Thursday, October 8, 2009

Update on Magna Carta

Based from my blog's statistics, the most viewed post is RA 9710: Magna Carta of Women. It may have been ratified two months ago but still, people and groups continue to contest it.

I was actually pleased to have been cited at Colombian blogger Juliana Rincon's post on Conversations for a Better World. Philippines: A pregnant woman's right to study and work presents views from different ends of the spectrum.

I recommend RA 9710 online researchers to also read it. Thanks!

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Update as of 11/30/09:

I just learned from Google that the same post is available in five or more languages. Happy reading!

Dropping the Neckline: Breaking Illusions of 36-C

IT IS A FACT that the desire for big boobs transcends class, race and gender. Women can opt for Belo or some obscure (or even fake) cosmetic surgeons for augmentation. They can be black, white, Puerto Rican, Chinese or Pinay and, still, wish upon the Boob Fairy to make their breasts a cup size higher. Most of all, the desire for big boobs is "felt" by men, women and those who are in between. (I'm sure I do not need to explain why.)

It is frustrating to think that because of too much aesthetic and erotic value being attributed to a woman's breasts, their purpose has been limited to serving the male libido. It is evident in pornography and every other product that is targeted towards the male market like magazines, booze, cigarettes and cars. Promotions of these products always include big-busted women in cleavage-baring outfits gracing print ads, TVCs or exhibits where they work as promo girls.

Most of us seem to have forgotten the breast's biological purpose or in other words, its life-giving purpose. To the women, it is quite basic -- YOUR BREASTS ARE MADE TO NURSE YOUR YOUNG AND NOT YOUR MAN!

Needless to say, women must take good care of their breasts not for the purpose of having something good at the hem of their low necklines. Likewise, men should learn how to tame their cravings by making themselves aware of the risks that women take when they undergo surgical enhancements for the male benefit.

October is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

According to Breast Cancer Awareness Group, I Can Serve Foundation, breast cancer is the leading cause of death among Filipino women. It ranks third among the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among Filipinos. That is, it is next to infectious and cardiovascular diseases. (So you can worry about it next after a feast of lechon kawali, crispy pata and lechong baka.)

While the disease is mostly diagnosed among women who are 35 to 50 years old, it does not mean that one can never be at risk in her 20s. In fact, 20-something women must conduct a monthly Breast Self Exam (BSE) about a week after her period. By age 30, besides a BSE, women must have a clinical exam every year. By age 40, besides a BSE and a clinical exam, women must have an annual mammography. (I Can Serve)

The thought of mammography can be quite a torture but let us be thankful that we, here in my Multiply, belong to the 40 and below bracket.

Conducting BSE is very simple. BC advocates Dawn Zulueta and Lea Salonga have DVDs in Filipino and English, respectively, that show how to perform the self-exam. Click here to be directed to the site.

Meanwhile, I found this 5-Step BSE when I wrote my Breast Cancer Awareness Month piece last year. You can bookmark the site.


My permission goes to anyone who would like to forward this to their family and friends for advocacy purposes.


First Posted on Blogspot 18 Oct 2007, Second on Multiply 19 Oct 2008
Photo taken from http://www.cosmeticplastics.com/images/breastlift.jpg
Statistics and information from:
Parallel Universes - Breast Cancer in the Philippines
I Can Serve Foundation
BREASTCANCER.ORG

It wasn't rape rape?

If it wasn't for my sister's prodding, I wouldn't have cared to write a retort to Whoopi Goldberg's sensational "It wasn't rape rape" statement regarding filmmaker Roman Polanski.

So what if he's an artist? So what if his past was rather tragic? And so what if his victim has already forgiven him?

It's simple: the guy was found guilty of breaking the law - read: he raped a 13-year old girl after drugging her when he was 40! To make it worse, he fled to escape prison.

And Whoopi would say that it wasn't rape rape? So what is it? Play rape? Rape play? Duh.

Pro-Polanski folks would say that his punishment is long overdue; that he's old and he's gone through much. He probably had suffered more outside of jail with the indelible stigma of his crime some 30 years ago. But this is going beyond Whoopi's statement.

Next issue please.