A Woman's Prerogative

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02176/pregnant_2176694b.jpg

Philippines' controversial RH(Reproductive Health) Bill has been nothing less but controversial. Politics vs Religion. Cultural Preservation vs  Population Control. Pro vs Anti. Yellow vs No Yellow.

My take on the issue is, Reproductive Health is and will always be a woman's prerogative.

By law, or sans law, this is all about being a woman. How you end up with a final decision will affect the woman who is reproducing, no one else.

I firmly believe that when it comes to woman's health, especially when it comes to pregnancy, to be pregnant or not to be pregnant could be decided between the couple, but above all, the woman should have the last word.

What if we have a medical practice in the Philippines of taking out the baby at 8 weeks because there's is no heartbeat that can be found? I wonder how the conservative Filipino will react. Would they ask themselves why they let the RH Bill be passed? Would the mother have enough tears to shed and ask herself where did she go wrong? Why there's no heartbeat? Why can't she keep the baby and wait for the baby's heart to start beating? Would this scenario actually happen?

Because yes... maybe not in Philippines (right now), this scenario does happens. I, personally, had to take days of bed rest because at 8 weeks, the little life in my tummy has no heart beat. I was too scared to stress myself out that I can not let myself cry. Because after 5 days and there's still no heart beat, my baby will be taken out. So I rest and did not stress. After 5 days.... we found a heart beat.

It was torture. It was a very taxing moment for a pregnant woman.

Is this going to happen if RH Bill will be passed?

I have no idea.

One thing I agree after watching all the discussions around RH Bill -- information dissemination, access to information, access to funds, and universal health care especially to pregnant woman all over Philippines is a MUST -- should have been before, a must now, and perfected for the future.

As a woman, I would like to know my choices. My option. And what can I do as a pregnant reproducing woman. Or as a Mother or Mother-to-Be. Support and Information is very important.

I had a roller-coaster pregnancy trimester test results, even if I had such a remarkable OB GYN and medical group in the US. Without the support of my OB GYN and the counselor and information that was shared with us, I would not have known what to do. I would not have known my options.

Hence, I believe in a must for INFORMATION. Maybe it's where we should invest first as a country. With 7100 islands, NOT all the woman has access to information beneficial to their health. Especially when it is about REPRODUCING.

Venice International Film Festival, Philippines Entry

I couldn`t be more prouder to say that I am a Filipino,especially with this news I just stumbled as I browse the net.

Philippines, yes, my beloved Philippines has an entry to the Main Category for the Venice International Film Festival and this is the film by Brilliante Mendoza entitled `Sinapupunan` (Thy Womb). In this film is our very own Superstar, Nora Aunor, who just came back in the entertainment scene months ago after years of hiatus in the U.S.  This film feature Sama (Bajau) in Tawi-tawi, Philippines.

A lot has been said and not said about this southern part of Philippines (Mindanao), but I had this chance to watch an interview with Nora Aunor about her experience filming in Tawi-tawi at one time. Her connection to the place was very moving and just watching how sentimental she was of Tawi-tawi and the life our fellow Filipino lives there, I felt like I wanna go there myself and see it for myself that that part of Mindanao is not as dangerous as they famed it to be.

But thank goodness to a film like this, we would be able to take a glimpse of their life, of the place and of how lucky we are to have such a culture that we can be proud of.

Support and be Proud!!!

Appreciating The Beauty Of Our Own Culture

When a family goes to a tourist-filled place, first thing that comes to mind would be either the theme-parks, the beach or whatever is the most popular attraction. Definitely understandable!!

We brought Khloe to Disneyland because I, most especially, would like to indulge her of her princess' cravings.  When you have a toddler who talk of nothing but princesses 24/7, you have to try indulging her (hoping she'll shake it out of her system once she met the princesses). So I dressed her up as a princess, let her wear my wedding tiara, and let her celebrate with the princesses at Disney. As the cliche goes - "when in Rome, act like a Roman". Because Khloe was in a Princess Fantasy Faire, I let her act like a Princess.

But a friend, Joyce,  introduced to me a different art of indulging a princess. It is by far the most admirable family vacation photo I've ever seen.

This family photo was taken when they visited one of the tourist place in Philippines -- Baguio. Filipinos & tourist alike would drive up this mountainous place for it's known cooler temperature (the only place in Philippines with a spring/fall temperature). This part of the country is home to some of  Filipino Tribal Natives. Joyce' family opted to get this photo op, showcasing the tribal costumes the natives (Igorot) wear.

I really admire the fact that even the girls are loving their outfits. In their own little ways, they are showing the whole world how beautiful our culture is. It's heart-warming to see the beautiful smiles, the glee, the pride they exude with these clothes. If only a lot of us could capture these same moments. 

And with a lot of respect -- I commend their Mom, or even Dad. I give it to Joyce, hats off! To teach the girls how to appreciate the culture in their own little perspective, is awesome parenthood.

With this, she inspired me again of how to become a parent of creative thoughts. And it is to come up with something humbling -- 

Because this more and all -- a humbling moment.

My 2-Cents : Bourne Legacy & the Filipino Hoopla

This is not a review.
This is my personal take on this craziness that happens when something like this happens. (With this means something about Philippines & some Filipinos going VIRALLY crazy)

I was really excited to see the trailer of Bourne Legacy in Youtube. Not only because I am a fan of the Bourne Trilogy, but so much more because I read some of the Bourne series by Eric Van Lustbader - Legacy,  Dominion, Betrayal, and others. I am really looking forward to see it in big screen. The fact that some scenes for this Bourne Legacy was shoot in the Philippines, is just an icing to the cake.

Then, I read the comments as I watch the video on Youtube. And again... I felt that sinking feeling of embarrassment? Disbelief?

I am not saying that I am not proud to be a Filipino, because believe me, I am first and foremost a true-blooded Filipino. Changing citizenship doesn't make me less of what I am. However, at times like this.. I wish we could minimize that chance of embarrassing ourselves.

Debating online over the issue is pointless. Not only we embarrass ourselves more by posting grammatically  incorrect comments, but impertinent line of thoughts. The craziness is pathetic. It gives other people a reason to respect us less and not take us seriously. And it's not really fair to those successful Filipino who tried their darn best to make us proud. It kind of refuted their purpose.

When Bourne Supremacy shoot in India, there was no such craziness as this. And to think it was Matt Damon.

I wish I could say I am so proud to watch this movie as a Filipino just as proud as I am when I watched the Great Raid with Benjamin Bratt in it. And guess who else? Cesar Montano. I was so damn proud, I rented the freakin DVD 3X from the defunct Blockbuster. And not only because I am one proud Filipino, but also because I wanna see those scenes shoot in Philippines, again, and again, and again. And to think the whole Great Raid movie was shoot in the Philippines. Did we went crazy about it? Naah! Maybe because back then, social networking is not everyone's thing yet. But how I wish we were that less embarrassing.

I guess, my bottom line is, we should watch what we post. I believe all Filipino are proud to be a Filipino. Let's not just push that down other's(race) throat. It kind of make them choke and spit on us. It's really not a     moment to be proud of when they start bitching about us because of our lack of restraint and finesse.

Between you and me and these viral world -- the only thing that matters is REALITY.


And as a Filipino, our reality is what is happening in Philippines right now. Not the one in Hollywood. Not even the one that happened in American Idol. It is what happened to the Corona Trial. It is what is happening in Spratly Island. Above all, reality is what is happening in the farm. If you don't know what it is, then you have no clue what is the real essence of the phrase "Proud to be Pinoy!"