Why? Why do these things happen to me? What is it about lone women that inspire harassment and trouble?

One beautiful sunny morning, I was running at the Government Center and minding my own business, blessing the world with light and healing energies, thanking the Omnipresence for another precious day of my life when this "pot-pot" (trike) driver parked nearby, pulled out his uncircumcised penis and started masturbating 5 meters away from me. Alarmed for my safety, I dashed into my car which was nearby, locked the doors and planned to drive away. I glanced at my harasser and noticed that my apparent fear excited him, lending him probably another centimeter or two. I saw RED. No one does this to me… no one disrespects me… or any woman for that matter! Instead of driving away, I paused my vehicle in front of him, lowered down my window and shouted "guti-ay!!!" (very small!!!) at him before speeding way. I swear I saw his engorged member lose power and shrivel into unbelievable minute proportion.

Needless to say, I went back to run in the same area the next day to make a statement. No one will make me change my Life and my routine and more especially not THIS jerk-off. Of course he was there and followed me around with his trike taunting me by saying "gutiay ngay-an ha?" (so I’m small huh?). He was just in front of me but for some reason I could not bring myself to look at his face… and when I finally did, I only saw a gray blur. This is what fear does to you. I was shaking inside my body and felt cold despite the 8 a.m. sunshine. I stopped running and reported him to the nearest police station. The challenge came when the policeman asked me to identify him and the plate number of his "pot-pot". I drove around the area looking for the "culprit" however, I started to confuse him with another driver. All this time I was afraid I’d send an innocent man to jail.

This story continued and I didn’t stop until I received a notice from the Palo courts for legal proceedings. Not even when I found out that my lawyer’s fee was P1,000 ($20) per appearance and that this Jerk had the big possibility of bailing himself out for only P300. ($6). The local judge asked me what wouldl make me feel better. Without batting my eyelashes, I answered " I want him in jail for 5 days." Of course, the Jerk was a no-show.

But I feel good about my self, for my daughter, and for the countless women out there who have experienced one or more forms of harassment and never had a chance to fight back.

That whole experience somehow made me stop running for a few months. And if I didn’t notice a few new cellulites appearing on my thighs 2 weeks ago, I would not have started running again. I hired Jorge as my running coach and body guard at the same time. He was quite aware of the purpose why I hired him and was only too happy to train me. Last week, I decided to run in the Tacloban track and field sans Jorge (he wasn’t feeling well). I felt assured being in a public place. It was great to be running again and the music I was listening to made me run longer. On my 2^nd round in the track, someone started shouting in the bleachers "dako’t im puday!" ( you have a big vagina!), then another one echoed " putik kita!" (let’s fuck!). I looked up and couldn’t believe my ears and eyes when I found out who my harassers were… boys… ages 9-11. Same age as my daughter. I stopped running and headed for them… called their attention by giving them a loud speech about harassing women and start respecting women more. Afterwhich, I continued to run and finished my 10 rounds.

I realize that I cannot sue every Tom, Dick and Harry disrespecting me. But I can certainly respect and honor myself by not stopping my life from fear. To keep on going day to day knowing I can take care of my Self… That I will be ok.