HUMAN RIGHTS
‘Regine’
Graduate of the Diocese of Cubao’s Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS) program
‘My mentors inspired me to change’
Regine* is 50 years old, but you would never guess it at first look.
At the culmination activity for the Diocese of Cubao’s Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS) reformation program for persons in recovery, she is dressed in a vibrant green one shoulder top, with heart-shaped jewelry dangling from her ears.
The mother of four cuts a distinct figure at the session, her lipstick painted lips always curving up to form an infectious smile. But she is the first to admit, the person speaking now is a far cry from who she was before.
Before joining UBAS, Regine struggled with an on-and-off addiction to drugs that lasted almost 17 years.
She had started using illegal substances with her husband, who had been dependent on them even before her. In 2000, she transitioned to selling drugs to provide for her family.
Money came fast then— five grams of shabu could cost up to P55,000, which doubled once sold. But as swiftly as it ushered money in, drugs swept her life to the ground.
In 2015, Regine and her son were detained in Camp Caringal after she was caught by police. The arrest, which landed the two in jail, was a turning point in her life. “Isang buwan at tatlong araw kaming nakulong ng anak ko. Nagbenta kami ng kapiraso sa bahay naming kaya kami nakalabas,” she recalls.
[Translation: My son and I were killed for one month and three days. We sold a part of our house so we’d be freed.]As soon as they got released, Regine swore to herself: she would never sell drugs again.
Quitting, however, was a more difficult matter. Even after she had stopped selling drugs, Regine could not help but use them when she was around fellow drug dependents.
It was clear to her: as long as she was near her husband, she wouldn’t be able to go clean. So, she left him, and went to her brother in Laguna.
“Nung makaisip ako na ayoko na… nakipaghiwalay ako sa asawa ko. Umuwi ako sa Laguna, sa kuya ko. Namundok ako… Sa bundok, dun, awa ng diyos, nakasurvive ako. Di ko hinanap ang drugs. Hindi hinanap ng katawan ko.”
[Translation: I left my husband when I decided to quit. I went home to my brother in Laguna. I stayed in the mountians… There, thank God, I survived. I didn’t look for drugs. My body didn’t crave it]Regine only returned years later to take care of her husband, who was dying of cancer.
However, her ailing spouse was only one of the problems that greeted her home, where three of her four children had started using drugs as well.
“Yun ang pagkakamali ko—di ko pinilit mga anak ko [sumama sa Laguna]. Sila ang pumalit sakin magtulak, yung mga anak ko kasi wala naman silang ikabubuhay,” she says.
[Translation: That was my mistake—I didn’t make my kids come with me to Laguna. They replaced me and became pushers because they had no source of livelihood.]Making matters worse, Regine found herself sliding back to drug use.
Finding a mentor
When she joined the Diocese’s UBAS program, Regine had few expectations. However, she knew she needed the program to help her get better.
What she did not anticipate, however, was the attachment and support she would get from her mentors.
For once in her life, Regine did not feel belittled for being a drug addict. For once, she was valued.
While she was still using drugs at the start of the program, Regine said she motivated herself to avoid it when she started strengthening her bond with her mentors.
“Sabi ko, ito ba igaganti ko sa mga mentor ko ng UBAS. Mga taong tumutulong sakin na magbago ako?” she says. “Nasundot nila konsensiya ko… Sila ang ginawa kong instrumento at inspirasyon sa pagbabago.”
[Translation: I told myself if I wanted to repay my UBAS mentors with this when they were working to help me change… They pricked my conscience… I made them my instruments and inspiration to change.]Regine had one more reason to do well: she wanted to set a good example for her children again.
‘Nagtaguumpay ako’
Now, just after their last UBAS session, Regine smiles in glee.
After months of attending counseling with her, one of Regine’s daughters had, while teary-eyed, shared how attending the program had changed her perspectives in life.
“Nagawa ko. Nagtagumpay ako… kasi nakita rin niya na talagang ginagawa ko rin,” Regine says of her child. “Nagpursige ako na magattend dito—na magbago. Pinush ko yung anak ko na gawin nila, at hindi naman ako nabigo.”
[Translation: I did it. I succeeded because she saw I was really doing what I preached… I worked so hard to attend sessions and to change. I pushed my daughter to do it as well, and I did not fail.]Regine says while she was unsure her daughter would be receptive to the program at first, hearing her speak about it has made Regine all the more optimistic.
It is a win for Regine in many ways. She has not only weaned herself off drugs, but has helped guide her daughter, too.
While the process towards recovery is an uphill struggle, it was one made easier by the support and dedication she had witnessed her mentors give.
“Binuhos nila samin yung panahon nila, oras nila, para magbago kami… Para sa pagbabago namin. Kaya naman di ko sinayang yung panahon na ibinigay nila sakin… Dati, ako nuon isang adik sa paningin ng tao—basura… At ngayon, naipapakita ko na sa kanila (sa mga tao) pagbabago ko,” she says.
[Translation: They poured all their time and their energy towards helping us improve. That’s why I made sure their efforts would not be put to waste… Before, people used to think of me as an addict, as trash… Now I can show everyone that I’ve changed.]*The interviewee’s name has been changed to protect her and her family’s privacy