Anna of Population Commission (POPCOM) from Trece Martirez City, Cavite who was one of the key speakers of the seminar said this was the first time they conducted it in Alfonso upon the request of Gina of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare Development).

POPCOM collects the following profile data from individual participants:

• Number of children in their family
• Job of the parents
• Forms of contraception they are using, if any

From the data they have gathered they will encourage each mother to use the most suitable form of contraception depending on her health and financial situation and refer her to the nearest clinic where she resides to get free contraceptive provided by the Department of Health. POPCOM cannot impose contraception but instead educate & offer the women what contraceptive services are available for them.

Anna told us that her team which is in charge of certain Cavite areas has been conducting the said seminar and Adolescent Sexuality & Reproductive Health seminar for high school students in the other areas of Cavite since there is an urgent need to control the alarming increase of population in the Philippines.They target more than 400 local high schools in Cavite. They have many team leaders assigned to cover other provinces of Cavite to conduct the seminars. They do not provide snacks to the participants but the students are given a short break period to relax & snack.

Anna said they have a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education to conduct the seminars at any local high schools in all regions of Cavite. RIMM could invite her as a speaker in our Teenage Pregnancy Forums or RIMM can join their seminars. In any case we can work together since we share the common goals.

IPP Raymund reported providing financial assistance and working with Friendly Care to perform free ligation to hundreds of women in hospitals in Cavite and Tagaytay. He also relayed statistics on high Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines. Power point presentation showed many photos of ligation activities and Teenage Pregnancy Forums in Alfonso and Tagaytay.

Honorary Member Jun showed photos of his emergency rescue operations involving many vehicular accidents.

Liezel shared her in-dept insights on issues on the high pregnancy rate in the Philippines and her active involvement during our Teenage Pregnancy Forums.

At the end of the event Rotary Club of Manila members told us that it was an eye-opener for them that family planning is key to prevent over population in the Philippines.

The topic included the Philippines’ president-elect Rodorigo Duterte’s plan that enforces three children limit per couple. It makes sense to our club whose flagship program is family planning and which deems overpopulation is the root cause of poverty, joblessness, food shortage, lack of education and environment of destruction. Our club has been expecting something as drastic measure as this.

The other issue discussed was about the indigent baby girl who has hemangioma on her left arm. We have been taking her to PGH for many examinations including CT scan eventually to surgically remove the lump from her arm. However, the progress has been prolonged by various circumstances. We have started to feel that some invisible force was preventing the direction. Then Betty suggested to take her to a good Chinese herbal doctor who is highly reputed. Upon confirmation of feasibility with the baby girl and her mother, we made a plan to visit China town next week. The episode will be covered in the next article.

The students were listening to the panel speakers in a good manner. We hope that they remember what were discussed at the forum and prevent unexpected pregnancies at their age.

RIMM donated initial construction materials to assist in rebuilding the shanties of the informal settlers at Usting, Luksuhin Ibaba who were evicted from barangay Mangas II in Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines.

Barangay Luksuhin Ibaba lady Captain Cynthia was on site with us to witness the donation of the materials and rebuilding of the shanties.

Richard, the leader of the informal settlers, worked with all the male settlers on building four houses (one of which where Henry’s family resides) that needed assistances the most. They were very grateful of RIMM’s donation of the housing materials.

An additional funding is allocated to continue their house reconstruction this month.

RIMM is buying housing materials at a local hardware store for the informal settlers.

When the teenage mother who was the main speaker was in tears relaying her painful experiences all the high school students naturally felt a sad atmosphere in the room. Most of them were looking down on the floor when she was crying. Other female students looked like they were about to cry with her. The students were not expecting this sad atmosphere in the beginning of the forum. After the teenage mother relayed her experiences the students were given the chance to ask questions to her.
The young students were generally shocked and got scared from some of her answers. This gave them the reality of being a teenage mother. During the open forum our Rotarians emphasized importance of family planning and responsible parenthood and also explained how teenage pregnancy affects prospective lives. At the end of the forum the students were asked what they have learned from the forum. Generally the school students appreciated the teenage mother for coming out open to talk to them. After hearing everything the students did not wish to become a young mother or father and would listen to their parents’ advices. The open forum seemed to have made a positive impact on the young students what it is like to become a young parent.

Some key questions and answers:

Q: How was it like giving birth?
A: It was screaming out loud in pain that people said can be heard from afar. My mother was the one who gave birth to my baby at home. I was in intense labor from 7 am and lasted 7 am the next day. I bled so heavily. I thought I was going to die. I was so weak and pale for over a week after giving birth.

Q: Did you get worried after having an affair with your boyfriend?
A: Yes, I did. I had no idea about it. He was persistent. I asked him what if I get pregnant? He said that he will take care of me & our baby if I ever get pregnant. So I believed him. I thought that he loved me.

Q: How did you feel that you got pregnant?
A: I already felt I got pregnant at the first contact. Weeks after I told him that I was pregnant. I was surprised that he denied our baby and excused using his father. I suffered many months of mental anguish after he disappeared from me when I was pregnant.

Q: Do you want get revenge from his father?
A: Yes. I want him behind bars for what he has done to me and my baby. I even challenged him to have a testing to prove to him that the baby was his.

Q: How do you support your baby?
A: I will look for a job at nearby market to buy diapers and food.

Q: Would you fall in love again?
A: Yes. My priority now is my baby’s needs. I am lucky because my family is here for me despite of the mistake I have done.

Q: If you can turn back time, which would you prefer?
A: I would prefer to have no baby & would like to go to school just like all of you.

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RIMM highly respects the teenage mother being courageous to talk about her painful experience in front of a big audience. RIMM gives a financial assistance to support her baby and livelihood every time she gives a talk at such forum.