KALUSUGAN NG KABABAIHAN

Posted on 04. Mar, 2010 by Pepe in Oplan Pepe

KALUSUGAN NG KABABAIHAN: Making Women Matter in the 2010 Elections

by Elizabeth Angsioco

National Chairperson

Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP)

Women comprise half of the country’s population and thus, experience all the problems faced by all Filipinos. Ordinary women, those in classes C, D, and E are the hardest hit. Poverty, inferior quality of education, lack of sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities, poor quality of education, limited access to social services, crimes – these are some of the issues affecting most of our citizens, including women. On top of these, women (particularly those in poverty) face specific problems by virtue of their being women such as: gender-based discrimination and abuse, violence against women (VAW), the very high maternal mortality and morbidity rates, lack of access to reproductive health (RH) information and services, and teen-age pregnancies. Poor Filipino women seek solutions to these.

The 2010 elections is deemed as an opportunity to effect significant changes that will make people’s quality of life better. This presumes electing into office candidates who will give paramount importance to the common good and address issues affecting vulnerable and marginalized groups in Philippine society – such as the women. An intelligent electorate is thus, needed.

Voters will be able to choose wisely if candidates focus on making known to people their platforms, credentials and track record. Beyond the propaganda, voters must understand what candidates stand for and the concrete programs they will implement once voted into office.

I.  FILIPINO WOMEN, POLITICS AND ELECTIONS

Filipino women have been politically active since they acquired the right to vote. They form a significant part of candidates’ and political parties’ machinery in every election. They actively campaign, do organizing work, serve as watchers, protect votes of their candidates, etc.

Studies show that historically, the past elections saw more women voting than men. Yet, specific programs for women are most often marginalized, if not totally excluded in candidates’ platforms. This is symptomatic of existing thinking that women are generally less important than men and that women are merely followers.

Women voters need to know what candidates plan to do to address their needs and interests.

II.  WOMEN’S HEALTH AS AN AGENDA FOR THE 2010 ELECTIONS

For decades, women’s organizations have been working so that their issues are significantly addressed by government. Women’s advocacy work has resulted in some success with women-focused legislations like the Anti-Rape, Anti-Sexual Harassment, Women in Nation-building, Anti-Trafficking in Persons, Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children laws. This shows that women are and can be effective advocates for candidates who will be proven to put women’s welfare in their agenda.

The potential of women’s vote has not yet been fully appreciated and tapped by politicians, especially the males. The late Sen. Raul Roco tried and was partially successful. He showed that women will work for those who are mindful of women’s issues and needs. Other candidates who are true in their intentions of looking after women’s needs should follow suit.

THE AGENDA – KALUSUGAN NG KABABAIHAN

A lot more needs to be done.  Putting emphasis on women’s concerns in the ongoing political debates is particularly critical in the urgent need to address health-related issues of women, particularly those on reproductive health (RH).

Women’s health is an urgent issue. This is not only a matter of right, it is a matter of life. The issue of Reproductive Health (RH), despite the strong opposition of the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy is integral to women’s health.

‘No woman should die in giving life,’ is a statement that no one will disagree with. 11 Filipino women, many of them in poverty, dying daily due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications is not a joke. These are senseless deaths that could have been prevented. This number represents the Philippines’ Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), which is one of the highest in Asia.

Surely, if candidates to the coming national elections are asked, all will say that this problem must be addressed. It is, therefore, reasonable for voters to expect concrete solutions from these candidates, especially those who are after the highest position of the land – the Presidency.

II.1.  REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (RH)-  is a state of complete physical, mental & social well-being & not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system & to its functions and processes. (WHO & ICPD)

RH implies that people are able to have:

• a satisfying & safe sex life;
• the capability to reproduce; &
• freedom to decide if, when & how often to do so.

RH necessitates:

• Rights of women & men to be informed & to have access to safe, effective, affordable & acceptable family planning methods of their choice, as well as other methods for regulation of fertility WHICH ARE NOT AGAINST THE LAW;

• The right to access to appropriate health care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy & childbirth & provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE

• the constellation of methods, techniques & services that contribute to reproductive health & well-being by preventing & solving RH problems;
• also includes sexual health, the purpose of which is the enhancement of life & personal relations, & not merely counseling & care related to reproduction & STDs.

PHILIPPINE RH PROGRAM 10 ELEMENTS (DOH AO 1-A s. 1998)

1. Family Planning
2. Maternal & Child Health & Nutrition
3. Prevention & Management of Abortion Complications
4. Prevention & Treatment of RTIs including STIs & HIV & AIDS
5. Education & Counseling on Sexuality & Sexual Health
6. Breast & Reproductive Tract Cancers & other Gynecologic Conditions
7. Men’s Role & Participation in RH
8. Adolescent RH
9. Violence Against Women (VAW)
10. Prevention & Treatment of Infertility & Sexual Disorders

II.2.  LEGAL BASES FOR RH

International Human Rights Commitments such as: The Convention Against all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action (ICPD-POA); Beijing Platform of Action (BPA); and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) esp. MDG5.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Art. II. Sec. 15. – The State shall protect & promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
• Art. XIII. Sec. 11. – The State shall adopt an integrated & comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health & other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women & children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.
• Art. XV. Sec. 3. [1] – The State shall defend the right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions & the demands of responsible parenthood.

II.3.   RH: PHILIPPINE SITUATION:

MMR is just one of the burning issues related with RH. Consider the following data:

On marriage, pregnancy and childbirth:

• At 19, 1 of every 5 young women is already married and 90% of them have already given birth (DOH, 1999)
• Adolescent pregnancy is 30% of annual births (DOH/WHO/UNFPA)
• Poor and uneducated women marry and give birth earlier in life, and have more children than women with higher education (2003 NDHS)
• More than 60% of pregnancies in the Philippines is classified as high-risk (2003 NDHS)
• The desired fertility rate of Filipino women is 2.5/woman but the actual rate is 3.5 or a difference of 1 child/woman (2003 NDHS)
• Mean age at having 1st child is 19. (YAFS3, 2002)
• Only about 25% of the poorest women is attended by skilled attendants upon delivery. (NDHS, 2003)
• Almost 10% of young Filipino women aged 15-19 has already given birth. (NDHS, 1998)
• Adolescent pregnancy is 30% of all annual births. (DOH/WHO/UNFPA Training Manual)
• 11 Filipino women die daily due to pregnancy & childbirth-related complications (UNFPA, 2007) & over half (56%) of yearly maternal deaths are unreported.
• The WHO indicates that more than 95% maternal mortality comes from developing countries.
• Poor women have 3 times more children than the rich.

