Leslie Dulfo, Author at North Luzon Monitor

Ideally, a parents’ love

Leslie Dulfo — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:38:40 +0000

It is common knowledge around groups that people with mental struggles are known to not have supportive families or maybe parents who don’t believe in the importance of mental health. Parents are often triggers to children. Why? It is because good parenting wasn’t taught in schools and other avenues. Parenting styles are realized through experience and dependent on a case to case basis.

Our parents, although they did not know early in their era, that they faced early parenthood way before they matured or way before they have outgrown their mental health woes. They are products of societal trauma perhaps and some experiences that broke them. Their generation was the focus of resilience – the kind of pushing things aside for avoidance. Truly, few were able to realize the need for mental health and the gift of uniqueness due to a disability.

However, now, some parents have been very cooperative and participative in training, workshops and learning platforms for good parenting especially caregivers of mental health warriors and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nearly, some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder do go through social challenges holistically affecting their health. Their inability to communicate properly and fully get them to be bullied in schools or places where social interaction is a must.

Bullying is not a joke. It is a parental control, I think that needs to be practiced. It is not only discipline for the child but discipline and restraint for the parent. There are cases of bullying even in schools now and it’s not okay as parents to not do something about it. That is – whether you agree or not!

It is like a remote control turning on and off a television based on whether it is good for the child or not. It is also avoiding shows that have gore, sex, violence and negativities being shown to a child. It is also reminding your children to take care of themselves and their bodies and be wary of strangers online and up close and personal.

A parent’s love should be accepting of a child’s uniqueness and extraordinary traits. Good parenting styles later on give children their own role models of how to be parents themselves in the future. The family being the most influential factor affecting mental health and overall wellness.

If parents can’t give the needed support, a child is forced to rely on friends who in turn might be there as friends for the wrong reasons. Friends who might teach a child at an early age to steal, scam or harm oneself or others. Friends who might have the child dismiss their feelings and emotions and shy away from the realities of life.

The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) has this pilot project for giving mental health awareness workshops to support caregivers in their quest to help their children. It is a known program which was suggested way back to give carers a chance to learn and decipher a loved one having mental health issues. After all, the family is the strongest foundation of things even in mental health and overall health.

So what is the lesson in all of these? That parents realize that mental health exists and it’s not just “papansin” or “kaartehan”.

I hope that as family members – tita, tito, lolo, lola, nanay and tatay, kapatid – sisters or brothers that we accept that the world is dynamically changing. That change is cool and openness is key to good parenting. Only then, will our children face a better future.

Hugs to every parent who has been trying despite the struggles, may the force be with you! May the spirit keep you and your children — both whole!

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A Woman’s Mental Health Struggles

Leslie Dulfo — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:47:40 +0000

Coming from a purely patriarchal society, women are so boxed into stereotypes. You have to be femininely pretty, sexy, soft spoken, quiet many times and patient martyr housewives. Such is the misogynistic view that the generation before us has embedded in us. Even sexism and being fantasy objects like in liquor calendars and advertisements are demeaning of respect.

March is woman’s month, but we recently get these misogynistic remarks wanting to propagate through seminal distribution and the lewd designs meant by imagining a beautiful woman. There’s these people commenting that it is because of what women wear nowadays.

I think, even without wearing those sexy outfits, a misogynist will always be a misogynist. That rape is a crime and will always be a crime, whatever one woman wants to wear. Rape is the greatest trauma a woman could ever have.

In this time and era, women like Miriam Defensor Santiago could have survived to show us of her empowering nature – jokes the good and respectable way. Anne Curtis stood up for herself and for the entirety of women with words of empowerment. Artists alike, have spoken to support fellow women.

Besides being able to bear a child, what else do we expect out of our women? Is bearing a child in your womb the only guideline for defining a woman? What happens to people who don’t bear children or lose their children somehow, aren’t they women enough? If they haven’t been housewives who cook meals and become submissive agents of their husbands, are they less of a woman?

With all these stereotyping thoughts about womanhood, mental health is a struggle. To find oneself and one’s identity in being an inborn female is another tedious journey of becoming. To be a woman is like living in a society where you are expected to keep your sanity despite all the noise disturbing your peace inside and outside. You are expected so much yet must shine less than our male counterparts. But we don’t have to.

