Written by Eldemar R. Sabete
March 17, 2020
Bacolod, Negros Occidental

Does an individual keep reminding themselves of what are these all about? Why do we fight and resist the oppression of the world?

We always find ourselves lost in the middle of our struggle, aiming something that is satisfying for our body, all the while forgetting the goal, our dreams, and especially who we are.

Last February 3, 2020, our month of love begins on learning to value the most important person that we have and we should cherish, and that is ourselves.

Held at the Bacolod’s New Government Center, some noticed about the activity and was maybe curious about it, but they are too shy to join us.

Five active members of the Humanist Alliance of the Philippines International Junior (HAPI Jr) went and ended the event with knowledge and joy in our hearts. The facilitators that guided us are Ate Kates Ante and Ate Maria Juana Valenzuela from Humanist Alliance of the Philippines International.

Using pictures with some adjectives from the cards presented to us and a subjective perspective, we are challenged to think of something related in our life to creatively introduce ourselves. It measures how we really know ourselves as individuals and knowing ourselves deeper than its surface.

We learn how to approach different personalities according to one’s nature. We learned that there are four categories of nature, that is fire, water, earth, and air that exist in every individual, but only one is dominant in our personality in some circumstances. The four are interconnected to each other.

We’re inspired by how devoted Ate Kates is on her advocacy- mental health. She told us a story on how she learned those therapies which she used to guide us. Paying for a workshop to learn how therapies work, going to other countries, and to share what she learned.

In the end, we realized the importance of our directions, ways to achieve our goal, also efforts to take risks for our love ones. On top of that knowing our friends as we know ourselves is also equally valuable in building up our individualism. The event also developed our strength as a team.

After the workshop, Ate Kates and Maria Juana invited us to have dinner and meet for the last time, for the activities that HAPI Jr. are planning this year, and in celebration of the Chinese New Year 2020.