MY FULL STATEMENT

THE LAST WORD... PROMISE.

It was hard to get an edge in wordwise last night while I was on HARAPAN. I actually had a two minute statement that I prepared to read out to Joey Lina and Roilo Golez, but there was just no time. So since I couldn't fully express my entire sentiment, here is my statement in full as written before I went on air:

Your Honorables Joey Lina and Roilo Golez.

The Reproductive Health Bill is not a new bill.

It's no secret that the RH Bill has been languishing in Congress for the last 16 years.

And unfortunately, the problems we face today are not new as well.

Because after all your fancy words have been said and done, your economic numbers and scientific data thrown about, one thing will remain for sure: outside on the streets, life is a living hell for a majority of Filipinos.

We’re still plagued by high infant mortality, high maternal deaths, overpopulation, & a skyrocketing HIV and abortion rate and it’s the worst it’s ever been in our history.

And for the last 16 years, people in Congress have been trying to pass the RH Bill, a piece of legislation that would holistically address these issues. And this bill has been held back, delayed, and shot down by Anti-RH lawmakers such as yourselves for reasons that were either legal, economic, or religious.

But it also seems that for the last 16 years, these problems that I have mentioned have gotten worse. So tell me, your honors, if your alternate solutions to the RHBill are so great, why haven’t you implemented them in the last 16 years? Why haven’t I felt its effects on a national scale? Your honors, tell me: After 16 years, why are we STILL where we are?

And since the RH bill has been shot down so many times by lawmakers like you, in effect, we have been trying it your way for the last 16 years and we haven’t seen any tangible results at all. The mortality numbers are still there and staring at us in the face.

So as a member of the public and as your boss – so to speak – allow me to say that either your solutions to these problems have failed, you aren’t doing your job, or you are just plain ineffective as public servants.

I sincerely believe it is time for us to try a different strategy, a new one. We don’t have much choices anymore. Your side has never really presented us with any. It is time to turn away from this ineffectiveness of the last 16 years. It is time to activate the RH bill and let the power of education, information, and choice create a better Philippines before it’s too late.

Because unless you Anti-RH lawmakers can present a cohesive, concrete plan of action to solve these problems holistically TODAY and right now. I’m not going to wait for another 16 years.

Let the RH Bill start doing it’s work or get out of the way. Because if you have no better solutions, then you are just part of the problem.

Sincerely,

A Filipino named Carlos Celdran

Feel Free to cut and paste and sign your own name and send it to them or any other Anti-RH congressman that you know. Let them know that we know.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

A huge THANK YOU to Joey Mendoza of New York City for these great RH Bill Graphics. They are clean, effective, and quite elegant.

Please post them on your walls or use them as a profile pic, everyone. Joey says it's alright.

Pass the RH Bill now, Congress. C'mon. I know you can do the right thing!

FROM THE MAILBAG...

My friend Paula has guest blogged on this site before. The last time, during the Gibo campaign period. Today, she writes about her support for the RH Bill. I rather agree with her.

WHY I SUPPORT THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL
by Paula Nocon