The real essence of being a woman, I think, is to inspire and empower other women. We don’t become teachers, leaders and frontrunners for our own selves. We are here to pioneer to empower women with inclusivity and despite disability.

We are not here to compete, but to lift each other up. We start with ourselves to make change and replicate ourselves for the future. It may be through our writings, our arts, our careers and everything we want to achieve not only in the reproduction department.

I respect women who don’t do stuff for the show but those willing to go an extra mile or even to the sidelines to offer support to give the stage to empower fellow women. That way, I think we will be empowering each other – both men and women to respect us.

Then, I guess, my mental health and your mental health as a woman would be better – no more “Sisa-like” stories brought by the ills of a patriarchal society. I hope every woman lifts each other to let others shine too in their unique way.

Happy Women’s Month! I hope we are given enough courage and confidence to be the woman we want to become and eventually become who we want. Only then will our struggles as women and men inclusively mend and heal our mental health woes.

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Just differently wired

Leslie Dulfo — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:00:39 +0000

Did you know that autism spectrum disorder and mental health conditions are closely associated? Accordingly, some neurodivergency like ASD, ADHD and behavioral disorders have comorbidity with depression, anxiety, etc.

Some children with autism spectrum disorder, also grow up with psychosocial disabilities because of certain failed social interactions and capabilities. Both neurodivergency and mental health are also different and separate from the person as opposed to the condition. What do I mean?

When your child has autism, it is improper to call him or her as autistic. It’s against common sense not to separate the person away from the condition. Children with autism are now called neuro-divergent because their minds are differently wired.

The same thing goes for those with Schizophrenia, you cannot use the word to refer to a person as Schizophrenic because the person and the disorder are entirely two different things.

You cannot call a person as depressed but as a person having depressive disorder. Depression is a state of sadness while a depressed person may mean an encompassing sad circumstance. We have to look at people not because of their disability but rather because of their ability. That’s why oftentimes, persons with disabilities are and should be called differently-abled persons. Perhaps the Philippines is way behind these knowledge of terms that are more inclusive.

I recently joined the Ausome North Summit by the parents, guardians and caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ausome North Group is a Benguet based group willing to go an extra mile to create a brighter future for neuro-divergent kids. It is spearheaded by Dean Cuanso who is a self-made entrepreneur and photographer. He has two sons who are on the autism spectrum disorder.

I joined the group because neuro-divergent children are close to my heart and most of them, I don’t want to see growing up discriminated against because of their individuality. I worry about them because I can see how my parents worried about me the same way as their parents worried about them. To grow up with such conditions needs care and attention not only from one person but the family and the community. I also realize how difficult their circumstances are, especially with the medicines and all. It’s a life-long healing often challenged by learning and development. They have to follow certain daily routines to make it through. To divert them from these routines would be detrimental to them. Just as routines are helpful too for mental health conditions.

The brain is always able but it may be differently wired. What is important is that it is wired – capable of living and savoring the beauty of life. Everyone is unique.

I hope we let go of stigma and be as unique as we can possibly be.

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Write out your mind and heart

Leslie Dulfo — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:59:17 +0000

Creative Writing is a form of art. More than the paintings and graphics, writing is an expression of our thoughts and those topics close to our hearts.

Among other things, writing has been an advocacy where I have blended creativity, arts and everything else in-between. Last Tuesday, a local author friend – Lester Laoagan launched his book “Kalanay: A Tale of the Mountains”. He introduced Cordilleran practices, culture and tradition in his fiction book. It took him seven (7) years to write it, which I think also, among other things, he wrote about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) about his brother. What was the source of his creative writing? Perhaps, it was the inspiration of his experiences as an Ibaloi, as a brother who is the caregiver of a person with disability and a mindful practice or therapy for his thoughts and feelings. Such is the power of the words and the pen, it is a creative undertaking.

The Baguio Creative Writing Local Community is proud to have a list of authors who have shared their experiences through mindful writing. To name a few, count me in with my Mindful Musings and Don’t Call Me Schizophrenic at Amazon. MJ Leonardo Gambulao did talk about grief, melancholy and depression in her two books: The 25 Centavo Coin and Answered Prayer.

Malou Maningas-Coronacion talked about the feeling of loss for her daughter. She also came back with a collaboration grand entrance with her sister for a children’s book with illustrations. Evangeline Patal-e Dao-anis wrote about mental health and self-care inspiration on her journeys for Brighter Perspectives and recently launched, Bago Ka Ma-Fall. Liway Dela Rosa, on the other hand, won a Palanca award for her book, “Si Tala at and Mahiwagang Pila ng Jeep” which dealt with a kick of Psychology.