• Population growth rate (PGR) is pegged at 2.04% which translates to about 2 million new Filipinos yearly.
• Poverty incidence is higher among big families.

On sex and contraception:

• Mean age at 1^st sex for males and females is 17 and 18 respectively (YAFS3, 2002)
• 16% of youth had 1^st sex before age 15 (SPPR2, 2002)
• 27% of males and 14.5% of females used contraception during 1^st sex (YAFS3, 2002)
• 60% of women source their Family Planning (FP) supplies/services from the public sector
• Less than 1% of couples using Family Planning methods use Natural Family Planning (NFP) (2003 NDHS)
  • 31.2% of males & 15.9% of females had premarital sex. (YAFS 3, 2002)
  • The lowest rate of contraceptive use is among the 15-19 years age bracket. (NDHS, 1998)
  • The majority of women practicing family planning uses modern instead of traditional (calendar, rhythm, abstinence & withdrawal) methods. (FPS, 2006)
  • Only 0.4% of women uses natural family planning (NFP) methods (Mucus/Billings/Ovulation, Standard Days, LAM) & only 13.2% uses traditional methods. (FPS, 2005)
  • Almost 60% of women source their supply of FP services & supplies from the public sector. The government has been dependent on outside donors for its contraceptive commodities. USAID has completely phased out its donations.
  • 61% of currently married women does not want additional children anymore.  (NDHS, 2003)
  • 50.6% of the youth wants to have only 2 children. (YAFS 3, 2002)
  • 97% of all Filipinos believe it is important to have the ability to control one’s fertility or to plan one’s family. 87% of total respondents are Roman Catholic. (Pulse Asia Survey, February 2004)
  • FP can reduce maternal deaths by 32%. (DOH)
  • The unmet need for contraceptives is 23.15% for poor women (2003 NDHS) and much lower for those who are not in poverty.

On abortion

• Unplanned/unwanted pregnancy causes over 400,000 induced abortions every year (UPPU-AGI, 2006)
• About 16 out of every 100 pregnancies end in abortion (Perez, Aurora et al. 1997)
• The big majority of women having induced abortions are poor (68%), married (91%), with more than 3 children (57%), and Catholic (87%) (UPPU-AGI, 2006)
• Unwanted pregnancy causes over 400,000 induced abortions every year. (UPPU-AGI, 2006)
• Some reasons why women have abortions:
• Too many children
• Birth spacing
• Poverty
• Rape/incest
• Unstable relationship
• Too young
• (Safe Motherhood Fact Sheet: Unsafe Abortion, 1999)

On HIV and AIDS

• Has reached an epidemic level. (DOH)
• At least 30% of young people thinks that HIV & AIDS are curable. (YAFS)

II.4   WHAT FILIPINOS SAY:

About family planning:

• 92% says FP important. (Ulat ng Bayan, Pulse Asia Survey, 2007)
• 97% says it’s important to have the ability to plan one’s family. 87% of respondents is Roman Catholic. (Pulse Asia Survey, February 2004)
• 89% thinks gov’t should provide budgets for FP including contraceptives. (Ulat ng Bayan, Pulse Asia Survey, 2007)

About pro-RH politicians:

• 86% says that candidates for elective positions who advocate a program for women’s health should be supported;
• 82% of the population says that candidates in favor of couples’ free choice of FP should be supported;
• 82% considers candidates supporting a law on population issues worthy of their votes; and
• 83% in favor of candidates supporting  allocation of government funds for FP.

Thus, within the context of the Constitutional provisions on women’s right to health and the State’s international commitments, the State is bound to address RH-related issues.

II.5.   NEEDED RH PROGRAM

To succeed in this, the State needs to implement a rights-based, comprehensive, and integrated national program that includes:

• Training of more skilled birth attendants;
• Upgrading of personnel, equipment, and services of public hospitals, clinics, and health centers particularly on obstetrics and gynaecology;
• Periodic MMR and morbidity review;
• A strong and age-appropriate RH education for the youth;
• Prevention and treatment of: HIV and AIDS, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), post abortion complications, breast cancer and other reproductive track infections (RTIs);
• Provision of ALL family planning (FP) methods especially to those who want and/or need these;
• A massive and popularized information and education campaign on FP;
• Mobile health clinics in all Congressional districts;
• Strict implementation of RH-related provisions of the Labor Code and VAW-related laws;
• Adequate financing;
• Enactment of an RH law so that the government policy is not dependent on personal positions of national and local officials.

Poor Filipinos have the right to quality life. The youth have the right to a better future, and WOMEN have the right to life. An RH-responsive government will promote women’s rights & save thousands of lives. Healthy women beget healthy children & will result in healthy families. Make women matter….

MAKE RH MATTER IN THE 2010 ELECTIONS!!!

Hieronymus

Posted on 19. Nov, 2009 by Hieronymus in Oplan Pepe

Losing My Religion

I began questioning my religion in high school. And lost it in college. I remained an agnostic for 20 years after that, and later, in my readings, on diverse subjects (the sciences, history, biographies, literature, philosophy), I happened by a book by a famous biblical scholar (JD Crossan). It was as if I had discovered the man behind the Jesus myth, and it was quite inspiring-almost like meeting Jesus again, but for the first time. This inspired me to try and see how lived (versus believed) Christianity might be. And so after 20 years of agnosticism, I re-joined a church (the Anglican/Episcopal Church).

The beauty of its liturgical style, and the intelligence of the way they approached their faith swept me along for about 3 years. While I participated in the services and dabbled in bible study, I never for once believed in the divinity of Jesus, though I thought I would open up my mind (and heart) to the possibility of God. Of course, I did not have in mind a concept of God as a person, but as an ultimate reality. So when I prayed with them, it was for me a symbolic act of attempting to connect with the “All-ness” of reality (whatever that might mean), rather than communication with a divine being or person. Plus the beauty of their liturgy helped me as almost a form of practical (or ritual) meditation.

