Of Condoms, Louis Vuitton and Despair
November 21st, 2009 by Jan Suing
Of floating seats and suspended beds,
Of mosquitoes and rabid dogs,
Of shields and barriers to protect thy self
From a never-ending war of human differences.
Until Ragnarok devours this tragic land
Of folly, laziness, and disrespect.
While South Korea is busy conquering the heights of technological advancement, the Philippines is busy making the longest longganisa in the land.
Philippines, in terms of natural resources and biodiversity, is leading the world. It is one of this planet’s great repositories of biodiversity and endemism. In fact, we have more than mountainous Japan. If that’s the case, what stops us from advancing and reclaiming the glory that was the Philippines of the ‘50s and ‘60s? The answer is quite simple. The Filipinos choose not to.
Religion destroyed the Roman Empire
Religion is good. Religion is the opium of the people, says Marx. But as all of us are aware, drug abuse is detrimental to the body and to the soul.
Can’t you see that ancient ways of thinking are not applicable anymore with the dynamic world you are living in? You want progress. You whine like a hungry pig waiting for your master to serve you food. But how do you achieve progress if you are afraid the step out of the box? How do you become independent if you keep relying on a god who may or may not exist? Why does the Government always have to consult to the Church? When will they become two different entities as they are supposed to be?
Recently, in one of Lea Salonga’s posts over microblogging website Twitter, I read that the Reproductive Health (RH) bill – a bill that infuriates the Church because it is said to go against its principles on procreation – is getting killed, and the chances of it getting pass the Congress is getting slim.
First and foremost, what is the coverage of the RH bill? (1) Information and access to natural and modern family planning; (2) Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition; (3) Promotion of breast feeding; (4) Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications; (5) Adolescent and youth health Prevention and Management of reproductive tract infections, HIV/AIDS and STDs; (7) Elimination of violence against women; (8) Counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health (9) Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers; (10) Male involvement and participation in RH; (11) Prevention and treatment of infertility and (12) RH education for the youth.
Currently, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world with a density of 306.6/km2. And our population is continuously growing. With the current situation our country is facing, do you think we can provide all the needs of every child being thrust into our harsh world every minute? Can’t you see the benefits if this bill becomes a law? I guess not. Because you are a Christian and you are pro-life. Well, I may not be a Christian and you may think I sound immoral to you but this is what I know: I’d rather see sperm cells get accumulated in a rubber and be thrown away in a waste can than see a poor little child be abandoned in a street or thrown in a trash can just because his parents aren’t responsible and capable enough to provide him a decent life.
Too much love for family
‘What are you frustrated about?’ A professor once asked me.
It is this: We love our family so much that we are willing to sacrifice everything that makes us happy for them. I do believe that man’s moral purpose in life is his happiness. But nobody says it’s wrong to love his family. Certainly not. But sacrifice must never be used a justification of one’s love. One must not let his love for his family stifle him from reaching his dreams.
What does this have to do with the Philippines’s sluggish progress?
In a recent study, it was found that the top two priorities of Filipinos are their families and their friends. This is in contrast with Western countries where they perceive achievements as their paramount priority. Progress nowadays requires global competitiveness. But how do we become competitive if we are already contented with what we have? Masaya na ‘ko basta masaya kaming magkakasama ng pamilya ko at kumakain kami ng tatlong beses sa isang araw. That doesn’t even sound like contentment at all. It’s more like the nadir of despair – the despair of not being able to explore one’s full potential and the possibility of achieving a higher level of self-actualization.
On a lighter note, we can actually help our family without feeling it as a burden by bearing in mind that helping them and providing for them isn’t a responsibility but a prerogative.
Hospitality versus Inferiority
I doubt the famous Filipino hospitality. I believe it is not hospitality at all. It’s more of inferiority complex.
Of all the races in the world, the Filipino is among those who believe in white supremacy or superiority. This is the reason why they show them illogical respect every time they’re in the country or they see them strolling on our streets or sun-bathing in our beaches, why they give them special treatment, serve them food they hardly even share with their fellows, and let themselves be treated by these foreigners as slaves. And it is not because we are hospitable.
Don’t you see the manifestations of this malady? The number one song in the local music hit chart is Korean; the highest rating local TV shows are Filipino remakes of Mexican telenovelas; and many more. Filipinos tend to worship anything foreign. They even want their surnames to sound foreign. How many times have you laugh upon hearing genuine Pinoy surnames such as Batungbacal and sort? Can’t you see that these people bearing these kinds of surnames are the real Filipinos? How many times have we heard stupid actresses flaunt their expensive, imported bags and shoes in local TV? Countless times. And it’s sick.
