Do you always feel pleasure during sex? If you’re a woman, there’s a high chance that the answer is no. And it’s only partly because your partner comes up, well, short. While men can openly share details about sexual proclivities, Filipino women remain apprehensive when it comes to talking about sexual desires and pleasures.
The result: the misconception that female pleasure is elusive, undefinable, and taboo.
How has it come to this? And how can Filipino men and women come together towards fun and pleasure for all? Durex, the #1 condom brand, celebrated Women’s Month with “LOL for All, Pleasure for All,” a stand-up comedy show headlined by women that aimed to open up conversation about exploring female pleasure for all via comedy. After all, if men can’t rise up for female pleasure, who better get the job done than women themselves?
Pleasure is for everyone
Held at SELTSAM in Makati City last March 30, “LOL for All, Pleasure for All” featured some of the best female stand-up comedians in the country today: Comedy Manila’s Issa Villaverde and Jeannie Laccay, and TV and movie actress Donna Cariaga.
The three Ladies of Laughter shared personal and intimate experiences about sex, pleasure, and what it’s like to be a woman exploring her sexuality (in a healthy and responsible way, of course) in the Philippines—using their signature comedic stylings.
Villaverde, who openly identifies as a bisexual woman, put the spotlight on machismo. Male pride can sometimes hinder men from providing pleasure to their partners, she said.
“I find that straight men are very ma-pride when it comes to sex. Ang daming mayayabang na, ‘Babe, hindi ko kailangan ng lube.’ ‘Pare, walang nagfafake ng orgasm sa akin, pare.’ Kaya I appreciate that the girls I am dating know what pleasure is. So guys, please don’t hesitate to use lube. Like, that’s how we come together,” she quipped.
Meanwhile, Laccay pointed out the similarities of comedy and sex. In both comedy and sex, men always come first—in more ways than one. But women are just as capable as men, she explained.
“We’re used to having men doing stand-up, right? So medyo effort sa amin dito na magpatawa. But it’s okay, because I always challenge myself. Like, I really want a job where most men are good at and I’m proud to tell you that I’ve finally made it. Isa na po akong tambay,” she joked.
Laccay also noted the importance of protection in exploring pleasure: “Yung gusto ko sa Durex, hindi ka na mage-effort for cosplay. Kapag suotin mo yung condom na Durex, feeling mo may superpower ka na. Kapag suot mo, ‘I am Pleasuremax Man! Ililgitas kita sa STD. Masaya ka, safe ka pa.’ O di ba, ang saya?”
Cariaga poked fun at how men are celebrated for their sexuality, but women are sometimes shamed for it. “Sa Pilipinas, ang sex ay mas advantage rin ng mga lalaki… Tignan ninyo, ang lalaki, kapag may bakat, ang sikip ng pantalon niya, badge of honor niya yun, di ba? Pero bakit ang babae kapag may camel toe, hindi pwedeng masikip lang ang underwear namin today?” she shared.
She added: “Maraming salamat Durex dahil sa mga ganitong programa, nabibigyan ng boses ang mga babae. Dahil sa totoo lang, meron pa rin tayong social construct na kailangang basagin sa usapang sex ng babae at lalaki. Kailangan na natin siyang basagin.”
More than providing rib-tickling funny jokes for pleasure, “LOL for All, Pleasure for All” gave women an avenue to talk about what makes them feel good, allowing them to champion self-acceptance and feel empowered to enjoy and explore what makes them a woman and how they feel pleasure. Everyone, after all, deserves to have fun and pleasure, said Camille Taguba, Durex Philippines Brand Manager.
“I’m very happy to close Women’s Month with this very sexy, pleasurable, and funny night with our funny ladies. With Durex, we want to provide you with products for you to explore your pleasure. Everyone deserves pleasure. Whenever with our condoms, lubricants, or toys, we want to equip you to explore your pleasure and we want to open up the conversation with sex and pleasure,” Taguba said.