That didn’t last long, because sooner or later it became difficult to go on fraternizing with people who felt “one-with-you” in spirit, when I couldn’t very well return the favor- I was not a “Christian” in their sense, but only in my own private, and thoroughly off-synch sort of way– which really wasn’t Christian at all.

I found that, at the end of the day, belonging to a church meant sharing a FAITH–believing in something was the point of it all. So while I thought that the revolutionary program and spirit of Jesus was what was significant, they felt that believing incredible claims about him was the whole point of church membership and fellowship. But I didn’t come to that glaring realization on my own. It took an honest conversation with my wife, who was an emerging atheist, to snap me out of church and back to reality!

So I left the church again. This time I was able to admit to myself that I was an atheist, and shed the label of agnostic.

[Image by Hans Musil]

Anna Gan

Posted on 16. Nov, 2009 by Pepe in Oplan Pepe

Anna Gan — Cafeteria Christian

I was baptized a Catholic, received my first Communion as a Catholic and even went through Confirmation as one -not because my parents were fervent believers, but because it was a requirement for the school they wanted to enroll me in. While I value and treasure the education given to me (and have a belief in a Supreme Being) , I do question why the Church has chosen to repress others of different faiths and chosen to push its own self serving agenda through the ages.

In an age where women have been acknowledged as equals and have become pastors to their community, the Catholic church still only admits men into the priesthood. Women who wish to serve God become nuns. That is sexism hiding behind a “holy” cloak, and if the Church bewails the shortage of men who want to become priests, they shouldn’t be surprised.

After many were persecuted and some made martyrs during the Roman era, Catholics went on to torture others in the Inquisition, trying to weed out witches and those who did not subscribe to their faith (a practice which predated the Jewish Holocaust). They persecuted fellow Christians (Protestants) during the time of Mary Tudor -and the conflict strangely continues in Ireland (a country with pagan roots before the arrival of Christianity). The Church also tried taking the Holy City (as if the Israelites and Palestinians needed more trouble) during the Crusades. How does one reconcile being part of that faith, when we’ve been told “thou shall not kill” and “thou shall not covet” -then turn a blind eye as people invent loopholes to justify their actions in the name of God?

Then you wonder about the donations you make when they pass that bag or basket during Mass. Does it help feed or clothe the poor? Educate novices on the path to serving God? Or feed the great coffers of the Vatican, whose treasures rival any kingdom’s? This Church whose influence and power has grown through the millennia, and strangely does not protect its churchgoers, but instead protects the false servants — those who have families on the side, the ones who rob from the coffers, or even the ones who molest their own church followers.

And now, when we are being told to avoid mass consumerism, to become less materialistic and more spiritual -the Church still says birth control is bad? Worse, it meddles with the affairs of a nation that also has people of other faiths that have lived here for centuries -and deems “bad” a law allowing better access to reproductive health materials. Uncontrolled population growth, especially among the poor who have the least access to information/resources has led to crimes, mendicancy, malnourished/illiterate children and malnourished/illiterate women dying from pregnancy/childbirth complications.

As blind as the Church is, its own members do fall from grace, and without birth control, may resort to the extreme measure of abortion -a form of murder. Or if they go through with the pregnancy, abandon the child (there have been cases of newborns left in the worst situations: trashbins, restrooms, places where no straight-thinking mother should leave a defenseless child) and in some cases repeat the cycle of pregnancy and abandonment. A morbid joke says that if men could become pregnant, abortion wouldn’t just be legalized but actually become a sacrament –ironic, when you consider that those in power are men. It’s actually amazing that castration/sterilization didn’t become a prerequisite for the priesthood, perhaps to acknowledge that one may be a servant of God, but still a whole human being.

In a country that also has other faiths, which has decreed in its revised Constitution the separation of church and state, politicians still allow themselves to be bullied by the clergy -thanks to 300 years of Spanish rule (mostly by the cassocked set). To preserve the sanctity of a family or the appearance of one, our convoluted laws do not allow divorce but offer as an alternative separation or annulment -probably one of the last dinosaur-minded nations to do so. With the recent party-list status of LGBT group Ang Ladlad denied by the Comelec for “immoral grounds,” one realizes that separation may have been declared on paper, but has yet to take effect in reality. Take note that for years, the Comelec has held office in Intramuros, also the homebase of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The hypocrisy of being Catholic revealed itself when I enrolled for one year for college in a convent school. There, young ladies could smoke (in a designated area), could whisper about the boys they were going to meet (and the things they were going to do) – and students mysteriously vanished mid-semester for, ahem, health reasons. But other students who were not Catholics were prevented from practicing their faith. Despite being fellow Christians, they could not openly pray, and were told not to evangelize or proclaim within school grounds. There, a student with extremely short hair had to report to the dean of discipline and was given a choice between wearing dangling earrings and red lipstick -or not attend school at all (interestingly enough, there was a faculty member or lecturer who seemed to have trans-sexual leanings and was allowed to wear what s/he pleased as long as it was “decent”). The same student who was the target of ethnic ridicule, for some strange reason, by a religion teacher who declared that she looked like a drug addict (one supposes that prior to her becoming a respected member of the faculty, this educator had first-hand experience in the appearance and demeanor of substance abusers). Despite having above-decent grades, I chose to remove myself from this environment -for I had no wish to be molded by the half-informed or hypocritical set that proclaimed themselves enlightened.

Religion isn’t really an opiate of the masses, it’s the people who abuse it and make it a tool for propaganda who make it so.

Anna, part of a new generation of freethinkers, banding together to fight for a secular Philippines.

Anna, isa sa mga bagong Pepe na nagsalita na sapagka’t pagod na sya maging pipi.

[Anna, one of the new Pepe's who has finally spoken up because she's tired of being silenced].

Rona Co

Posted on 13. Nov, 2009 by Pepe in Oplan Pepe

Rona Co, 30, journalist, former Catholic:

I don’t consider myself a Catholic. Though I was raised by a conservative Catholic family and studied in a Catholic school, I’ve long decided that I don’t want to be one anymore.

