When I was assigned the article, “Religion gets in the way of safe sex”, for IRIN News (the humanitarian news and analysis agency of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), my editor reminded me to get the point of view of religious and pro-life groups to ensure a balanced report.

In the context of the unprecedented rise in HIV infections in the country, I was to get  the reaction of public health officials,  HIV/RH activists and religious groups on the pope’s statement on condoms and if its impact on the reproductive health debate, if any.

I called Pro-Life President Eric Manalang for a comment and he asked me to email my questions first before giving a reply. I obliged and received a reply from Mr. Manalang the next day.

The story, “Religion gets in the way of safe sex” did not make it to IRIN News, but apart from here on ProPinoy.net, it was published on SexAndSensibilities.com. I informed Mr. Manalang, that  his reply to my e-mail would be printed in full — as per his request —  on both websites.

Below is the email of Mr. Manalang, which has not been edited (save for formatting and punctuation) or cut.

Dear Ana,

Thanks for calling.This may or may not be the interview you may want,you will notice as you read on.

Nothing personal but it  seems awkward for you  and almost impossible for me to get a fair result from this interview (your boss has an agenda am sure), seeing  that IRIN a part of UN, already has made certain conclusions with regard to RH, population agenda and poverty and the HIV problem, as well as infers at the very least a certain media bias already as to the ”  focus only on   the Condom portion ” of the statement by the HOLY FATHER (with much of secular MEDIA misleading many Catholics and non Catholics).

HIV is a problem of promiscuity, abstinence and faithful family life is the key values needed. Look at Thailand vs Philippines on HIV vis condom promotion.Where is the HIV epidemic? In Thailand!

Kindly yourself, Catholic or not, consider that The POPE did not change any existing teaching nor commandment,it is the secular media that translates it to meet it’s liberal/left leaning agenda, PDI included, when it comes to fighting and destroying  objective morality and decency.

No population, no economy because no producers and no  consumers. Simple truth. Poor people are the source of growth in an economy, not the wealthy.

WE, THE  REAL CATHOLICS,  LOVE THE POPE!

There are TEN COMMANDMENTS, not less nor more. Bad morality brings bad policies, what else can we expect?

The UN, a supposedly unifying international body is now a “TUTA” ( pardon my taglish) of the USA and EU and many fabulously funded Foundations   (Packard,Ford,etc) whose agenda is to depopulate countries like the Philippines. WHAT!!?? Is the UN unifying for or against HUMANITY?  RH using health as a convenient smokescreen lie is  to mislead the poor that children are burdensome.

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

A war against our women’s wombs has been launched. Scary indeed. But we fight!

Stop corruption, not the population! Build schools, more teachers, more real health facilities for survival, not RH, abortion fronts. Empower the poor with education,education education.

If your needing an interview just ask the PLCPD, maybe they will be happy to oblige with lies and falsities from selected data and RH  biased experts for the MDG.

Funny how many of  the progressive blocs of Akbayan, Bayan Muna, feminists, environmentalists,etc have sided with the enemy, a.k.a imperialist USA, in pushing the over population myth agenda and so interview them as well. Hypocrisy betrays consistency.

I hope you kindly  understand the  point clearly.

Knowing that this short piece may not land on the IRIN news, I kindly require that if printed it be done in whole, or not at all. I reserve my right to it.

Of course STRICTLY,for LOVE and LIFE and FAMILY.

Merry Christmas to you  and your love ones Ana..MABUHAY!

God bless,

Eric

        

We were again overwhelmed by the results of our LICK condoms contest. Aside from the boatload of entries we got, we were thrilled to see that participants were so SASsed up about the promo that they came up with rhymes, acronyms and other creative ways to show how much they like to LICK it.

To get your prize, please email your complete name and mailing address to sexandsensibilities@gmail.com and expect delivery within 3-5 weeks.

Thank you to everyone who joined!! : )

1.  GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Valerie

You get a FREE LICK hoodie and a LICK condoms gift pack

“Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because everytime my hubby and i make love like ‘cats and dogs’ and feel the heat during cold rainy days, we can be at ease from unplanned pregnancy while enjoying the oooozzzyyy, major major hot feeling of love making.

Congratulations to all  the other winners who will get a free LICK condoms gift pack:

2.  KM

“Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because making love on a stormy day is cool, and using a glove won’t make you a fool.”

3.  astig316

“Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because LICK is a Lasting Intimacy Condom for Keeps.”

4.  Lenlen

“Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because its slippery when wet but protects rain or shine.”

5.  Jomar T. Sadie

Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because LICK condoms make it FUN despite Typhoon Juan!”

