"Sexual Debut: Later is Safer”
Surveys have revealed that early sexual involvement makes teenagers vulnerable to pregnancy,
multiple relationships, reproductive health problems that largely derail young lives while scarring
them psychologically and emotionally. Medical studies revealed that early sex leads to serious
reproductive health problems when teen pregnancy and STD occurs. Often teenagers tend to leave
STD untreated because they are unable to recognize these symptoms or are too embarrassed to seek
medical treatment. At least one cancer i.e. cervical cancer has been linked to early sex and multiple
sexual partners.
Advocates for Youth (A4Y) wished to heighten awareness on the dangers that accompany early sex and encourage both moral and sexual responsibility in delaying sexual debut. Its 4th Annual Essay Writing Contest focused on the topic "Later is Safer: Delaying sexual debut protects the youth from teen pregnancy, multiple relationships, reproductive and sexual health problems”. This national essay competition attracted almost a hundred young people of which judges decided on the following 3 winners who were awarded prizes worth P20,000; P15,000 and P10,000.
First Prize winner Juco Antonio Rivera brought balance and maturity as he questioned the concept of “safe sex” that is now being freely promoted with scant regard to the mental, emotional and psychological impact it could have on a young person. His bold and different view focused on how the effects of sex go way beyond “safe” and “unsafe”, when described in terms of merely avoiding a pregnancy or a disease.
Second prize winner Apocalypses P Alsaybar creatively made use of the titles and story lines of Hollywood movies in his essay “The Cinematic Experience of Waiting” to substantiate his message that it is better and wiser to delay sexual debut. He kept alive the idealism, while using humour to stress the harsh realities that accompany an early sexual debut.
While Third prize winner Diana Joy Gernan’s “It’s hard, It hurts”, dwelled on all the “concrete grounds” – from Faux Love to early loss of virginity, to hopelessness of the heart to sickness and pregnancy -- that need to be considered before indulging in sex. Her essay had a touch of humour without shrinking away from the all the reasons why a fall on a “concrete ground” could really hurt bad.
A4Y also awarded 10 consolation prizes to; Regina Ranada, Mabel Justine Huff Platon, Jeofrey Abalos, Maila C. Catudio, Colleen April Celis, Benny Mart Hiwatig, Enrico C. Lambino, Beejay Domingo, Carissa Mabunga & Martha C. Punsalan.
The contest culminated in an awards ceremony held recently and was organized by A4Y’s Founder and President, Cyndy Tan Jarabata, A4Y's Managing Director Raynah Sivaraman, UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Suneeta Mukherjee, UNFPA Project Officer, Dr. Giovanni Templonuevo, in parternship with Hershey’s and media partners MEG’s EIC Peewee Reyes Isidro, Manila Bulletin's EIC Owen Bautista and The Philippine Star's Marketing Services Manager Ms. Tammy Mendoza.
A4Y envisions the Filipino youth of today, leading a productive life free from early pregnancy, STD and HIV/AIDS. It aims at establishing a national network of young leaders and members through Club K, which will encourage and support healthy and responsible decisions among the youth.
Support our Pinoy Youth and their rights to reproductive health by texting CLUBK to 2213, open to Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular subscribers. For more details, please contact us at 916 7379 and 916 7220 or email us at a4yphils@yahoo.com. And visit our websites, www.clubk.ph and www.youthadvocates.net.
