It is said after the National Anthem in the public schools of Muntinlupa and Makati, among others. It is a 4-stanza poem and each stanza corresponds with the 4 components of PEP:
Stanza 1: Component 1 – The Humanity of the Child (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
Stanza 2: Component 2 – The Entitlements of the Child (UN CRC - Convention on the Rights of the Child)
Stanza 3: Component 3 – Abuse 101
Stanza 4: Component 4 – Self-Worth
1
Ako ay Mahalaga, Naiiba, at Natatangi Sapagkat AKO ay TAO, Isinilang na may pagkakakilanlan—may pangalan, Nabibilang sa isang pamilya at bansang malaya. May mga karapatang pantay sa madla.
2
Ako ay Mahalaga, Naiiba, at Natatangi Sapagkat AKO ay BATA May sariling pag-iisip, tinig, opinyon, at damdamin Pagmamahal ninyo at aruga, ipagkaloob sa akin.
3
Dahil ako ay Mahalaga, Naiiba, at Natatangi Walang sinumang sa aki'y dapat manakit Wag abusuhin aking puso, katawan, at damdamin, Turuan ako nang tama, respeto sa kapwa sa akin ay hubugin.
4
Bawat bata ay Mahalaga, Naiiba, at Natatangi Pagpapahalaga at magmamahal sa sarili, ituro't ipagbunyi Nang sa aming paglaki sa puso't isip uukit Kami'y may responsibilidad sa Diyos, mundo, at sa lahat ng paslit. AKO AY MAHALAGA, NAIIBA, AT NATATANGI
It corresponds to the flagship program of IAMSAM: The IAMSAM PEP (Prevent-to-Empower Protocol). I wrote it in English and it was translated into Filipino by Maricar Valencia-Flores, the first IAMSAM Mentor Director for Rights Respecting Schools.
I Am SAM video: created for the foundation in October 2013 by Levi Labra, a supporter of IAMSAM and former president of Hillsborough Village where I reside. He was newly retired then from P&G as VP, Marketing.
Interestingly, a parent posted a video of her son. The IAMSAM poem is said after the National Anthem in Muntinlupa and Makati.
Students from Pedro E. Diaz High School, Muntinlupa have made it into a song:
Pitogo High School, Makati:
Makati Elementary School recited after the National Anthem:
To our very pleasant surprise, the IAMSAM Poem is now being recited and used by the National Youth Development Council during their Talent Festival!
The poem is/was one of the pieces for the Poem Recitation Contests from Kindergarten - Grade 4 as part of the Build Up Activities in celebration of the National Children's Month rolled out in the School Districts of Muntinlupa and Makati.