I’ve always had so many questions about the religion which I felt was shoved down my throat while growing up. The first seeds of doubt came when one of my grade school teachers – a Dominican nun – told us a story about how the Virgin Mary stopped “God the Father” from literally axing the earth. She said, “God was so mad at everyone for being sinful that He decided to just end the world. But the Virgin Mary intervened, she said, and asked God to give us another chance.”

She told us that story to illustrate how powerful the Virgin Mary is and how we better stay as loyal and obedient minions of the Church. I was scared shit for several days after hearing that. But then again, I thought, “There’s no way she could have known about that story even if it were true.” Though her story does not reflect the entire teachings of the Catholic Church, that’s when the questions started pouring in.

In high school, I once thought that our barangay leaders in Tondo should help organize seminars on family planning because there were (and there still are) so many young teens getting pregnant, and parents without decent-paying jobs having more kids. But it was also during that time that many Catholic schools – including mine – actively mobilized their students to join protest actions against the UN Cairo conference in 1994. We were bombarded by posters and placards with photos of aborted babies, saying that abortion is what being pro-choice is about. I remember debating with myself on that issue, because even at that time I knew that family planning, population management, and caring for one’s reproductive health do not equate to abortion.

College was a breath of fresh air because things were openly discussed despite my university’s Christian leanings (DLSU). I began to seriously ask questions and formulate my own thoughts on issues such as the use of contraceptives, family planning, the absence of divorce in the Philippines, the correlation of our country’s economic development and overpopulation, the lack of respect of our society for same-sex relationships, and many other things.

After college, I decided that I don’t want to belong in a group that continually tries to hamper the growth of our country by blackmailing politicians for supporting causes/bills I support. And when I had my son in 2008, I refused to have him baptized in Catholic rites, despite my family’s protests. I told them that I want my son to grow up free from an oppressive belief system. Besides, I don’t want him added to the Catholic statistics in this country and be used as a convenient excuse not to pass the RH Bill.

I can no longer be an accessory to the Church’s crime of depriving the people – women especially – their much-needed reproductive health services. A new generation of Pinoys are growing up in my community in Tondo and the same things that happened to their parents – early pregnancy, not being able to finish school due to lack of resources, etc. – are happening to them as well. We cannot remain blinded by this cycle of poverty and ignorance because it’s something that we can prevent.

Lastly, I cannot stand by a religion that does not respect the rights, beliefs, and choices of human beings. Soon, our lawmakers have got to look at the possibility of passing laws on divorce and same-sex marriage without fear of getting blackmailed or – que horror – losing in the elections. And it will only happen if we – former Catholics, Catholics who support these causes, members of other religions, atheists, whatever – stand up for our beliefs and speak out.

We’ve got to be the balls for our lawmakers. And we’ve got to tell the Catholic Church that enough is enough.

Rona, part of a new generation of freethinkers, banding together to fight for a secular Philippines.

Rona, isa sa mga bagong Pepe na nagsalita na sapagka’t pagod na sya maging pipi.

[Rona, one of the new Pepe’s who has finally spoken up because she’s tired of being silenced].

Reproductive health bill – My Perspective And Thoughts

Posted on 10. Nov, 2009 by Nelson Fontanilla Bedayo in Oplan Pepe

At only 24, my niece had already three kids. Her husband is jobless. They subsist on buying and selling anything for a day’s meal. Their kids are malnourished, and it is heart-breaking to see their pitiable conditions. They can’t even buy school supplies for their two grade-school kids. Being the only employed next of kin, I see to it that I give them some financial help, just to afford their kids to go to school. Sadly for me, that doesn’t end there. From hospital delivery to hospitalization of any sort, they will be running to me. But am I being so cruel for sometimes getting so pissed off by their nuisances? ”Why make so many kids when you can even hardly eat?” ”Because there is no more available contraceptives in the health center”, was her prompt reply. When the poor have only their stomach as priority, anything else would be a luxury-and buying the once free contraceptives are beyond what they can afford.

My piece of resentment however, is nothing in comparison with the condition of the poorest families with multiple children. But why did the government stop the supply of the once free-to-access contraceptives available in our local health centers? Has our national leadership been so indifferent and oblivious to the fact that over-population causes more economic misery to our country? Are the UN reports on the Philippines’ over population and all its encompassing ill effects on the society in general becoming irrelevant? Our government officials are presumed more knowledgeable on any issue, and therefore have more access to facts from any national and international researches on population growth in the country.

Few would argue with me that poverty is not a blessing, but it’s a curse. The evils in our society has its roots traced on poverty. Although it may be one’s choice to tread that evil path, his or her decision is one way or another influenced by poverty. Over-population as everyone knows is the main root of poverty. I myself am a living testimony to that. We are ten siblings. As a kid, I dreamed of becoming somebody. But how could I? I was just lucky to have finished high school. Were it not for my determination and untold sacrifice, I would have not graduated from high school. I even came to a point of cursing myself for having been born poor. Why not? How could my parents support us all when we are ten?

Poor families with multiple children can hardly feed their family. Sending all children to school would be a hard task resulting to some children having to sacrifice. And some who have started school, tend to stop and are forced to look for jobs just to help the family get by. But less education and less qualification do not equate with good job; and so the misery goes on. And the cycle continues. Sad to say, this cycle of poverty cannot be alleviated as our population continues to soar.

If our government is determined to improve the quality of life of its citizenry, it will do its utmost to enact and implement laws that would benefit its citizens. According to various researches, poor living condition is rooted in an over-population of a certain country. Our country has a distinction of one of the most densely-congested countries in the world per capita. But all the while, what is our government doing to address this compounding problem of over-population? On the video link below, you will be appalled at how the former Manila mayor Atienza gives his perspective and stand towards the issue of over-population. His confident talks and irrational viewpoint, in a way gave me a sense of embarrassment as a Filipino. And he is only one of those treading the corridors of power with the same stand on this issue.

