Filipinos for Life Forum on the RH Bill at Sta. Isabel College

Sr. Josie B. Onag, D.C. with guests from Filipinos for Life (F4L): Ms. Anna Cosio, R.N., Prof. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., J.D., Prof. ALiza Racelis, Ph.D., and Mr. Raymond Bandril

FILIPINOS FOR LIFE (F4L) FORUM ON THE RH BILL

AT STA. ISABEL COLLEGE

Last Friday, June 17, 2011, I went to Sta. Isabel College to speak on the school’s Forum on the RH Bill. When I arrived at the historic campus of Sta. Isabel College in Taft Avenue, Manila, Mr. Raymond Bandril and Ms. Diana Uichanco of the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also arrived at exactly the same time I arrived. We all headed to the Sto. Cristo de Tesoro Hall where the forum was held.

First Speaker: Prof. Aliza Racelis, Ph.D. of UP College of Business Administration

Raymond, Diana and I were overwhelmed to see the attendance in the forum of the students, faculty, administration and staff of Sta. Isabel College. The hall was literally filled to the brim! With the SRO crowd, we barely managed to get inside the hall to get to our seats. Raymond went straight to the computer table near the stage because he was tasked to assist the speakers with their powerpoint presentations. Diana sat near the Daughters of Charity sisters. I sat beside Dr. Reynaldo J. Echavez also of Filipinos for Life (F4L) who was seated on the front row reserved for the guests and faculty members.

Dr. Racelis tackles the economic issues on the controversial RH Bill

When we arrived, Dr. Aliza Racelis was already giving her talk. As the quintessential academician, she was speaking as an educator to fellow educators and as a mentor to the students. The first part of Dr. Racelis’ presentation is about the needs of Filipino women. According to Dr. Racelis, Filipinos for Life and other pro-life groups stress that the long term solution to the so-called “unwanted pregnancies” ay such core values like faithfulness to one’s spouse, chastity education, self-control and sacrifice. Truth to tell, Dr. Racelis cited the Philippine Population Review which profiles women who had unintended pregnancies, thus -

Prof. ALiza Racelis, Ph.D. points out the real needs of the Filipino women

“…women who had unintended pregnancies or births were older, not living together with a partner, had no previous birth or had a closely-spaced birth interval, had both sons and daughters, rural residents, not well educated and poor. Moreover, these women were ever-users of contraceptives, had three or more living children and whose ideal number of children was lesser than what they actually had.”

For more information about the talk of Dr. Racelis on the need of Filipino women, please see:

(http://filipinosforlife.com/2011/05/21/pangangailangan-ng-mga-kababaihan/)

The faculty members of Sta. Isabel College with their Dean and Vice President for Academics, Sr. Josie B. Onag, D.C.

Likewise, Dr. Aliza Racelis discussed the indispensable need of the family and the home in the society. The educator from the state university underscored the regeneration, procreation, socialization, political and ecological functions of the family. These, according to the professor, spell the “structuration” function of the family which helps boost the economy. For details about Prof. Racelis’ talk, please see:

(https://sites.google.com/site/pamilyaattahananpagasangbayan/)

Faculty members listen to their fellow academician

The second speaker was Atty. Jo Aurea Imbong of the CBCP Legal Office. A long timer in the pro-life movement, Atty. Imbong was in her element exposing the evils of the RH Bill. Atty. Imbong engaged the audience with her tour de force presentation. First, the CBCP lawyer debunked the overpopulation myth of the Philippines. She also explained the stark reality of demographic winter in other countries.

Among the educators: Prof. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. and Dr. Reynaldo Echavez, M.D. with the faculty members of Sta. Isabel College

Atty. Imbong exposed the hidden agenda regarding the passage of the RH Bill and the forces at work to ram down the throat of Filipinos this diabolical piece of legislation. With a lawyer’s precision, Atty. Imbong demolished the myths and lies peddled by RH Bill supporters. She then presented the “gadgets of death” - the abortifacients or the so-called modern contraceptive methods promoted by the RH Bill.

