked challenges faced by women experiencing menopausal symptoms, such as enduring isolation and declining self-esteem amidst retreat from community life and stigma.

During the signing ceremony, project leader Dr. Reah Fabrica emphasized the central mission of the initiative, underscoring the community’s shared responsibility to support women through menopause with dignity and understanding.

The MOA signing was headed by CTU President Dr. Joseph C. Pepito, together with Barangay Ermita Chairman Hon. Rizaldy Miral, DILG Cebu City Director Dr. Neila Aquino, and CVCCO Multipurpose Cooperative Chairman Mr. Victoriano T. Pagador, represented by CVCCO Board Member Ms. Sabina Utlang.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Gregorio P. Pajaron Jr., CTU Main Campus Director; Dr. Ramel C. Genobiagon, Vice President for Administration and Finance; Dr. Neila Aquino, Cebu City’s Department of Interior and Local Government Director; and Ms. Esterlita Aparis, Ermita Kababaye-an President.

The second phase of the project focuses on physical and mental health intervention activities, following the successful implementation of phase one last year, which aimed to bridge the gap in addressing menopausal symptoms.

By empowering women to manage menopausal transitions, the initiative aims to enhance overall well-being for individuals, families, and the broader community of Barangay Ermita.

This first-of-its-kind menopause initiative in the Philippines is an interdisciplinary extension project spearheaded by selected faculty members from the Department of Psychology and Social Sciences, Department of Communication, Department of Human Kinetics, and the Departamento sa Filipino at Ibang Wika.

Via Aubrey Pilapil | The Nation Builder