In September 2010, Carlos Celdran was thrown in jail by members of the Filipino Catholic clergy for a very public demonstration of his support for the passage of the Reproductive Health bill as he plead to the Church to stop interfering in politics. Out on bail, he now faces charges of "offending religious feelings" and may face up to five years imprisonment.
A few more months before that the country of Finland declared access to broadband internet a legal right for every single Finn, an affirmation of its bold commitment to the information society that the modern world has evolved into.
These two events may be disparate, but upon closer inspection their juxtaposition reveals much. Access to information has been enshrined as a legal right in one of the most progressive countries in the world, while the RH bill has been opposed by the Roman Catholic hegemony in the Philippines for its purpose of educating Filipinos on the responsibilities and options that come with reproduction. One is pushing forward knowledge, the other is pushing back knowledge. One is creating a new right for its citizens, the other is depriving a right that is as old as the human being itself. While one is celebrating the fruits of information, the other is demonizing information so vital to one's identity and self-realization.
Even before I will fight for my right to a 1 Mbps broadband connection, I would first assert my right to awareness. I believe that the whole impetus of human evolution is the increase of awareness, that the whole struggle of civilization has been towards spiritual progress, and that what drives this whole engine is the desire for knowledge, especially, self-knowledge. Knowledge about my own body, my own sexuality, the responsibilities of reproduction and raising a family, is only the beginning, albeit a necessary beginning that leads to greater awareness of my role in the community, in the country, in the global village. You cannot tell a person to be a responsible citizen until he first knows how to be responsible over his own self, body, mind and soul.
Poverty and ignorance go together. When you perpetuate poverty, you are perpetuating ignorance, which in turn perpetuates poverty. The cycle is vicious, tenacious, and overpopulation is only one of the glaring symptoms of it, apart from disease, social and economic disparity, and deterioration. The RH bill has the catalytic potential for the country to finally break out of its crippling cycles, where other social revolutions have failed, because it confronts the status quo on both the individual and social levels. Failure to pass the RH Bill because of pressure from the Catholic Church will not be the failure of its proponents, it will be the failure of the State itself.
In this day and age, ignorance bears more dire consequences than ever before. Any enemy of awareness is an enemy of human growth and evolution. Those who use their power and influence to keep people ignorant must be stopped; those who promote information and knowledge as a stepping stone to greater awareness and wisdom must be encouraged. It is for this reason that I fully support the Reproductive Health bill.

LEARN THE ABC'S OF THE NEW RHB...

AN INVITATION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW RH BILL...

In line with objective of having more people work for the RH Bill's enactment into law, Ms. Elizabeth Angsioco of The Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines will doing an orientation on the RH Bill and the need for its immediate passage.

When: 13 August 2010,

Time: 1-5pm

Where: Adarna Food and Culture, Kalayaan Avenue, QC.

For pro-RH people who would want to understand the Bill's contents. Leaders of RH groups will be resource persons and hopefully, Rep. Edcel Lagman will be there to discuss the Bill. The orientation is free but we need people who will commit to join the advocacy.

Pls. help us disseminate information on this event. If you are interested to join the activity, just send a message to: eangsioco@yahoo.com

(My note: Go! The food of Adarna is awesome!)

SHOUT OUT. SHOUT OUT.

YOUR THOUGHTS, HER HEALTH...

Women's Health Magazine Philippines is running an article on the Reproductive Health Bill in its September issue. And in light of that, they would like to hear what YOU all out there think of the bill.

So, using the format that you see above, as a "peg", could you people out there be ever so kind as to email them a couple of sentences? Just answer the question, "WHY DO YOU THINK THE PHILIPPINES NEEDS A REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL?" Both men and women may feel free to answer this question.

Here is a sample reply and a sample headshot by yours truly:

"Access to RH services is a United Nations basic human right (Article 25.2).
No need to say more."

Carlos, 37, Artist/Performer

You can send your photo to womenshealthphils@gmail.com.
Photo must be a headshot, between 1 mb to 3 mb in size.

The answer must not have more than 16 words.
Please provide your first name, age, occupation.

Thanks, guys, and cheers!

MOBS RULE! UPDATE!

UPDATE! THE MARCH TO CONGRESS IS MOVED TO SEPTEMBER 22! I AM GOING TO BE THERE. SEE YOU ALL THERE!

THE TIME IS NOW TO MAKE CONGRESS VOTE ON THE RH BILL 5043:
PLEASE JOIN THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MOBS to MARCH on Congress
and ROOM TO ROOM VISITS INSIDE the House of Representatives

RH MOBILIZATIONS at the House of Representatives (HOR) PROGRAM FLOW September 22, 2009 (WED)
March on South Wing Gate @ HOR

2:00 – 2:30PM – Assembly at Sandigan
2:30 PM – March to SW Gate of HOR
3:00 – 3:20 PM – Photo Ops ng RH BILL NOW NA!!!
3:20 – 4:30 PM – Chanting

EMCEE: Ka Nora Protacio of WomanHealth
Majo Tanwangco (DSWP)

If you wish to bring placards or chant, these are recommended sayings:
"Your VOTE for RH BILL SAVES LIVES"
"Taungbayan Nagsalita na!"
"RH Bill Pagbotohan na!"
"Reproductive Health Bill, Ipasa, Ipasa, Now Na!"