So much has been written for and against the controversial Reproductive Health Bill. The debates are getting intense and personal in some cases. All media communications are never short of platforms in tackling this issue. Everyone seems hell-bent on getting their voices heard. It is noteworthy though, that even an average citizen is so in-tune with this issue, because so much is at stake- the future of our children and our children’s children. But would this collective voice by many turn out to be futile? A big yes, maybe! Not because of the poor being against it, but because of the sinister force that is behind the improbability of its passing into law. This force is the immensely powerful Roman Catholic Church. This influence-wielding church has dominion over peoples of the earth, and its heirarchy creates its own policies that dictates its church members to obey them.

The Philippines proudly distinguishes itself as the only predominantly ‘Christian nation in Asia’. Our country is a world-renowned bastion of democracy. The rights of every citizen is enshrined in and guarded by the constitution. This very same constitution that stringently commands the inviolability of the separation of the church and the state. But this is regrettably only on paper. The Catholic church for the last century, has been the driving force behind any setup in the country’s political landscape. They are being feared by our leaders. This fear stemmed from what this church is capable of doing. Most politicians would always seek its blessings in any election and therefore would do what pleases the church.

It is a sore truth that the Catholic church will exercise its power and influence to ensure that the Reproductive Health Bill doesn’t get enacted into law. This is the bill that would ensure a better future for an average Filipino family. This is the bill that guarantees a quality of life for each life-loving citizen. This is also the very same bill that would statistically increase the worth and productivity of every citizen, hence a big factor to improving the country’s economy. However pro-poor and pro-family, this bill as the Catholic church would contend is anti-life and in a sense, evil in its entirety. This church asserts that life starts from the stage of fertilization, and that it is tantamount to murder when a couple uses contraceptives, such as condoms or pills and the likes. The use of such contraceptions they further contend, is one way of encouraging pre-marital sex or perversion of any form. And I also contend that their reason is impeccably-dogmatic moronic form of reasoning, that defies any universal law of logical reasoning.

The impasse in Congress regarding this bill is so polarizing, that it is uncertain whether this bill gets enacted into law or not. This early, our legislatures who are vocal with their support of this bill, have been branded by the church as anti-life and are not good Catholics. The pulpit has become a powerful tool to admonish members, to be conscientious and not to vote for these politicians. In here requires a firm resolute, whether you are with them or against them. And this effective bullying has kept the president from interfering with this issue, because her political career is on the line.

Our population explosion needs to be addressed, for it is only a matter of time before everything gets out of hand. It is like a ticking bomb waiting to explode. And the underlying effects could be crucial to the survival of our country, economically and morally. It is the duty of every religious denomination to coax their flock into moral fortitude. And this duty includes instilling in them the virtues of moral propriety and self-control. Sex is a sacred thing that is a gift, meant to be enjoyed by any married couple. Therefore any sex outside of marriage is a sin. This is the domain where the church should be visible. But the choice of how and when to procreate should be dependent upon a married couples’ discretion. Many unwanted pregnancies have caused a family to break apart. Accidental babies have become burden to an already struggling big family.

This is not meant to be a novel. But my disturbed emotions get the better of me. And through this blog, I am able to convey my perspective, my thoughts and my sighs about an issue, not ordinary in scale, but is powerful enough to affect you, myself, and anyone who dreams of a better Philippines. It is high time that we band together, and exercise moral and pragmatic thinking, so that each of us impact one another in a productive way. Let us help support the Reproductive Health Bill pass into law. Contraceptions for married couples do not equate to being anti-life, but it is synonymous to a quality life. Your family and my family rightfully deserve a better future.

Visit my blog, ¡Soy Negrense!

Cat and Marie

Posted on 10. Nov, 2009 by Pepe in Oplan Pepe

I began to write on my views of the Catholic Church and my own experiences with religion, when it hit me that I had in my possession a story much more powerful. That of a lady named Marie, a spunky woman I am proud to call my maternal grandmother.

Marie was an undeniable charmer — a looker with great legs, almond eyes, and for many years, an 18-inch-waist. She was well known for her high cheekbones, smoky voice and her ability to say and act what she felt, whether you liked it or not. A trait, many say, she inherited from her equally strong-willed father. Being an only child, Marie was the sparkle of her dad’s world and as much as he tried to instill his views on her, even from a young age his bright progeny spoke her own mind and knew exactly what she stood for.

Her disappointment in the Catholic Church stemmed from an incident done to her beloved father while she was just a child. Growing up in Baguio in the 1950’s, her parents were living in a mining camp while she was an “interna” at various Catholic schools. Due to her frail health and upon the family doctor’s recommendation, my great-grandfather enrolled her in the Episcopalian school Brent, because it had better food and medical care.

My great-grandfather was a practicing Catholic, so his decision to put his only child in the American missionary run school was one of necessity rather than desire. Sadly, the Belgian Bishop of Baguio didn’t feel the same way and announced in front of the whole congregation during a Sunday mass at the Baguio Cathedral that my proud and religious Lolo and his wife were to be denied the Sacraments for placing their child in an institution that would soil her mind with false doctrines.

For many years, my great grandfather, hurt and proud, shunned the Catholic faith. He only began going to Mass again, albeit grudgingly, when he had to “set an example” for his grandchildren.

Some time before Marie got married, the same bishop attempted to warmly hug her in front of her extremely religious soon-to-be mother in law and fiancé. Remembering the pain this robed man caused her father, she pushed him and his rosary far away from her chest, gave him an icy look, and to the shock of her soon-to-be in-laws, walked the other way.

One thing Marie firmly believed throughout her life was the right for women to lead their lives anyway they pleased. A phrase I often heard her say to the girls in our family while growing up was, “Don’t ever be a doormat.” She believed women had just as much entitlement as men to feel empowered, to make decisions that would lead them to reach their own dreams and live their personal passions. Being a prodigious reader, I clearly remember her insisting when I was 13 that I read the Jean M. Auel classic, The Clan of the Cave Bear, because she felt the book’s heroine, Ayla, was a far better example of a woman who we could proudly call the mother of the human race. Unlike, in her own half-joking words, “that ninny Eve.”