Second Speaker: Atty. Jo Aurea Imbong

Atty. Jo Imbong also highlighted the sinister agenda surrounding sex education of children and the ill effects of this on young hearts and minds. The pro-life advocate ended her comprehensive presentation that the RH Bill is neither necessary nor beneficial. (See CBCP For Life News online :http://cbcpforlife.com/?p=2091 for a write up on Atty. Imbong's talk).

In her element: Atty. Jo Imbong tackles the constitutional and legal issues on the RH Bill

Ms. Anna Cosio, R.N. was the third speaker. A registered nurse, Ms. Cosio discussed the RH Bill from the perspective of a medical and health professional. She explained fertilization as the beginning of human life. She made a thorough discussion of the health hazards posed to women of contraceptives like pills, IUD, tubal ligation and others.

Armed with facts: Atty. Jo Imbong makes a thorough exposé on the the ill effects of contraception

Citing statistics, Ms. Cosio showed the main causes of death and pointed out that maternal death is not one of them. Nurse Anna Cosio ended her presentation with a very touching story about a couple who opted for the life of their unborn child who survived only for a day.

Atty. Jo Imbong lectures on the abortifacient component of the RH Bill

I was the fourth and last speaker. Normally, I give a talk on the constitutional and legal issues on the RH Bill. Since Atty. Jo Imbong was around, she discussed those issues already. Thus, my presentation revolved on the moral and ethical issues regarding the RH Bill.

Reaching out to the youth: Atty. Imbong says that the RH Bill attacks the youth

When it was my turn to speak, I requested the audience to sing with me the birthday song. It was my first time to do that. Since I feared that “information overload” may have set in already, I asked the audience to sing as an ice breaker. I then explained why I led in the singing of the birthday song. I said that birthdays are such a beautiful and wonderful occasion to celebrate life and to thank the God of Life.

Mammoth crowd: Students, faculty, administration and staff of Sta. Isabel College attentively listen to the presentation of the speakers

I deplored the aversion of some pro-RH congressman to the mere mention of “God” in the debates and interpellations in the House. I said that we should not leave out God in this issue. The sponsors of the RH Bill may have forgotten that our very Constitution, the Fundamental Law of the Land, implores the aid of Almighty God in its Preamble. Citing Aglipay vs. Ruiz (G.R. No. L-45459, March 13, 1937), I said that by invoking the aid of Almighty God in our Constitution, we thereby manifested our unfaltering reliance upon Him who guides the destinies of men and nations.

Atty. Jo Imbong shows a powerpoint presentation on the harm of contraceptive use

Since we are a nation under God, and since we as a people believe in God, we are bound to seek and do His will. God’s will may be found chiefly in the moral code known as the Ten Commandments. I argued that the RH Bill is on a collision course with God’s will revealed in the Decalogue. For one, the RH Bill fosters idolatry in violation of the First Commandment – the idolatry of absolutization of sex and the offering of the defenseless human life in the earliest stage of its existence to the altar of modern-day Moloch. There is also the worship of the false god of convenience. The RH Bill violates the commandment “thou shall not kill” because of its abortifacient components. It also violates the commandment “thou shall not steal” because it robs Catholics of their taxes to fund the implementation of a law that they in conscience accept.

Mr. Raymond Bandril assists Atty. Jo Imbong in the powerpoint presentation

By allotting the gargantuan amount of P3 Billion to condoms and pills, among others, the RH Bill steals the food from the mouths of those who are starving. I decried the unconscionable wastage of public funds if the RH Bill becomes a law. The amount could be use for the education of poor children, fertilizers for farmers and other beneficial uses that are of much urgency than buying condoms and pills.

"Life begins at fertilization" - Atty. Jo Imbong citing references

I then discussed human sexuality within the concept of sexual morality and ethics as ordained by God and preached by the Catholic Church. Sex is not only good; it is sacred. And based on God’s most wise design, it is reserved only to married couples in the context of holy matrimony. Outside of it, there is abuse of human sexuality with its attendant evil effects.

"There is absolutely no need for the RH Bill!" - Pro-life crusader Atty. Jo Imbong argues

I decried the RH Bill as anti-human and anti-women. The CBCP For Life News online carried a story about it here: http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node%2F15889.

Third Speaker: Ms. Anna Cosio, R.N.

