By: Lorrah Ashley Ang
Photo courtesy of Anne Rebagay / The LANCE
“Getting into trouble is not our choice— going through trouble well is,” said Mr. Anthony Pangilinan, one of the speakers at the event titled “Break the Chains: Continuing the Mission of Anti-Trafficking Education.”
Held at the SC Auditorium at Colegio De San Juan De Letran-Manila, the event was organized by the Institute of Communication in partnership with the Letran Community Extension Department (CED) and the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Department last Friday, Nov. 14. A meaningful session was delivered about anti-trafficking, emphasizing the importance of awareness, compassion, and concrete action against human trafficking.
As mentioned by one of the speakers, Dr. Cyndi Romine, founder of Called to Rescue, “Out of 1.2 million people experiencing Human Trafficking around the world, 2 to 3 children per second experience it. Out of that 1.2 million, around 500,000 who were victimized or are still being victimized are Filipinos.”
Concealed Truth in Plain Sight
Efforts against human trafficking are observed and acknowledged. Still, they remain undeniably weak, as emphasized by NSTP Area Chairperson, Inst. John Renzo Espinosa. He cited RA 9208 (The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and RA 10364 (The Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012), noting that despite these legal frameworks, law enforcement capacity continues to fall short.
“Even though laws are implemented, as long as the root causes remain unaddressed, as long as unemployment and underemployment exist, as long as there is hunger and poverty, human trafficking will always continue,” he stated.
Inst. Espinosa also expressed disappointment over the involvement of children as young as five to fifteen years old in human trafficking; often at the hands of their own parents, the very people meant to protect them. He emphasized the connection between poverty and trafficking, “Ang taong gipit, sa patalim kumakapit.” From this statement, he posed an intriguing question: “What can these people do when their stomachs are rumbling?”
He also pointed to underlying issues such as corruption and complicity as he shared, “Although we see NBI raids and law enforcement actions on TV, we don’t really know what happens beyond what is shown, and sometimes there are no updates.” Identifying victims is another challenge, as many choose not to reveal their identity due to the fear of stigmatization.
He concluded that the challenges of anti-trafficking education are interconnected, but the deeper struggle lies within the mind of individuals who remain indifferent as long as the issue does not directly affect them.
Awakening in One’s Growth
Mr. Anthony Pangilinan, one of the speakers, emphasized initiating a response rather than settling for a reaction, discussing the importance of valuing oneself, especially for those who have experienced abuse. Although the issue at hand is human trafficking, he reminded the audience that the self must never be neglected.
“It all starts with diagnosis,” he said, referring to the willingness to be examined in all aspects—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and intellectual. One wrong diagnosis, he warned, can lead to wrong prescriptions, wrong treatment, and ultimately irreversible consequences. Thus, he urged, “Tanggapin mo na ang mga problema mo sa buhay.”
He noted that letting go of the things that hold people back—whether guilt, fear, or shame—often begins with accepting the past, “Admitting stress is 90% of the solution. You can’t tame what you can’t name.” He connected this to a quote from Jim Collins: “Why do we let pleasant people of our present pay the price of the painful people of our past?”
He then emphasized accepting the hard truths of life, not only for others but for ourselves as well, stating, “The truth sets us free after it pisses us off.”
To build resilience, he highlighted the acronym DIY:
D - Don’t ignore the stress, wear, and tension—the “wear and tear” of life;
I - Initiate a response; don’t settle for a reaction;
Y - Yearn for true community—Above, Across, and Below
As he explained, “Do it yourself” does not guarantee success, but choosing oneself is ultimately a personal decision.
Despite his strength in delivering these insights, Mr. Pangilinan also shared moments when he almost gave up, reflecting on his own life experiences. One notable sharing was when he considered stepping down from leading his company as he struggled with discrimination.
He shared the wise words from his brother, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan: “Shine like a star because the world is getting darker. But you will notice, the darker the night, the brighter the stars shine. P.S. When you shine, you don’t shine for yourself. You shine so that those who are in darkness might see.”
One of the attendees, Rosary Jan Paula Contreras, a first-year communication student, shared that the seminar was an eye-opening experience. “It revealed a lot of dark experiences of people—especially Filipinos.” She expressed reassurance knowing that organizations like Called to Rescue are ready to help those in need.
For Contreras, the seminar taught her to be more wary of her surroundings, emphasizing, “We never know what’s lurking in the dark, or even in daylight.”
Breaking the chains is not only about awareness. It also requires collective action and steadfast commitment. Beyond the challenges in educating individuals, the core of the mission lies in one’s initiative to respond. To change something is to become someone that is responsible and accountable towards a positive action.
This program imparted courage and hope, encouraging participants to be a light against the prevailing darkness of human trafficking. The fight for this mission may be a long road ahead, but as long as the chains continue to clatter, the pursuit to break them will always prevail.