6.  Ruth

“Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because.. it keeps me going all night like a virgin pornstar, yet it makes me feel safe and secured like driving a new car!

7.  Apple

“Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because like an umbrella, LICK protects me and my husband from fears of unsafe sex, on the other hand, we keep on enjoying it like children playing under the rain.

8 .  T R Q

Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because

the rain will cloud the sounds of love and play,
Lick will enhance, protect and save the day,
lubricate, heighten and come – what may
no 9-month after, nor worries ‘long the way.

9.  CAPETA

“Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because it
S-supports every lovers’ needs
E-enables us to feel that worry-free, pain-free sensation and you’ll get that…
X-Xtra-ordinary experience with  every move you make.”

10.  Elizabeth Megia

“Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because LICK is the new mobile phone, u can never leave the house without, you’ll feel unsafe and lost without it and you just don’t feel right and good without it!

        

Wet, wet, wet but an unplanned pregnancy or eewy disease you should not get

1. Tell us:  during the seductive bed weather the rainy season brings, how do LICK condoms keep you wet and make sure that an unplanned pregnancy or                    eewwy  disease you do not get.

2. Fill in the blank:  “Rainy season is synonymous to bed weather. LICK condoms keeps me wet and also makes sure that an unplanned pregnancy or eewwy disease I don’t get because ________.”

e.g. I can do it all throughout the rain without worrying about any pain!

Leave your answer in the comments section of this post. You don’t have to tell us your real name, but you do have to give us a functioning email address so  we     can notify you in case your entry is chosen.

3.  You can enter as many times as you like as long as your entry is different every time.

4.  Contest runs from Oct 8 to Oct 29, 2010.

5.   Ten (10) winners will get a FREE LICK condoms gift pack with EZ lubricating jelly sachets discretely delivered to a mailing address of their               choice. One grand prize winner among the 10 will be chosen, and will be given a FREE LIMITED EDITION LICK hoodie on top of the gift pack.

6.    Winners will be notified by email by November 5, 2010.

        

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.

        

In a fast-paced world, often criticized for having an oversexed and sensationalized media, it is expected that teenagers would not get their sex education solely from their parents. Sex and Sensibilities youth correspondent Nicai de Guzman chats with several teens where they get their information about the birds and the bees and if they find it useful at all.

Here is what the boys have to say…

“I learned it from family members. It has been useful because they warned me of things that could happen, as well as safety precautions to avoid those.”– Bruin, 15, QC, Lourdes School

 “I got my info about sex from a mix of credible and not credible cousins, and the internet. I guess the sex ed websites were the most useful since they were the least sensationalized.” – Francis, 17, QC, UP Diliman

 “Peer groups, friends are my sources. In a way, it’s been useful since I don’t get shocked by the things that I hear and see.”– Karl, 14, Tacloban, Philippine High School for the Arts

“Internet and peer groups, especially when my friends tell stories. Yeah it’s useful because I’m more aware.”– Erwin, 15, Lourdes School

“I usually learn them from my older siblings and school. Of course it’s been useful because these days, media releases a lot of sex-related stuff so I don’t get shocked anymore.”– Nicko, 14, Philippine High School for the Arts

“I get my sources from more “experienced” friends, magazines, and the Internet. Yes, I find them useful, but of course, these are just pieces of advice. I always keep an open mind.” – Franz, 19, UP Diliman

And here is what the girls have to say…

“They teach us in school, in third year. It’s useful because at least you know what will happen to you and the diseases you can acquire when you do it.”– Jemima, 14, Nueva Ecija, Philippine High School for the Arts

“I get my sex education sources from television shows and magazines. Generally I find them useful because they’re practical, but not all the time.” – Sarah, 17, UP Diliman

“I get my information from innocent research and friends. I’m not sure if it’s been useful but it saves you from shock. It can also help you in biology to keep your interest up.” – Lyka, 14, Philippine High School for the Arts

“I learn from friends. Usually, just the terms, which is good because I’m not ignorant about such terms anymore.” – Kimberly, Pasig, UP Diliman

 “I get my information from educational shows. Learning those things is important for my future, for a good future.”– Zyrha, 14, Tacloban, Philippine High School for the Arts

Though there’s really not much difference from where these youngsters get their information, it’s evident that their friends, family, school and media are common denominators.

Whether their sources are credible or not, what really matters is how they use this information. The 2002 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS3) by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI)  surveyed 20,000 young Filipinos aged 15 to 27 nationwide and found a more  permissive attitude towards pre-marital sex — albeit more in favor of males engaging having sex.

