sexandsensibilities.com

Cathy Domingo: Young, single and happy

Cathy Domingo

Recently passed the Nursing Board Exams

The young and vivacious Cathy is so excited about having passed the nursing board exams — which may be the reason why she’s not worrying too much about being single. Continue Reading →

        

Gale Garcia shares her practical and realistic views on relationships

Gale Garcia

Call Center Manager

Growing up in the UK and then coming to the Philippines, Gale couldn’t help but notice one difference: the preoccupation bordering on obsession with being in a relationship and getting married. “It’s like that’s the only thing to live for or that it’s the major goal in life”, says the 27 year old call center manager.

Gale’s views may seem too westernized, but Gale insists that this is she is just ‘keepin’ it real’.

Reflecting on past relationships,  Gale says, “In the UK, I think it’s more relaxed. Like, you get invited out for a date and if you guys like each other then that’s it. I kind of like the simplicity of that. Here, courtship is a big thing.  I’ve been in and out of relationships; dated guys from other countries, young and older than me.”

Now single for the last couple of months, Gale says that it always takes some time to get used to  being your own better half. “there are definitely things you can do to cultivate a more positive attitude. For a start you can accept that: Happiness is a choice.”

One thing that remains similar in both the Philippines and the UK is that more women are havein gmore sex now and Gale says there is no more need to remain chaste.

“So casual sex has become as common as having coffee with a buddy in the big city. Think about it; let’s say (for argument’s sake) a woman saves herself until she’s about 25 years of age. Then she sleeps with a man. They break up after a few months. Then she meets another man and after a couple of months, she sleeps with him. Then they break up. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”

“If this woman dates 3 men a year, she’ll have slept with 15 men by the time she’s 30. So even if a woman isn’t having casual sex, but is dating a man seriously and things simply “don’t work out,” she’s left single and with another notch on her bedpost simply through the fate she mapped out for herself.”

This to Gale is the reality and in the context that safer sex should be talked about.

“Safer sex is feeling safe enough to stay or safe enough to leave at any moment. Safer sex is caring about yourself so much that no one can make you do anything that you are not 100% comfortable doing. And safer sex is about knowing yourself so well that you can represent your needs at all times in all situations so that you don’t put yourself in a situation of risk.”

“There is always a need for it and it should be non-negotiable. It’s not even a guy’s responsibility anymore (for example to carry a condom), make it your responsibility too.”

• Everyday until February 15, Sex and Sensibilities will feature one of the 5 women in the Single Ladies! (Yes, with exclamation point) Campaign.
• Single Ladies! (Yes, with exclamation point) is a trademark production of SexAndSensibilites.com in celebration of self-empowerment by loving yourself first.
• This campaign has also been featured on herword.com, the on-line magazine of Business World  

• Photography by Rogelio “Allan” Mendoza Jr. and Myke Motus. Makeup styling by Ana Santos. Gowns worn by Miki, Pam, and Alex all designed by Maricar Dizon. Gown worn by Cathy designed by Lyn Dizon. Hairstyling by Edwin Cabol Jore. Fashion styling by Kathleen Conde.