What a tragic sight. Until the Filipinos take pride in being a Filipino, we will not recover from this abyss of self-discrimination and self-loathing.
We cannot step in the same river twice. The world is constantly changing, and if we don’t adapt to these changes, we will forever be left out. So let us leave the past behind and live the present for our future and the future of this glorious nation.
This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Philippines License.
(+27 rating, 45 votes)
| November 21st, 2009 by Jan Suing Jan Suing was the former editor-in-chief of The Lamp, the Official Student Publication of the Far Eastern University Institute of Nursing. He's a deist, a fan of Nietzsche and a movie buff. Among his favorite films are Sympathy for Lady Vengeance and Revolutionary Road.
www.twitter.com/juansuing |
Most commented
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:19 pm
i definitely agree with this article, very well written. i don’t know if most people will agree with me on this one, but may i add the close mindedness and stereotypical beliefs that possibly hinders the country’s progress. i guess Filipinos are not that open to “change towards progress” yet.
December 5th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
i totally agree with this!!! i rather see a condom full of sperms thrown away, than a premature child with placenta thrown away in a dumpster,. The reason the westerners are progressing, is because they are open-minded, facing the truth with the most logical answers,. while the petite Filipinos are closed-minded, always dealing with the HERE AND NOW! Its about time the Bible get another chapter,. If there is the Old Testament, and the New Testament, then our time needs the NEWEST Testament!!! I am a Catholic, i am pro-life, but the life being thrown away in the forsaken rivers of this country can never be called LIFE!!! We NEED this new LAW! We NEED this new LIFE!
January 26th, 2010 at 3:44 am
i would just like to express my opinion on this article, I think the side of the church is clear about the pro life thing, they are not saying that you can just fuck and have yourself pregnant and that would be ok. I think what they are pursuing is that we can use the natural way of planning for a family just like before in the 50’s and 60’s that you are talking about wherein life back then is better than now “ Philippines is in his glorious days” right? Contraceptives are not “nasa uso” then, families are big, parents having around 13 or more children but where able to live, be happy and satisfied of what they have., it’s not the fault of the church if there are a lot of abortion because of unwanted pregnancy, its everyday that they remind people about the rules of our dear lord, it is within the person who did the act that brought out the problem don’t you think? Maybe they don’t go to church, law are not that much implemented (government and police are maybe busy doing something more that would benefit their own tummy) maybe they don’t have family to guide them on what they are doing and maybe just maybe because of the influence they see on porn videos which are accessible now days because of the new technology coming out. Camera phone, vcd, dvd, even on the screen of video oke where young naked woman are featured. So don’t you think the one you’re talking about as ancient thinking should still be applicable now and implemented badly?! Just like the 50’s and 60’s glory days your saying.. hmmm well after all pagbaliktarin mo man ang mundo with out those ancient thinking which is not applicable as you where saying is still important back then, now, and in the near future. Thank you and mabuhay!
January 27th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
@prolife
“I think what they are pursuing is that we can use the natural way of planning for a family just like before in the 50’s and 60’s that you are talking about wherein life back then is better than now “ Philippines is in his glorious days” right?”
You mean withdrawal and all? Isn’t it that the church considers withdrawal method as immoral, too?
?January 27th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
@prolife
Kahit ngayon naman ay nagcocomply ang mga Pilipino sa ancient ways of thinking na tinutukoy ko. And can you see where these ancient ways have brought us? If you want us to be a prosperous nation, kelangan nating may isakripisyo. Kelangan nating mamili.
?January 28th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
All of you! don’t be hypocrites! I love anything that is western/foreign and likewise I know most of you prefer Mcdo over aling karmen’s carinderia, f*ck don’t agree on just about anything inspirational you read and or hear from media, have your own opinions for Christ’s sake!
Although I really love the article, well written! And definitely by all means I’m not a slave foreign worshiper!
I talk, eat, sleep and breath progress I function as a business women in this society even if it means cleaning the car for a mere 150 pesos! If there is anything I would have to agree upon is that MONEY REALLY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND!
People are stupid eh, you see a poor child in the streets and what do you say “kawawa naman ang bata na yan pinabayan ng magulang” well then! don’t pity the child instead just ignore him/her and blame the morals that made them. If your willing to help the vagrant then do it extensively selfless actions for no financial benefit…
Think rich people, act rich and breath wealth! Money is not evil there is no evil and there is no Good in this world only liabilities! hahaha! But I’m serious when I say that! train to use your power and that power is ambition! strive to develop your senses and that is attitude learn to control your fear be confident stop ACTING POOR!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:14 am
so what do we need to sacrifice then mr jansuing?
