This text addresses the Philippinesâ historical and contemporary reproductive politics, offering a timely insight into the rich reproductive lives of Filipinos. It critically explores stories of sexuality, religiosity, and reproductive livelihoods during the immediate aftermath of the passing of the âResponsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Actâ of 2012 after more than fifteen years of opposition by the Philippine Catholic Church. Commonly called the âRH Lawâ, it aims to provide public access to reproductive and family planning services for Filipino women and men, especially those from poorer communities who often experience unwanted pregnancies, complications from illegal abortions, and exacerbated economic hardship. This book explores the intimate and urban after-effects of globalization, and how they shape the âreproductive dilemmasâ of Filipinos in Metropolitan âMetroâ Manila. It constructs a balanced portrait of the countryâs reproductive politics within Metro Manilaâs rapidly changing terrains, showing how âreproductive dilemmasâ are produced within a context that is at once fraught by conservative religious discourse and also rapidly globalizing, and where aspects of intimate lives have become both transnational and fragmented.
