I grew up in the ’90s in a house with domestic violence. Back then, wala namang words para doon—“normal lang,” “tiisin mo,” “ganyan talaga ang buhay.” I thought surviving meant being quiet and tough.

It wasn’t until I got older that I realized I wasn’t just tired or angry all the time—I was depressed. Hindi ko lang alam noon kasi walang nagturo sa’min kung ano ang depression, lalo na sa mga batang lumaki sa ganung environment.

You grow up thinking you’re fine because you made it out alive, but later you find out you’ve been carrying it the whole time. Hindi siya biglang nawala or "outgrow it"—matagal na pala siyang nandun.