So why do we write? Why do you write? Why do I write? That’s too many questions, don’t you think?

No, it’s not a sore spot for questions-too-many. We all write – maybe some in journals, poems, short stories, zines, campus newspapers or even the likes of the historical Baguio local newspaper Midland Courier.

I have written for In-between Lucid Intervals for sometime with the likes of Psychologist Myra Gahid who became all too busy. I write as a form of therapy. When emotions are at its peak and mental health is disturbing, I take time to write my mind and heart out. Why? It is because I find it more useful and organized to think about thoughts or anger written rather than saying bad words to influence a toxic environment. It works for me.

Have you tried writing in a journal? Journaling is a known concept in therapies for mental health. Even my first doctor recommended it many times to me and to others. Even Psychstart, a team of Psychologists do recommend journaling. Meanwhile, journaling has taken another and better creative form such as in scrapbooking or journaling on your cellphone applications. There are journals you can find online also, where you can print and answer them. Such is the beauty of writing as a therapy!

The next time you feel a heavy emotion, sit down and get a pen or type on your cellphones briefly describing the emotion. If you’re sad, write it. If you’re happy, write it. Then, go over both again and see the difference to realize that emotions are not constant – that circumstances do change.

Through the whole process of my mental health journey, I realized that my first books or short stories were full of sadness. Now, they have become light-hearted and I am able to laugh at my own misadventures and life’s antics, accepting and realizing my level of weirdness. I am in the process of looking for a publisher for another book, wish me luck!

I hope you write your mind and heart out so much that it gives you more peace, calmness and serenity. Write as if there’s no tomorrow. Share it in various forms or keep it as keepsakes like diaries. Be creative as you can be. Express yourself. Be you. Be mindful and be aware. You’ll realize there’s plenty to think, feel, write and live about!

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Hope against hope

Leslie Dulfo — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:49:00 +0000

Trigger warning: The following article may contain sensitive topics on suicide and mental health. Reader discretion is advised. If you know someone is in need of support or if you yourself need assistance, call 911 or 09190696361 for emergency cases. Suicide is a serious matter, urgent response is needed. Reach out to a professional.

According to the data presented by the City Health Services Office Mental Health Wellness and Substance Use unit, since January 2026, partial and unofficial results showed that two (2) males experienced death by suicide. The evolution of words no matter how harsh it may seem was first labeled as persons who committed suicide. Now, the same is not used anymore. Why? Committed suicide presupposes a crime that was punishable before under the law. Now, committed suicide is obsolete and the proper term is death by suicide.

To those saying that mental illness is for the weak, I hope you don’t go through the same ordeal to find that it is actually strength and courage to find hope. It is hard to stop crying for some. It is hard to wake up every morning and try to get up. It takes a lot of courage to have oneself to function well.

A person with lived experiences of a mental illness came about not because of weakness but because of too much strength they endured that they bottled up their negative emotions inside. They are not weak, it just happens that internal and external factors triggered various emotions. It may be because of a toxic environment growing up, a bad experience that left a life-long trauma or hormonal imbalance or even bad genes passed on.

Mental illness is like a faucet. It is opened by some outside or inside factor. Nevertheless, anyone can go through it including you. I used to be annoyed when people tell me that I am weak because I am a person with lived experiences of a mental condition. If only they knew how much strength I injured all throughout my life for the circumstances untold and unrequited. To suffer from a mental illness is not weak, these are combined factors of many things especially when you’re in denial of seeking out for help.

I do believe that the generation today is not weak. I came from an older generation when mental health was not talked about. A generation where shame and stigma was evident. I came from a time when people were already suffering from mental health but were afraid to be called crazy and put to the mental hospital or even see a psychiatrist. I came from a time where mental health support was not feasible or it is hard to find needed help.

I am a mental health advocate now. I am brave to continue because I don’t want people to experience the same or almost similar challenges I went through. That to call for help means nobody will listen. That no one would empathize. That you would feel alone and hopeless. That you can’t afford your own medicines. That you suffer in silence. I am emotional – yes, I am but it’s the only way to open your eyes so that you realize that people like me are not weaklings. That time and circumstances may not be kind. That the sickness is just like diabetes where you need maintenance and not merely being drug dependent. Taking your medicines is a form of self-care and not just “baby-ing” oneself.

