Yolanda, Janet and Miriam

(photo: manila standard today.com)

Good thing Miriam came.

On November 7, 2013, most of Northeastern Mindanao waited for the arrival of Yolanda. She was forecast by the weather bureau as a Super Typhoon. Classes were cancelled in all levels since the authorities abide to the warnings from the higher ups. The decision left all of us stationed in our homes contemplating on our safety.

Janet then was aired on national TV at ten thirty or so. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee decided to subpoena her for an investigation in aid of legislation. People sat in front of the TV and started to see what could have been a lukewarm investigation. The looming threat of Yolanda was forgotten for some hours as a surge of confusion and wrath simmered over the seemingly-lying Janet.  The social networking sites were populated by the comments of the netizens on how Janet looked – guilty!

It was bland, the proceedings…especially her answers. Her manners were sometimes corrected by the PAO lawyers provided for her. Her face, sans make up, revealed an impassive expression.

Then, the storm came…not Yolanda but Miriam.

I started to have some kind of an adrenalin rush when she started her lecture on “the right against self-incrimination”. It was loud and clear and lawyerly. She then said to Janet: Let me look at you. As an RTC judge, we were trained to know whether the witness is lying or telling the truth by just looking at the expression! There was some sort of a religious awe which enveloped the session hall as she continued ranting on legal matters and all. I got a good laugh when she queried: AND, WHO ARE YOU? Referring to the PAO lawyers…

Some were irked with her seeming personal vendetta over Senator Enrile which she seems to insinuate as the godfather of the Pork Barrel Scam. But even with such innuendos, she still sounded credible and reasonable.

I take the senators’ words on the fact that that was the time when Napoles could air her side. That avenue could clear her from the accusations bombarded to her. But with her Hindi ko po alam, Wala and the long silence, the people had their judgment on her. For how could Benhur Luy and other whistleblowers recount the details of their transactions while she feigned innocence on the matters discussed? Selective amnesia?

Whatever happens, the people are still raging about the plunder committed by the so-called public servants. After all the money shelled out by simple workers through income tax, value-added tax and expanded value added tax, we have the right to seethe with fiery storm inside our midst. We are even compelled to go to the streets and flood the social media with our opinions… After all, this is still a democratic country, right?

For now, we are still holding on with our collective prayers that Yolanda would not harm us. As a country, we are already castigated with political storms which are making poverty somewhat like a natural calamity.

Slap, Kick, Shout and Stab

     

      Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently reported to have helped 3,471 women in especially difficult circumstance (WEDC). Many of them suffered physical injuries totaling 1,091 cases. And according to ABS-CBN, 7 out of 10 learners in public schools are victims of violence (abs-cbs.com.)

             

          Domestic violence has been an issue feared to be discussed by our somewhat conservative society. There were even instances that some women consider wife-beating as a norm in a married life.

            

           Students, especially those who come from dysfunctional families, would often inflict violence and become bullies to other learners. The “different” brood of learners is often the victims of their outbursts.

              

                But when communication technology became pervasive, the knowledge on the evils of violence against women and bullying became pressing issues in the workplace, schools, homes and generally the society. R.A. 9262 a.k.a. Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004 and recently R.A. 10627, Bullying Prevention Act in Schools became the legal bases of the prevention of the thriving of such evil.

           

             For years now, I have been doing Anti-VAWC campaigns. I was able to stage two dance recitals focusing on the theme. I often inject this theme even to the pieces I choreographed which were showcased in the National Arts Festival sponsored by the Department of Education. But then, some audiences still like to laugh rather than to think. There was even a feedback that the dances looked “heavy”. Of course, violence is depressing not entertaining. But dance as an art form could also be a medium of that social issue…

             

                  My thesis in graduate school was on the viability of the implementation of Anti-VAWC activities in the secondary schools of two clusters. The result showed that there are minimal activities done by the schools to address violence against women and children…

             

                 I recently finished reading Nicholas Sparks’ “Safe Haven”. I read the book for one day even if my eyes are blurry nowadays. The focus is on a woman’s struggle to live her life away from a violent marriage only to be hunted by the culprit. Physical, psychological, sexual and economic abuses were graphically described in the book I was able to empathize on the pain Katie experienced. Sparks was able to give hints on the cause of Kevin’s anger but then again, violence is not just understood but stopped.

            

                I guess most of the kids were bullied when they were young. I experienced that as well. But I have always been someone who would try to dig deeper. Of course I got hurt but I remembered asking all the while: What made them do such things? Eventually, I got the answers in psychology classes I attended and books I read. Most of my childhood bullies are still in the dark of who they are supposed to be.

            

           In the end, it would be peace and harmony that we would like to have in this life. The violent persons will continue to be there as long as violence breeds in the family. Let us make concerted efforts to stop making violence a culture in our homes.

(photo: tayloredreviews.wordpress.com)