It was during the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day when I met Beng at the House of Representatives last Tuesday, March 8, 2011. I was there to give support to pro-life representatives in their stand to oppose the passing of the RH bill. Entering the ‘Main Gate for Visitors’ at the Batasan premises, I saw a lady in blue shirt leading two other ladies. I heard that they were going to the Plenary Session Hall.
Beng was quick to lead the way to where we wanted to go. We entered through the North Wing door of the main building of Congress and eventually landed on the third floor to view the on-going session. Sitting beside Beng at the third level gallery of the session hall, I learned that it was her first time to be inside the House of Representatives. She came over as a response to the invitation of Pro-Life Philippines President Eric B. Manalang which she heard from Radio Veritas.
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| I had a photo taken with Beng (in blue shirt) on my right at the House of Representatives Lobby. Her wisdom and civic-mindedness is impressive. |
Sana ay huwag nilang baguhin kung ano ang itinadhana ng Diyos para sa kababaihan, para sa buhay ng tao… Hindi ako ayon na dapat isa-batas ang pag-bibigay ng bagay at kaalaman ng pagkokontrol sa bilang ng anak ng isang mag-asawa. Ito ay isang desisyon na dapat ang mag-asawa lamang ang humarap. Hindi makabubuti sa kalusugan ng babae ang mga contraceptives…
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| Interfaith Rally for Life at PICC grounds, Manila, 13-Feb-2011 |
Napakalaking panganib para sa kabataan natin ngayon kung magiging legal ang contraceptives… Sana ang ituro sa kanila ay ang kabutihang asal at ang tunay na pananalig sa Diyos na natutuhan ko noong una pa. Dahil nawala ito kaya nag-iba ang kabataan. Pero hindi sex-education na sinasabi sa RH bill ang solusyon.
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| Audience during the Interfaith Rally for Life. One has to see each FILIPINO as one of the world's greatest resource, not as a burden. |
Sana ay huwag ding gamitin ang mga mahihirap sa usapang ito ng RH bill. Naniniwala ako na marami sa mahihirap na naririto ngayon ay hindi ganap na alam kung ano talaga ang pinag-uusapan. Hindi malulutas ng gobyerno ang problema ng kahirapan kung ang mag-asawa ay hindi magtutulungan. Para madagdagan ang sahod ng mister ko ay natuto akong magtinda ng pang-gatong, magluto at maglaba para sa iba, at kung anu-ano pang paraan para may baon sa eskwela at pamasahe ang mga anak namin.
Kung gugustuhin kong yumanan, sana ay hindi na ako bumalik ng Pilipinas nuong nagtratrabaho pa ako sa Paris bilang isang OFW. Mas madali ang buhay doon pero hindi ako masaya. Nang nakita ko ang gusto ng Panginoon para sa akin, binayaran ko lang ang nautang kong Php 200,000 para makapag-abroad at bumalik na ako sa Pilipinas.
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| We have to invest our wealth on promotion and education of our people; not the promotion by law of limiting family growth. Investment on contraceptives is not wise nor is it inherent to authentic human dignity and rights. |
Mahirap din kami pero nairaos naming makapag-aral ang apat naming anak. Janitor ang asawa ko pero ang panganay namin ay nag-aaral na ngyon ng Architecture. Gusto kasi naming maging maganda ang kinabukasan niya at ang magiging pamilya niya. Tuwang-tuwa kami at nakapasa siya sa PUP. Magtiwala lang tayo ng lubos at puspos sa Panginoon at Siya ang magbibigay ng paraan sa mga problemang parang wala ng solusyon.
What I heard from Beng is to me, the most authentic pro-woman and pro-family speech delivered from the heart. It reflects her simple yet sturdy faith and love for her family and nation. She is brave and free; down-to-earth and happy. Most importantly, she has the truth. She did not finish high-school yet she has good education. We parted that night past seven in the evening with her mind then focusing towards her family’s needs—dinner food and all—as she got a tricycle to get home.
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| We start from believing in ourselves as Filipinos. We can change our lot and contribute much to world development. We should not allow international businesses or groups or any foreign country to dictate their desired population rate for us. We can say NO to the concealed agenda of population control for Filipinos. |
The Sponsorship Speeches started at the House of Representatives on House Bill 4244 or the RH bill took place that day too, March 8, 2011 at around 6:05 p.m. Interpellation and voting was deferred for another session. Proponents of the RH Bill and their sympathizers have made an apparent success in mounting a public attitude favoring how the bill benefits many people especially women, children, and adolescents. Its authors claim to empower people to chart their destinies by having free access to information and services about safe sex. Many believed this “truth” but not all.
We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err because this is more comfor 
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