Painting the worms of the Pearl of the Orient Seas through words

Although my country is known as the Pearl of the Orient I grew up seeing the worms it contained.

As a little girl born in the unsophisticated area of the Philippines, my eyes have seen many things which lead to my agitation. Having no mother by my side to explain those things was one of the questions I kept asking myself. Why does my mom have to make this sacrifice, leave us and serve other people? Why do I and my siblings need to grow up without her love and care?

When I reached high school, I saw greater worms that became bigger and bigger. I have seen women in their late fifties wake up 5am, carrying any products they have from the farm and wait for a single jeepney that passes by. I have seen elderly and children who got sick due to simple fever that leads to typhoid and eventually death because the cost of medication in our country is unaffordable. There might be free drugs available to be given to the indigents but the person in charge sells them for personal profit. I have seen many women who took risks to work abroad even the price they pay are broken homes, drug addict children and gambler husbands. I have seen women beaten by husbands for shallow reasons.

Up to my college days, I saw more and more how bad the worms were becoming in our country. I have met women who were into prostitution, to support their education, forced by parents, or simply to have something to eat for dinner. I have seen the beggars on the street, neglecting the heat or damp of the cement on the sidewalk to get a few pesos.

When I reached Hong Kong, I have met Filipinas who were diagnosed with cancer. The worst my eyes had seen. In order support their medication they work hard even after chemo and radiotherapy. I have seen abuse cases by the employers even were told about sexual harassment. Domestic workers offered 'headache money', to have sex with their employer's husband because they have a 'headache'.

These and more I have seen as I continue my journey. Through the help of Mr. John Stewar Sloan,Editor of an e-publication of Asian Human Rights Commission,Ms.Lois Herman of WUNRN, other websites and some newspapers, I have voiced out the cries of these women, children and elderly.

Like other online communities, I know Pulsewire is a great help for my voice to be heard. Another friend, Nilanjana, published my works on her website. Through my international recognitions, I am pleased that I give hope to the women of my country and the youth, inspire them that someday they can be a voice for our sinking motherland too. And hopefully, through us, the world will noticed and hear the cries of the women, the elderly, the children whom we choose to speak on their behalf.