RH Bill forum in Ateneo School of Medicine & Public Health

The medical students at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, spearheaded by Paulo Lumicao, held a forum on the RH Bill last Jan 17 in ASMPH, Ortigas. The speakers were Risa Hontiveros, Dr. Ligaya Acosta, and Dr. Sylvia Claudio. Apparently, the event was well attended. People got themselves thinking after the forum. One of the reactors, Renelyn Tan of World Youth Alliance (WYA) Asia Pacific, said that some of the inputs of the students were very sad because one student said that they really don't care about freedom of conscience and some even appeared as if they believe that life begins at implantation. According to Paulo, many continue to be pro-RH. Many attendees questioned Dr. Acosta's data, especially as she is not a medical doctor. Unfortunately, no anti-RH doctor was around. I'm afraid I had to beg off from attending this forum as I had a Bioethics class in FEU-NRMF at the time of the forum.

Ren tells me that coming from Ateneo's RH forum, she really hope that we can train more people on the real issues of the RH Bill. That's the main purpose of the conference WYA is organizing on Jan 27, 2011, 8am-5pm, at the UP Diliman NCPAG Assembly Hall (near UP Gym).

An OB-Gyne friend, herself anti-RH, tells me that the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecologic Society (POGS) is issuing an official statement that POGS is supporting the RH Bill, that they are lobbying for the passage of the RH Bill and against HB13 proposed by Cong. Golez.

I reassured Paulo and Ren that we should not lose heart after this experience. The battle may have seemed lost, but the war continues. Whether the RH Bill gets passed or not, we will not stop our pro-life advocacy. The Truth will set us free, sooner or later.

We continue educating people on the issues, highlighting the need to safeguard human dignity and to respect the sanctity of life, marriage and the family. There was a forum organized for UST students in one Study Center in Quezon City. A group of students from the UP parish campus ministry is trying to organize another forum in UP Diliman. UE Manila Dentistry students are also doing their share of researching on sex education, overpopulation is a myth, etc.. Our little efforts hopefully will be like a stone thrown into a lake...it will produce a ripple...then another ripple...and another ripple. This is a paraphrase of the words of Josemaria Escriva:

"Among those around you — apostolic soul — you are the stone fallen into the lake. With your word and your example you produce a first circle... and it another... and another, and another... Wider each time. Now do you understand the greatness of your mission?" (The Way, 831)

The Way, the Truth and the Life Himself said: "Do not be afraid"..."I will be with you till the end of time"....