By Lesther Salapunen

By Laia De Roma

“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.”

As said by Zeus in the movie Hercules (1997), where a demi-god with superhuman strength learns what it means to truly be a hero in order to reach godhood, heroism has never been a physical attribute but a show of character. 

In a fast-paced world where change is constant, nobody ever lives the very same lives. Each person has different circumstances to deal with in their everyday lives, but that is often forgotten with judgement and assumption becoming the usual ways of people. 

Yet, it is crucial to remember such a sentiment to truly see and do good in this world. In the ASHS community, Mayari aims to replace such judgment and assumption with cultivated understanding and support instead through fostering a loving, safe space for all to join. 

Aid Over Analysis

While Mayari does foster a safe space by personally helping survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), they are not investigative. Nathan Yllana, the first-responder head of the committee, emphasized that “There’s a lot of misconceptions that revolve around Mayari, like us being a police department where we always investigate what everyone is going through, and we check up on everyone and ask if they’re doing bad things so that we’ll report them. But no, we are not like that.” While there is guidance throughout the process of reporting, the purpose of Mayari is to provide support for those that are in need of it. It is not the role of Mayari to meticulously probe and analyze situations for survivors, but to simply give the suitable comfort and aid that survivors need during the process. 

With the option for genuine help from the committee, the journey of healing still starts with the initiative of the survivor. Mayari has always been sincerely open to anyone in the ASHS community in order for survivors to feel comfortable enough to approach them, as everything can only be done with the consent of the survivors themselves. Opening up and reaching out for support can feel terrifying and intimidating, but it is the role of members from Mayari to be there for every step of the way. 

While support may seem like accountability for true justice, this is not necessarily what every survivor needs at the moment. Yllana shared that “We are not here to harm perpetrators, but our main goal is to comfort those survivors of SGBV.” Justice may be an indispensable aspect of life, but this is simply not the job of Mayari to take. What truly matters and is within the reins of the committee, is to provide whatever type of support that survivors need. Whether it be a listening ear, a guide for reporting, or an insightful adviser, it is ultimately the genuine comfort during a difficult journey that Mayari can provide. 

Sensitive But Never Censored

Sexual and gender-based violence is quite a heavy advocacy, which is why many people tend to steer clear of it. However, it is because of how heavy it is, that it must be talked about more. Celine Delas Armas, the overall head of Mayari, recalled that when she first came to the ASHS as a former student from an all-girls school, she felt quite uncomfortable with the many differences. 

“I knew that there were people who were feeling or experiencing the same things. I know that there are problems, we can see in the context of the ASHS that there are issues of SGBV and what makes me sad is that they are swept under the rug or hindi mo siya makikita kasi it’s an issue that people want to keep quiet about.” But, suffering should never be done in silence. No matter the scale of a case, whether it be feeling uncomfortable because of a classmate or a major situation of SGBV, the first-responder team of Mayari ensures to handle each case with consideration and compassion. 

Mayari continues to be vocal in their advocacy of not tolerating anything that can make people feel invalidated and unseen in their own experiences. Through strengthening and uplifting such an advocacy, a safe space for those afraid of speaking up is completely possible. 

One of the past initiatives of Mayari is a Christmas party for Tahanan Sta. Luisa, a recovery shelter for sexually abused street girls from the ages of 7 to 12 years old. Sophia Zaballero, the overall secretary of Mayari, personally recalled this experience as truly eye-opening, shaping her as both an officer and person. “To see them there as they were crying so much, it was really touching and reminded me that these girls have been through so much and they don’t really know what it means like to be kids. It really just reminded me that I love Mayari, that my org[anization] brought this initiative and brought gifts for these girls.” Advocacies can truly make a difference in the lives of survivors, hence the need to be vocal. 

It may feel intriguing and concerning to hear about these matters online through statistics and graphs, but it is an entirely different matter to meet the real people. Survivors are more than numbers because they too, are human beings that deserve a safe space to be seen and heard. 

No Man Is An Island

The journey of healing from any uncomfortable or even traumatic situation can feel quite isolating and challenging, but the bravest step is always the first. It is truly important to reach out for help. 

Delas Armas imparted that “Reaching out is important because you are able to find out that you are not alone.” In a campus with hundreds of unfamiliar students and teachers, Mayari simply wants students to take comfort in the fact that there are people that do care about them and are willing to help them. 

Oftentimes, burdens become too heavy to carry alone. In the ASHS community, there will always be fellow students that can help lighten the load or listen to the full story. Nobody is ever truly alone. 

Since no case is ever the same, healing is not a linear process, but Mayari is willing to empower and support anyone on their own pace of time. Delas Armas, when asked what she would like to share to the ASHS community about the organization, shared that “I hope you know that there are people who are willing to be there for you and we just hope that if not now, then that there will be something to empower you to reach out for help. Know that Mayari will always be there to assist you.” Such constancy has become a source of comfort and security for students that feel hesitant and afraid.

Sometimes, superheroes don’t always look all-mighty and powerful. They can be found in the people around us. True heroism is found in those that expand their hearts for those that have been fragmented. 

A real hero opens up their own heart for the sake of others, to help share the burden of it all. Mayari has embodied genuine and utter strength not through physical abilities, but by sincerely and consistently providing comfort and aid in the ASHS community.