Throughout most of her life, Marie was a strong advocate of contraception as a choice and viewed it as a way for women to lead lives away from the trapdoor of deprivation in a third world country. While doing charity work with the women of Davao for over almost 20 years, she and her mother were actively involved in a foundation that offered birth control pills, ligations, or vasectomies to any family with three or more children. The local church tried its hardest to fight her private cause. They pleaded, argued, and gave her their cold shoulder. But there was nothing they could say or do that would make her change her mind. She felt that all women deserved this alternative and there was no way in hell the church was going to rob them of it. Through the years, countless women thanked my grandmother for her help. Because of her refusal to bend to the church’s rules, their families were happy, their children well fed and educated, and their lives thriving and nourished.

I will never forget a conversation I had with her at the age of 17 over an afternoon merienda. I had come straight from school to see her while she was visiting from Cebu. As the humid Makati air danced around us, we caught up with each other’s recent lives. “So your mom tells me you have a boyfriend now,” she said rather matter-of-factly. “Yes, I do.” I replied while piercing my cubed pieces of sweet Cebu mango with a fork. She nodded, took a puff from her slim cigarette, exhaled, and said in the same no-nonsense voice, “Are you on the pill?” This was in a nutshell my grandmother, practical and no bullshit. Growing up, I always knew the women of my family were far from the naïve matrons of bygone years who thought that their little fragile flowers would remain virgins till their wedding day. My cousins and I were taught early on to be healthy, responsible, and be with partners who valued and loved us. And because of this upbringing, we have never felt guilt or shame from love. A message I have every intention of passing on to my own children.

Marie left us on April of 2008. Though her spirit wanted to keep fighting, a destructive cancer finally weakened her body till we all accepted it was time to say goodbye. I know beyond a doubt that if she were still with us she would be fully behind the passing of the RH Bill. She may not have been a practicing Catholic, but she certainly had her own version of faith, an ideology stronger than that of a religious institution designed by men. Belief in a God who doesn’t want to see women trapped in a life of hardship and poverty, a life where hearts are chronically plagued with pain and worry as to how to provide for their families.

The Philippine Catholic Church keeps claiming that the RH Bill is a destructive force in the celebration of life. To this I ask, how? Through the Bill, women will be able to follow their dreams, couples can raise families when they can afford to have them, and children will have a better chance to grow up with food on their tables and books to read from school. Isn’t living a quality life the best way to celebrate it? A life where there is enough for everyone, thus becoming a bigger number than the sum of its parts so that it churns love like butter till it’s uncontainable and spread onto the community surrounding it. That is one of the bigger lessons Marie taught me and one that I wanted to share with all you. That a life worth living is one where you can design your path, believe and speak what you know in your heart to be true, not what a religious sect says to be fact, and live your days on earth with quality and fulfillment. If we can all learn a little from her on this, then I think she would be pleased.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

Posted on 28. Oct, 2009 by Rome Jorge in Oplan Pepe

“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Lord Acton famously said. This holds true for religious institutions, which in the Philippines hold too much political clout and are much too profitable for their own good.

• Require financial transparency and mandatory public auditing on all religious institutions.
• Create and support affordable secular alternatives in quality education.
• Outlaw both religious and scholastic discrimination in employment. Meritocracy demands that we be judged for our work and not for the religion we profess or the school our parents could afford.
• All educational institutions—private or public—must be prevented from discriminating against children of single mothers and others with non-conventional lifestyles.
• Anti-sexual discrimination laws must be implemented in all institutions without exception—including religious organizations. Women must be allowed to rise to all ranks open to men.
• Members of policy-making and cultural bodies such as the MTRCB must be qualified by their artistic and academic credentials. Being a religious leader does not make a person more morally upright than anyone else.
• Any institution that is not democratically and financially accountable to the people should not have a say in a free and democratic society.

Christmas and Contraception

Posted on 27. Oct, 2009 by Rome Jorge in Oplan Pepe

As we celebrate the birth of a Man immaculately conceived this Christmastime, know what conception truly is.

American and British laws define the beginning pregnancy and the conception of human life not at fertilization—when sperm and egg fuse to form an embryo—but at implantation—when an embryo adheres to the wall of the mother’s uterus. Implantation occurs about a week after fertilization.
Doctors, bioethicists and law experts define implantation as the beginning of human life for several reasons:

• The ability to create embryos in vitro (such as in test tube baby fertilized outside the womb) has proven that fertilization does not automatically result in pregnancy. Only after implantation does an embryo’s existence have an effect on the mother’s body. It is only upon implantation that a fetus receives oxygen and nutrients from the mother to grow into a human being. It is at this point when the fetus cannot survive except within the woman’s body. Any rights granted to it must come at the expense of the pregnant woman. Note that to be pregnant—which is to be implanted—means risking one’s life for nine months to bear a new one.
• Majority of fertilized eggs do not go on to become infants. With unprotected sex, many embryos are formed yet never undergo implantation. If fertilization were to be defined as the conception of life, then countless souls have been killed without knowledge or intent.
• After fertilization and implantation, an embryo can segment to become identical twins—separate and distinct individuals who, despite their similarities, develop their own personalities, experiences and decisions and possess their own unique DNA, fingerprints, etc. If segmentation defines the start of an individual with an indivisible soul, then an embryo prior to the stage of possible segmentation cannot be defined as an individual.

However, religious conservatives continue to believe that “ensoulment”—the creation of a soul within a human being after which its destruction would be tantamount to mortal sin—begins at fertilization. Because of this, they argue, certain contraceptives such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and “morning-after pills” that prevent conception even a few days after unprotected sex are abortifacients—substances that induce abortions.

IUDs and morning-after pills work by preventing both fertilization and implantation. Preventing implantation is abortion, so argues religious conservatives.
However, doctors, scientists and legal experts in many countries define the beginning pregnancy and the conception of human life at implantation, hence the classification of IUDs and morning-after pills as contraceptives and not abortifacients under British and American laws.

Tellingly, religious conservatives opposed to the Reproductive Health Act pending in Congress not only oppose IUDs and morning-after pills but also contraceptives that only prevent fertilization and not implantation. They oppose condoms—the only contraceptive device that protects sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS as well as accidental pregnancies. They also are against sex education and knowledge empowerment of young adults. Their definition of conception is but one of many arguments against reproductive health, responsible parenthood and gender empowerment.
This Christmas Season, know more about conception and know more about your reproductive health rights.

