where the moon shines

Received this in my inbox just a few minutes ago, and I would be more than happy to pass along the information

Click on the photo to get to the Petition page, and add your e-signature.

The sexual trafficking of children and young people is one of the most heinous crimes that exist in the world today. Let us support ECPAT-Philippines, and it’s partners, in their work to put an end to this. ECPAT also works with various organizations to give assistance for victim/survivors of child trafficking.

I worked with ECPAT as a youth volunteer for many many years. When I started to work (after college), my very first job was with one of its partner organizations, the Asia ACTs Against Child Trafficking. It’s wonderful to know that companies like The Body Shop are now supporting local groups in their advocacies. Head to your nearest TBS stores and make your purchase count towards the eradication of sex trafficking of women and children!

Since the availability of an anti-cervical cancer vaccine in the country was announced, I have wanted to avail of the shots. Yesterday, while waiting at the OB-GYN’s clinic, I finally got to ask the doctor’s assistant for info on them. The vaccine is administered in three shots within 6 months of the first one. Each shot costs either PhP3,500 or PhP4,500 depending on the brand. The difference, according to the lady, was that the more expensive one prevents the strain causing genital warts as well, while the other doesn’t.

The cost is considerable, but if you weigh it to the fact that you get protection from cervical cancer, then it does seem worth it. I wonder though, can anyone recommend another hospital or doctor that may be offering the same vaccines at a lower cost?

I could have asked at the Medicard clinic, but they would refer me to another OB-GYN in the same building. I feel a bit disloyal having to go to someone else, haha. So if you’ve had your shots from a different clinic or doctor at a lower cost than what was quoted here, would you please be so kind as to give me a recommendation? I would appreciate it.

Why is important to get the Cervical Cancer vaccine?

An article from the Mayo Clinic website mentions that in the US alone, 40% of those diagnosed with this disease die. In the Philippines, about a third of those infected do not get well. Cervical Cancer also strikes at any age, could be when a woman is still young and about to start a family.

There are two types of vaccine available, both blocks HPV types 16 and 18 which causes about 70% of cervical cancer cases (source). One of them, Gardasil, also blocks types 6 and 11, which though not associated with Cervical Cancer, are associated with genital warts and mild Pap test abnormalities. I guess this is what the doctor’s assistant was referring to as the more expensive brand and if so, I don’t see anything wrong with going with the one from GSK.

Who should be vaccinated?

Girls as young as 10 years old may already avail of the vaccine. This is recommended so their immune system sets in before the virus and the cancer even has a chance to step in and develop.

I encourage girlfriends to consult their doctor soon, and avail of the cervical cancer vaccine. This can even be our ‘bonding’ activity. Let’s go together, and then do something fun after the shots.

Today is the start of a new Philippines. Or so they say.

The President has been sworn in and the nation tuned in to see the star-studded ceremonies. I was at work and didn’t see it. I fell asleep in the afternoon without having been able to see any videos of the entire thing on the Internet. I’ll try to catch it tomorrow. I did get to read his inaugural speech. Very inspiring. I must admit though, we’ve heard these words before. Somehow, the Pinoys are more hopeful this time around. It’s as if we really are looking forward to a brighter tomorrow where what the President says may actually come true.

Ako din, I want to be hopeful I am hopeful. I truly believe that the fate of the country does not lie in Noynoy’s hands alone, it is an active and responsible citizenry that will bring the change that we have so longed for. P-Noy is but an agent of that change. He will lead the transformation within the government. But we have to take action too.

About the ceremonies though, naisip ko lang, sana they gave a chance for lesser known (but deserving) artists to take center stage. I mean, we probably have other local artists outside of Manila waiting for the chance to show the rest of the country and the world what they have to offer. It would have been a wonderful way to stay true to what PNoy professes to be: a very simple man who will lead a simple life even as he is President of the land. Makes sense? Wala lang, maisingit lang yung sentiment na yun.

Tonight, after the street party for the people, the President will go back home to Times Street. Once his new residence in the Malacañang compound is ready, he will move there, sa Bahay Pangarap.

Best Wishes President Noy! Today you’ve sealed your contract with the Filipino people. Our wish is that you stay true to your word.

We will be watching.

Two weeks ago, our Corporate Communications Officer sent out a mailer about the Bottle School Project. Tomorrow, June 13th, the Bottle School Run will commence. Runners and everyone else are encouraged to join. Just bring two 1.5/2 liter PET bottles and pay the small registration fee to join the fun run – 3k, 5k and 10k. The bottles, and the money, will be used to build bottle schools in areas affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

The people behind the project will be pioneering a build at Maharlika Village in Taguig City. I’m hoping there will be more details at the event so I can learn more about getting involved. Sadly, their website (http://bottleschoolproject.org/) doesn’t have much information.

Here’s a video I found though:

And look at photos from MyShelter’s Illac Diaz’ Multiply page.

I first read about a school made from plastic bottles through this blog post in Be The Change back in February. I am so happy that the technology has been recognized here, and is now being explored.

It makes me feel good that our company is trying to be involved in such worthy projects. I hope a lot of people throw their support behind this too.

With school year 2010-2011 opening this week (next week for others), there’s been a lot of buzz about the inclusion of sex education in high school and elementary curriculum. The Secretary of Education has announced that Adolescent Reproductive Health will be piloted in some 150 schools across the country. Just as expected, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a statement against this move. They contend that sex education should be left to the parents.

Personally, I’m all for RH in the education system. After all, the teachers won’t be teaching about sex itself but:

Rather than sex alone, Valisno stressed that the modules for sex education will be focused on adolescent reproductive health, rising teenage pregnancies, responsible parenthood, gender equality and sustainable environment. (as quoted from here)

I’m trying to recall if we had anything close to RH when I was in high school… I think my Health teacher in the all-girl Catholic high school I went to talked to us about getting to know your body as a very important step towards learning about reproductive health. I believe it was part of the curriculum. But there definitely wasn’t any talk of sex. I mean, no one would dare teach teenage girls about sex, even if it wasn’t a Catholic school, people would just be so scandalized! Hehe.

I guess my point is that there is nothing wrong about RH in schools. I don’t believe that raising consciousness pushes kids to engage in sex. Of course, the content and methods of teaching has to be carefully prepared. One thing that might help Valisno gain more support for this, is to stop calling it sex education in the first place. It’s not like they’d be teaching kids on how to do it, right? They won’t be promoting Viagra or Extenze, would they?

Educating young people on how to be responsible with their bodies and, eventually, with their sex lives, is a step towards building an educated citizenry. It also wouldn’t harm the efforts to control population growth.

Of course, simply teaching RH won’t guarantee that young people will stop making mistakes. It won’t guarantee that they’d abstain from premarital sex, or that there will no longer be teenage pregnancies. It also wouldn’t stop them from growing up to become adults who will get married and then later have a dozen kids that they can’t feed. Teaching RH in schools won’t be enough. But we have got to start somewhere.