During our 1st semester in 4rth year, we had a Public Relations class under Mr. Bernie Bagaman as part of our IMC curriculum. It was in this class that we lobbied in congress for Pro-life. Originally, there were 13 of us. One of our classmates, JF Blanco, died in his sleep before we did the actual lobbying. Rest in peace, JF. He was actually supposed to be my partner in our first tasks. After his death, all that I can do is continue the tasks as if he were beside me, helping me too in doing research, and likewise offering up my tasks for his soul. And so, the rest of continued our service for Pro-life. The students involved were the following: Kristia Somera, Chin Taguines, Roanna Catap, Kristen Morados, Check Odulio, Raiza Revilla, Via Reyna, Avvy Hernandez, Tricia Sarabia, Jem Cruz, JR Monsale and Nhorway Salvacion.
The first few meetings were spent in researching issues that affected the family and the individual because of the anti-life methods we have today. These were issues such as divorce, pre-marital sex and affairs, death penalty, pornography and broken families. After several meetings and scrapping out of issue
s, we ended up lobbying for anti-contraceptive usage. With this, we tackled related issues such as sex education in grade school, population control and premarital sex. We also watched videos of abortion, which was very disturbing. The more we tackled the issues, the more firm our stand for pro-life was. In our research, we concluded that the use contraceptives is not the proper method for population. Besides, population is an asset and not a liability. Governmental funds should be allocated in giving people opportunities to work and sufficient wages.
After studying the issues, we went to congress and lobbied to congressmen and congresswomen against the use of contraceptives. Being there was a tough job. Meeting congressmen who were in contradiction of our proposals was a challenge. There were some who were strong about their own stance while there were some who not yet settled with the issue. The best part was finally finding and gathering names of congressmen and congresswomen who agreed what we were lobbying. Through their insights we were able to gather arguments that we never thought of, and likewise gain encouragement that we had support from them.
The Pro-Life Organization continues to go around schools and look for student volunteers to lobby in congress. I don’t know if the 3rd year batch of IMC students this year will be given the opportunity. But if ever they are given the chance, I advise that they go for it. It is a chance for them (and for you as well if you want) to stand up for the values that they have. It is also the chance for them to integrate what they have learned in their theology and philosophy subjects in CAS. Aside from that, you can be a pro-life advocate in small things like abhorring condom ads, saying no to premarital sex and abortion, and above all, seeing the people around with Human Dignity!
29 Comments:
http://urworldvision.blogspot.com/2008/01/advocating-my-dream-lobbyin-for-prolife.html
here it is again Advocating my dream: my prolife experience
:)
although im generally pro-life i have high tolerance for those who are anti