Pages

12 February 2006

Sex, Condoms, Birth Control in the Philippines

While preparing for a party, I was tasked to buy several packs of condoms for use of the planned games to be made into balloons. I hurried to Watsons in SM City North EDSA.

at the shelves, I found these items:

3 pcs of Trust Condoms Price: PhP15/pack
Frenzy flavored Condoms P25/pack
other brands P45 (about $1)

At the payment counter, upon seeing the 5 packs of condoms, the salesladies can't help but look at me furtively as if thinking i'm very "active." Didn't get to know their thoughts but I know it's not good.

For those not familiar with Philippine culture, one night stands and sex are still quite a taboo to be discussed in public leading to ignorance of the people leading to unwanted pregnancies and abortions, illegal in the country. Prostitutes, hookers, or anything you call them are everywhere in red light districts of Makati (Burgos St) on Quezon City (Quezon Avenue), Pasay (Roxas Blvd) and other locations known to most people. Motels in Sta. Mesa, Manila, Pasay and Pasig City are joking called flower group of companies due to the names are mostly flowers. These motels on Valentines day are always fully-booked.

Sex tourism is popular for male tourists attracted by girlie bars from the sleazy ones, massage parlors (Maalikaya), and other establishments that offer "all the way" services, to the pricey Air Force One, Pegasus, Legende, Classmates et al.

Birth Control, particularly among the poor,is non-existent resulting in the ballooning population for in the Philippines, those who have less in life, have more children.

No comments:

Post a Comment