Manila

Manila Story 1, Age 25:

When I was 22, I moved to Manila for an internship. It was a bustling time, and on the day I had to finalize my apartment lease, I got my period. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fully prepared, as the stress of moving had made me forget about packing menstrual supplies. The sudden realization of needing to manage my period while navigating the city's fast pace felt overwhelming. I was at a busy commercial district, rushing between meetings with my future landlord and errands for the move. My first thought was to find a bathroom. However, in Manila, public restrooms aren’t always accessible or well-maintained, especially in more crowded areas. I was near a busy mall, so I made my way there, figuring it would be my best bet. But even in malls, restrooms can get packed, and sanitary supplies aren’t always available. I finally found a restroom but had to wait in a long queue. The restroom was clean, but it lacked vending machines or even a shop nearby that sold sanitary products, so I had to leave again to search for a convenience store. Once I bought what I needed, I headed back, but the whole ordeal took about an hour. That delayed my day, leaving me stressed and uncomfortable. The hassle of finding a clean restroom, combined with the difficulty of purchasing menstrual products on the go, felt like an unnecessary burden, especially when you’re already dealing with cramps and fatigue. For city leaders and government officials, my advice is to invest in clean, accessible public restrooms across Manila, particularly in crowded areas. Installing vending machines with affordable menstrual products in restrooms would also make a huge difference. Many women, especially in urban settings, need access to these facilities to continue their day without added stress. Access to clean, well-maintained restrooms shouldn't be a luxury but a necessity, and proper menstrual hygiene should be part of this conversation.

Manila Story 2, Age 33:

I was in a mall and had to change pads. Good thing that I usually bring wipes or tissue paper and alcohol in my bag because most public restrooms in Manila don't have a bidet, tissue, or wipes. Some cubicles don't even have trash cans so I can only throw the used pad in a trash bin outside the cubicle. It is difficult to find a clean restroom with facilities to let me clean up during a menstrual period.  City leaders should strive to provide basic public restroom amenities like bidets, tissue paper.

Manila Story 3, Age 25:

It was 2019, I was 19 years old when I had my period when I was commuting to school. Luckily, I had a pad with me for emergency purposes and I make sure to use panty liner when travelling around the city. It was quite difficult to access clean public toilets and menstrual items in the city, so I make sure that I always pack menstrual pads with me in case I get my period. It made me self-conscious throughout the day, I was wary if I had packed enough.

Manila Story 4, Age 34:

This situation happened in 2019, when I was 29 years old. I was aboard the LRT Line 1 train en route to my workplace. I can't remember which day exactly, but it happened between the 2nd and 4th day of my period, when the flow is usually strongest. I can usually sit down during my morning commute because I board from the second station of the line. On this day, I felt that my period was heavier than usual, and I was worried that it might leak from the sanitary pad and into my slacks. When I stood up to get off my stop, I was horrified to see that the seat that I vacated had blood spots on it, confirming my fear that the flow indeed leaked. I was mortified and very self-conscious as I walked out of the train station and into my workplace. I didn't bring a spare set of clothes that day, so I was forced to wait until the mall opened so I could buy another set of clothes.  I had access to a public toilet in my workplace, but there was no bidet or tissues available. I had my extra pads with me but still also needed a change of clothes as well. While working in the office and waiting for the mall to open, I had to sit at the very edge of my office chair (luckily it was wooden) so as not to stain my slacks further. It was a rather uncomfortable morning at work for me. The walk to the mall was also uncomfortable as I had to hide the leak in my slacks behind my crossbody bag. It would be very helpful to have easy access to water, tissue, and sanitary materials in public places. Luckily, my workplace now has bidets installed in toilets but tissue is still not consistently provided.

Manila Story 5, Age 26:

I was 16 years old that time, commuting to school. I already felt that my period came that’s why I went to the nearest restroom which was at McDonald’s. I was wearing my white school uniform that time that’s why I was very nervous if I have period stains on my skirt. Fortunately, I always have an extra underwear with me when this kind of situation happens that’s why when I went to restroom at McDonald’s, I changed my underwear because it was full of blood. I was very careful because the restroom is not that clean. After changing and putting sanitary napkin on my underwear, I went to school already. I was feeling icky the whole day and all I wanted was to go home.