Sex (education) and the Country

On my way home this evening, aboard a van, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation going on between two girls in front of me. They were talking about their girl friend who was apparently having sex with her boyfriend.

Snippets of the conversation:

“Sabi ko sa kanya, baka pagsawaan siya, pag nakuha na ang gusto.”

“Baka mamaya, magbuntis siya diyan, kung kelan graduating na tayo.”

“Oo, kanino siya tatakbo? Sa parents niya? Imbes na makatulong siya. Graduating pa naman siya.”

“Mamaya, iwan na lang siya. On and off pa naman sila.”

“Kung mahal siya ni Jed, respeto na lang. Kung ayaw niyang magpa-ano, hindi siya pipilitin.“

 
And they went on and on and on for the entire 15-minute trip. As soon as I boarded the van until I got off, they had the same topic. Poor girl friend, her ears must have been itching or ringing all the time.

On one hand, I admire how at their age (20s) they would have wanted their girl friend to respect herself and her body, preserve her virginity, keep her values intact, and make her parents proud.

But on the other, I wasn’t comfortable with their conversation. They were speaking in loud voices and I bet all of us inside the van had no choice but to hear everything. The guy beside me had to put on earphones, turning up the volume.

It’s not like I am a prude or something. But there are things one shouldn’t talk about with others listening in on you. There are things you have to discuss in a huddle, you know what I mean.
 
This reminds me of the latest research I did on a current controversial topic – the integration of sex education in the basic curriculum of public and private elementary and high schools, and the deferment of its implementation.

In an episode of Q-TV 11’s “Tonight with Arnold Clavio”, guest and outgoing DepEd secretary Mona Valisno insisted that for the longest time, (the reproductive system/cycle, parts of the body) has already been integrated in subjects/courses such as Biology.

She didn’t mention it but I remember puberty and proper hygiene being discussed in Home Economics or Practical Arts as well.

According to Bishop Oscar Cruz of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), parents should be the ones to teach their children, not the school. He said, though, that most parents feel awkward to do it, do not know how (to teach it), or have no time (to teach it).

Dr. Margie Holmes said, “You learn it as your age will allow. It should be taught both in home and school, both by parents and teachers.”

In his PDI column http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20100623-277236/The-education-not-the-sex, Conrado de Quiros poses this question: Who would you rather the kids turn to to know about the birds and the bees?

“The point of sex education is the education, not the sex,” he wrote.

Going back to the two girls…If that was my daughter with a friend, I would have asked her to talk about it in private – not in a public vehicle – if they can help it.

I myself have no qualms talking about the same subject with my own friend, but in an appropriate venue – yes, at the right time and in the right place.

Weeks ago, when my four-year old son asked what condom is for, I could have answered him in a way that is apt for his age. In fact, Dr. Holmes suggests that when kids ask where they come from, you could say, “Mommy and Daddy love each other, and from that love, you were born,” or something to this effect.

But for me at that time, I felt that my son and I are not yet ready for that. When the right time comes, you just know. I know.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XVIII

After the 6am mass, my parents would always drop by our house (which is just across the village church) before going home. Last Sunday morning, my father had his dose of Whatchama-CAEHL-it.

He asked Caehl, "What is the capital of Ohio?"

Columbus, answered the little boy.

"What is the capital of California?"

Sacramento.

Then he shifted to Philippine geography, "What is the capital of Abra?"

Bangued.

Papa was speechless.

Akala niya ha.

A Tale with Two Presidents

My color is definitely not yellow. But I had a short but delightful time with our two yellow Presidents last Sunday afternoon.

During my nap, I dreamed that I was aboard a van, seating in front of no less than President Noynoy and yes, President Cory.

Noynoy was in a black shirt (with a yellow Philippine map) and jeans, while Pres. Cory was in her usual yellow dress.

He was sporting a new haircut and to me, he looked handsome that time. I teased him, “Naku, makakabola pa kayo niyan, Sir, ah.”

His mom laughed.

I'm not sure if it was Times Street but we were dropping them off. Of course, I made sure that they got off all right. I was about to re-join the van driver when I realized I haven’t said goodbye to Pres. Cory.

I went back and before the lady guard could ask what I was doing, I said, “Magpapaalam lang ako kay Ma’am.”

Pres. Cory looked at me as though she was seeing me the first time. She didn’t recognize me, I thought sadly. Then she said, “Ipinagmamalaki ka namin.”

As to what it meant, I don’t know.

I'm still puzzled up to now.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XVII

Upon hearing raves about Human Heart Nature's Sunflower Seed Beauty Oil, I ordered one from my officemate Maricel.

Since the product promises to minimize dark circles under the eyes, remove fine lines and smooth out wrinkles; and is perfect for stretch mark prevention, I wanted to try it last night on Caehl's insect bites, thinking that the oil might help reduce the swelling or skin darkening.

"Where's your pantal?" I asked, as we were preparing to go to bed.

He got up and asked, "What's that, Mommy?"

"It's an oil," I replied.

"Where's your pantal?" I repeated. But before I could put some on his arm, he said, "I want to read it first, Mommy."

So I turned on the light and gave the bottle to him.

After reading the bottle label and instructions, dun lang pumayag.

(For more of Human Heart Nature products, please visit http://www.humanheartnature.com/main.html)

Cae's 1st Day

My little Thomasian in her Travel Management uniform (UST-CTHM)

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XVI

Last night, before succumbing to the call of Dreamland, Caehl and I played some brain teasers.

"I'm thinking of something" is what he does with his speech therapist Teacher Agnes. You describe a person, place or thing and the other would guess what it is.

We did that, plus "What is the shape...", "Who is the community helper...", "Where do you go (to pray, to buy books, to which he replied, 'National Bookstore')."

