By Regina Layug-Rosero

Day of the Purple Ribbon

I’ve been to a few of these RH- and women’s issues-related events before. The ballroom or hall is filled with advocates from every possible NGO you can imagine, and the program is filled with names from respected organizations, Congress, and private institutions, all working towards the same goal. Speakers will talk about the problems plaguing women, about the projects that help women and children, about success stories and challenges. Members of the audience will come to the mic during the Q&A and declare their support and air their criticisms and start discussions. It’s usually very serious.

Yesterday’s event was nothing like that. Instead, it was a celebration of the very varied and quite numerous organizations and individuals who support the RH Bill, and are proud to show it.

Rep. Risa Hontiveros

PLCPD launched the Purple Ribbon in yesterday’s event, Day of the Purple Ribbon, as a symbol to unify all the supporters of the RH Bill. NGOs, civil groups, business groups, current and former government officials, and media were joined by private institutions, youth, writers, artists and even comedians and celebrities in an afternoon of music, victory speeches, food and drink. This was no conference, symposium or workshop. It was a pep rally, designed to gather all those on the side of reproductive health, to raise spirits and toast an impending victory. Where else would you see Lea Salonga dancing and cheering amid UNFPA’s Youth Consortium to The Dawn rocking onstage? Where else would Noel Cabangon be able to get former president Fidel V Ramos and the LGBT community singing about being a “Mabuting Pilipino”?

Stay tuned for further coverage from Mulat Pinoy, Pro-Pinoy.net, Sex and Sensibilities, and Filipino Freethinkers. Check out the photos on Facebook.