I’ve always been enrolled in Catholic schools from junior kinder to college. Our teachers discussed reproductive organs, but it was all by the book. We didn’t have the kind of sex education where contraceptions were included.

When I was in grade six, we had a three-day retreat. Our favorite priest handled our retreat. He was our favorite because we thought he was the ”coolest” priest. On the last day of our retreat, we were made to watch what happens during abortion including the nitty-gritty aspects of it. Take note, we did not know abortion at that time. We just watched but we had no idea what was its purpose.

Then, after that film viewing session, the priest discussed to us how condoms are cancerous. He explained the ”scientific” reason behind it – the sweat and semen are trapped inside the condom, along with the chemicals used to make the condom. At that time, most of us did not know what a condom is. But as a kid, hearing the word ”cancer” or ”cancerous” alarmed me.

When I got home from the retreat, my parents asked me how was it. I told them immediately that a priest from our school told us that condoms are cancerous. I didn’t hesitate to tell them that because, for me, it was just a fact that I recently learned. My parents just let me in my room with no discussion about it.

If I didn’t do my own research and watch Western shows, I wouldn’t know that condoms are meant for protection and it’s normal to use it. If I relied on the information given by the priest from our school, maybe I could have been pregnant. There’s nothing wrong with being pregnant. It’s just that I know I’m not yet ready.

I am telling this story because all teens deserve to learn the truth as well even if some adults say they are too young to learn about contraception and more comprehensive sex education.

Grade 9 pa lang po ako no’n. I was a campus journalist and may inattendan akong competition na kasali yung school namin just so I could write an article about it. More or less 20 schools ang nag-participate doon, if I remember it correctly.

During the contest proper and nakaupo na kaming audience, I felt fingers poking my buttocks. They were 2 male students from a different highschool. I felt violated but not scared. I was angry. I wanted to confront them but I didn’t want to create a mess in such a huge event.

Pero narealize ko, sana pala nagsalita ako. Sana pala kinausap ko man lang kahit adviser nila. Kasi anong malay ko, diba? Baka hindi ako yung unang biktima. Baka may mas nagawan pa sila ng malala.

Simula nung nag-boyfriend po ako at pinupuntahan ko siya sa bahay para lang magkita kami, ang dami kong naririnig sa pamilya ko na, “Maaga mabubuntis to.”.

And here I am, not pregnant at inaabot ang mga pangarap ko.

First time Mom here! Pills user.

Hinintay ko talaga tong pag kakataon na to, dahil gusto ko talagang gumamit ng contraceptive dahil sa takot akong masundan si Lo, lalo na’t sa hirap ng buhay.

Okay naman sakin ang pills, 3 weeks na akong nag-tatake. Kahit na nakakapraning kasi gustong gusto ko na on time sya iinumin. Nakakatuwa din naman kasi palaging pinapaalala sakin ni Live-in Partner ang pag-inom ng pills. Siya na rin ang nagiging alarm ko sa pag-take nito. 😂❤

Ang pagkakaroon ng pangalawang anak ay best experience sa akin dahil dito ko naramdaman ang sakit ng pag-lalabor ng walang anesthesia at mabilis ko lang siya naisilang. Experience na sobrang i-treasure ko for my whole life.

Yung sakit, hirap, at lahat ng naramdaman ko ay walang kasing saya nang nakasama ko na ang aking unica hija.