I then discussed the provisions of the RH Bill that violates our freedom of conscience. The CBCP For Life News online referred to it here: http://cbcpforlife.com/?p=2062.

Nurse Anna Cosio tackles the medical and health-related aspects of the RH Bill

I concluded my talk by appealing to the students to hold fast and hold true to the Christian values and ideals they have been taught by their school.

Fellow speakers applaud Ms. Cosio's presentation

After my speech as the last speaker, the Open Forum forthwith ensued with teacher Ms. Clarissa San Antonio as a very able moderator. Questions were fielded by both the faculty and students. The panel of speakers gamely answered the questions. The questions posed were very impressive which proved that the audience were well aware of the issues. One student confessed that she was pro-RH before the forum but upon hearing the presentations of the speakers, she had a change of heart and is now anti-RH!

The audience: Charmed by Ms. Cosio's beauty and brains

After the Open Forum, we were given our respective Certificate of Appreciation by Sta. Isabel College through its School President Sr. Josefina R. Quiachon, D.C. assisted by the Dean and Vice President for Academics, Sr. Josie B. Onag, D.C.

Dr. Reynaldo Echavez gives his all out support to the Filipinos for Life

The Forum on the RH Bill ended with a very beautiful closing remarks from a member of the faculty (an English teacher, Ms. Michelle Isip) who synthesized the salient points in the talks given by the guest speakers. Thereafter a touching closing prayer was said by a student of Sta. Isabel College (Ms. Raquel Jose, BSED III). (Credit also goes to the very good Master of Ceremonies of the forum, Mrs. Cecille Calabio).

Fourth Speaker: Prof. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P., J.D.

After the forum, we were treated to a hearty merienda by the sisters of the Daughters of Charity to Café Sta. Isabel. We are thankful to the sisters for the warm hospitality accorded to us. Aside from our certificates, each one of us was given an umbrella as a memento of our visit in the prestigious and historic Sta. Isabel College. We will not forget what Sr. Josie B. Onag, D.C. told us: that the forum on the RH Bill was the school’s way of showing what a Catholic school should be – Catholic.

The Formator of the Company of St. Dominic secular institute of consecrated life discusses the moral issues surrounding the RH Bill

"The RH Bill violates the laws of God and man. It invades the realm of conscience and is inhuman." - Prof. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

The Moderator: Ms. Clarissa San Antonio

The Panelists: Ms. Anna Cosio, RN, Prof. Aliza Racelis, PhD, Atty. Jo Aurea Imbong, and Atty. Marwil N. Llasos, OP

Dr. Aliza Racelis answers a question

Atty. Marwil N. Llasos responds to a query

The audience applauding the replies of the panelists

Nurse Anna Cosio expounds a point

Atty. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. decries the division among our people caused by the highly divisive RH Bill early in PNOY's term

Atty. Marwil Llasos mulls a point raised by a student

Incisive question: A student of Sta. Isabel College shoots a question

A faculty member interrogates the panel of speakers

Atty. Marwil N. Llasos answers the query

Atty. Marwil N. Llasos scores the lack of legislative agenda of the present administration

An intelligent question from an intelligent student

The audience listens to the question and answer portion

Participants in the forum react to the answers of the panelists

Pro-life warriors recognized by Sta. Isabel College

Nurse Anna Cosio, Dr. Aliza Racelis, Atty. Jo Imbong and Prof. Marwil Llasos

Dean and VP for Administration Sr. Josie B. Onag, D.C. and President Sr. Josefina R. Quiachon, D.C. of Sta. Isabel College award Certificates of Appreciation to the speakers

Atty. Jo Aurea Imbong receives her Certificate of Appreciation from the school president Sr. Josefina R. Quiachon, D.C.

The President of Sta. Isabel College awards Dr. Aliza Racelis with the Certificate of Appreciation

Ms. Anna Cosio, RN also receives the same certificate from the school president

Sta. Isabel College President Sr. Josefina R. Quiachon, D.C. awards Prof. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with the Certificate of Appreciation

Certified pro-life champions show their certificates with Sr. Josie B. Onag, D.C. and Sr. Josefia R. Quiachon, D.C.