TOP BANDS AND ARTISTS ROCK FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL

TOP BANDS AND ARTISTS ROCK FOR RH

The country's hottest rock bands and veteran performers will gather for a free concert in support of the immediate passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill on the eve of Human Rights Day, December 9, 2008, Tuesday at the Liwasang Aurora, QC Memorial Circle (fronting Philcoa and Commonwealth Ave) from 6 pm to 12 midnight.

Titled “RH Rocks!” and celebrating with the theme “RH is a Human Right” the concert features Sandwich, Lolita Carbon, Sugarfree, Noel Cabangon, Imago, Chikoy Pura, Itchyworms, Skarlet, Pedicab, Susan Fernandez, Duster, Cambio, Peryodiko, Bob and Anya, ZoneOne, Wandering Dew, FMD, Jeepney Joyride and more.

The RH Bill, also known as HB 5043 mandates government to help couples, especially those who are poor, to achieve their desired family size by providing information, medicines and reproductive health and family planning services. The RH Bill advocates informed choice for couples on both natural and modern family planning methods and aims to provide age-appropriate adolescent sexuality and reproductive health education.

“The constitution guarantees freedom of choice, the right to health, and the right to education. People have the right to be informed. We deserve no less than an informed choice regarding our bodies. Our children deserve no less than the truth about the facts of life and health,” says Vin Dancel, lead vocalist of Peryodiko.

Katwo Puertollano, Duster vocalist, says, “The RH bill, if passed, can be a chance for us to shine in this critical point in our history where the demands of our current generation put an incredible strain on our natural resources and the over-density of population renders the government incapable of providing the basic needs of the population.”

The support of these performers comes in the wake of highly respected artists like Lea Salonga and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde who have expressed their support for the RH Bill.

In the November issue of Marie Claire, Salonga says: “I want every Filipino woman empowered with information regarding all options available regarding family planning. I want every Filipina to be armed with the right education regarding their bodies in the context of sex and reproduction; to exercise their free will in ensuring the quality of life based on their own personal, religious and moral convictions and belief; and to have a fighting chance at a better life.”

Elizabeth Angsioco, general secretary of the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN), a network of 40 NGOs and people’s organizations and co-organizer of the concert along with the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), said that the bands and performers enthusiastically committed to the concert because they believe in the importance of the RH bill especially where it concerns the youth.

“The delay in the passage of the RH bill increases the vulnerability of our young people to risky sexual behaviors, sexual abuses, teen-age pregnancy and its possible life-threatening complications, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. We cannot close our eyes to the fact that more and more young people are getting sexually active. They need to be empowered by learning to make intelligent decisions so they become more responsible with their actions including on matters pertaining to sexuality and relationships,” Angsioco said.

“RH Rocks!” is supported by Frenzy Condoms, the Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Government of Quezon City, Jam 88.3 and NU 107.

For more information, please call 927-1766 or click on www.reproductivehealth.com.ph

Rock The Riles 2008 - RockED Philippines

Since 2005, Rock Ed Philippines has been ending its work-year with a mammoth celebration of Human Rights. We hold eight (8) simultaneous events in eight (8) train stations of the MRT line along historic EDSA. ROCK THE RILES is held every Sunday closest to International Human Rights Day. (Intl HR Day is celebrated every Dec 10)

Despite having no commercial funding this year, we all decided to push through with it anyway. Everyone involved in 'Rock the Riles 2008' pitched in to make it possible. Shelled out cash, lent some equipment, lent expertise, talent and time.

So we can squarely say: This one's ours.

This gathering is our rally of sorts, that one time we decide to physically come together and say the same thing at the same time. That one time we decide to pool our voices and say "No more excuses, Philippines."

Next Sunday, take the train. Choose a station. Watch a gig. Take a stand. Rock and roll.

Save the date: 7th of Dec, 2008. 2-7pm at any MRT station nearest you.


Confirmed artists:
Radioactive Sago Project, Sugarfree, Up Dharma Down,
Gasulina, Giniling Festival, Paramita,
Ang Bandang Shirley, Sleepwalk Circus, Swissy,
Juan Pablo Dream, Musical O, Outerhope,
Urbandub, Intolerant, Taken by Cars,
Typecast, Switch, Out of Body Special,
Hilera, Nyctinasty, Salamin,
Severo, Faspitch, Subscapular,
Peryodiko, Cambio, Enemies of Saturn,
Blue Jean Junkies, Analog, Agnes Ingarra,
Pin-up Girls, Bagetsafonik, Roots of Nature,
Chillitees, Mozzie, Lahi,
Chicosci, Lowtechs, Playphonics,
Nyco Maca, College Coed, Join the Club,
The Youth, Jeepney Joyride, Sopiz,
Zelle, Menaya, Ciudad,
Head, Chardonnay, Miko Aguilar,
Nityalila, Matilda, PhilTag,
Nokia-Rock Ed ACTS Music Scholars from Childhope Asia and Virlanie Foundation,
Tribu rap artists, Beware of Death Threat, Miscellaneous, Monique, Ill-J, Mike Swift, Pamilya Dimagiba, People's Future and more.

Details to follow.

For now, kindly help us spread the word that Rock the Riles 2008 is on.

Article II. Section VI. 1987 Constitution

RH bill headed for defeat--Church

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 21:13:00 11/20/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The Roman Catholic church on Thursday said it has sufficient support in Congress to defeat a controversial family planning bill promoting sex education and the use of contraceptives.

"The bishops are confident they have the numbers," said Maria Fenny Tatad, executive director of the church lobby group Bishops-Legislators Caucus of the Philippines.

Only 99 members of the 238-member House of Representatives have openly said they will support the Reproductive Health Care Act, while the rest are expected to side with the church, Tatad said.

Population control is a highly politicized issue in the Philippines, where more than 80 percent of the 90 million population are Catholics.

The church, which wields considerable public influence, frowns on any artificial form of birth control and has been waging a high-profile campaign to block the passage of the bill, which is now before congress.

International aid agencies and economists have backed the bill saying it is crucial if the Philippines is to curb its annual population growth rate of 2.04 percent, one of Asia's highest.

The bill seeks to establish a national family planning program that would include sex education and advice on birth control, which the church considers "immoral."

Such provisions go against established church doctrine and puts the social fabric of the mainly Catholic Philippines in peril, said Father Melvin Castro, head of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

"We can't simply follow what the world wants us to do," he told reporters.

He said the church was now drafting a parallel bill with the support of some senior members of Congress, a majority of whom are Catholics.

The bill is still in its initial phase, but is expected to include provisions on regulating over-the-counter sales of contraceptives without prescription, as well as controlling the sale of condoms.

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-P.Poop