One in three young people thinks that there is nothing wrong for young men to have sex before marriage, but found that only 22% thought it was acceptable for women to do the same. The study also found that there is an increasing tolerance for women engaging in pre-marital (13% in 1994 to 22% in 2002), especially among older males (24% in 1994 to 38% in 2002) compared to older females (13% in 1994 to 22% in 2002).

What may be alarming is that the rise in sexual activity coupled with the increased tolerance of sexual behaviors is not accompanied by the accurate knowledge about its consequences. Also evident was the lack of understanding about safer sex and its benefits. For example, more than half of those surveyed did not know that a woman can get pregnant after only one sexual encounter, but majority of the respondents are aware about contraception.

Now that’s something to think about.

        

The female condom (Courtesy of www.bcpwa.org)

Yes, there is such a thing as a female condom.

It functions just as a male condom does — it prevents contact with semen. The main difference is that female condoms are made to be worn along the inside of the body.

Just like the Pill, the female condom puts contraception in the control of the woman. No more condom negotiation with your partner who says that he doesn’t like wearing condoms. The female condom adds teeth to the “No Glove, No Love policy” which was lopsided in favor of the one who wore the condom.  The female condom gives the woman full control and as everyone knows: the one who wears the condom is the one who makes the rules in bed.Best of all, the female condom can protect you BOTH from STIs and unwanted pregnancy – something the almighty pill can’t even do.

Joy Lynn Alegarbes, Global Director for The Condom Project gives us a SASsy preview of the female condoms.

What is the female condom and how does it work?

The Female Condom: A Step by Step Guide

There are two types of female condoms, the FC1 and the FC2 — both  are approved by the World Health Organization.

They have a flexible inner ring and a prominent outer ring; just squeeze the flexible, inner ring and slide it into the vagina; take your finger and, along the inside of the condom, gently push that inner ring up as far as it will go.

Each female condom has a closed end that is inserted into the body and helps to hold the condom in its proper place during sexual activity; there is also an external rim that should always remain on the outside of the body once the condom is inserted.

During intercourse, the penetrative partner should always be completely surrounded by the female condom. Like male condoms, each female condom can only be used one time.

What does the female condom mean for women?

While women and receptive partners cannot necessarily force their penetrative partners to wear a male condom, they can be proactive about their own sexual health and safety by inserting a female condom (FC) before sexual activity and negotiating its use with a partner.

What are the benefits of the female condom?

Female condoms have many benefits:  they will fit nearly every partner, regardless of the body’s shape and size and, when using an FC, the penetrative partner should not wear a male condom at the same time.  Female condoms can also be inserted prior to foreplay and intercourse, and they do not require immediate removal after ejaculation.

Another great option for increased sensation is the female condom.  During intercourse, the penetrative partner will be surrounded by soft, sensuous, heat-conducting material.  The inner ring will stimulate her g-spot and gently rub the glans of his penis. The outer ring will stimulate her clitoris… and best of all, when using an FC, the penetrative partner doesn’t have to wear a thing!

For the ultimate in lack-of-interruption, I highly recommend female condoms.  Female condoms can be inserted several hours prior to foreplay and intercourse; they form to the inside of the body and warm up to they body’s temperature.  An added benefit is that they do not need to be removed immediately after ejaculation. – if he wants to linger inside after finishing, he can.

Read more about he benefits and disadvantages of the female condom in an excerpt from a post on Avert.org.

Access the full article at: www.avert.org/female-condom.htm

Benefits of the female condom

! Opportunity for women to share the responsibility for the condoms with their partners

! A woman may be able to use the female condom if her partner refuses to use the male condom

! The female condom will protect against most STDs and pregnancy if used correctly

! The FC or FC2 female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse so as not to interfere with the moment

! The FC and FC2 female condoms are made of polyurethane and nitrile, which are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than latex. These materials can be used with oil-based as well as water-based lubricants.

! No special storage requirements are needed because polyurethane and nitrile are not affected by changes in temperature and dampness. In addition, these materials are thin and conduct heat well, so sensation is preserved.

? The outer ring or frame is visible outside the vagina, which can make some women feel self-conscious

? The FC and FC2 female condoms can make noises during intercourse (adding more lubricant can lessen this problem)

? Some women find the female condom hard to insert and to remove

? It has a higher failure rate in preventing pregnancy than non-barrier methods such as the pill

? It is relatively expensive and relatively limited in availability in some countries

? It is recommended that the female condom be used only once

Click HERE for  a video on how to use the female condom. http://www.avert.org/videos/sexual-health/female-condom

        

 There are certain words that are just as synonymous to summer as “sun” is –
 
Beach trips
Fun
Lovin’ and….
Flings

But the sizzle and the smoldering heat of these words may tempt you to give in to the heat of the moment, take it all off, and have unprotected sex. Don’t be caught with your pants down — ever! ;-)
 
Apart from your trusty sun visor, shades and sun block, you need the love glove on hand to give you adequate protection at all times. 
 
