(From left) Gabbi Garcia and Ysabel Ortega. Images: Instagram/@gabbi, @ysabel_ortega
Like all ladies, Gabbi Garcia and Ysabel Ortega had their fair share of dysmenorrhea or cramps during their monthly periods. The excruciating pain, among other reasons, is why they are passionate about calling for menstrual awareness.
Garcia and Ortega were passionate as they spoke about the importance of menstrual awareness on the sidelines of a feminine care brand event, especially when INQUIRER.net asked their thoughts regarding period cramps seen as mere stomachaches.
“No! Hindi lang siya sakit ng tiyan (It’s not just a stomachache),” said Garcia. “I feel like we have to spread awareness that dysmenorrhea is no joke. We have to take it seriously. I’m all for making dysmenorrhea leaves legal because it’s a must.”
The “Encantadia” star pointed out that women always “make sacrifices” even when it comes to their monthly periods, and that hustling on their time is considered to be normal even if it’s “hard.”
“It’s no joke especially when a woman is working so hard, hustling so hard, or requires physical activities while working. It’s so hard to do those while having dysmenorrhea. I feel like it should be equally treated as all the other reasons for leaves because it is not easy,” Garcia said. “Women always sacrifice for everybody.”
Shattering notions
For her part, Ortega admitted that such comments like “Ang sungit naman niyan” or “Masakit lang puson niya” would be put to rest because period cramps are a usual thing that women go through.
“Gusto kong sabihin, ‘Excuse me!’ But at the same time, I really want to say, ‘Oo, masakit talaga puson ko. Masama talaga mood ko kasi masakit siya.’ Because it’s real. When you don’t feel good, it can affect your whole mood,” she said.
“I don’t agree with the stereotype towards women or blaming them for it, because it’s a serious problem,” Ortega continued.
Garcia then chimed in, saying that a woman’s menstrual period is a “hormonal imbalance” that every lady has to go through.
“It’s scientific. It’s a hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body. It’s not just kaartehan. Women are way better than that,” she said.
Both actresses then drew laughs when they immediately said “yes” when asked if they would consider putting Garcia’s boyfriend Khalil Ramos and Miguel Tanfelix — whom Ortega is exclusively dating — through period simulator machines.
A laughing Garcia clarified that Ramos “understands” her during her time of the month and has always respected her.
“Khalil truly understands red days. He respects it whenever I’m going on those monthly periods. I feel like all the other people who stereotype women with their periods as being maarte ang dapat lagyan ng simulators,” she said while Ortega nodded eagerly.
Meanwhile, Ortega said her answer came from curiosity but added: “Aalagaan ko naman si Miguel” before laughing again.
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