In our country, circumcision is not performed solely for medical purposes. Circumcision has been part of our cultural norm; that every boy is expected to go through in his puberty years. Oddly enough? Not so in our country. You see, circumcision has been a ritual, a rite of passage if you can, that boys have to go through during that stage of life. It is a cultural belief in the Philippines that the transition from boy to man is not fully accomplished without circumcision.
Failure to submit to this traditional Filipino custom will most likely result in ridicule and ridicule from your peers and family members. Those who have not yet been circumcised will be called Business (intact foreskin) and will be looked down upon by those who are done with the procedure. If one reaches high school uncircumcised, they will be considered weird and abnormal. Those who reach early adulthood uncircumcised are considered “old” for the procedure. If one does not have a deep understanding and knowledge of Filipino culture, this would be considered a low form of bullying.
SEASON OF CIRCUMCISION
In the Philippines, there is the so-called circumcision season and these are the months from April to May, or the summer months. These months are when the children are on school vacation; thus, after circumcision, boys can rest at home without having to miss school during the healing process. It is during these months when the “Operation Tuli” (mass circumcision) is carried out in different hospitals and health clinics. Hundreds of crying, screaming and fainting children would line up to undergo this procedure.
THE FILIPINO CUTS
Circumcision in the Philippines is performed in two ways: surgical circumcision and traditional circumcision or “Pukpok” (vigorous beating or hammering).
surgical circumcision
The newest, most modern and universally accepted method is surgical circumcision. Surgical circumcision is favored by those who live in urban areas where hospitals and clinics are more accessible. It is the circumcision of choice for urban people who are more modernized and have been sufficiently educated regarding this type of circumcision.
There are two techniques used for surgical circumcision: the dorsal incision and the sleeve techniques. The dorsal incision is the technique of choice for those with conditions such as phimosis (tight foreskin) and paraphimosis (non-retractable foreskin). The foreskin is retracted over the glans before circumcision. A vertical cut is made through the center of the foreskin. The slit is made to the base of the crown of the penis and the skin is removed. Multiple stitches follow using absorbable sutures. Of course, all of these are done after the injection of a local anesthetic. This technique was the one used in those days when I attended circumcisions.
The sleeve technique, on the other hand, presents a more aesthetically pleasing penis. Circular cuts are made in the shaft of the penis revealing a gap. The remaining foreskin is then gathered and sutured. This technique is said to be more complex than the dorsal incision technique. This method is suitable for older children and adults.
Traditional Circumcision or “Pukpok”
This method has caused some controversy over the years due to the nature of the procedure itself. Many have argued that traditional circumcision or “pukpok” is a form of genital mutilation and abuse. This method is carried out in the very rural areas of the country.
Children lined up to go to the local “circumciser” for this traditional circumcision or “puk puk“. It is favored that this procedure is done near a river, lake or sea because the boys will be asked to submerge half of their bodies (from the waist down) in the water to soften the skin of the penis before going through the operating room.You will also be asked to chew guava leaves for later use. lukawaA razor (labaha) is then placed over the foreskin. The foreskin comes off after a few quick hammer blows. The child is then asked to spit the chewed guava leaves onto the wound to control bleeding.
I am not sure if this method is still practiced to this day, although there have been reports that it is still practiced.
PHILIPPINE CIRCUMCISION MYTHS
Will make a taller one: Most of those who get circumcised grow taller and the reason for that is that those who get circumcised are boys who are in their growth spurt. These are children in the age groups 10-16. They are at the stage where physical changes occur such as a rapid increase in height. Circumcision has nothing to do with it.
It will make a bigger penis: Circumcision is subtraction and not addition. Part of a penis is removed. Actually, it will do the opposite if it is not done successfully. So no, there is no solid fact that circumcision can enlarge the penis.
The uncircumcised will have a hard time getting someone pregnant: Many factors (sperm and structural abnormalities, genetic disorders, etc.) are involved in not getting a person pregnant, except for being uncircumcised.
YOU ARE THE MAN!
“Binata ka na!” (Now you are a man!), are the first words you would normally hear after the procedure is over. After the healing is complete and the boy is free from all the physical pain that the procedure has caused him, he will walk upright and with a smug expression on his face at becoming a whole new man.
Whether it’s an age-old tradition or not, circumcision is an option, unless medically indicated. It is a choice of the one who gets circumcised and not simply what one’s culture dictates. Boys should first be informed about the advantages and disadvantages of circumcision. Those who choose not to accept it should never be mocked. Finally, traditional circumcision or “pukpok” must be eradicated…completely! The practice is not only unsafe, unsterile and brutal, it can also psychologically harm children.