ROOM TO ROOM lobbying schedules at the House of Representatives September 14-16, 22-23 Meeting place: Coffee Experience HOR main building 2:00 PM
A march/appeal/call to the 131 authors of HB 5043:

Notes for volunteers who are going:
1. Be present and consistent in attending sessions and stay on in case the RH bill will be called for the continuation of the debates;
2. Encourage other RH authors to attend the sessions and stay on while RH deliberations continue;
3. Call and or support call for votation on the bill; and
4. Vote for the passage of the RH Bill.
PLEASE WEAR PURPLE.

REMINDERS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS/MOB PARTICIPANTS:
Para sa mga participants na papasok sa loob ng HOR plenary, IPINAGBABAWAL PO ANG SUMUSUNOD :

1. Pagsusuot ng shorts, sinelas
2. Pagdadala ng bags, food, water
3. Pagsasama ng BATA
4. Pagsasama ng may SINAT OR LAGNAT (may fever detector na po ang HOR)

* ang bags at food po ay iwan na lamang natin sa ating mga jeeps
* wag kalimutang magdala ng jacket pangginaw

Please contact the Secretariat for clarifications and or CONFIRMATION
of participation.

SUMAMA NA KAYO... SUMAMA NA KAYO... SUMAMA NA KAYO...
Please confirm participation if you wish to join: RHAN Secretariat
Rhoda Avila - 0917 8855782
Telephone numbers: 9271766; 9256395
email address: RH_AdvocacyNetwork@yahoogroups.com
dswp@dswp.org.ph

PASS THE RH BILL NOW!

Here is that Reproductive Health Bill television and viral spot that we worked on last month. Check out folks like future Senator Tado, Former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, Dame Lea Salonga, yours truly, and even BISHOP Rodrigo Tano voice out support for the RH Bill.

We're almost near the finish line, guys. Congress simply must vote on this before the year is up and we have to pressure them to do so. Please pass this video around and keep the fire burning. We should not drop the ball.

PASS THE RH BILL NOW!!

CARLOS IS IN DA HOUSE...LIVE!

Today, July 22, 2009 Wednesday, is the day of the alternate "State of the Nation" address at the University of the Philippines Diliman. It's called the "State of the Nanay (Mother)" address and will be a theatrical spoof on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's last national address on the 27th of July a week from now. I am honored to play the kinky part of "The Curious Congressman" (above, with the "House Dog" of Congress) who wonders why an empowered woman like GMA refuses to address the most basic of women's rights: the access of reproductive health technology and information to the masses.

The "address" will start around an hour from now at 1:00PM. This is the snack (above) the lovely folks at the Philippines Legislator's Committee on Population and Development gave me before I go down to sit in the "House of Representatives" (below).

Here is a shot of some of the "Representatives" at the "House" (below). Apparently, I'll be sitting with Rep. Risa Hontiveros. Awesome. Love her. She is one of the authors of the Reproductive Health Bill. And seriously, she is the only one I have decided to vote for so far in the next elections. She is running for senator and I got her back. Unless, of course, someone out there can drag out some dirt about her. Which I doubt.

Stay posted for more updates. Live. From the "House of Representatives" UP Diliman.

HELP! HELP! HELP!

CAUGHT BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND..Grr. I'm experiencing a major moral and scheduling crisis. I have two events that have somehow overlapped on the same day and I have to make a choice: Do I host the NAIA3 anniversary celebrations of Cebu Pacific, meet the President, and get paid in free international and local airline tickets or should I attend the Reproductive Health Alternative SONA (State of The Nanay) Rally at Bahay ng Alumni at UP Diliman on Wednesday. For free. Grrr. I am only human. I like airline tickets and I like promoting the use of condoms too. Help me decide.

BRUSSELS SPOUTS...

