As hard as it is to imagine, nationalist and Filipino tour guide Carlos Celdran made it possible during his Second Transitio 1945 tour. Together with good friend and columnist Ana Santos, the duo initiated the concept of having Maria Clara advocate reproductive health. Both believe that Maria Clara, being the epitome of Filipina purity, innocence, and beauty is an ironic, yet timely symbol of sexual education and awareness.
Maria Clara in the walls of Manila
To celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of Manila, the tour culminated in a night of art and music.
In the middle of the festivities, ladies depicting Maria Clara dressed in baro’t saya, gave away LICK condoms—the condom with REAL flavors, to remind everyone to be responsible about their reproductive health.
“We should all know the ABC of reproductive health which stands for Abstinence, Be Faithful and Consistent and Correct use of Condom—and this is what we aimed to achieve during the condom distribution in the Transitio Event,” shares Emman Alfonso, product manager of LICK condoms. “We support Carlos and Ana because we share the same thrust of informed choice, safe sex, modern contraceptives and family planning which with the help of people like them, we will be able to spread this message to more people.”
Maria Clara in one of Bonifacio’s cafés
A few days after the Transitio event in Fort Santiago, Maria Clara once again spread the message of reproductive health awareness, this time in Mag:Net at Bonifacio High Street. Here, two Maria Claras traded their piña clothes for more daring and modern attires. They handed out LICK condoms and created the needed buzz regarding reproductive health. During the event, the editorial board of ww.sexandsensibilties.com, a group of women who wants reproductive health to be sexy and sassy, was an eye opener for the attendees of that evening.
“We believe in the power of informed choice. Sexual health information and access is a right. It is not a privilege for just a chosen few,” says Ana, who is also sexandsensibilities.com’s founder and editorial director. “At the end of the day, whether or not you’re going to have sex, you have to be smart and sensible about your sexual health.”
These new faces of Maria Clara surely caught a lot of attention. Filipinas are beginning to learn that condoms and other contraceptives are not evil but in fact, their shield against diseases and unwanted pregnancies. –Manila Times
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