My Friday afternoon went by with a deeper sense of purpose because I spent it with seventy-plus barangay officials, community leaders, parents, teachers, barangay tanods, and concerned residents at the highly populated Barangay West Pembo in Taguig City.
I forced myself to dress up a little bit, more than my usual daster look. I bought my Filipiniana blouse from the Kultura exhibit at the grand lobby of SM Megamall.
It was my first time in this area and the first problem was the lack of parking area. The streets were narrow and with heavy flow of vehicles, which could be a sign of progress too, to think positively.
My one-and-a-half hour talk was part of HUKAB (Humanidad Kontra Abuso), my personal advocacy against sexual abuse.
My approach was simple and relatable to people mostly from the middle and lower middle class. No heavy lectures and words to read on the screen. Just simple real-life stories of how quick and simple a woman, child, even little boys, could become victims of this horrible acts.
I narrated true stories of victims.
Instead of lecturing what sexual abuse was, I just made kwento about past situations. To me, doing this was a more powerful reminder to be vigilant. There’s a higher chance that my audience would be able to remember the things that I related, rather than doing a traditional classroom type lecture. Baka walang makinig. Makakatulog lang sila, lalo na that it was held in the middle of the day, where napping was most tempting.
Abuse comes in many forms and sizes but I only limit my concentration on sexual abuse. However, it can’t be helped that during my talk, some people approach me for advice. There’s a wife who was in tears, her husband daw is womanizing. And ever since he got involved with a new girl, of course much younger that the wife, he became so mean to her. Sinasampal sya, sinisigawan lagi, laging galit, and has stopped giving monetary support. Ang problema dito, this wife has placed all her bets on her husband. She stopped working and was happy with the money given by her husband. My advice? Iwan na nya ang asawa nya. The situation will not improve and will only get worse. The sooner she gets out of that bad situation, the better for her and her three kids. Wala syang pera. Hindi nya ma-imagine kung paano sya maghahanap buhay. Yan ang sabi ng mama ko nung buhay pa sya. Tayong mga babae, huwag umasa sa mga asawa, mabait man or masipag. Dapat daw meron tayong sarili nating pera kahit maliit lang ang ating kita (income), it’s ours and we have control of our life.
Thank you to the barangay officials, VAWC, parents association, residents of this vibrant community.
Thank you to your warm welcome and attention during my talk.
More power to the volunteers of VAWC. Their jobs are made difficult by the rising use of drugs, and exposure of minors to the evils of social media. And increase in the number of little boys being sexually molested.
Thank you for our partnership in taking care of each other in our community.
Thank you to the parents who invited me to be a speaker at their respective schools and barangays for future talks.
Let’s remain vigilant, and take care of each other.
#hukab
#reels
#sexualabuse
#fight
#begood
(CTTO Acknowledgment: Music by The Kyoto Connection, Title: The Music in You)
