Behind
the Project
Modern contraceptive use in the Philippines remains low, hindered by a lack of public knowledge, education, and access to proper medical, financial, and regulatory support. Youth, in particular, face challenges during their formative years, lacking the guidance needed to navigate their sexual health safely resulting in teenage pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Despite efforts, outdated mindsets and misinformation still slow progress. Promoting reproductive health education and open discourse is essential to improve public understanding, family planning, and societal well-being. This project contributes to that movement.
Objective
To help close this gap, we created a multimedia project in the form of a graphic novel with themes of reproductive health and educates on modern contraceptives in a Filipino context. The research phase includes insights from experts and surveys with senior high school students in University of Makati (UMak) to understand trends and knowledge about contraceptive use. Accessible digitally through a website, a physical copy of the graphic novel will also be available at UMak and at the researcher’s respective college, iACADEMY, to further support education and advocacy on these important issues.
Story Preview
Luksong Tinik follows the story of three senior high school students, Joan, Nicole, and Andrei. Joan, a 17 year old senior high school student lives a modest life centered around school, home, and Sunday church with her single mother, Helen. She shows little interest in love or relationships—until she unexpectedly develops an attraction towards a boy at her school named James. And as it frequently does for anyone at her age, her attraction becomes sexual, something Joan never really felt before.
Out of the blue, the church announces the installation of three new confessionals during one of the Sunday services. Struggling with confusion and guilt over her feelings, Joan decides to confess days after. But when she speaks inside the box, two other strangers—Nicole and Andrei, who happen to be in the remaining boxes—also blurt out their secrets. Nicole, who might be pregnant; and Andrei, who might have HIV. They realized that they were the only ones who were there, and they’ve just exposed their personal struggles to one another.
Characters
Nicole
Nicole hides her anxiety behind a confident front, terrified she might be pregnant. The pressure of her family’s expectations and fears about her future weigh on her more than ever. She’s deeply concerned about how others would see her if her fears prove true.
Joan
Joan is reserved, smart and avoids typical teen things like dating and love. She values her self-image and fears judgement from others, until she suddenly finds herself conflicted by her sudden sexual attraction to her crush, fearing it might develop into something more real.
Andrei
Andrei also displays an anxious and fearful personality, fearing how his family and others would react to his bisexuality and the possibility of having contracted HIV from a past boyfriend. He feels lost and overwhelmed, unsure where to turn for help.