On October 1, 2013, at 9:30 AM, as Russia walked home from UP to Brent Road, she crossed path with a bad guy on the street who stalked her and made lascivious acts. Thanks God that this happened at the right place and at the right time. The guy was caught by the Brent guards who witnessed what happened to her. The perpetrator was turned over to the police and he was put in jail. A case was filed against him.
Russia was in distress. She got scared and traumatized. She had fever and became physically and emotionally weak. She had an exam that day but she had been unable to go to school. She had been crying and felt so bad with the incident. The following days she had to be accompanied to school and picked up. She still could not cross Brent Road without fear. Thanks to her classmates in UP and the support of the school in helping her get over and cope with the effects of her experience.
This 26-year old man showed no remorse and he did not own his lascivious acts. He said he did nothing wrong. He should be thankful that I do not have sharp talons at my fingertips or else he had been ripped to pieces with his lies and arrogance. He kept repeating that his mother who is working at the DPWH would soon come to see us.
His mother came but we were not able to talk to her. The best help that we could do for her son is for him to stay in jail and learn his lesson. He should not be doing that to any woman. He is sick and needs to be rehabilitated.
As a mother, I do not want any harm done to any of my children. I always pray the best for them. I do not deny the reality, however, that we are not in control, anything could happen - any time or any place, even in our own comfort zones, and in broad daylight. Hence, I try not to fall short of giving caution even to the point of being a nagging mom.
Oh yes! Comes a time that we get confronted by challenges and we take time to hurdle the consequences. We get mad with those who mess up with our kids but the priority would still be the support we give to our children. No matter what. In all these, we have to be STRONG!
When these acts of lasciviousness happened to Russia, she cried, “Why did he do that to me, I was not doing anything to him.” This is the first time that she encountered such malicious acts. It takes some experience to understand the evils in this world that catch you unawares. While she felt bad for herself, she also felt sad that she sent someone to jail.
At this point, she needed to heal emotionally. Admittedly she got stressed out and had become sick as a result of the traumatic incident. My husband and I, and her brother took time being with her to help her get back to normal. The experience evidently disrupted her daily living. She had to be counseled that it was not her fault. The act was perpetrated by a man’s senseless thoughts and his going to jail is a consequence of his bad deed.
Normally, Russia Lei is an independent, hardworking student, maintaining her academic standing as a college scholar in UP. She also works as an online tutor after school. She usually walks home from UP to Brent School compound where she resides and goes out on her own to attend to some school activities and other functions. When she got terrified of being followed and grossly touched, however, she no longer could do it on her own. We had to accompany her and be with her until she recuperates. What she is going through could not be trivialized.
Russia Lei is a diligent daughter. She would say that she is okay to ease us out of worry. But we give our full support anyway.
She is a very strong woman who is filled with thanksgiving in her heart -for the support of family and friends and God being with her, all the time.
“Be strong in the Lord in His mighty power.” Eph 6:10
Russia Lei is a blessing to us. She does not draw attention to herself. She is happy to help in any way she could. She serves others with her full heart. She is beautiful inside and out and a very strong woman. But just like anyone, she could fall victim to unwell individuals who think they could bully anyone for their own wicked satisfaction.
It hurts us deeply that a stranger would pick on her and cause her emotional ailment. The misbehaving man may have done worse if he was not caught. We hope that his offensive behavior be corrected so that he will not victimize other women. They do not have to go through these. Our daughter was still blessed that she was able to call for help and she was in a place where she could run for security with witnesses to justify her story. Others would not be that lucky.
CAR Regional Development Consultation at the Supreme Hotel, Baguio City on October 2, 2013
Going for lab test at the Benguet lab in SM. The result? Baaad! I got suspected of diabetes, Hpn, Hypercholesterol. At least, I got a hearty blood print ;)
Wake of Uncle Henry (Gaudan) Galgalla at the Resurrection Twin Chapels on October 4, 2013
Yummy fish from the sea in Zambales. Thanks Virgie ;)
Travel to Sagada to attend burial service of Alitao Gaudan and interment at the Calvary Cemetry on October 9, 2013
October 9, Wednesday, I got the early morning bus to Sagada. Quite early to be out for an evening person. I was still sleepy. I was in snooze mode once the bus started at 6:30 AM. I only woke up when I felt the cool breeze blowing gently on my face. Ah, we were already at Mountain Trail. The mist was slowly rising. The sun was already up above the mountains. I took snapshots. These scenes in Mountain Trail always get me in nostalgia.
It made me feel homesick, somehow. It brought me memories of going home. It is a peaceful feeling.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan's birthday celebration at Supreme Hotel, Baguio City, October 12, 2013
