AWARDS CEREMONY FOR THE ESSAY COMPETITION ON 'ARE PINOY YOUTH EMOTIONALLY READY FOR SEX"

Left to Right: Ms. Pierra Calasanz Labrador,  MEG Magazine Editor-in-Chief; Raynah Sivaraman, Head of Judging Committee – Advocates for Youth; Ms. Rena Dona, UNFPA Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Cyndy Tan Jarabata, President and Founder –Advocates for Youth and essay contest winners 1st prize Annabellee Chua, 2nd prize Annabel Callos Choy, 3rd prize Hilda Monica Naval

One constant among youth today, whether in cities or in provinces, is their aspiration to have a healthy, loving relationship with a special person and to enjoy a happy family life. However, in the process of growing up and forming relationships, this aspiration of the youth is often turning bitter and warped. The reason is that the young are influenced by the media and peer pressure, into fast-forwarding growing up and sexualizing what used to be fleeting and innocent “puppy love”. By engaging in sexual activities at a young age, most the youth remain unprepared, and often unaware of the consequences. But nevertheless, the effects are seen in the form of teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, confused psyches and broken relationships. It is quite apparent that even though teenagers today, mature more rapidly both physically and mentally, they still need time and learning to mature emotionally.

Advocates for Youth (A4Y) Philippines Foundation recognizes that there is a great need for the young people to be given correct and updated information about reproductive health, so that they become aware of the consequences of engaging in sexual relationships and more confident in making informed choices. With the partnership of United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), Meg Magazine and The Philippine Star, A4Y strengthened its campaign to prevent teenage pregnancy and raise awareness about STD and HIV/AIDS through its 3rd essay-writing contest which was held nationwide. This year, the topic of the essay was “Are Pinoy Youth Emotionally Ready for Sex.” This drew the interest of the youth (15-24 years) from all over the country and culminated in an awards ceremony held in Burgoos Restaurant in SM Mall of Asia on December 8, 2006. The awards ceremony was organized and promoted by A4Y led by its Founder and President Cyndy Tan Jarabata, UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Suneeta Mukherjee and Program Officer Auralyn Anorico and media partners Meg Magazine and The Philippine Star.

The response of the youth to this essay competition has been encouraging and very interesting. There were a total of 125 entries and the three top winners who won prizes in cash and gifts, were:

1. Annabelle Chua (P 20,000)                   Click here to view the winning article
2. Annabelle Callos Choy (P 15,000)       Click here to view the winning article
3. Hilda Monica C. Naval (P 10,000)          Click here to view the winning article

The top prize winner, Annabelle Chua, used teen speak to express her opinions and came to the wise conclusion that “sexual relationships require not just commitment and maturity, but also a clear head for distinguishing passion and excitement from love and truth.”

The second prize winner, Annabel Callos Choy, submitted a well-researched piece on the youth of today and felt that the Pinoy teenagers are “misguided by a media that sensationalizes sex” and gives sex “a hedonist viewpoint since it glorifies the sexual impulse itself rather than the union or the share sexual relationship.”
           
Hilda Monica Naval, the third prize-winner, gave a delightful take on the topic by likening sex among youth today, to “eating” – just a need that has to be fulfilled.  She defined emotional maturity as “forgoing one’s pleasure….until ready for all the consequences” and she felt that “our culture exaggerates the pleasures one can have from sex while barely mentioning other related topics like STD, painful childbirth and the hardships of parenthood.”

The other ten top winners were awarded consolation prizes worth P2,000.00. These are given to Arvin Genite, Richard Javarata, Marion Noel Bayaras, Sienna Puzon, Earlie Pasion, Geralyn Cruz, Alvin Ang, Alexander Ang, Diana Ruth Tuazon and Katrina Alexis Lareza.

Since Sex Education is a topical issue, it is appropriate to mention Arvin Genite’s suggestion that sex education should teach the youth not just to avoid pregnancy and disease but “how to cope with peer pressures, how to manage and cope with the idea of sex, and how to view sex with respect, not just an act of satisfying the human flesh….” 
           
Advocates for Youth (A4Y) envisions the youth of today, leading a productive life free from early pregnancy, STD and HIV/AIDS for the Filipino Youth. 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! Text CLUBK to 2213. Open to Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular subscribers. For more details, please contact us at (632) 807 17 08 and (632) 842 66 52 or email us at info@youthadvocates.net. And visit our websites, www.clubk.ph and www.youthadvocates.net.