Woman, Listen!
Back when I was in school, I wasn’t socially aware. I only cared about getting average passing grades, friends, booze, boys and all those silly things that easily faded in time.
It was not until I had to stop going to college because my parents got separated
And my mom couldn’t afford to pay for tuition in the institution she wanted me to get my degree in.
‘Coz you see, she wanted the best for me.
But I have 4 siblings and she taught me to always take care of family.
I was brought up to be a lady who’s always will be ready to take responsibility.
I was taught to always offer acceptance and support,
Loyalty and understanding,
Forgiveness and love.
Fast forward through dropping off from college to working at 18yrs old in an industry that taught me that life is not all rainbows and sweet candy, people keep telling me I act too mature for my age.
What do you expect?
There were pages in my story that fate brutally tore apart.
Fast forward to too many heartaches and sacrifices and opportunities I had to take a pass on, I met a guy.
He helped me breathe.
He showed me I am allowed to take a second to stay still and just be.
With him, I was free.
It was not until I realized that every I love you will be given with a slap in the face. Literally.
I accidentally joined a Facebook group for Moms. At 26, I am still single. No kids. But I have been made aware of how hard it is to be a mom. How harsh society is towards your every movement and decision cause a life or lives depended on you. I realized that that it stands as a support group.
One day, a girl posted a short message about an incident where she told her husband not to give their baby too much bread. She then further vented out how upset she got when her husband threw the loaf of bread to her face while saying “Wala kang takot ah”.
I was shocked there was only 1 comment that said “Honey. If they did it once, they will do it again.”
I was in awe to the lack of women educating her about self-importance and self-respect.
What’s more concerning is the amount of women trying to give her comfort and support by saying things like “Give him more patience.”
Or “Wag mo kasing galitin si hubby. Pag naulit, gantihan mo na lang.”
Or “Dapat binato mo ng bato. Kase diba? Pag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay. Bes, baliktad lang.”
Or “Pag mahal mo matitiis mo.”
Or “Minsan talaga nakakatikim tayo kasi minsan hindi natin alam kung kailan ititikom ang bibig natin kaya nagkakamali tayo nang hindi natin napapansin.”
Woman, listen. Leave. Do not accept this. A punch is different from a kiss. But let me warn you. It’s a cruel world out there. Nobody will be spared. You will be judged either way by your scars and by how far you are willing to take this journey to healing.
Woman, listen. We are not objects. We are not made to serve and please. We are our own.
We are brave. We are intense. Immensely shaped with confidence. Let us stop fighting for equality.
As the British Playwright, Poet William Golding said “Women are foolish to pretend they are equal to men. They are far superior and always have been. Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she will give you a baby. If you give her a house, she will give you a home. If you give her groceries, she will give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she will give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.”
Woman, listen. You are not alone. You will never be alone. Stand up. Take my hand. Let’s bring it.