VIPs, showbiz in show of force for RH Bill

It had the festive atmosphere of a miting de avance. But like rallies for a rising underdog in politics, the celebrity and VIP gathering for reproductive health on Wednesday acknowledged the uphill odds against a powerful opponent. The Catholic clergy that opposes the contentious reproductive health bill now being debated in Congress and in various public fora was one of the few sectors unrepresented at the "Day of the Purple Ribbon for Reproductive Health" at the upscale Crowne Plaza Galleria in the Ortigas Center. But they were very much on the minds of the enthusiastic crowd. Keynote speaker former President Fidel V. Ramos questioned Catholic bishops' appreciation for reproductive health, and chided media for not paying more attention to the views of women, who have a more "intimate" familiarity with the issue's importance. Singer Noel Cabangon got one of the loudest audience reactions of the event with a tweaked version of his popular "Ako'y Mabuting Pilipino," inserting the lines: "Kaya ang RH Bill ay ating suportahan. Ito ang sagot natin laban sa kahirapan. At 'di pasisindak sa banta ng Simbahan."
At the same event, Ramos urged President Benigno Aquino III to prioritize the proposed measure. "Mr. President, with due respect, for you to do the right thing, you should now certify the RH bill as urgent," he said. Meanwhile, Lea Salonga committed herself to be an "ambassadress of reproductive health." "I want people [to be] armed with as much information as possible... to decide for themselves what is best for them as couples. That's what I'm hoping for," she said. Salonga added that the proposed RH measure is vital for the welfare of women. John Lennon's Imagine During Wednesday's event, the international performer also gave her own rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine," saying that the song suits the RH Bill advocates' message to the public. Among the popular entertainment figures who joined the event were comedian Arnel Ignacio, Tuesday Vargas, singer Leah Navarro, Apo Hiking Society member Jim Paredes, and Filipino rock icon Jett Pangan. Pangan capped the event when he performed with his band The Dawn. "As far as I'm concerned, the overpopulation of our country is at an alarming rate already and something really needs to be done," Pangan said. Other prominent individuals who participated in the event were RH bill authors Representatives Edcel Lagman and Janet Garin, former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, incumbent Health Secretary Enrique Ona, former party-list representative Risa Hontiveros, and radio-TV personality Gang Badoy. Meanwhile, Carlos Celdran, known for his anti-church confrontational tactics, was also present during the event but chose to remain silent. "I decided to just chill out, not speak too loudly and just stalk celebrities instead," Celdran said in an entry on his Tumblr account. He also expressed his gladness that the Aquino administration openly supports the RH Bill. "Best of all, I saw a lot of Pro-Noynoy camp folks in the audience and backstage – more than enough proof that the Palace supports the RH Bill and that it will pass into law. Woo hoo!" he said. No to celebrities Meanwhile, critics of the RH bill including the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said they will not get celebrities to endorse their campaign against the controversial measure. "Patuloy pa ring gagamitin ng Simbahan ang kanyang resources, ang kanyang means, such as homilies and meetings," CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura said. Other individual pro-life advocates vowed to continue their fight against the RH bill, noting that they are coordinating with the Church for their campaign. "Kung ang mga parish priest ay educated enough to talk on the RH Bill, napakalaking bagay 'yan. Kaya kinakausap namin 'yung mga bishop, kausapin ninyo yung mga parish priest ninyo, educate them," said pro-life advocate Atty. Luis Sison. Members of the Citizens' Alliance for the Protection of Human Life said they will lead a civil disobedience if the RH bill is enacted into law. But RH bill advocates are not worried about the plans of pro-life groups. "I don't think that [civil disobedience] will succeed. That's more propaganda than anything real," Lagman said. — LBG/RSJ/HS, GMA News