Whenever I go to a sexual reproductive health conference, I see that the attendees are mostly women. Save for the one or two token men in attendance (usually members of the organizing committee), it’s usually a predominantly female audience.

I always find this ironic because we women don’t have to convince one another that we want better control over our pregnancies, our bodies and subsequently, our lives. What we actually need to do is convince men to do their part in helping us control our pregnancies and our lives. Of course, this is will entail expanding a man’s participation and making birth control (and not just baby making) an equal responsibility.

When we thought of doing the Real Men Wear Condoms Campaign, many wished us luck.

“You’re looking for a guy who’s hot, hard and straight?! Good luck!”

“Good luck getting a straight guy to come out [no innuendo intended] and say he uses condoms!”

I could see where all the skepticism was coming from. According to the 2008 National Demographic Health Survey, among the 51% of the population using some form of family planning, only 2.3% use condoms while over 9% use withdrawal, a method notoriously known to have  high failure rates. A recent Reuters report stated that the Philippines has the lowest rate of condom use in Asia. Only 20% – 30% of groups that are at risk for HIV infection use condoms.

But again, not all men are created equal. There are those little gems of mankind who think that part of being responsible and — this was the best part — taking care of your partner is to use condoms.

Sex and Sensibilities brings you 8 men who are all fans of what we will now forever refer to as “the love glove”.

Inspired by the Real Men Wear Pink campaign, these eight men came out to prove a similar point – that much like wearing pink, wearing a condom is not something that will diminish a man’s masculinity.

Harry Tan. Elusive bachelor.

“I was maybe 14 when my Dad first had ‘the talk’ with me”, Harry says recalling the father and son talk that set the tone for his adolescence and later on, adulthood. Because of that, he has always thought that using condoms was no big deal.

“He ingrained in me that I should only start a family when I’m ready and I should take precautions. Later on, I realized the deeper meaning of what my Dad told me – you should take  control of your destiny, your life.”

Alex Von Ramm. Student. Jock.

Mature and simply straightforward about the subject, Alex says, “I don’t feel embarrassed at all when buying condoms. I had one interesting conversation with one cashier who asked me why I was buying a particular brand and even encouraged me to buy another. When I asked her why she liked the other brand better, she just giggled.”

Sam YG, Slick Rick and Tony Toni

Boys Night Out DJs

If you love listening to their bad boy, locker room humor, imagine spending some time with them in a motel room.

Jabs about penis size, lasting power, and making the ladies happy are all thrown together in quick-witted banter.  It’s clear that for Boys Night Out DJs Sam YG, Tony Toni and Slick Rick, being suave and smooth is synonymous to using the love glove.

Sam Fogg. Personal Trainer.

Sam says that he finds the Philippines a bit of a juxtaposition. “It seems – or it is a very conservative country –  but at the same time, sex is everywhere — In billboards, magazines, everywhere.”

This is in direct contrast to the attitude towards sexual health that he grew up in Manchester. “Condoms, getting tested are all part of being in a relationship”, he says matter-of-factly.

Xander. Financial Analyst.

“I’m an advocate of safer sex. I really believe it affects population and impacts the economic growth or decline of a country. I have a number of friends who had kids before they turned 20. Now that they have kids, that’s when they think about using a condom or regret that they didn’t use one. They go for withdrawal pero mahirap na yun, you’re not sure.”

Dale. Jailbait. Budding actor.

“Yeah, I’ve gotten disdainful looks from some cashiers when buying condoms, especially thekind of older ones, but who cares? Why should I let her judgment cloud mine? I, along with my partner, will benefit from using condoms, not the cashier – so it shouldn’t matter.”

Real Men Wears Condoms is a trademark campaign of Sex and Sensibilities.com and is supported by Victoria Court and LICK condoms. Men’s grooming by Jim Guerrero of L’oreal Professionnel. Photos by Ena Terol. Conceptualization by Dual Action Blender.