Teenagers’ disgust –‘pollution’ in EDSA

Why has our society become so wicked? Young mothers throwing down newly born babies from high-rise condominium buildings and out of running taxicabs.

The July newspaper headlines: “Lawmakers alarmed over filmed gang rape”, “PUP to probe reported gang rape of student.”

A survey in a prominent province revealed that 90% of their college students are having affairs. What depravity my countrymen!

Philippine UNMDG to miss target on maternal mortality

Out of the six UN Millennium Development Goals, the Philippines is not likely to meet two: lower maternal mortality and quality primary education, according to the mid-year country assessment survey by the UN Country Team.

During this month’s UN celebration of Population, media made prominent the problem of maternal mortality plaguing poor married women who cannot afford pre-natal care, thus giving birth to dozen children born weak or handicapped. Many mothers who die are also pre-teens and young college students who live by themselves in city boarding houses far away from their families. They bear children out of wedlock, resorting to various unhealthy forms of aborting their pregnancies at the risk of their lives. Their ignorance of the ill consequences of this decision is compounded by shame, making them vulnerable to cheap service of quack doctors.

Usually, parents are the last to know and it is often too late.

Who promotes lascivious thought forms?

Since high school students are sensitive to environmental influences, especially expensive ads in the media, I made two high schools write what they feel about the numerous billboards they see along EDSA when they commute to school.

Among the billboards that they find obscene are advertisements for underwear, clothes, beauty products, medical/beauty clinics, liquors and energy drinks, tele-serye, magazines, and condoms.

Why they find the billboards repulsive, lewd and immoral?

Kristine C., fourth year: “I personally think that these billboards are not good because they are placed in areas where a lot of people pass by, some are even young children. Some people idolize these actresses and might use them as their role models. I also think that these endorsers are somehow ‘lowering’ themselves because they only do this as a means of becoming more popular, not knowing that they are becoming bad examples to others. As popular image models, they should set the right example and not be the proponent of malicious actions.”

Diana Y., third year: “Billboard such as these implies that what the model is wearing and how she/he poses is alright and acceptable, even though it’s not. This could be a classic case of ‘whatever the children see on display may be perceived as something good and right’. Too often, nobody or no one takes the time to explain to the innocent ones whether a thing is good or otherwise. Hence, the children are left with their own with questions and misconceptions leaving them confused.”

Mary M., fourth year: “Here comes the debate between freedom of expression/art/lifestyle versus social responsibility (campaign against obscenity). To the people who promote these graphic billboards, they say that it is art, yet they disregard how other people view it. A lot of people see malice on these graphics, causing distraction and destruction. It might even trigger some people to commit sexual harassment or rape.”

Sang H.L., fourth year: “I don’t really want to judge these women on why they chose to pose that way for that particular ad. But the message it sends is that it promotes the exploitation of women. Most of the models are popular actresses, and they should set the example of how a young woman should be. Instead, they show vulgarity and obscenity. Either they are unaware or choose to be so not minding the effects these will have on the youth. Come to think of it, our government allows this because it is paid and taxed. The advertisers should not only think about profits; they should also be vigilant in promoting and keeping values that help build a strong nation.”

Nurmiko G., second year: “Huge billboards promoting beauty products and hi-tech electronic gadgets are just like a drug or medicine, it also has its side effects. They may introduce more efficient items/products to the public but with the current economic status of our country and the rising prices of commodities, people should instead save money. Unfortunately, a lot of people are lured into buying these products because of the promised ‘good effects’.”

Kyle Gabriel A., first year: “The graphic design of billboard makes us curious about the endorser and the product. Sadly, they focus more on ‘who’s in it?’ than ‘what’s on it?’ I think our government should reduce their size and the number of sites because they overpopulate many areas and can even cause more damage during calamities.”

Princess A., fourth year: “Traveling out of town is the only time I get to appreciate the scenic view of our rural areas while listening to music. It is my way of getting a reprieve from the bustle and hustle of the city life. Suddenly, the beautiful view is marred by large billboards – most of them displaying images that corrupts one’s mind and senses. I find it very disgusting. So before we reach that certain spot where the billboard is located, I just force myself to sleep...and I hate it.”

A primer for worldly students

Our social mores are being corrupted by the smut in advertisements, internet, and the media in this IT generation.

“I assure you that unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven… If anyone should cause one of these little ones to lose his faith in me, it would be better for that person to have a large millstone tied around his neck and be drowned in the deep sea. How terrible for the world that there are things that make people lose their faith! Such things will always happen – but how terrible for the one who causes them!” (Matthew 18: 3, 6-7)

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