February 8th, 2010 at 4:38 am
Let me remind you of the Sacrament of marriage
Old fashioned way : sex is done after marriage of two people who have swore to God to love each other, to wait until that special someone comes into their lives. This may be considered the old fashioned way of living. During the baby booming age many adults waited until marriage to procreate. Of course during this time many were walking down the aisles as teenagers, so the waiting game wasn’t as hard and people seemed to value commitment more. In the millennium, with many individuals having sex with no strings attached, it has become more difficult for women and men alike to become involved in a loving monogamous relationship, but let’s look at the facts: in this day and age there are so many single mothers walking around who aren’t married who wished they would have waited.
February 26th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
instead of teaching children & teenagers that sex is not for pleasure, is sacred, is for married people, let’s give them condoms and contraceptives and teach them how to have sex with their friends/crushes. right mr suing?
another “putting-scotch-tape-for-human’s-flaws” tsk tsk
“give them condoms and contraceptives so they’ll have sex all the time…don’t let other people stop our stupidity! hell yeah!”
tsk tsk tsk
stop prostitution and pornography, you will stop that insane sex addiction of people!
February 27th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
@ Recyclic
“If the Catholic Church is going to impose itself on a Democratic Society regarding Artificial Birth Control then the Catholic Church should be willing to step up to the plate and provide Social Programs to meet the needs of children born into poor families. In a Democracy the Catholic Church has no right to force its teachings on a governemnt where 15% of the population are not Catholic and a large number of their own membership oppose their views. They have every right to make demands on their own members within the context of their Church rules.”
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080928025854AAeNJ1g
?March 1st, 2010 at 9:47 am
Such naivety.
It’s not like all of the people in the country needs to be informed to use rubber.
It’s their choice to use contraceptive or not.
Some questions I feel to ask.
Filipinos doesn’t feel inferior to a friend or a relative that visits their home, that’s why they don’t have to treat them well right?
Filipinos needs to close itself and reject foreign ideas right?
Sorry for my bad English, but what is our national language again?
April 18th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
How do you become independent if you keep relying on a god who may or may not exist?(stated by mr.jansuing in this article)
With all due respect, your article is well written but I warn you about the consequences of what you have stated. I see that you are an agnostic. But its not yet too late to change. I can help you out.
Whether you like or not, God exists and that is the truth. He never ceased to exist. He’s the reason why you have that writing ability. He is the reason why you are here on earth. He is the reason why you have life. God says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” See? He knows you already even before you were formed in your mother’s womb. I am not inventing words here because I have my Bible right in front of me. If you believe in the Bible, then you believe that its words are true and they are from God. Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Mr. Jansuing, do you believe in Jesus? If not, well Jesus is telling you right now, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
I wish you would believe. If you believe in Jesus, then you believe in God. Because Jesus said in John 14:6-7, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well…”.
Ponder on these things.
?April 18th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Its about time the Bible get another chapter,. If there is the Old Testament, and the New Testament, then our time needs the NEWEST Testament!!!(stated by John Harvey Perez)
Please be careful of what you are saying. The Bible needs no new chapter. The New testament is the last covenant created by God. No one can add another one. Do not make fun of the Bible as if it were an ordinary book in your shelf.
?April 21st, 2010 at 11:14 am
I think all he was just saying is to stop being religious…. false churches create some beliefs that are not written in the Bible… yet I must also say that it is quite immoral to say “How do you become independent if you keep relying on a god who may or may not exist?”… and “Its about time the Bible get another chapter,. If there is the Old Testament, and the New Testament, then our time needs the NEWEST Testament!!!”… jusko dinudugo na ilong ko hahahah… ang sinasabi ko lang naman kailangan ng tao ang Diyos- isang sandigan, kaibigan, tagapaglikha, tagapatnubay, ang nagbigay sau ng buhay at kumorte sau mula sa isang putik na kawangis nya pa… Yan ang Diyos ang ating buhay…. Gaya nga ng laging sabi.. nasa Diyos ang awa nasa tao ang tyaga…. anjan ang Diyos para sumuporta sa atin pero hindi sinabi nya na tayo ang gagawa… hindi naman nangangahulugan ang indipendent ng paglayo sa Diyos.. nangangahulugan lang ito na kumilos tayo ng naaayon sa kanya…. kumilos ka ng matuwid… nang ginagawa ang lahat ng makakaya…. kumilos ka ng hindi iniisip lamang ang iyong sarili kundi pati ang iba… kung inisip mo pati ang iba…. ang kapalit nito ay ang pagisip rin ng iba para sa iyo.. kumbaga kumilos kayo nang IISA ng may patnugot ng Diyos…..
hahaha I really appreciate how you want Filipinos to reach progress but I just want you to be reminded that there is God…. very well written.. by the way thank you for being brave and strong, and for trying to open our eyes into a real world….
