Here is a reflective thought piece from one of our interns. In this article, Aerylle Hernandez, a Development Communication student from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, shares her internship experience with Lunas Collective. Through research, writing, and on-ground engagement—particularly on menstrual health and dignity and community-based conversations—she reflects on how learning transforms into a practice of care, solidarity, and feminist communication.
Truth be told, I didn’t know much about Lunas Collective before my internship. When a friend asked if I wanted to apply for an internship there, I said yes without really familiarizing myself with the organization. But once the application process began, I started learning more about Lunas and the important work they do. As a Development Communication student, I’ve always been interested in non-government organizations. We often talk about them in our classes, and I know there’s a good chance I’ll work with one in the future.
Unfortunately, I’m not the type of person who actively participates in advocacy work—at least not yet. While I genuinely want to get involved, I haven’t figured out how to start. Writing for my Development Communication courses is one way I’ve been able to support causes I care about, but I want to do more—something beyond what’s required, something driven by my own initiative and genuine passion.
One of our internship tasks was to write a paper on Menstrual Health and Dignity. Quite a topic, right? At first, I didn’t realize how rarely this issue is openly discussed or properly addressed, despite how important it is. I’m really grateful that Lunas assigned this topic to us because it opened my eyes. I’ve always known that many women in the Philippines struggle with menstruation, whether due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, proper facilities, or accurate information. Others face shame because of the social stigma surrounding it. It is disheartening that we still have to work on “normalizing” menstruation when it should have been considered normal all along. After all, it’s a natural part of life.
Finally, the highlight of my internship experience was getting the chance to speak with members of the LGBTQIA+ community during one of the organization’s events. I was assigned to take notes during a sharing circle where participants opened up about their personal experiences. That moment left a strong impression on me; it made me want to become a reliable ally and, hopefully, an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community by continuing to volunteer with Lunas Collective.