To know more about reproductive health, visit http://reproductivehealth.com.ph.

Hector

Posted on 25. Oct, 2009 by Pepe in Oplan Pepe

My wife and I are using contraceptives and it is a mutual decision not to have children. For now.

Does the use of contraceptives condemn us to the fires of hell? I don’t know.

Does this make us immoral? NO.

Does this make us un-Catholic? Yes, if a word like that exists.

On not having kids, it’s easy for people to judge and make conclusions. I would always get reactions like “It’s just a phase.” to “Wait until you get your own kid.” and I would just nod, smile, and be polite in telling them that we’re still enjoying our time together.

On the use of contraceptives, the truth is:
1. It’s because we enjoy and value our own sense of freedom. I see pictures in Facebook of friends with their kids. I salute them. Parents have an honorable and difficult task in raising their children to become productive citizens. It’s a sacred thing BUT there are those people who equate having kids and raising them well as THE ultimate goal in life. My wife and I don’t share that view.

I believe that all of us have a different calling. Being a parent is just one of them. There are more.

2. We have practical reasons. Times are harder and I don’t see myself as a parent but more of an uncle. I love my nephew and niece. They are my “children” and I am one with my brother and sister-in-law in making sure that they would do something good for humanity. I can play with them but when they start throwing tantrums, I can easily get their parents to take over. Anytime, I can say NO to them without feeling a tinge of guilt.

But I made a promise that I will be their drinking buddy when they reach 12.

3. We’re 90 million and counting. I leave the others to excel in populating my Philippines. Not adding more Pinoys on my part is by choice. If I do have kids, I want them to go to the best schools, receive basic services from a government that serves THEIR interest, and I want them to know and love their country.

Subalit sa kalagayan ng ating bansa ngayon, hindi ko nakikita ang mga magiging anak o mga kaapo-apuhan ko na mabuhay sa ganitong sitwasyon.

Hindi pa handa ang Pilipinas na kumalinga sa mga Pinoy o Pinay na magmumula sa aming mag-asawa. Napakarami na natin.

PERO ayoko ring magsalita ng tapos sapagkat tao lang ako. Kung sakaling maisipan namin na magkaroon ng pamilya at medyo delikado na para sa asawa ko baka mag-ampon na lang kami. There are a lot of unwanted babies and if we can help in raising one well, it is our contribution to society and to our country.

Now to answer the questions:
1. How do you feel now about your religion? Compare this to how you felt about it as you were growing up and vs. what you were taught.

I don’t go to church anymore and I don’t know if there is a heaven or hell but I do believe in karma. I believe in a God that wants us to do good for humanity. I believe in this moving force that drives people to achieve what they want out of life. I don’t believe in a vengeful or jealous God who’s out to punish us or make us feel guilty for being human.

I now live under five rules: Be your own best friend. Live your passion. Do good to your kapwa. Don’t steal. Don’t kill.

Now that I don’t subscribe to the beliefs of the Catholic Church and no longer live under its rules, I have decided to stop hearing mass.

But there are things that I just can’t let go of. I consider myself a cultural Christian (if there is such a label then I’m happy to be one). I love Christmas, the gifts, long vacations especially during the Holy Week, old Filipino churches especially the Morong and Dauis churches, and I love singing “Lead me Lord” in videoke and listening to the chorale.

I don’t speak for everybody so I’m just guessing that some of us had a point in our lives when we wanted to lead holy lives by becoming priests or nuns. I was an altar boy when I was little. In my days in elementary and high school, I got high grades in Religion. There was also a time that I was a Bible Quiz champion having been raised in a Catholic middle-class family and watching Flying House and Superbook. At that age, I was also looking at a stack of porn that I accidentally unearthed but that’s another story.

I still pray but no longer to a God inside those magnificent structures but to a God that is everywhere; a God who is not trapped in dogma and used by selfish men to get rich or elected or both.

2. What brought about your new view of the church or its priests? Did you feel any guilt over your decision?

I’m more particular on the Church or any religious group’s involvement in Philippine politics and Rizal’s views on the friars as the roadblock to progress. I’m troubled over the fact that the Iglesia ni Cristo is using block voting and condemning people who want to think for themselves. I’m also troubled by Brother Mike Velarde and his (untaxed) millions of pesos and his millions of followers who have voting rights as well.

I’m also troubled by elected officials like former Mayor Lito Atienza (yes, MayniLA during his term) who have obstructed reproductive health programs in his city that could help the poor.

Oh, I’m also bothered that there are plenty of Caucasians in heaven while there are only two Filipinos there considering that we’re the largest Christian nation in Asia. There sure are racists in the Vatican

I don’t feel guilty about my views because priests are human and as human beings, there are some who enjoy wielding power and influence over people. It’s easy to enslave people with ideas than with physical force.

3. What do you think about the Church’s meddling in state issues such as the Reproductive Health Bill and the Magna Carta of Women?

The ironic thing about the Church is that they’re thinking that they’re helping or saving society by opposing and even muddling the RH Bill issue. They’re making sure that the only choice that WE have are the ones that THEY present. They claim to have the answers to almost everything.

The Church is for progress and happiness and you get all these in heaven. They say it with absolute CERTAINTY.

Women are on the receiving end of a bad deal when it comes to the Catholic Church. They cannot be ordained as priests and cannot decide on what is good for their body. Make no mistake, I am against abortion but I want women to have access to contraceptives. Those are two different things.

Women have to be subservient to men as written in the Scriptures and this is even enunciated in wedding vows.

My wife made it a point to take out that part in our wedding.

4. Anything else you might want to add about your insights on church, religion and the meddling modern day Padre Damasos in our midst?

One of the reasons that Rizal got shot was because of his progressive ideas and his attacks on the friars for confining his fellow Filipinos in superstition and ignorance. The two novels showed that friars can be damn wrong (He was vicious in the Noli) and these leaving these men of the cloth no longer untouchable.

Rizal believes in God and in man’s conscience in determining what is right and wrong and especially on education to free his people from suffering and ignorance.

Education is the key to be truly free. The Reproductive Health Bill is one of the ways to get to that point. We need to have choices available to us now and we need to make them without guilt or fear.

