Before I came to Manila, a friend warned me that I should bring along an ample supply of tampons. She said they were difficult to find, even in Manila. I took her advice, thinking I’d bring enough for round one and then have another month to scout out the precious item. I’ve discovered that when she said “difficult to find”, she actually meant impossible. Yesterday, in a panicked frenzy, otherwise known as PMS, I dragged my house keeper (along for moral support, bless her heart) around the city to at least 6 different Filipino equivalents of CVS or Rite Aid. I really wanted to wear white pants to a party, and I was sticking to it, because I am inherently stubborn.

I have not been sheepish about asking for things like tampons since I was in 4^th grade, but somehow when you have to repeat the word ten times, it becomes embarrassing. Once, I actually had to write the word down on a piece of paper, and when the woman read it, her eyes lit up and she gasped, “Ma’am, we do not sell that here!” I was sure I could find them in an upscale drug store, but alas, the sales woman only pointed me towards the douches. Finally, one clerk understood what I was asking for, but was still puzzled as to why I needed it. “Ok, ma’am, tampon...for what use?” I thought of my usual list of tampon uses, so many to choose to from really: oil change, window cleaning, basket weaving, pencil holder… but I went with, “for my period.” She gave me a hopeful look of recognition, then responded, “Okay, ma’am, what sort of period?” Thank god they sold chocolate or I might have fainted in frustration.

So far, I’ve only heard urban myths about tampon sales; a certain drug store in Makati where someone saw them months ago, or a pharmacy where someone’s cousin bought them once. One girl said the last time she saw tampons was in Subic Bay, at a US military commissary, which is about 5 hours from Manila. I think I’m going to have to explore non-conventional avenues. Maybe there is a tampon black market, or a shady tampon dealer on a street corner somewhere. I will find them, and when I do, I will plot their location on Google Earth, so that other tampon seekers can be alleviated of their suffering.