Having attended the Durex Sexhibit last October 14, 2011 at A Venue Mall in Makati, I remembered a few things about myself: I’m a physician, and I’m Catholic. But I will talk about condoms and pills if my patients ask me about them.

After all, if my religion prompts me to believe that blood transfusions are a sin, it shouldn’t stop me from offering blood transfusions to a dengue patient who needs it. As a doctor, I have my own beliefs and principles – but I can not impose them on my patients.

Patients have to decide for themselves in terms of their treatment plan. However, if their plans involve abortion, I will not schedule one for them. But if a patient comes in, bleeding because of having had an abortion in some other non-licensed clinic, I will see to it that the patient receives emergency care.

If my religion prompts me to believe that blood transfusions are a sin, it shouldn’t stop me from offering blood transfusions to a dengue patient who needs it. In the same way, my beliefs about condoms should not stop me from educating patients who ask for information on condom use.

There are many pitfalls when it comes to ethical issues, and a lot of them are subject to argument. Opinions will always vary, but one thing stands true: as doctors, we can tell our patients which procedures we are not willing to perform; however, we can not withhold information that they deserve to know, as long as it does not endanger their health or life, even if we are against giving it.

All seriousness aside, the Durex Exhibit was something I’ve never experienced before.

There was a phone booth where you get to eavesdrop on people supposedly doing the dirty:

And here are a few fun facts about sexual practices and beliefs in other parts of the world:

In Hong Kong, a betrayed wife can kill her husband with her bare hands? Boy, do I want to live there!

Durex also featured a few adult toys – unfortunately, I can’t post a few of the pictures, lest I be subjected to censorship!

This reminded me of the article on HIV that I am currently writing:

There was also an exhibit of sorts, featuring love potions, pheromones, STDs, and other interesting topics:

The exhibit was not only fun; it was informative as well. All that information went straight to my head – can I please take a nap now?

The Durex Sexhibit was held at A Venue Mall in Makati last October 14, 2011.