Oras na para gamitin ang utak dahil bigay ito ng Maykapal. Sobra na tayo sa puso katulad ng paboritong kong sports commentator na si Chino Trinidad tuwing nagco-cover ng laban ni Pacquiao

Maraming salamat sa pagbasa.

HECTOR
-30-

Ian Baltazar

Posted on 24. Oct, 2009 by Ian Figueroa Baltazar in Oplan Pepe

I was told I was “baptized” as an Aglipayan in my birthplace in Antique (my mother’s province), and was again “baptized” in a Roman Catholic ritual when my father moved us back to his hometown in La Union. My mother converted and became a devout Catholic and was an active officer in our local parish council. Though my father refuses to go to church, he never misses a Sunday weekly mass broadcasted on t.v. and often prays alone in private.

Long afflicted with polio since I was two years old, I never recovered the use of my two legs while my left arm was partly paralyzed. I went through school in a wheelchair with an aide to assist me.

It was during high school (I studied in a Catholic school) when I started asking questions about the flaws in the dogma of the Catholic Church. I was disgusted at how our religion class teacher had forced us to attend mass every Sunday and gave us demerits whenever we failed to. All students were required to make a personal weekly Sunday mass attendance card to be checked on Mondays by our religion class teacher and dreaded the moment when one was asked to stand and explain the reason why one failed to attend the mass. It was hellish and medieval – a rehash of the Inquisition. I found it absurd as one was miserably mocked and drowned with guilt from the theological chastising by the teacher. Later, I realized how this method of exacting blind obedience and faith could lead to losing one’s self-esteem and self-respect when some students eventually decided to lie about going to mass. They feared more the humiliation they would face from our Catholic Taliban teacher than from the punishment they would face in hell.

In the Catholic school where I attended, it has this tradition of herding students en masse to attend the sacrament of confession in the church where the parish priest would be waiting for every student inside the confessional booth. This ritual lasted the whole day depending on the quantity and severity of the “sins” the students confessed. It was really farcical since some students had to invent sins just to have something to confess of or else risked being castigated and bullied by the trigger-happy priest who loved to shoot his gun at the ceiling of his bedroom in the parish “convento” whenever he got drunk.

Among the doctrines of the Catholic Church I found ludicrous was its fanatical devotion to the “Virgin Mary” – Jesus’ mother. We were systematically indoctrinated on this dogma, taught to pray the rosary several times a day (novenas) and celebrated the whole month of October as the Month of the Holy Rosary. The Church spends and lavishes so much time, resource and attention on the “Virgin Mary” making Catholics unwittingly unaware that they’re already worshipping her at par with God! Also, on October of each year, we were asked by the parish priest and our school to donate, solicit and raise money for Catholic missionaries – they call this Mission Month. They issued and distributed specially printed and marked envelopes to every student and gave us quotas or amounts to raise for donation. Students who were able to raise and surpass their quotas were given special privileges like bonus grades, quiz exemptions and school breaks. It was turned into a mad competition where it went as far as sponsoring cookouts where every class of students contributed money for capital, took turns cooking and selling food or snacks within the school to raise “mission money.” Interestingly, even the capital was also later given away for donation. Some students skipped meals in school to save their allowance for their “mission contributions” thinking and believing it was their little way of sacrificing and offering something to God and the “Virgin Mary.” Of course, others do it for their self-serving obsession to win the competition. Others stole or lied from their parents to obtain money. The not-so-well-off students felt guilty they couldn’t give much and often marginalized by rich and zealous students who constantly showed off with their huge donations.

I have read the bible at an earlier age but was puzzled in our high school religion class or catechism when our teacher introduced us to the Old Testament then decided not to go far beyond Leviticus. She skipped chapters, cherry-picking verses while bombarding us a plethora of undecipherable Catholic doctrines. Later on, she gave more importance to the New Testament focusing on the gospels. My inquisitive mind wandered and started to ask questions secretly out of fear of being mocked and rejected by my classmates and teacher. Reading the bible left me disturbing thoughts. I was shocked to read a God so malevolent, sadistic, vengeful, misogynistic, genocidal and egomaniac. Honestly, for a time I used to justify my own vindictive and violent temperament arguing God had his own violent episodes too.

When I read Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in our Filipino Literature class, my rational mind was awakened. I started to doubt. Then I craved for more references and books on the history of the Church and other religions. I also sought the books Rizal and his fellow freethinkers read and wrote during their time. I was obsessed dissecting the Noli even read it several times to draw off every secular and anti-cleric ideas Rizal had written about. I read his other essays then managed to get my hands on the writings and ideas of Del Pilar, Lopez-Jaena, etc. I got interested with Voltaire, Diderot, d’Holbach, Hume, Thomas Paine, Mark Twain, George Eliot and Robert Green Ingersoll… I became agnostic.

At the age of 17, I entered politics and convinced my parents to allow me to run for public office which they had very strong objections to due to my condition. In the end, I got my way and was first elected in the Sangguniang Kabataan or youth council. A few years later, I got elected for nine straight years as municipal councilor. During this time I never stopped seeking answers to my questions. I was angry and upset at the cycle of collusion between Catholic clerics and politicians in the forming of public policies on both local and top levels of our government. Secularism in our constitution is only a watermark that our government continues to ignore. The Filipino people are flanked on both sides by a pair of hungry wolves ready to tear them apart – on one side is the ever-arrogant, backward, sexually-repressive, hypocritical and profiteering Catholic Church while on the other is a government that formulates vague and deceptive policies to hide its plunderous, corrupt and inept condition.

In a country so steeped in religion and superstition, coming out in the open and declaring one’s self an atheist is not only suicidal but foolhardiness. Sometime ago, when I decided to finally discard the yoke of religion and took the path to atheism and secular humanism, it was sweet and victorious. I took it as an ultimate expression of freedom over ignorance and fear about our natural world and the universe as commonly espoused in the prejudices and superstitions of religion. It may sound utopian but I dream the day when all people become rational beings and understand and tolerate one another then someday there will be a world free from religion, bigotry, racism and conflict.

I enjoin all Filipino freethinkers to come out and renew the intellectual movement as we spread the light of reason among our people long groping in the dark. This is a challenge for us who live in a country and a world dominated by theists.