When I ran out of questions, he suggested, "Mommy, what about "What is the state..."

"Go ahead," I said.

"What is the state with the golden seal?" he asked.

I pretended to cry, "I don't know."

"Why is mommy crying?" he asked. "It's North Dakota."

"What is the state with the brown bear?" he asked.

"OMG, I don't know," I said.

"It's California," he said.

"What is the state with many stars?" Answer: Alaska

Later I found out he was describing the state flags.

Turns out my brain teasers were a no-brainer compared to his.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XV

Last night, while we were watching a replay of Glee's finale episode over at ETC, a TVC of Frenzy condoms was shown. After the TVC, Caehl suddenly asked, "Frenzy is for...?"

I nervously called out to Cae who was in front of me, "Ate?"

Cae didn't know if she would giggle or what. "Si Caehl talaga."

"It's for adults," I finally told him.

"Because...?" he asked again.

"Because it's not for kids."

He still was not satisfied.

I went to the library to tell Alex. He was shaking his head and smiling at the same time.

When I went back to the living room, Caehl was asking the same question to his nanny.

"May pang-Whatchama-CAEHL-it ka na naman," I said.

Here's the link to said TVC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUr4OrzoIQE

Mothers' Day Gift on Fathers' Day

For the longest time, I wanted to have a microwave oven. Yeah I know, most households have one. But mine doesn't. Every time we would have some spare money to buy one, another necessary and more important expense would come along. So I was like, "Ok lang."

Over the weekend, I was thrilled that Alex finally bought me one. But wait, I was the one who was supposed to give him a gift, considering it was Fathers' Day. Don't remind him, I think he hasn't realized it - yet.

Thanks, Dadi!

Caehl's 1st Day SY 2010-2011

Caehl enters kindergarten class today, June 7, 2010.

A Joy Beyond Compare

Tell me when will you be mine
Tell me quando, quando, quando
We can share a love divine
Please don’t make me wait again

When will you say ´yes´ to me?
Tell me quando, quando, quando
You mean happiness to me
Oh, my love, please tell me when

Ev´ry moment´s a day
Ev´ry day seems a lifetime
Let me show you the way
To a joy beyond compare

I can´t wait a moment more
Tell me quando, quando, quando
Say it´s me that you adore
And then, darlin´, tell me when

I think I posted somewhere that my mom is a longtime fan of Engelbert Humperdinck.

To kids below 30, Engelbert Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey, May 2, 1936) is an international singer who rose to fame during the 1960s and 1970s, He adopted the name of the famous German opera composer  Engelbert Humperdinck as his own.

We grew up with his songs as the soundtrack of our humble lives (along with Perry Como and Johnny Mathis), that my siblings and I know all his songs by heart. Engelbert’s popular songs include:

•    "Am I That Easy to Forget"
•    "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You"
•    "Release Me"
•    "The Last Waltz"
•    "Ten Guitars"
•    "There's a Kind of Hush"
•    "Il Mondo (My World)"
•    "Misty Blue"
•    "Yours Until Tomorrow"
•    "After the Lovin'"
•    "Quando, Quando, Quando"
•    "Wonderland by Night"
•    "A Man Without Love"
•    "From Here To Eternity"
•    "Spanish Eyes"
•    "Funny Familiar Forgotten Feelings"
•    "This is My Song"
•    "There Goes My Everything"
•    "The Way It Used To Be"
•    "Two Different Worlds"
•    "A Place In The Sun"
•    "Everybody Knows (We're Through)"
•    "What Now My Love"
•    "Winter World Of Love"

Now, he'll be having a concert in Araneta on June 22 (I think this is his 2nd or 3rd Manila concert), and my youngest sister Lea considered giving my folks concert tickets as a wedding anniversary gift (their 44th on June 18). She said she got good seats and there was a mad scramble in SM as she got them.

This morning as she gave the tickets to Mama, she said Mama was teary-eyed. As Engelbert’s fan for almost half of her life, this would be her first time to see him in person, singing her favorite songs. Sing with him, Mama. Go ahead and don’t be shy. With every beat of your heart.

Love me with all of your heart
That's all I want, love
Love me with all of your heart
Or not at all

Just promise me this
That you'll give me all your kisses
Every winter every summer
Every fall

When we are far apart
Or when you're near me
Love me with all of your heart
As I love you

Don't give me your love
For a moment or an hour
Love me always as you love me
From the start
With every beat of your heart

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XIV

Caehl and I are usually in bed around 9pm.

Last night, after 2 bottles of milk (yes, 2 bottles) and a round of kulitan with me, singing Bad Romance in yet two new versions - in "Chinese" and one with the US states as lyrics, he suddenly said, "Mommy, I like Oreo."

So I turned on the lights again and went out to get some sort of a midnight snack - Oreo and water for him, Chippy and cola for me.

"Mommy, cola is bad for the health," he said.

But he took my glass and took a sip. "O," he told me, "I said it's bad for the health, why am I drinking?"

Then he suddenly squealed, "Mommy, it's fun! I love being with Mommy. Yes!"

And I love being with you, Caehl.

Whatchama-CAEHL-it XIII

While my helpers and I were watching Startalk, the movie "Emir" was mentioned. It was shot in Morocco, according to the VTR.

"Saan ba ang Morocco," I asked.

The little boy whom I thought was busy playing with his toy cars replied, "Africa."

"Africa ba?" I asked again. "Hindi ba sa Asia yun?"

He got up and took out his almanac from the shelf. He flipped the pages and stopped at the one showing the map of Africa.

"So where is Morocco?" I challenged him.

Without any hesitation and without batting an eyelash, he pointed at Morocco, located at the upper left portion of Africa. "There."

Ngek, my helpers said. "Ayaw pa kasi maniwala ni Mommy."