“Noong nandoon na ako, natuwa ako kasi kaya ko pala yung ganito, kaya ko pala lumikha ng art, ilabas ang talento ko, despite sa nangyari sa akin, yung mga pinagdaanan namin, kaya ko parin pala.”
Kristine Villanueva, 19 years old, was transferred to the Cribs Foundation 7 years ago as a victim of sexual abuse and has been under the Independent Living Program for 3 years now.
“Hindi pala dahilan na saktan ang sarili kapag may hindi ka kayang i-control sa sarili mo, natutunan ko kung paano ko i-control ang emosyon ko, nung panahon na iyon, nag take ako ng risk na mag open-up, kahit wala akong kasiguraduhan na baka mahusgahan ba ako, na okay lang ba sa kanila? Pero dahil pangangailangan ko kasi ng tulong, nagsasalita ako every time na may nararamdaman ako.”
Kristine shared that there was a time that she got to meet her older sister she never knew, through the help of the foundation that took her in back in 2021. During that time, there was an agreement that once she leaves the foundation, she’s not allowed to go back anymore. Her older sister vouched to take care of her and took her home, but at that time, her sister was not ready to take care of her yet. So, Kristine left and went back to the foundation.
Despite the agreement, the foundation took her in and welcomed her with open arms again. That’s when she realized that not every child or youth gets the opportunity that she received.
“Noong time na naglayas ako sa ate ko, niyakap at kinupkop parin nila ako. Wala akong narinig na sumbat na “Nandito ka ulit? Bakit? “ pero tinanggap ulit nila ako.”
Kristine started her Independent Living Program training when she was only Sixteen (16) years old, together with her fellow youth, now friend Daniela Peno, they started their training working together until now as working students. Kristine works as a call center agent at the age of 19. She shared that through the help of the program, she learned her own capabilities and to not be afraid of risking mistakes, because if she’s afraid of taking risks, she will not learn what she’s really capable of.
“Sa tagal ko nang under ng Independent Living Program, natutunan ko nalang na wag na lang umasa, kasi pagdating ng panahon paano kung nawala na sila, paano na ako? Masaya naman ako na mas natututo ako, yung mga mali ko natutunan ko ng ako lang, sarili ko lang talaga ang importante.”
Kristine stated that she just only realized the importance of the program as she reflects that not every shelter has the program, she experienced this first-hand because before Cribs Foundation took her in, she was in a different shelter, she stated that it was way different from what Cribs Foundation has to offer. She said that it is important for every single shelter to have an Independent Living Program.
“Ngayon ko lang din po nalaman na mahalaga siya in every shelter na meron, kasi hindi lahat ng shelter ay may opportunity na mag hold ng Independent Living Program dahil sa kulang na budget. Pero nakita ko po kasi ang kahalagahan nito. Mahirap sa una, pero kapag nakasanayan mo na sa araw-araw na ayun na talaga ang buhay mo, mas madali na.”
Kristine believes that the Independent Living Program must be supported by the local government since not every shelter can provide the program, only a few can seize the chance to experience it.
“Kailangan po talagang suportahan ng ating gobyerno, galing po ako sa isang shelter, katulad po nito, may mga bata rin ang katulad ko ng experience, iilan lang kaming napili at dumaan sa scanning process para makapasok sa Cribs Foundation, which is napakalaking opportunity. Para sa akin, kailangan po talagang suportahan kasi papaano nga po ang ibang bata?”
Kristine shared that she sees herself in the future as someone who is successful, even though she did not get to pursue her dream course as she needs to be practical financially, she still dreams of becoming a successful woman someday and would like to give back and support to the place that helped her become who she is.
“Sabihin na nating nabastos man ako ng mga lalaki, it doesn’t mean na madumi na ako. Gusto ko lang sabihin sa old sef ko na eto, napagtagumpayan na natin, hanggang ngayon nilalaban namin ang case namin, may kanya kanya kaming laban pero masaya parin kami na kahit ganun makakayanan pa rin naming tumayo sa sarili naming mga paa at ngumiti.”
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