When everybody wants to be a ROCKSTAR

Never did I dream of wearing short skirts and tube tops. It has never been by option to be one of the cheerleaders during my high school and wear that fake smile all around campus. I wanted to be no one except this one image of myself in mind.I don’t know what it has got into me but I am one of the crazy kids who actually think that we’re born in the wrong timezone.

Yes…I am a kid who wants to travel through time and go back to where people do not think of other things aside from fun!REAL FUN! Like…

• Going from one place to another just to watch concerts…and when you get to a gig, you can’t help but to get wet with sweat and alcohol.
• Not going to school because in order to appreciate music, one does not need a degree. So why bother going to school if  you’ll end up on stage performing?
• Wearing “rug-like” clothes and tattered pants since the more  ragged you look, cooler you are.
• Wearing sneakers that has never been washed since the day you bought it because by doing so, its value will depreciate.
• Having long never been combed hair with a turban or bandana worn to look more credible for a rocker.

I know  I may sound a little bit odd but this is the ideal life I’m trying to live in reality. And when I say I’m trying…I’m trying really hard. It comes out naturally with my personality and hardheadedness. Just like what I always say, it is not about one’s style that makes him a rockstar or someone he/she really dreams…it is about having the right attitude to be called one.

Moms don’t Always Know What is Best

Maternal or Women’s Care is the 5^th Milennium Development Goals of the United Nations. It aims to lower mortality rate and unwanted preganancies.

According to United nations Develoment Programme, in the Philippines induce abortion is the foruth leading cause of maternal death. Also, out of 3 million pregnancies over half of births occurred at home and one-third of them were assisted by traditional birth attendants (TBAs).

In Barangay Lumangan, survey shows that majority of the respondents in Lumanggan are practicing modern maternal care methods but rarely participate in seminars and forums regarding family planning. On the other hand, there are still few who adhere to the traditional means like “hilot”. Age could be considered as an intervening factor since those who prefer “hilot” are the ones who conceived at the year 1970’s.

During the pregnancy stage, 6 out of 9 respondents had their regular check-up at their health center and nearest hospital while the remaining 3 still believe in “hilot”. This could also be attributed to lack of financial resources and the presence of “hilot” and midwives at their barangay.

The survey also shows that majority of the respondenst which is 6 out of 9 gave birth to their children in their home with the aid of “hilot” and midwives. The remaining 3 gave birth in the hospital.

When it comes to family planning, there have been no case of abortion occurred during their pregnancy and the use of contraceptive is not prevalent. This is due to the fact that 5 out of 9 did not participate in any type of forums or seminars conducted by the government or any volunteer group. The remaining 4 attended the seminar about family planning conducted by volunteer groups of UPV and other institutions.

Women in Lumanggan should participate in the activities by the government intended to widen their knowledge about modern maternal care. This will be beneficial on their part since they will learn new ideas and practices given the right methods and proper supervision. They should not rely solely on traditional birth attendants since there are risks involved before and after pregnancy.