Sex and Sensibilities and LICK Condoms will make this a worry-free summer for you by giving out FREE LICK flavored condoms and discreetly delivering them right to your doorstep. 

LICK condoms are made with real fruit flavors like wild tutti frutti and wild strawberry for delicious fun! Those with oral fixations can get their fill the safe, sassy way with LICK condoms.  See just how delicious safer sex can be  — get ready to LICK or be licked! 

To get your personal sample of LICK condoms, simply complete the sentence below.  Give it your best shot and give us the wackiest, sassiest, sexiest answer you can drum up. We’ll pick the 10 best answers that will leave us falling over ourselves laughing!

“One hot, hot, hot reasons why LICK condoms can give me the best protection from the heat of summer is _____________”

The ten (10) best answers will get a FREE LICK Condom pack sent to a designated delivery address. One best answer from the tight circle of 10 will even get a special edition fiery pink LICK hoodie.

Mechanics:
 
1. All you have to do is post your answer to this blog post. (You don’t have to put your real name, but don’t forget to indicate a working email address where you can be contacted in case your entry is chosen.)

2. We’ll  pick our the top 10 kick-SAS answers and give them FREE LICK condoms and discreetly send them to a designated mailing address.  One  scene-stealer, show stopping answer will get a FREE fiery pink LICK hoodie delivered to them, apart from the FREE LICK Condoms. 

3. You can enter as many different answers  as you want, but duplicate entries will not be counted. (This isn’t a raffle!)

4. Last day for submitting entries will be May 12, 2010. Winners and winning entries will be announced on May 15, 2010.

        

As it turns out, condoms have been around for a very long time. The Egyptians led the way in using linen sheaths as protection as far back as 1,000 BC. Here’s a short history of condoms, or what every SASsy girl affectionately calls the Love Glove, provided by the Condom King. 

1000 BC
Condoms use can be traced back several thousand years. Images from about 1000 BC portray the acient Egyptians wearing a linen sheath. It’s up for discussion as to whether they wore it for protection or for ritual reasons. 

100 – 200 AD
The earliest evidence of condom use in Europe comes from scenes in cave paintings at Combarelles in France. 

1500s
In Italy, research by Gabrielle Fallopius found the linen sheath useful for prevention of infection, and later its usefulness for the prevention of pregnancy was recognized. 

1700s
How did condoms get their name? Some believe it was named for “Dr. Condoms,” who supplied King Charles II of England with animal tissue sheaths. Others believe the name came from a “Dr. Condon” or “ Colonel Cundum.” It likely came from the Latin word “condom,” which means “receptacle.” 

1844
Goodyear and Hancock began to mass-produce condoms made out of vulcanized rubber, which is a stronger and more elastic material. 

1861
The first advertisement for condoms was published in an American newspaper when The New York Times printed an ad for “Dr. Power’s French Preventatives.” 

Early 1900s
Social hygienists fought to prohibit the use of condoms by Americans, resulting in U.S troops in World War I having the highest rate of STDs – over 70%. By World War II, a more realistic attitude had emerged and the government aggressively promoted the use of condoms. 

1960s
The sexual revolution of the ‘60s resulted in a decline in condom use as more and more youth practiced free love – without condom usage. 

        

Sex and Sensibilites had a one on one chat with the Bad Boy himself, Robin Padilla during the press launch of his new Trust commercial calling for family planning and proper birth spacing.

This is a follow-up campaign to the Trust Condom commercial Robin starred in. The commercial whose tag-line is “Bagong aksyon, proteksyon!” [Before any action, put on some protection!] calls on real man to wears condoms so as not to risk an unplanned pregnancy or an infection.

We just had to ask Robin, who is the first man to be featured in Sassy Men section, what he thinks of women who are smart and sensible about their sexual health.

According to the Bad Boy, sensible and safe women who know how to protect themselves make the lovin’ extra hot and sassy! Robin wore the Sex and Sensibilities button with pride to prove his point.

        

It all began on the February 13, auspicious enough as it may seem.

The headline in the Philippine Star read: GOV’T GIVES OUT CONDOMS.

The story was about the now infamous initiative by the Department of Health to promote safer sex during Valentine’s Day which may be some kind of mating season in our country as evidenced by the number of couples in heat queuing in restaurants and motels. Continue Reading →