BELGIUM ROCKS...

A couple of weeks ago after Pope Ratzinger made his irresponsible and delusional remarks in Africa, I told the pope to "F*** himself" on my facebook status bar. And although I may have recieved a few irate messages from conservative readers, I'm glad now to see that I'm not alone in this matter. Just this morning, the artist in residence at The Living Room told me that the Belgian Parliament lodged a diplomatic protest against the Pope's remarks. Good for them! That man in the funny suit must be reminded that the world is not going to allow him to twist scientific data to promote myopic Catholic dogma. Really, why is the heirarchy so adamant against keeping up with the times? This backlash against the pope is absolute proof that the Catholic Church has got to start being relevant to today's issues lest they lose their following and become this weird cult that will only flourish among the ignorant and the insane. Naturally, the Vatican is not too pleased with Belgium.

WHEE! WHEE! AND UGH! UGH!

Today, while on my way to the shooting of an-as-of-now-undisclosed product endorsement in the Batangas area, I received a really great text from one of my peeps over at the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network. Apparently, this March 3, Tuesday, at 3:00PM, Reproductive Health Bill HB5043 will be introduced to Philippine Senate for the first time ever! And with the backing of Senator Biazon no less. Things are moving really fast. Let's hope the momentum keeps! Happy Advanced International Women's Day, everyone!

But on a more somber note. Au Revoir! to the location of many happy 1970's memories with my grandfather and cousins. The chunky Locsin Magnolia Dairy plant (now Nestle), where I once scarfed down Merry Widows and Strawberry Parfaits, is going to be torn down by Robinson's Land Corporation for a - gasp! Gated Community. Jeez, Really, like Manila needs another one. I can only hope that the Gokongwei family does a good job in making the architecture of this new development enhance or improve the area. But judging by the "designed-by-a-team-of-chimpanzees" monstrosities that are Robinson's Galleria, Robinson's Place Malate, and Robinson's Pioneer/Cybergate, I wouldn't place good money on it.

UGH. UGH. UGH.

This was sent to me in the mail. Gosh. If there was just a way that I could sabotage this. If I was really evil, I would pelt these asses with eggs and throw wet towels from windows as they FRICKING CREATE TRAFFIC ON A FRIDAY MORNING ON PAYDAY IN ORTIGAS!!! Gee. Blocking roads is not a good way to get supporters, guys. Really, God save these retards from being run over by the 70% of the nation who disagree with them.

Subject: JERICHO MARCH FOR LIFE - Friday, February 27, 2009, Ortigas

Greetings of Christ's love and peace!

February is Pro-life Month. In connection with this, Pro-life Philippines will celebrate Respect and Care for Life Week by holding a series of activities for the whole month. In our effort to continue saving lives and the family from the evils of contraception and abortion, we will conduct an activity called "Jericho March for Life" on February 27, 2009 at 8:00 am. We shall go on a prayer rally to manifest our love for a truly pro-life and pro-family society, and as a peaceful way to appeal for a stop to the promotion and distribution of contraceptives. We know the physical, social and moral ills that contraception brings to any society – hence, this will be one of our efforts to keep the same ills from destroying our society.

I am inviting you, your families and other loved ones to join us at the Jericho March for Life. Assembly is at St. Francis Church beside Shangri-la Plaza mall at 8:00am, with a short message at 9:00 to send us off on the prayer rally at 9:15. Holy Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Church after the event at 11:00.

I look forward to your presence as we all stand up for life and the family!

Respectfully yours,

MS. MARITA WASAN

Exec. Director, Pro-Life Philippines

JERICHO MARCH FOR LIFE

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2009

Program of Activities - Assembly: St. Francis Church, Mandaluyong

8:00 am Registration of participants

9:00 am Short talk about the activity

9:15 am Start of March for Life

10:00 am End destination: Millennium Place, Meralco Ave. near Julia Vargas, then back to St. Francis Church

11:00 am Eucharistic Celebration – St. Francis Church

Route:

From St. Francis Church, right on Lourdes St., then left on San Miguel Ave. then straight along ADB Ave.

