Let me start by telling you a story about a little girl I will call by the name of Cindy.  Cindy was 8 years old, comes from a big family of 8, with young parents and would walk to the nearby public school to study.  Times became hard and her father refused to have her go to school in order to help them out in the rice fields.  An uncle by the name of Pedring came to live with them because he too has fallen into hard times.

Cindy didn't like her Tiyo Pedring.  He looked at her strangely and it made her feel uncomfortable.  When there would be a glimpse of Cindy alone, her Tiyo Pedring would touch her in certain ways that didn't make her feel right.  One day her family left her behind to fend for the chickens as they walked to the bukid.  Her Tiyo Pedring saw this as an opportunity and molested her.  Cindy didn't know exactly what had happened though she knows she felt frightened and knew that what had happened was not right.  She couldn't explain why she felt guilty and sad. Tiyo Pedring threatened that if she were to tell her family, he would kill her or kill them.  This petrified her and she felt alone.  

The years went by and her Tiyo Pedring would grab every opportunity to take advantage of her.  This went on for years and her family couldn't understand why she had become distant and sullen.  Cindy is now 17 years old with many suitors.  In the province virginity of a young woman held a lot of weight.  She can't bring herself to get into a relationship for fear of being found out that she is no longer a virgin.  She would always hear 'kahihiyaan' or 'dignidad' from her aunts, mother, sisters or friends associated with issues pertaining to virginity.  The fear of being found out that she is no longer a 'virtous' woman by her family, friends and other members of the society ate her confidence so she stayed away from having relationships with young men.  The bigger pain was that sh felt she was of no value.

Cindy at 25 felt the pressure of getting married.  Being constantly teased as ending up an old maid, her worries grew.  She met a young man from the city and he fell in love with her.  This man not coming from the province did not seem to hold virginity as an important factor in her value as a woman. She was not in love with him but she felt that there was no other choice for her.  They married and have children now but the trauma inflicted on her by her Tiyo Pedring has never been dealt with.  

Her lack of confidence and constant fear of being left alone put a toll on her marriage. She was constantly insecure about her husband’s attentions and lack thereof.  Her fears played upon her role as a mother for she pressured herself to stay vigilant and keep her children away from predators like Tiyo Pedring.  She doubted her capacity to be a good person so she doubted her capacity to be a good mother.  

We are faced with this social crisis that has plagued every community in the world.  There are more people in need and there are more people who are lost.  The plight of the emotionally and physically wounded is hardly ever heard in our midst but they are there.  Their cry for help is painful to hear but should not be ignored.  Next week we will be forging a path for the brave and strong with the help of the LGU of Paniqui.  The trainor's training workshop for those will heal victims of physical, psychological and emotional abuse through art will start next week.   

Inspite of the modern day values and exposure to the western culture, not much has changed with regards to womens value integrated with virginity in the province. Training volunteers through YAKAP Project Shelter will enable people in our municipality to address this crisis. The fact that our volunteers will be coming from our own town, they will be able to understand the cultural context behind the issue of sexual abuse here.

Our biggest challenge would be helping the victims come out of the woodwork.  We can’t heal if they do not face their hurt.  They think it is easier to thought  suffer in silence than deal with the hurt and seeking help.

The second one would be to overcome the stigma.  Filipina women often bear the burden of keeping the family name in honor by being a dutiful daughter, then a dutiful wife and then a dutiful mother.  The culture has ingrained it in their head that if they fail in any of these three, their conscience bears down on them like the slow pierce of a knife through the heart.  If by any chance they fall victim just like Cindy, it is also normal  for them to think it is their fault.

The third would be keeping them in therapy.  Most victims would come to healing institutions and try it out for one time then never come back.  Sometimes they feel like its no use and they stop going in for their healing sessions.

YAKAP Project Shelter will try it’s best to address all the above problems to the best of their ability.  The reason why we chose to use art for healing is it is non-invasive.  The victim will come to terms with their pain on their own through crafts or arts.  The process will be long and it’s a work in progress.  I feel though that every human being that has the courage to face his or her demon deserves to be healed.  Alma Quinto whose experience with healing through the arts has been practiced for over a decade will train YAKAP Project Shelter volunteers.  The method of interactive and reflective healing ensures that the victim comes to terms with their pain at their own pace and it’s never demanding.

We have many men and women like Cindy amongst us.  It may be the person you went to the plaza with the other day for a game of basketball. It may be the quiet friend you had pizza with the other night.  The victims will look like they’re normal but deep down inside, the turmoil simmers and the hurt is immeasurable.  We as a society must be brave to face that sexual molestation; domestic violence and corruption of children are a relevant problem in our municipality.  Help the victims help themselves.

YAKAP will hold it's first training on August 19-21, 2009 at the Sangguniang Bayan Hall, Municipal Office.  For interested volunteers please contact the office of Vice Mayor Gin Linsao for details.