A battle Maria can win

Why should I be concerned about something like cervical cancer? I don’t have a cervix nor do I possess any other organs that might make me susceptible to such a specifically feminine ailment. The Human Papiloma Virus (or HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. It targets women only, so where do men figure into this equation? It really is quite simple, from a male perspective, to say that it’s their problem.

But how do the women get it? Well, guys, get ready: men are the carriers of HPV. A sexually transmitted virus, HPV lies dormant in males, and after infiltrating a female’s system, can go undetected for years. The virus does not show any symptoms, and most women don’t know they are at risk until it’s too late. And it comes from us, man.

The statistics are quite startling. Some 250,000 women die of cervical cancer each year, with over 80 percent of cases occurring in developing countries such as the Philippines. Every day, 12 Filipina die of cervical cancer. This could be your mother, your sister, your wife, your lover.

But this disease is preventable, if everyone does his or her part in promoting advocacy for cervical cancer prevention. Through regular screening and vaccination, women can take the necessary steps towards eliminating the possibility of infection. For the guys, by pushing our most loved females to get themselves checked (and, if you have a partner, by practicing safe sex) and promoting awareness among other men, we can do our part in making cervical cancer less of a threat.

This is a battle, after all, and women shouldn’t have to fight it alone.

Spearheading the battle against cervical cancer are the mom and daughter tandem of Pia and Maxene Magalona, with their-brand new shirts from the Francis M. Clothing Co. Graphic and witty, the “Laban ni Maria” T-shirts are hip and trendy, aimed towards creating awareness of cervical caner in the youth. “Now that I’m already in my early 20s, we really need to be more responsible, especially with regards to our health,” says Maxene. “I want them (young people like her) to know that cancer can really happen so, by all means necessary, prevent it. Do what you can to avoid having something like this happen to you and your family.”

For every Laban ni Maria T-shirt purchased, P80 will be donated to Bravehearts, a multi-sectoral coalition against cervical cancer lead by the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP.) The funds raised from the shirts will help fund a vaccination program for indigent women with little or no access to adequate health care. Bravehearts and CECAP will do their part, in cooperation with GlaxoSmithKline (whose cervical cancer vaccinations have bailed out countless women) in carrying out this agenda.

The launch of the Laban ni Maria T-shirts was a collaboration between Pia, Maxene, the Francis M. Clothing Co., CECAP, Bravehearts, GSK and MTV Philippines. The result was a concert and fashion show entitled “Laban ni Maria: Rocking Against Cervical Cancer.” The concert featured popular bands Pupil, Imago, Astrojuan and Us-2 Evil-0.

“Laban ni Maria is really about empowering the Filipina,” says Pia Magalona. “They need to know that they are important members of their communities — as mothers, as friends, as sisters — and that they need to take good care of themselves. Cervical cancer is a cancer we can do something about — it’s preventable. Take the opportunity to protect yourself and your families.”

And we will. Why? Because we love the ladies.

Laban ni Maria shirts are available at 3 Stars & a Sun stores in Broadway Centrum, Power Station Macapagal Avenue, Robinson’s Galleria, Robinson’s Metro East, Robinson’s Place Imus, and at their online store: francismclothing.multiply.com.

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For more information on Laban ni Maria and Pia and Maxene’s advocacy, visit xoutcervicalcancer.com.ph.

E-mail me at enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com.