Turn to Opal Rd. Make a left U-turn from Ruby to Garnet Rd., then left on Onyx Rd., right on Meralco Ave, stop at Millennium Place.

Afterwards, turn right on along Julia Vargas Ave., walk straight along bank drive. From Bank Drive make left turn going back to St. Francis Church. You can park your car or vehicle at Megamall or Shangri-la mall parking lot/parking bldg.

Participants are urged to bring:

Candles and Rosary

Banners of Schools/Parishes/ Organizations

Placards bearing pro-life slogans. Make them big enough to be seen. Make sure that placards will not use offensive words.

In the spirit of solidarity, bring your own baon ( including water ). And please bring extra snacks and water for anybody who needs. Most especially for our brothers and sisters from the poor pro-life communities who expressed their commitment to join and will send big delegations.

Who are invited:

Young people, families, urban poor groups, parish organizations, ordinary parishioners, teachers, lawyers, doctors, clergy, religious and all well-meaning citizens who are committed to the promotion and defense of human life. Make them first be aware of the significance of what we will be doing. Thank you!

BACK TO WORK, Y'ALL!!!

OK. Holidays are over. Back to work, everyone. And back to our regularly scheduled programming. Topic for today as usual: Reproductive Health Bill (HB5043).

And so far, things seem kinda rosy. According to Rep. Lagman (above), the author of the bill, "We have 113 co-authors of the bill apart from the two dozen congressmen who have committed to voting for the bill." And remember, only 86 votes from the 238-member House of Representatives are needed to endorse it.

But nevertheless, we should not rest on our laurels just yet. The fat lady hasn't sung and Lord knows what depths the Catholic Church heirarchy of The Philippines will stoop to deprive mothers living in poverty from their right to plan a family.

So if you are looking for congressmen to harass and send dead rats to, please consider the following:

A. Teddyboy Locsin: this fricking guy is seriously demented, just read any of his series of articles in Business Mirror. Out of touch, out of line, and should be kicked out of office.

B. Roilo Golez: In Congress, he flashed a photo of children from the slums of Paranaque on a screen and asked "Sino ba dito sa mga batang ito ang sa tingin ninyo ay dapat hindi na sana pinanganak?" (Which of these children do you believe should not have been born at all?) Not a very convincing argument and only proof that lawyers suck.

C. Ed Zialcita: He claimed in a press statement that the provision on the bill "ensuring that women who have post-abortion complications shall be treated humanely and in a non-judgmental manner" is tantamout to AN ENDORSEMENT FOR ABORTION. And to drive the message home that all women are just mere objects unworthy of any dignity, he sponsors the fricking "Mrs. Philippines Beauty Pageant". This misogynist pig should be feathered and tarred and spat upon by a team of militant lesbians for the pageant alone.

D. Trinidad Apostol: Can't listen to this woman. Actually, I also find it hard to look at her. Click here.

E. Pablo Garcia: Sira ulo, sira ulo, sira ulo (broken head, broken head, broken head). He's one of those people who reason that if Manny Pacquiao's parents practiced family planning, there would be no Pacman.

F. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato: (Special mention) she said in a TV interview that "women who undergo BTL (bilateral tubal ligation) will go to hell." Shet sha.

G. Mary Ann Susano: She posted graphic banners of dead babies. What a freak. No further unsolicited commentary needed. Can't believe the bitch went to Harvard.

And to round things off, go harass:
Rene Velarde and Carissa Cosculluela of Buhay Partylist
Junie Cua
Baham Mitra
Rufus Rodriguez
Thelma Almario
Rodolfo Antonino
J. Dodo Mandanas
just because they need to be taken down a notch and reminded that over 70% of Filipinos want this bill passed...

Now, on the opposite spectrum, start aiming pink light and love towards the following co-authors of HB5043:

Group photo (L to R): Rep. Mitch Cajayon (2nd District, Caloocan), Rep. Abigail Binay (2nd District, Makati), Rep. Darlene Custodio (1st District, South Cotabato), Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales (Partylist CIBAC)

Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla (3rd District, Cavite)

And not in pictures, please send love to Rep. Janette Garin and Rep. Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel.

