Because I want to live in a country where women are healthy, where an individual’s choice matters, and where citizens are properly educated about things relating to sex or reproductive health.

In 1988, then 17 year old Lea Salonga performed and spoke about sexual responsibility to thousands of students on different schools as part of the mass media “enter-educate” project of the Population Center Foundation (PCF) of the Philippines and the Population Communication Services of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health  to respond to high rates of teenage pregnancy in Metro Manila. The tours culminated in mini-concerts, students’ essays, and art contests.

Lea Salonga has been an ambassador of movements that aim to educate the youth regarding sexual responsibility since she was a teenager. She has known about these things since decades ago. Are you still going to ask why she involves herself so much on talks regarding the RH Bill? I guess not.

I’ve been reading and hearing a lot of comments saying how annoying Lea Salonga has been lately for stating her opinions on things she doesn’t have anything to do with, and since someone has sort of brought the issue up in here already, allow me to express my irritation on this nonsense.

First of all, if the opinions we’re talking about are regarding the Reproductive Health Bill, Lea Salonga has all the rights to speak up because: 1) she’s a Filipino 2) she’s a woman and a mother 3) she’s a Pro-RH ambassador. But even if she weren’t, saying that Lea Salonga is “mahilig makisabat sa mga bagay na hindi naman kailangan ang opinyon niya” is still one big ball of nonsense. It’s like questioning her possession of a brain and prohibiting her of using it. I know this phrase is way overused already, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. You have yours, I have mine, and Lea has her’s. Does this give me the right to call you and myself pakielameras, too? No. The reason why her opinions are all over the news is because she’s a celebrity, and a big one. You also have to admit, the woman does not give mediocre opinions but intellectual ones. People can learn a lot just by listening to her. She knows exactly what she’s talking about and she’s firmly gripped on her stand on issues. These make her opinions worthy of news articles and flash report headlines. 

I read a comment somewhere that goes like “Lea Salonga, stop talking about the RH Bill already. You’re just a singer. Huwag ka na maki-epal diyan, kumanta ka nalang” and I was in rage. Lea Salonga is a rare gem, and I believe we need more people like her in showbiz- celebrities who are not afraid to voice out opinions and to take a stand regardless of how it may affect their public images. You guys have no idea how many people have converted into a Lea Salonga hater since the Willing-Willie issue. But eh, the hell with public images. I would always chose the brave, outspoken, opinionated, intelligent Lea Salonga over any other celebrities who keep mum regarding social issues, scared of having opposite stances with their audiences.

Based on what I can see, the problem with our society is that a lot of people doesn’t know how to respect an opposing opinion. They reject new ideas to enter their brains. They shut their ears whenever someone expresses a point of view contrary to what they believe. When an anti-RH finds out that you are pro-RH, you become an instant enemy. And people take things in a very personal level, to add to that, making you an instant target of personal insults and whatnots, too. That’s how most Filipinos roll, and it sucks. Oh well, I guess not everyone who owns a brain knows how to use it properly.

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong ma-flatter dahil naalala mo yung blog ko o magalit dahil parang sumasang-ayon ka na pakialamera si Lea Salonga. Pero para hindi ako ma-stress, sige, pipiliin ko nalang na-flatter. Salamat.

Lea Salonga’s reaction on the debate regarding the RH Bill in congress. If you’ve watched the session, you’ll know how much facepalm Bagatsing’s sentiments are worth. Really now, sir. Really now.

Do you? Take a stand, help spread awareness, and show your support! I made a badge you can put on your sites to show your support, too. Click here.

Yup :)

Corruption issues are so overrated. Try asking random people on the street why the country is poor, and 95% of them would answer corruption. The media hypes about it so much, neglecting other issues that causes our poor country to become poorer. At tama ka. Kung sa maliit na tindahan nga may korupsyon, sa gobyerno pa kaya?

Re abortion: Exactly. The bill did not state anything about supporting abortion. The bill doesn’t have anything to do with abortion, actually, and it’s infuriating that a lot of people who are against it are insisting that the RH Bill legalizes this crime, thus making the bill immoral. Seriously now?

It was clearly stated on Section 3,m. that abortion remains illegal and punishable, hence the bill is not tolerating it. If you read the text, it states that if a woman who committed abortion suffers from post-abortion complications and would need any help from the government, they would treat the woman fairly and without any discrimination. They would take care of her not because she committed abortion, but because she’s sick and needs medical help. Wouldn’t our “core values” be questioned even more if we just let the woman suffer and die? Being treated compassionately does not imply that the woman will be free from her crime of aborting. She’d still face the law.

The country is poor for many reasons: Corruption, capitalism, national debts, etc. But a lot of citizens are poor because the size of their families are so much bigger than what the heads can support. On this issue enters the case of Family Planning, something I’m sure can prevent overpopulation in this country if properly implemented. 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I respect your opinion.

Mr. Carlos Celdran!!!!! Wow, thank you! I’d love to meet you, too. I’m a fan! Have a fabulous week and I hope you feel better soon! Btw, the reblog button should appear once you click on the permalink of the post :)

Exactly! The bill aims to prevent unwanted pregnancies by using birth control methods, natural and artificial alike. If the egg cell and the sperm cell didn’t meet in the first place, how could there be any need for abortion, right? I don’t think it’s possible to abort a nonexistent fetus. This Church-State thing has always been dissapointing. There are certain issues in the society where the Church has got to back off. We can’t just watch our fellow Filipinos die of sexually transmitted diseases or let a family struggle forever just because the Church thinks that the cure people has come up with for these social cancers are against the bible. Isn’t it more inhumane to watch people suffer without doing something? I am Roman Catholic and I am faithful to my religion, but the Church has been a little disappointing. Same as the government, who has a potential to do much better if only they make plans and decisions independently.

Oh thanks, by the way! Much appreciated! Yay Lea fans :)

I agree on everything you just said! The problem with our society today is that they take a stand on something without even knowing what it is all about. They blindly jump into believing something just because majority of the people they know believes in it. I don’t even think half of the people who are against the RH Bill has read the full text. This is sickening. The Reproductive Health Bill was not created to stop human reproduction. It has nothing to do with abortion and killing. If unwanted pregnancies are prevented beforehand, there would be no need for abortion. If families are planned profoundly, there would be less scarcity, less hunger, less poverty. The bill was created for the greater good of the greater number of people. Sigh, if only everyone understands what the bill is all about.

Anyway, thank you so much for sharing your opinion!

Jose Rizal went against the clergies who used religion to oppress the Filipino people, didn’t he? So, this is like saying that Jose Rizal is a disgrace to our country and to the Church too. Ah well, I don’t expect everyone to agree with me when I say that Carlos Celdran is awesome, anyway. I respect your opinion, please respect mine.