How HAPI Impacted Me (#4)
An essay series featuring retrospectives by HAPI members, staff, and leaders in celebration of its 8th Anniversary.
Growing up as a curious child in a household surrounded by devout Catholics played a huge part in creating the woman I am today. I had friends and teachers, even Sunday school teachers, who encouraged me to approach situations with an open mind and an open heart.
It finally became clear to me that there was a great flaw in what I had been told to believe when I was forced to seek ‘guidance’ from priests for my ‘outrageous behavior and choices’, only to find out that my arguments were accurate.
This did not sit well with my mother back then, but this was the moment I knew that religion in the Philippines was, in general, more focused on rituals and going through the motions rather than actual spirituality. This showed in how I was being groomed at home to be the perfect little Catholic girl. This was not, however, my destiny and I have no regrets.
Unfortunately, I spent many years just drifting and trying to find different ways to help those who needed it. I served others by feeding the homeless, donating to different charities, organizing outreach programs, even volunteering at an animal shelter for a short time. I still felt like I was wandering around trying to find exactly where I could better serve others. I never had a problem organizing events or doing things on my own, but like many people who do not fully understand what humanism is, I did not understand which pieces were missing and how to see the bigger picture.
It was in 2019 when I discovered HAPI through a friend and I can honestly say that it is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. This was when I realized what humanism is and that all those years of searching were finally over because I was home. I found a family of extremely talented and passionate people who give everything they have to serve humanity selflessly.
The support that was given to make my projects a reality was overwhelming because it meant that someone understood and believed in what I wanted to accomplish. I have been entrusted with numerous responsibilities in such a short time since joining HAPI, and I am extremely humbled by this because it means that someone saw my potential, even when I did not see it myself at the time.
I am, and always will be, the black sheep of my family due to the fact that I chose to live my life in a way that they do not fully accept. It took me a very long time to accept myself as I am and to believe that I am not a heathen or that I serve no purpose because my priorities are different from what I was told they should be growing up. I am forever grateful to my HAPI family, and to Ms. M, for showing me that I made the right choices and was on the right path the whole time. I have found all the missing pieces to the puzzle and the bigger picture is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.
To my HAPI family, I thank you for being patient with me when I do fall short at times and for always pushing me to keep going when. Thank you to our founder, Ms. M, for the love, support, and inspiration. Happy 8th anniversary to Humanist Alliance Philippines, International. We have so much more work ahead of us, but the journey will be awesome.
— Angie Driskell
HAPI Junior Ambassador
