A Foursome of Six Sexy Things: #EYLSRHR Experience

I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the 30 Emerging Youth Leaders for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Program and we had our first training last weekend at the Asian Institute of Management. See? Talking about vaginas for almost three years has its perks. This wonderful opportunity is possible because the Alliance of Young Health Advocates, in partnership with the NGO I work for, the Foundation for Adolescent Development, the International Youth Council, AIM-Dr. Stephen Zuellig Center for Asian Business Transformation, and the United Nations MDG Achievement Fund. The two-day training was like safe, satisfying sex – it left me spent, but it made me very, very happy – so I decided to write something about it. Instead of being overly-cerebral, though, I thought I’d write about something nice and fluffy about the first 2-day training.

Six Sexy Sexual Fantasies

I’m having a bad case of memory lose: I remember the fantasies, but I kind of forget some of the people. Hit me with a message/comment if you want your imaginative love-making scenarios published with names. 

"What's your sexual fantasy?"

 1.      Sex on a public place – any public place.

 2.      Sex in the law library (probably while reciting the Local Government Code in between moans?)

 3.      Bondage and pain. That’s right. We have a sadist in the group.

 4.      Making out on a huge canvas, covered with oil paint. Then I get to sell the painting.

 5.      Making love under the stars. Someone, at this point, suggested a planetarium. Personally, I prefer the actual night sky.

 6.      Contrary to popular belief, tentacle porn isn’t my sexual fantasy. It’s actually sex with a teacher in a classroom, on the desk. Or on the beach somewhere in Maldives, on a bed by the sea.

Six Sexy Young Leaders I Got to Meet

Honestly, this section is difficult to write, because all 30 leaders are awesome, and I happen to really like all of them. Of course, there are my “bhebhes” and long-time advocacy colleagues and friends (Rouella, if you’re reading this, you’ve officially earned a “bhe” pet name already, deal with it) There is also my "pare", Alvin Bernardo, who I trusted enough to not freak out when I started talking about tentacle porn (see above, ladies and gentlemen). Special mention to Aika Jennica, just because of that huge and fab ring she was wearing the first day. 

To make things easier, I’m just going to limit it to those I’ve met for the first time.

1.      Zach Hontiveros Pagkalinawan. Long story short: If I had a kid brother, I’d like him to be as insane, as curious, and as cool as Zach. I am adopting this guy.

2.      John Carlo de Galicia. This guy is my total opposite. I am clumsy, loud, damn off my rocker, and just about as eloquent as a Kit Tatad explaining his opposition to the RH Law while Dr. Espi Cabral pick on his poor, poor bones. JC is smart, well-dressed, professional, and every bit convincing when he starts talking about the things that can make this world a better place. If ever there was someone who can make you believe in unicorns and rainbows again, it’s this guy. Ikaw na talaga.  Leaders, I move to elect Mr. de Galicia as the official Sir Chief of the Emerging Youth Leaders Batch 1. (Someone second the motion). 

3.      Pat Bringas. Pat Bringas. Here’s a picture. Do I still need to explain? I’m so lesbian right now. 

 4.      Kei Garcia. After listening to Atty. Noche during the Reproductive Health Law Oral Arguments at the Supreme Court (and having to deal with some people who think they are smart because they are lawyers/taking up law), Kei gave me back my respect for those who defend justice. Cue heroic music.

5.      Maane Cauton. She’s innocent enough for me to corrupt. I mean, she Googled tentacle porn!

6.      Jessie de Lara. Technically, his is cheating, because I’ve met him before the training, but what can I say? There’s something cool about a guy who teases you about your aircon-less office three seconds after exchanging names. 

Six Sexy, Inspiring, Patama sa Puso Quotes

   1.      "Pinagmamalaki na natin ang kahirapan sa national television." - Prof. Melania Flores, while talking about engaging the community in advocacy. This inspiring little line makes me want to write an inspiring little piece about poverty, telenovelas, and what I think equity is. I want her as my teacher. Where do I sign up?

   2.      “Pleasure is part of development.” – Joey dela Cruz, on his talk regarding sexuality.

   3.      “Do not engage wild animals; they will kill you.”  - Alvin Dakis, Foundation for Adolescent Development Executive Director, on debating hardcore, close-minded anti-RH advocates.

   4.      “What’s not?” – Pat Bringas, EYLSRHR, when asked about the sexiest part of her body. This lady deserves to be verbed. If your level of confidence is that high, we can say, “Puma-Pat Bringas ka ha!”

   5.      “Social Media is marketing, and marketing is perspective. Therefore, social media is perspective.” – Grace Bondad-Nicholas, on the power of advocacy through the internet. Trivia: Ms. Grace, together with Sir Alvin, who dragged me to the insanely satisfying world of being an online activist.

   6.      “The future is too precious to be left in the hands of 300.” – Mong Palatino, former Kabataan Partylist representative in the 14^th Congress, in his talk regarding lobbying in the upper and lower house. Thank you, sir.

Six Sexy Intellectual-Masturbation Concepts, Realizations, and Ideologies I Picked Up 

1.      “The period of research and policy analysis is quiet.” – MK De Guzman, during her talk about policy and lobbying. This is very true. My job right now is proof – I do more reading and studying than actual talking. In advocacy, a statement or a stand made is insignificant (and just plain stupid) if done without research. Which is why number 2 is important.

2.      Know everything about what you’re advocating for. Research. Read. Tattoo the National Health and Demographic Survey 2008 all over your torso… Ok, maybe not that drastic, but you get the point.

3.      Be very, very careful about how you speak when in front of 30 young, energetic, intelligent advocates. Anything resembling sexism, and you’re in for some very heated exchange of words.

My fellow EYLs were all bibo-kids during discussions and presentations. Debate at your own risk

4.      Commissioner Perci has encyclopedic knowledge of teen pregnancy and the the Miss Universe Pageant. He also argued that 15 years old is too late to educate children about sex, but that in talking about these things, age AND maturity of the child must be considered. 

5.      “Fanaticism is the cause of backwardness,” says Prof. Melania Flores. I knew this already from all my observation and research on the fundamentalist Catholic Church, which insists that they have a say as to what a woman does with her body. The fact that the concept keeps cropping up is indicative of its prevalence and truth.

6.      Young SRHR advocates are cool and hot at the same time. 

Proof:

"Uy, picture! Say 'sex!'"

More proof:
 

Photo by Alvin Bernardo

There you go: my report on the Emerging Youth Leaders training and a fulfillment of my “Anything you say can and will be used against you in my blog” statement. 

‘Til next time, EYLs!