On Why I Support Reproductive Health

I am Filipino and I belong to the 81% of those who are Catholic. Living in Manila for twenty-four years., I grew up witnessing how my parents work themselves to the bone, sometimes even go in debt, just so that me and my siblings could go to a reputable school and provide for the family's needs. My education, brought about by the sacrifice by my parents, would always be a constant reminder of their love.

In these seventeen years of schooling, I have been molded by Jesuit mottoes of Luceat Lux (Let Your Light Shine) , Lux in Domino (Light in the Lord), and Magis (to be and do more). Apart from a good foundation in your usual Maths, Sciences, Business and Marketing, it is these teachings that I took pride of. It gave purpose to the practical knowledge I gained. Borne out of the love of my parents, the fruits of my education sought for me to be a source of love to those around. It is with this love and concern to my fellow Filipinos that makes me support the Reproductive Health Bill of the Philippines.

The Reproductive Rights is defined by Senate Bill 2378 as follows:

the rights of individuals and couples, to decide freely and responsibly whether or not to have children; the number, spacing and timing of their children; to make other decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence; to have the information and means to do so; and to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.

Support of this bill does not make me less Catholic, rather it makes me more human. It means that though I respect the teachings of my religion, I choose not to be blind to the current plight of poverty plaguing 26.5% of the Filipino people. It means that as a son, I would never want to witness any parent work until it compromises their health, live that every second of the day is spent thinking how to put food on the table, hurt knowing they cannot provide their child with the best education, clothing, shelter... sometimes not even the best but even the most basic of needs. It means that I acknowledge that family planning is a reflection of a parent's concern because it means they are aware that bringing a life into the world is a big responsibility. 

I believe that support of this bill is a choice of love, as a child and as a future parent. It is not renouncing my faith, but an appreciation and a fulfillment of it.  I am still Catholic. I am a Filipino.  But first and foremost, I am human.