Abortion in the Philippines: Agaw-Buhay (A Documentary)

There is clearly something erroneous about a country where ignorant teenagers put their lives in their own hands, a woman almost dies after being shunned by 5 hospitals and a pregnant mother of 4 children passed away because her doctors waited too long debating on whether to save the mother or the developing fetus inside of her.

In a place ruled by utmost faith in old men in robes, there is definitely an unclear line between religion and the state, an unfortunate circumstance which can result to the deterioration of the society in, forgive the pun, biblical proportions.

We live in an environment where when people here the word "Abortion" eyes widen, mouths gasp and terms like baby-killer, slut and evil ring in each others' thoughts. Before any one of us repeat the dire misconception, I urge everyone to give their attention and open minds to this 20 minute eye-opener.

Seldom am I touched by local docu-dramas aired on our nation's television channels, but surprisingly enough, it took something that was just uploaded on YouTube to tug at my heartstrings and opinionated views. Enter "Agaw-Buhay", a documentary created by the NGO, Likhaan, which I heard is a strong supporter of the RH Bill.

AGAW-BUHAY (A Documentary)
By: Likhaan Center for Women's Health

The real-life situations featured in the documentary are not only moving but are painfully real. The difference between the treatment of patients with money and those without are disgracefully pronounced here in our country, a thing that I witnessed first hand as a nurse who have rotated to numerous hospitals and health centers when I was in college. Add to the lack of financial support the stigma of being it known that a person had or attempted an abortion, as hard as it is to say this, I was not surprised to hear stories of mistreatment and verbal disrespect to a patient in that circumstance.

"The only problem is that in the Philippines we take the most literal the most conservative, the most restrictive interpretation."

"So long as it is considered illegal, so long as it is considered immoral by the Church, nobody's going to speak about it."

The church has made sure that all the laws and protocols of the government remain as such despite the fact that they were formulated hundreds of years ago during the Spanish reign just as the system and scriptures of the Church remain as they are now even though they were written thousands of years in the past. There is nothing wrong with tradition but there is also nothing wrong with change, and acceptance of that change and the adaptation of age-old teachings about morality with modern realities of living.

I am not Pro-Abortion nor actually think that the legalization of the act here in our country is good for the state and its people, but I believe that there should be a revision of rules about certain instances where abortion will be deemed acceptable, especially if it is to save the mother's life. Hopefully, a clear provision will free health care workers from ethical dilemmas and fear of possible legal battles regarding such matters as what happened in the third story of the documentary where a full life (one with dependents looking up to her) was lost in an attempt to save a mere developing one.

"Sa lahat na gusto na sana bumaba ang abortion, mawala ang abortion, seryosohin naten ang contraception."

To avoid all of these, for the future's sake, please do not shun contraceptives and everything that is connected with it just because somebody else told you that it is the express highway to hell. I will not impose my beliefs in yours but before going either way, I beg you to first think, research and contemplate. There is nothing more powerful than informed decision making (which is exactly what the Reproductive Health Bill is empowering, by the way).

As for my personal insights, I unquestionably want to GIVE THE RH BILL A FIGHTING CHANCE. I cannot understand what is so scary and immoral about a bill that aims to take care of the health of its populace, especially women and children of low socioeconomic status.

I just hope the Catholic Church also cares and thinks about its followers' physical health and is not just  concerned with their spiritual well-being. Just my two cents.