April 24th, 2010 at 3:32 am
lolz tanggapin na lang kasi na iba na ang generation ng mga kabataan ngayon guys. . .
hindi na katulad dati na takot ang mga teens makipag sex kasi nga baka makabuntis sila kasi di pa naman uso ang contraceptives nun eh. . . at wala naman masama kung mag pepremarital sex eh. . . ang masama eh mag sex kayo with the influence of alcohol you may never tell kasi what’s going to happen diba. . . saka sa panahon ngayon sa mga experiences ko hindi lang lalake nag iinitiate pag andun na sa lugar eh. . . sometimes/oftentimes babae na din nauuna. . . and i think walang problema with the contraceptive stuff so what kung nakipag sex ng hindi pa married at gumamit ng condom/pills? ang mahalaga is hindi pinilit yung girl na mkipagsex, hindi binayaran yung girl para makipagsex, gusto ng girl gusto ng boy so why not diba? IT’S VERY VERY OKAY TO HAVE PRE-MARITAL SEX AS LONG AS IT’S NOT RAPE. . .
May 5th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
that’s the problem: people do things because 1) “everyone is doing it”, 2) “we are used to it”, and 3) “it just felt right”. This is our culture right now and it is WRONG. The mere fact that everyone in the world is engaging in premarital sex and is using contraceptives (specifically, condom) does not mean it is the right thing to do. When it comes to morality, majority rule does not apply. It is not the majority who dictates what is good or bad – only God! The truth is, God forbids premarital sex since the earlier times. When did premarital sex become moral? Never! It has never been a moral thing to do in the eyes of God. But in the eyes of perverted men, it is a resounding YES.
Please let me code switch.
Sa isyu ng premarital sex:
Oo tama ka, hindi nga rape kung magtalik kahit hindi pa kasal, ang dalawang tao(babae at lalake) at pareho nilang gusto. Pero ito po ay mali. At ang mali ay kailanman hindi magiging tama. Sa mata ng tao, maaring tama dahil masarap ang pakiramdam nun eh. Una sa lahat, bakit ba sila nagpremarital sex? dahil ba sa sobrang mahal nila ang isa’t isa kaya hindi nila napigilan? o dahil LIBOG lang sila? Kung talagang mahal nila ang isa’t isa, hihintayin nilang makasal muna sila bago nila gawin iyon. True love waits but lust is always in a hurry. Kung inuna mo ang sex bago ang kasal, libog lang yan; hindi TUNAY na pagibig.
Heto ang tamang proseso: kasal muna bago ang pagtatalik. It cannot be reversed. Bakit? Dahil ito ang tama.
Sa isyu ng paggamit ng condom:
Eto na naman tayo. Ginagamit natin ang condom para mairaos ang ating pagnanasa ng walang kaakibat na responsibilidad. Ayaw ng mga tao ang responsibilidad – dahil dagdag pasanin ito sa buhay. Pero gusto natin ng “pleasure”. Sadyang matalino ang “kalaban”. Nilikha niya ang condom para maranasan natin ang “sarap” pero walang “sabit”. At dahil sa imbensyon na ito, tuwang tuwa ang mga tao. Ang hindi nila alam, isa itong patibong para malunod tayo sa kasalanan. FYI, sin is death.
Hindi pa dito natatapos ang kahusayan ng tao. Gumawa siyempre ang tao ng dahilan sa paggamit ng condom: solusyon daw ito sa paglaki ng populasyon, unwanted pregnancy at pagkalat ng STDs. Hindi po isang goma ang solusyon. Una sa lahat, hindi lalaki ang populasyon kung marunong lang magpigil ang magasawa. Pangalawa, hindi magkakaroon ng unwanted pregnancy kung planado ang pamilya at hindi binigay ni babae ang kanyang sarili sa kanyang bf(hindi pa kasal). Pangatlo, hindi magkakaroon ng STD kung nagstick lang sa kanyang asawa ang isang tao. Sasabihin mo sa akin, “Eh un nga eh, hindi marunong magpigil. Saka nangyari na.” Eto ang sagot ko diyan: Alam na ngang mali kukunsintihin pa. Hindi po tayo maaring maging praktikal sa isyung ito. Moralidad na ang pinaguusapan. Hindi condom ang solusyon kundi SELF-CONTROL! Yan ang birtud na dapat matutunan ng mga tao. At matututunan lang yan kung malapit tayo sa Diyos at kung mayroon tayong relasyon sa kanya.
Sa madaling salita, kung ang lahat ng tao ay may takot sa Diyos, wala sana ang condom sa eksena. Ang kaso, most of us PARTIALLY fear the Lord or do not fear Him at all.
?