I hope you don’t go through the same things I went through. I hope you don’t go through the things others had to endure just to keep sane. Everyone is different – every mental illness is different too even if it’s the same diagnosis. Every sufferer is different in terms of coping and healing. Every mind has its reasons or maybe, an unknown one.

I hope we find empathy in all that we do. The world is so full of negativity, let’s not add toxicity for that matter especially if you were given the chance to serve the people. Let’s understand, listen and work together.

The Mental Health Law has been improved and has been undergoing processes for further improvement in terms of legislation. It has been talked about and debated on, not by the weaklings but by the strongest warriors there are in the country.

I hope that even when they say you are weak, you still find courage. That you seek help – professional help. I hope that you believe in hope no matter who or even what you believe in. I hope you find in yourself to believe that there is hope and a surprise in the future waiting to happen. I hope that you share your own journeys to inspire others too. I hope against hope.

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Baguio Scene: Art Heals

Leslie Dulfo — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:00:54 +0000

What is art? It may be an expression of the soul. It may be in song, poetry, drama, design, dance, crafts, writing, drawing, illustrating, painting and many other media. It is as varied as the universe and as diverse as the people. To you, what is art, really?

In mental health, art heals. Why? It is because art is an expression of emotions both liberating and what-nots. It is a coping strategy many times. It may be a form of reflection or a source of mindfulness.

Recently, Melan Ku Marquez – a Baguio born marathoner and mental health advocate shared her newly published book Mindful Lines as a catalyst for mental clarity. The process of making lines and shapes takes you to a mindful journey truly your own. Even Angie Novales Del Rosario had Doodles and Daily Devotions with ecstatically obvious – doodle arts, she had both drawing, coloring stuffs and quotes in her book which you can find in Psalms, Sunshine.

My book Musings of a Schizophrenic also has art interpretations and illustrations by Grettalou Apolinar a Tam-awan artist who is most known, now, for her crafted jewelries – Yuman Kaili. At amazon.com, I have this book with my own black and white interpretations about poems, letters, stories and anecdotes about mental health.

Do you know that some people who undergo struggles, usually process and heal through arts? Take me, for example, art has been a way of coping in my loneliest days. It also has a sense of unique expression. That’s why workshops sprouted even in various cafes in Baguio City. I, for one, do art workshops in collaboration with various artists.

Most artists struggle with mental issues even if they are not diagnosed. Perhaps, the worries of a carefree and underpaid life do lead to anxiety and depression – sometimes or many times? Add alcoholism and drug abuse, then, mental health could get worse.

I don’t know which came first the artists who have mental struggles or the persons who have mental health challenges before the artists. To illustrate myself, I used to draw and make a few calligraphy-like printing when I was young then mental health issues came. Then, I succumbed to knowing more about other art media lately. To me, art is a process. It is something we can learn and later on, find your own voice.

I joined the Awakening: Blooms of Love exhibit organized by Halik ng Likha or Zylan Yvonne Blando who is both a budding writer, mental health advocate and artist. The collection shows an impressive collection even by newbies. It focused on the calmness of nature and the serenity of looking at flowers – flowers, in time for Panagbenga less the artificial floral facade at Rose Garden! Even plastic flowers are an art form and a sign of mental health, too? Do you agree?

Aesthetics is art. Anything that is beautiful is art. Anything that we want to express in a simple way is a process of art. Even the likes of psychologist Jojet L. Mondares of Psychstart does art therapy and mind you, beautiful plastic bag art pieces. Such is the rigorous interdependence of mental health and arts and maybe, arts and healing. Even Urban Sketchers of Baguio do arts for mental clarity.

The likes of Pasakalye and Salonpass Artist Roland Bay-an do art to lessen life’s worries. Even Tor Sagud for comics and digital illustration has taught of the relativity of lines, forms and shapes and mental clarity. Tatay Kidlat, I think, has in some way found his unique art in line with mindfulness.

Youthful George Rosales and Dani Florendo do children’s book illustrations too besides being mental health advocates. The likes of the young Tristan Buenaflor adds up to art as mental health self-expression in writing and drama. Now, correct me if I’m wrong.

