for nearly three years, i worked for the people i always claimed i loved through my poetry, and since it's one thing to write it and another to be doing it, i had no hesitation of taking on the challenge, even though it meant being a stranger in a new city, away from family, friends and enemies.
As i said, i did it for the people i have, still, and will always love: Women.
Gender Issues & Violence, Feminism, Empowerment, Equality. I have been aware of these issues, and have alway advocated for them. But being a member of the race that has been responsible for all the wars in this world, working for the other side was fulfilling, and something i took on like a religion (hmmm, somehow i made women my religion ever since i threw the last one, which was a good thing since i had no say in choosing it in the first place.)
It was not easy. but i love women..and so...
but there was one hitch about working far away from my beloved city: i was away from my beloved city-mother. If only i was back home, i thought then, though i have to confess that even now, zamboanga is still to give the issues the attention they deserve.
which gets me to what this blog is all about. for the last two years, i also had the experience of participating in the international celebration of womenhood, of their joy and continued struggle. last year, i was able to organize the first ever local production and performance of The Vagina Monologues in that far away city that never loved me.
my former theater group tried to do so in mother-city, but the project did not go through. and i was hoping i could do it right when i finally get home.
i have been home for the past 6 months, and March is just a few months away...
blame it on my father, Pablo Neruda. he thought me how to love things like never before, and like a dutiful son i did just as he taught me: the city, the people, life, women..and women..and some women...and some more women...and more women...you get the picture.
i have loved many women of zamboanga, as some of them have loved me back. all those years away from this city, i never stopped doing so, believing that it is worth it.
but it still remains to be seen if the women i love are ready to liberate themselves...
...it would be beautiful if my beloved could help me stage The Vagina Monologues for the first time...
...and prove that they have been worthy of my worship, that they are not their own worst enemies....
but liberation or not...i am a Vagina Warrior.
Damn proud of it.
p.s.
anyone who wants to stage the play, message me, just got the rights for the play...
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