After an End | Academy Series #3

Chapter 36

"This is Sammantha Laurice Meriah Lorenzo," pakilala ko sa sarili habang nakatingin sa kamera.

"You might've heard my name not just once. Most of you know me, but not my story. So here I am to introduce the woman behind the name, Summer." I smiled.

"I grew up in a poor household, pitiful as it may sounds but my parents did their best to make our living at most comfortable. Hindi ako lumaki sa marangyang pamilya. Hindi nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang mga magulang ko kaya pinilit nila kaming mapag-aral kahit mahirap."

Ilang salita pa lang ang nabibitawan ko nang magsimulang uminit ang mga mata ko.

"Panganay ako sa aming magkapatid. Para makatulong sa mga magulang ko, nakituloy ako sa kamag-anak. That time, I thought it was the best thing I could do to help our family. Pinag-aral ako ng ibang tao, pinakain, binigyan ng bahay. I lived in a place where I didn't have the luxury to enjoy things at a young age because I needed to be responsible. Nalayo ako sa pamilya ko at araw-araw, pinapaalala ko sa sarili ko kung bakit kailangan kong magtiis. I have a dream and my parents believe in me."

Pinanatili ko ang mata kong nakatingin nang diretso sa camera.

"I was a hopeful woman. I was strong and competent but everything began to change when my uncle did something to me." Ngumiti ako nang sa sumunod na pagkurap ay nahulog ang butil ng luhang iniingatan ko.

"I experienced it three times with the same person. Naglayas ako para protektahan ang sarili ko. I was homeless. I lived in streets, sa mga bahay ng mga kaibigan ko . . . kung saan-saan ako dinala ng buhay. Hanggang sa nakahanap ako ng pamilyang tatanggap sa akin."

I smiled, naalala ko ang pamilya ni Noah.

"Minahal nila 'ko, binihisan, tinulungan, pinag-aral, at pinakain. My heart found its way to trust again. I thought the war was over. Pero mali ako, I was raped. I almost lost my baby that time but she made it. Yes. I have a daughter. Wala na akong rason magpatuloy noon, pakiramdam ko wala nang patutunguhan ang buhay ko. But the thought of the growing entity inside me gave me reason not to stop.

"Siya ang rason kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay nandito ako. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ako pumasok sa pagmomodelo. Gusto ko siyang bigyan ng maginhawang buhay, nang hindi niya maranasan lahat ng naranasan ko."

Umiyak si Nadia. Ginamit niya ang kuwelyo ng suot niyang damit para punasan ang luha. Nangisi ako.

"It wasn't an easy journey. I started from the bottom but I have reasons to climb up so I did. Nakilala niyo ako bilang si Summer. Matapang, palaban, maganda. You saw every good side of me but never my craters. I thought the battle has already ended the moment my name made it on the billboards, but no, it was only a door and I just entered. Hindi ako sumuko. I fought for a new dream. I worked hard to be the person that I am right now. Hanggang sa mahalin ako ng mga tao

"It gave me confidence, it gave me happiness. Ang saya lang na mahal ng mga tao ang bagay na ayaw ko sa sarili ko. I hid my daughter, I denied her many times. Hindi dahil silaw ako sa kasikatan at parangal kung hindi dahil gusto ko siyang ilayo sa magulong mundo ng karera ko. But then some people will do everything to bring me down. Ngayon, nandito ako bilang isang babaeng tinatawag niyong manloloko, ambisyosa at peke . . . just because I have a child."

Huminga ako nang malalim. "I'm here not to step back nor give up but to move forward. Telling you my story doesn't mean I'm giving up this dream. A lot of people gave me hope, it's my time to give back. I will stand up for everyone, men and women. For the survivors of rape, survivors of harassment, survivors of poverty, and survivors of life. I will create a new meaning of beauty that goes beyond being attractive. I won't hide my scars, I won't wear another identity, and I will be known for who I am. Brave, resilient, powerful."