- In silent war - May 1, 2026
- Theater: In the Spaces We Learn to Speak - January 21, 2026
I recall a colleague expressing her appreciation for the thought-provoking films produced by our students, as she noted, bring to light realities too often overlooked by society. Stories that unsettle, that linger, that demand to be seen.
Her words brought me to think of Nay Rosa. A janitorial staff member assigned to the morning shift. “Hindi ito ang trabahong pinangarap ko, pero nakakatulong naman at may panggastos kami,” she shares.
Her day begins at 4:00 a.m., while most of us are still asleep. She prepares for her commute to work, and she organizes both her day and her children’s. As a single mother, she takes pride in being both provider and caregiver. She prepares her children for school before starting her day at work. Nay Rosa’s story is far from unique. It mirrors the lives of many women who are often unnoticed, underpaid, but still essential.
A similar story happens on the road. Public transportation drivers, long the backbone of daily travel, now face rising oil prices. With little enforcement of fare increases, they cut routes, stretch small earnings, and absorb losses to survive. Each trip becomes a gamble between survival and sacrifice. Behind every jeepney, bus, and ride we take is a driver working to support not only themselves but for the families waiting for them at home.
Both Nay Rosa and these drivers form the quiet machinery of our everyday lives. They ensure that spaces are clean, that people arrive where they need to be, that the rhythm of society continues uninterrupted. And yet, their contributions are too often met with silence. They are undervalued, undercompensated, and overlooked.
Their stories are not just about hardship, but also about strength and quiet courage in showing up every day despite challenges. It is time to move beyond acknowledgment and take action by ensuring fair wages, stronger policies, and systems that protect their dignity.
Because as I write this, it is already 11:59 p.m., just one minute before a new day begins. In a moment, the clock will reset. And somewhere, Nay Rosa will begin to rise once more.
Somewhere, a driver will start his engine again.
Another day of quiet battles. Another day of enduring. Another day of fighting… for their families, for survival, for hope.
The question is: “Will we finally see them?”