Most people like me who have mental health struggles could stay sane because of mindful arts. Mindfulness is one of the aspects of Psychology that you can find also in doing arts.

You may never see art again the same way after this. Why? It is because through art, there is a form or story expressed. It may be about the artist’s struggles and sometimes, purpose.

Without art, there is no mental health. Without mental health, there is no art. Do you agree? Mental health and arts are interconnected and intertwined. Enjoy Arts, Feb-ibig and Panagbenga for your mental health! Cheers, Baguio people!

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The Path to Good Mental Health

Leslie Dulfo — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:38:48 +0000

I wonder how people know what they want in life and sort of, get the good out of life – career wise and all. I envy those of a young age who know what they want out of life. Well, maybe so and sometimes.

Speed is not even a goal, sometimes you have to take it easy especially when it’s your mental health at risk. Your peace is better than any amount of money or career-goal.

Yet, not all people have the pleasure of choosing peace over work and especially when there are dependents concerned or affected. Not all have the privilege to turn their back from a toxic environment they have to endure every day. Some people suffer in silence – so silent that there’s a wailing inside that is waiting to happen outside.

If you can choose your peace over everything then you’re privileged but if you can’t, what would you do? For most students, talk with someone. Go to your guidance counselors. You are lucky to have free consultations with someone who will listen.

If you are working, find a psychologist. A counselling session costs 700 pesos at the least. But can you afford it? Not everyone can. Good thing there are psychologists who offer free sessions once a month.

If you are diagnosed with any mental health condition, drink your medicines as a form of self-care. Be open to your psychiatrist. We are fortunate that the Baguio General Hospital caters to free consultations especially out-patient cases.

If you can afford a rehabilitation center, then by all means go. You shouldn’t be concerned about what other people would think, especially when it comes to your own good. The stigma is omnipresent, but by seeking professional help you yourself are lessening the stigma.

In other countries like Australia, there are caregivers specifically for mental health. There are psychiatric nurses in charge of care and therapy for people who experience mental illness. However, in the Philippines sometimes the psychiatrists do it all – diagnosis, talk therapy and care.

There are new laws granting higher wages to psychologists because of the importance of the field in our lives and health care. However, there are only a few psychologists. More so, even psychiatrists. These are harsh realities while the citizenry is suffering from expensive health care.

Unlike other countries who have the most privileges in terms of healthcare systems. Good thing there’s the Universal Health Care Act but still the system draws long lines of queuing from the sick. Imagine being sick, having no companion and queueing the long lines?

Oh well, I wish you peace, I pray for good health and hugs for every Filipino in the Philippines. In the meantime, do the butterfly hugs everyone! Bless us!

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Reason for Being

Leslie Dulfo — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 05:45:00 +0000

Trigger warning: This column mentions talks about mental health, mental illness, trauma, psychoses and suicide. If you find yourself triggered, reach out to a mental health professional or call 911 emergency hotline. Reader discretion is advised.

Today, I’m adding another year to my life. Such a coincidence that my birthday falls on the same day on a Thursday, pretty much like when I was born years ago. Is it really a coincidence or is it by some divine reason that things happen for the right reasons and seasons?

Pretty much like when they say that at most 1% diagnosed with Schizophrenia or someone diagnosed maybe of some form of psychosis is able to be functional again. I guess, I am proud to be that meager part of 1%. I used to ask many times why it was me who was diagnosed with this condition, but now I realize you have to go through things to find yourself. I am glad to have found myself.

Is resilience such a word that people with a mental health condition like me are trying to prove that the “I” is equal to resilience? Resilience is only a word, unless you go through hallucinations, violence, self-harm or even trigger warning: suicide!

Just last week a young man hanged himself on a tree. I can’t imagine how utterly sad it is for everyone left behind and for people in the community to see such mishap. Aren’t we empathetic enough to have reached out to him?

In the same way, a man fell off from a hotel building for reasons we do not know of. Everyone was watching and videoing without thinking of helping. A disoriented e-bus driver hit an old woman who died. And oh, it was a sure hit! Are we in such a cruel world now?

A lot of times in my bad days, I end up crying and trying to discern reality from delusions and psychoses. It was a hard battle that is in itself hard to combat. Like a soldier on guard, you have to watch out for yourself. Why? It is because you alone are responsible for your own life.

