Pasig City; February 27, 2025 – Students at Rizal High School (RHS), the second largest high school in the Philippines, marked the end of the Valentine’s season today with PAD-Ibig Diaries, an innovative initiative that embeds reproductive health education into menstrual pad packaging.
A collaboration between advertising agency Black Pencil Manila of the Leo Burnett Group and reproductive health NGO Roots of Health, PAD-Ibig Diaries uses illustrated diary entries on menstrual pad wrappers to spark conversations about puberty, consent, relationships, and contraception.
During the RHS event, 500 female students from Grades 7 to 10 received limited-edition menstrual pads featuring 24 engaging narratives with artwork that discuss key sexual and reproductive health topics. Interactive activities like “Chismis o Check” (myth-busting session) and knowledge-based games reinforced key learnings.
The pads—donated by Charmee Feminine Protection—are now available year-round through the PAD-Ibig drawer, a dispenser stationed at the school clinic, which ensures that students have continuous access to both menstrual products and reproductive health knowledge.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap Through Creative Engagement
Despite the high rates of teen pregnancy and HIV transmission in the Philippines, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) remains inconsistently implemented in schools. The lack of credible information on sexuality is exacerbated by the stigma and shame surrounding discussions about sex.
“By embedding these stories into an everyday essential—menstrual pads—we provide a private yet accessible way for young women to learn about their bodies, relationships, and sexual health,” said Kat Gomez-Limchoc, Executive Creative Director of Black Pencil Manila.
Amina Evangelista Swanepoel, Founding Executive Director of Roots of Health, shared, “While we advocate for the full implementation of comprehensive sexuality education in the Department of Education’s high school curriculum, creative initiatives like these are crucial to bridging the gap. We strive to ensure young people receive the credible, science-based information they need and deserve—so they can protect themselves, build healthy relationships, and confidently pursue their dreams.”
Why Comprehensive Sexuality Education is Crucial Nationwide
The Philippines records around 400 teen births daily, while HIV infections surged by 411% from 2012 to 2023, making the country the fastest-growing HIV hotspot in the Asia Pacific region. A third of these infections were among young people aged 15 to 24, with nearly all cases resulting from sexual contact.
These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for CSE in schools nationwide. Studies have shown that access to quality sexuality education leads to lower rates of unintended pregnancies, delays in sexual initiation, and increased use of contraception among sexually active youth, Swanepoel noted.
“CSE is about empowerment. It helps young people navigate adolescence safely and confidently so they can build the lives they want and contribute to their communities in the best ways possible,” she added.
Launched in 2024 at Puerto Princesa National High School, PAD-Ibig Diaries earned Black Pencil a prestigious Kidlat Award for its creative and social impact. Organizers hope to expand the initiative to more schools nationwide.
“At a time when young people urgently need science-based reproductive health education, our all-women team at Black Pencil Manila is proud to collaborate with Roots of Health and Charmee to continue PAD-Ibig Diaries,” said Limchoc. “We hope this project inspires more young women to better care for themselves and to make sure they are forming healthy relationships.”
The PAD-Ibig Diaries are also available online at https://ugatngkalusugan.
