“What do you want for yourself today?”
“I wanted to finish school and study human resource, but now I have to take care of my baby first. My boyfriend is not around anymore. I had no idea of safe sex or protection, and when my boyfriend found out, he left. I was 15 then.
I knew him for a year, he is a sea man here, they stay for a few months at the port, meet some girls and spend time together. When my period was delayed, only then I knew I was pregnant, but by then he was gone (he ran away).
I’m at 8 months now, I have to take care of this baby first, but my only regret is not finishing school. My mother takes care of me now and soon the baby. She is just a laundry women, she earns 250 pesos ($6) a day. I will teach my baby girl not to be like me.”
– Panay, Philippines