People are merely there to support you – family, friends, partner or loved ones, but you owe it to yourself to be aware of your diagnosis or diagnoses for your own good. You need to do self care and set your own metes and bounds.You have to think of yourself – to heal before you reach out to help others.

Your life is a wonderful surprise from the start. You’re a wonderful present not only in this present time. You are awe, wonder, sugar, spice, bittersweet and everything in-between. You are stars, moon and the universe – a product of sound waves and light years away more than 3I/Atlas. Who knows what tomorrow brings but you sure have a reason for being!

May you find gratitude in your heart and be content as much as you can! Now, go on living and while you’re at it, live life to the fullest!

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Table for 1 Please

Leslie Dulfo — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:30:50 +0000

I recently had the honor to pamper myself by eating food I wanted more than I needed. I came to Amar’e La Cucina. Hep,hep,hep, they didn’t pay me neither do they know I’m writing about the experience at this moment.

You see, food is a pampering and self-care moment especially when I’m alone. I do visit coffee shops and eat on my own. At an age where it gets too noisy, I find myself seeking solace alone. I told my friend that I am quite shy to be seen eating alone, especially at a fancy restaurant. However, he said that I should do the things I love – even when alone.

As a person with a mental struggle, I am lucky to afford my medicines and the simple luxuries in life – food and travel. But I know, it’s not the same for everyone. So here goes my pasta… Al dente, good for every bite. Creamy pesto and cheese but a little cold already maybe because of the cold and windy weather. Anyhow, the basil leaves are tasty and green, obviously! Parmesan cheese was good and it balances the taste. The iced tea, a tea iced of course! Cold with the ice, again, obviously! The serving is good enough for 2, of course in my case, minus 1. Hmmmm, “matakaw”!

And the one I came here for – viola, ube leche flan cake. Here’s a grounded self-care taste test: the ube taste is there unlike other artificially flavored ube cake. The leche flan in the middle is great for the sweet tooth. Fine and soft, there’s no need to bite too much. Now, I am well and grounded. I know!

I guess, I’m a foodie and eating the right food is a must, add sleep later then you’re off to great days! When I wasn’t well, I grew thin and had a bird’s appetite. Now, I could eat a horse – figuratively and literally?

I can do the things I love to do, be able to work and be functional. So, I guess I’m well. Hope you are too!

Savor every experience, create memories and live life to the fullest. Be thankful to whoever you believe in! Everyday is a blessing – big or small!

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The Art of Peace

Leslie Dulfo — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:00:27 +0000

Trigger warning: This article talks about suicide and mental health. Should you be triggered, reach out to a health professional or call 911.

What is peace to you? Is it the calmness of the mind? Is it happiness? Is it being able to sleep at night? Is it the calmness of the waves of the sea or the serenity of ripples after ripples? Is it like giddiness with being happy or lying 6 feet underground.

To take one’s own life perhaps to a sense of a sensible mind is too much to fathom. But why do people do it? It’s just not one reason, fact is – it’s a myriad of events and choices in life. It may even be heartbreak or grief. It may be caused by anger or animosity against the world or a certain person. It may even be too much confusion or too much hyperactivity.

Some say that a person who has bipolar tendencies, can think of harming oneself or ending one’s own life a lot of time. But it is when one is at his lowest, that one doesn’t want to move especially in a depressive state. This concludes perhaps that harm and ending one’s life is done because there is confusion and hyperactivity in the mind – the ones where racing thoughts are literally racing!

I don’t know if this still holds true now. With the affordability of fatal means to lose one self, maybe depressive or manic mood is inessential anymore? Or maybe it happens, in an in-between state of mind – the not so depressive and the not so manic?

There is this one woman who chose to die by falling from a cliff in Benguet. She has been known to have been taking anti psychotic and anti depressant medicines. Her bag showed a knife, probably, for a use we couldn’t be sure of. She was a notable and intelligent person who succumbed perhaps to pressures because of lack of peace.

Why? Peace, especially peace of mind, is very important. It helps one manage emotions and think clearly – to decide, then focus on things that matter most.

She could have done more. She could have been a state witness or she could have been put to jail. Maybe, in a world of power, this woman failed to discern the future. What I can say is that life is a surprise, however you think your mind is crapped-up.

I am a testament to this. Your life is a testament to this too. So keep going. There is hope after all. Find that light even in the darkness. Find that peace lurking within you. Choose your peace always.

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