Dear Manang,
I have to tell you that I lost my case on violence against women and children. I wrote to tell you that I was being convinced to withdraw the case if I wanted to receive support by allowing my husband to work. The administrative case would make him lose the job. Well, there’s nothing to fight for anymore because the court dismissed my case because psychological abuse cannot be proven. I found out that the blotter reports and the photos presented were missing as evidences. I am sad. I don’t know what to do.
Dinah of Upper Quarry, Baguio City
Dear Dinah,
I am stumped. I cannot imagine your fear and the consequence you will have to face now that the ultimate scenario is that you will live together again. I wish I was a lawyer to take your case. There are too many trade-offs in your situation. Your children are still young, and you must think of their benefit and give yours up. You must become an independent person. You must become financially secure. Find some work or a business that you can get into. Otherwise, you will have to keep your silence forever.
Get work,
Manang
Dear Manang,
All the things we do have consequences. Recently, my friend posted a photo in social media about Mt. Sto. Tomas. We all know that for now, this place is supposed to be the last frontier and the last forest to ensure the water supply of the city. Knowing that it is closed to tourism, I want to tell my friend that we should not invite people to go to places that should be left alone. Is it wrong to remind people about this? Shouldn’t we be advocates of the future that we will not see but for our children to inherit?
Elcid of Quirino Hill, Baguio City
Dear Elcid,
It is strange that we do not realize that the things we do make ripples that reach far and wide. I too believe that tomorrow is not ours but we should find some responsibility to ensure that those who will be there will be able to live comfortably. It is a hard struggle to convince people that there are things that we should not do because of the consequences. I too wish that this generation realizes that that mountain is going to be the last source of water.
Just remind others,
Manang
