Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the tissue that covers the penis' tip. According to Samson et. al (2018), circumcision or “tuli,” is performed on the majority of Filipino boys. Tuli is regarded as a rite of passage for young men. Despite the fact that the origins of this practice are unknown, it is an important social feature in the Filipino culture. According to Gentle Circumcision Blog, over 90% of Filipino males are circumcised by conventional or medical procedures, according to reports.

Circumcisiom has such a strong tradition in the Philippines that boys are willing to endure the pain merely to avoid being called a “supot”. Although the word supot literally translates as “uncircumcised”, this term implies homosexuality, cowardice, and anxiety associated with it. One third of circumcised males have reported that they endured tuli in order to rid their foreskins of smegma. People believed that uncircumcised male is unclean, and that the foreskin may harbor disease. When it is performed for religious reasons, it symbolizes faith in God, but it may also be done to promote health and hygiene. The operation confirms the subject's preparedness for marriage and adulthood, as well as his or her ability to bear pain, according to Encarta Encyclopedia. Circumcision can help cultural groups stand out from their non-circumcised neighbors.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), male circumcision has a number of advantages, including a lower incidence of urinary tract infections. Infections of the urinary system in childhood are linked to a lower risk of ulcerative colitis in adulthood. Adults are protected from sexually transmitted infections, and they are also protected from penile cancer, cervical cancer, a lower risk of cervical cancer among female sex partners for the prevention of balanitis (glans irritation), posthitis (foreskin irritation), phimosis (inability to retract the foreskin), and paraphimosis (inability to return the retracted foreskin to its original location).

In Marinduque, there is a circumcision or "tuli" method known as "Tuli de Pukpok," which is performed by an "albularyo." These methods originated with ancient community practitioners who sent or passed information from one person to the next until the following generation. This practice was particularly painful because it is performed directly in front of the young man, using just their bare hands and a sharp "gulok" or bolo. Since many parents believe that this practice is unsafe and harmful to their sons, they now choose to have this rite performed by medical specialists.

Through this study, we are going to know if the old method still exists in Barangay Bagong Silang. This study will also discuss the how modernization affects the practice of circumcision, and its importance.