An eight year old girl has STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease), inflicted by their gay neighbor. He’s been s e x u a l l y molesting her for a long time before discovered.
Ten year old girl is pregnant. It was not a one time s e x u a l assault but several times and the criminal was a relative of theirs. The r a p e s happened inside the girl’s house.
She was 21 when picked up by the police for vagrancy. She was r a p e d at the police station.
These are just three examples of thousands, if not millions of s e x u a l assaults happening around us. Majority are not reported or documented. You’ll never read this or hear this in the news, because victims are generally afraid to report their ordeal, and their families are ashamed that it happened to their child. Many survivors never report what happened to them because of fear, shame, or pressure from family or community, so community education and vigilance can make a real difference.
During my talk, I described very painful and serious situations, and my message is about raising awareness and protecting children, both male and female, from sexual abuse.
My goal is to remind people to watch out for children’s safety, including teens and adults too.
It’s unimaginable that millions of innocent children suffered from the hands of abusers. In most cases, ang sumalbahe sa kanila ay nasa loob ng kanilang bahay. Or kakilala nila.
This is the reason why I go around different communities reminding everyone to remain vigilant and to help protect our children. This advocacy is purely personal, driven by my desire to raise awareness and encourage communities to look out for one another.
Our visit to Barangay San Andres in Floodway, Cainta was attended by around 40+ women, along with barangay staff and three men. We started at 2:35 PM and the session extended until 5:00 PM.
Many participants were encouraged to share their own ordeals. I was deeply moved by the audience’s bravery, their willingness to come forward, speak up, and share their traumatic experiences.
Many victims, whom I prefer to call survivors, do not disclose what happened to them for years. They often blame themselves, feel afraid, or think no one will believe them. In many cases, the abuser is someone the victim knows, trusts, or even lives with.
Incest has sadly been increasing in recent years. Maraming ama ang humahalay sa kanilang mga anak na babae.
Telling one’s story and connecting with others who understand are crucial steps toward healing. During my talk, I shared many real-life stories and situations to help them realize they are not alone.
Perhaps the audience felt comfortable opening up because they believed they would not be judged. Even though we had just met, they told me they felt I was someone they could trust.
Maraming salamat po sa inyong tapang at tiwala.
Another seemingly strong woman is Len, who heads the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Desk of Barangay San Andres. During the gathering, she also found the courage to share her own painful story.
Her journey toward healing has not been easy, and it has not been linear. Recovery is rarely a straight path. Len, too, experienced setbacks and moments when the trauma resurfaced. But she also had moments of strength—times when she chose to stand up again and reclaim her self-worth.
Today, she continues to serve the community and help other women and children who may be going through the same struggles. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing takes time, courage, and support.
Little did we know that one of my own staff member. Rochelle, was also a victim when she was a child. She quietly carried that painful experience for many years.
Trauma like this can deeply affect a person and shape who they become. Even today, she admits that there is still a void she continues to carry.
Stories like hers remind us that many survivors walk among us every day, often silently carrying their pain. This is why creating safe spaces where people feel heard, believed, and supported is so important.
Nagliligpit na ng mga silya, meron pang humabol magshare. I didn’t hear every detail she narrated, but based on her free-flowing tears, mukhang mabigat ang naging karanasan. She was 13 when a neighbor tried to abuse her while she was asleep in the middle of the night. Because she was quick to react and resisted with all her might, the guy didn’t succeed. However, the guy focused his evil attention on an 8 year old girl who was also sleeping beside her on the floor.
The audience committed to bring our stories back to their own communities—— sa bahay nila, with their neighbors, and with their friends. By sharing your own experience, you help others prevent being molested. You help others speak up and be brave. When you tell others what happened to you, you warn them to be more vigilant and careful. You help prevent something bad from happening to them.
And in the process, you also begin to heal from your own traumatic experience.
Let’s speak up. Be brave.
Huwag tayong mahiya. Hindi naman tayo ang kriminal—– —sila.
Based on the barangay’s report, in the past 4 months alone, 418 various cases were reported. R_ape, acts of lasciviousness, binastos, at kung anu-ano pang klaseng pang-aabuso.
Many are afraid to report to the authorities.
Pataas ng pataas ang bilang ng mga batang lalaki na minomolestya at nakakaranas din ng sexual abuse.
Se-xual addiction is rising among children because of social media. Porn is accessible from their cellphones. Young boys engage in s e x at very young ages too. I call them children because they’re not even 10 years old. As young as 6 years old is exposed to pornography. Ten years old s-ex addict na.
Jane, in navy and white stripes, shared her own experience when she boarded a ride-sharing car.
She noticed the route the driver was taking was different from the map and since she knew exactly where she was going. She called the driver’s attention “Kuya, iba yata ang dinadaanan mo” The driver reasoned out he was only avoiding the traffic. Jane’s instinct set it. She told him to stop because she left her things, and she needed to go back. The guy stopped but Jane noticed the vehicle was shaking. The driver was m a s t u r b a t i n g while driving. Buti na lang she escaped.”
A similar incident happened to her again.
When I raised my right hand and asked, “Sino dito ang na-molestya rin?” “Sino ang mga biktima rin?” Many hands went up. I am sure there were still others in the audience who had experienced some form of se_xual abuse but were either afraid or too embarrassed to raise their hands. That is okay. Their mere presence at our Kwentuhan was already more than enough encouragement for me to continue my personal advocacy.
Special thanks:
Bgy. Captain Benson Conde
DILG Representative, Rhodora Lapuz
Kabisog Elementary School Representative, Teacher Malou Caballes
Parents-Teachers Association Officers, Zephora Landicho and Mirriam Javines
Homeowner’s Associaton President, Rina Capillan
Solo Parents Association officer, Myra Luha
Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) officer, Len Tejome
Barangay San Andres Secretary, Jose Abeto “Jom” Ramirez
and Mrs. Jane Ramirez
Jom is so loved by Barangay San Andres. He was the one who coordinated this event. Maraming salamat Jom.
I am deeply thankful to Makati Ford in Pasong Tamo for sponsoring the merienda, t-shirts, eco-bags, and other support that helped make our community visits possible.
My sincere appreciation as well to Patrick, Vangie, Kay-Anne, Joralyn, and Rochelle from Makati Ford and Ford EDSA for wholeheartedly assisting me during our sorties. Your support and dedication mean so much to this advocacy.
Maraming-maraming salamat sa Barangay San Andres. Sa mga kababaihan na matatapang. Ang kwento ng pang-aabuso ay hindi matatapos.
Itutuloy natin ang kwentuhan para marami pa tayong matulungan.