And lastly, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU XINHUA NEWS AGENCY for the lovely shout out about RH5043.

PHILIPPINE WOMEN YEARN FOR BIRTH CONTROL
by Xinhua Writer Xu Lingui, Ana Santos also contributes to the story

MANILA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Struggling with a daily meal budget of less than two dollars for a family of 12, Floriza Bacli said she was happy to spoil her children a bit on the New Year Eve with something special -- half kilo of fried chicken and a quarter kilo of hot-dogs.

Squeezed inside a tiny make-shift shack made of galvanized steel and wood with her 10 underage children, 37-year-old Floriza said the family had fun on the New Year Eve, or the Noche Buena, literally the good night.

"I wished my family would be far from sickness, even though we might not get rid of poverty," Floriza said.

Read the rest here:

CARLOS GOES TO CONGRESS!

So it had come to pass that last Sept. 30, Tuesday at 4pm, I went to Congress to show support for the Reproductive Health Bill (HB5043). And I must say, it was a very good day. I was really glad to see that our side (the PRO RH Bill side) filled Congress galleries to the rafters. It looked like we were thousand folks more or less on our side of the galleries. People from all walks of life were there, all dressed in Filipiniana or in purple. Urban poor, urban rich, young, old, men, women, gay, straight all showed up to make it known that the RH Bill's time has finally come.

And as for the opposing side, their contingent was rather sparse and lifeless. The ANTI RH Bill section was half empty in their upper galleries, occupied mostly tired looking ladies in blue and white SM Shoemart salesgirl uniforms from some League of Catholic Something or the other. The PRO RH side was definitely more diverse, energetic, and passionate about the issue.  

Unfortunately though, and unsurprisingly, some FREAKSHOW named Rep. Del Mar from CEBU kept "suspending" the session because of a technicality. He cited that the PRO RH people's use of a powerpoint presentation was an "underhanded" tactic to undermine the process or something like that. All in all, because of this freaks' whining and grandstanding, nothing was discussed and the debates were moved to Thursday October 3 or after Nov. 10. Golly gee, Mr. Del Mar, thanks for wasting taxpayer's time and money. And why so afraid of us? You afraid that your theocratic nonsense can't stand up to logic and scientific fact? Yo, Cebuanos, Be smart. Don't vote for this idiot in the next elections, eh?

But anyhoo, I said that it was a good day because it's now it has become obvious that our side now has the numbers (in the galleries, the Pulse Asia polls, in Congress) and the opposing side has now become so desperate that they are resorting to delay tactics to avoid losing the game (which I feel they will). And on my "I SUPPORT THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL" facebook page, even important folks like Lea Salonga, Joanne Andrada, Manny Castaneda, John Silva, Ria Tanjuatco Trillo, and Jim Libiran, have joined the ranks of Cherie Gil, Lisa Macuja, and Pat Evangelista when it comes to supporting this issue.  Even the Management Association of the Philippines and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry had come out in support of RH 5043.

But let's not pop open the champagne. It has not been passed into law yet. And who knows what might be done between now and then to undermine our momentum. After all, it's more than apparent that the other side does not like playing fair, and they have enough funds to buy full page ads of disinformation and innuendo. We MUST stay on track and keep this PRO RH momentum going till it's finally passed in the next session. Now is NOT the time to slack. Stay tuned...

Their side (note the empty seats up front and upper galleries).

Our side. Packed all the way to top floor.

Oh, and if you are looking for other folks NOT TO VOTE for in the next elections. DO NOT vote for Liwayway Chato, Roilo Golez, Rufus Rodriguez, Rene Velarde, Amado Bagatsing, Roman Romulo, Adam Relson, Erbie Fabian, Eduardo Zialcita, Annie Susano et al. These are scary folks who are all supporting the CFC's pursuit to spread lies and untruths about reproductive health and let their religion supercede all forms of logic.

Can anyone add more congressmen who should be added to the list?