Juan on Juan: Discussing Reproductive Health (2)

Last night, I moderated the concluding episode on Juan on Juan's two-part series on reproductive health. My guests last night were Willy Jose, of Random Thoughts and Musings, and Catholic homeschooling advocate Catherine Lanzona. Just like my previous guests, Carlos Celdran and Bob Guerrero, we discussed what ordinary people can do to promote an atmosphere conducive to reproductive health. Interestingly enough, by the end of the show, we were able to determine that both those for and against the Reproductive Health Bill adopt their positions largely because of their desire to preserve the family.

Willy Jose explained, with the quiet intelligence and fierce clarity of the many unsung heroes in our midst, that while he recognizes some elements in the RH Bill that show merit and bear further discussion, he cannot abide legislation that begins by forcing law-abiding citizens to engage in activities inimical to their constitutionally mandated right to raise their children in a way consistent with their beliefs. In the same way that people who argue for HB 5043 cite the freedom to choose as a basis for their advocacy of the bill, he asks that the same be extended to those who oppose it. Simply put, he would like government to respect his right to choose what is right for his family.

Catherine Lanzona, in the same vein, believes that alternative forms of education in matters related to human sexuality should be studied, considered, and eventually implemented in place of existing programs that emphasize a view of man that is purely sexual. According to her, the problem with most forms of sex education is that they emphasize the sexual or reproductive capacity of human beings without considering the other aspects that make people truly human. If we truly respect one another's right to choose, then we shouldn't look at people as sexual beings whose proclivity to produce burdens society as a whole. Rather, we should look at all people as human resources who can choose to be happy, productive members of society and partners in community building.

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the two part series on reproductive health. Despite my inadequacies as host and moderator, you did much to raise the level of discussion on this very important issue. Perhaps now, the difficult task of preserving the family, can begin.

Next week, I'm inviting some ordinary people who would like to talk on advocacies that educate people on their right to choose a better way of life. Buding Dee of Latch Philippines and Dr. Antonio Torralba of I KEEP LOVE REAL and I AM STRONG will talk about how we can change the world, one mother and one child at a time. Please join us!

Juan on Juan is a live television talk show on ZOE TV that airs every Monday from 10 pm to 11 pm on Sky Channel 5 and UHF channel 33. The show seeks to provide the ordinary, but otherwise intelligent and well-meaning individual with an opportunity to offer his or her insights regarding real-life concerns. This show is neither for the influential nor the powerful. Rather, it's for everyJuan.

ZOE TV is currently being operated by Studio 26 Productions, with offices at the 22F, Strata 200 Building, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig.