9 hours ago
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Published March 21, 2025 8:41pm
Trigger warning: This article mentions rape
A total of 100 women inmates at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City received free pap smears and breast examinations, as well as hygiene kits from the GMA Kapuso Foundation.
According to "24 Oras" Friday, among the beneficiaries of the initiative is Linda (not her real name) who has been imprisoned for the past 29 years.
Linda narrated that she was raped by her father.
"Hindi ko ginusto na mangyari 'yun sa sarili kong ama na napatay ko siya," she said.
She became homeless afterward before she was took in by syndicates.
"Hanggang sa isang araw, pinapili nila ako sa tatlong bagay, ang mabuhay ka, mamatay ka o pumatay ka. Pinili ko 'yung 'di ko gusto para lang mabuhay."
Linda is remorseful over the things she has done in the past and in the 29 years that she has spent behind bars, her only wish is to see her mother who is from Daet, Camarines Norte.
"Ang gusto ko talaga magbagong buhay sa piling ng nanay ko. Gusto ko na pong lumaya," she said.
According to Dr. Angel Nicola Andoque, resident physician at Delos Santos Medical Center's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, many of the inmates suffer from multiple conditions.
"Marami po sa mga pasyente natin dito sa Correctional meron abnormal uterine bleeding, meron po silang mga UTI, at tsaka po mga breast mass po na kailangan po natin ma-examine further," she said.
Aside from the pap smears and breast exams, the GMA Kapuso Foundation also distributed hygiene kits to the women.
The foundation also held a haircut, hairstyling, and basic makeup training for them to help them start anew once they are released from the institution.
"Sa kanila po iyon mapupunta din 'yung proceeds, tapos paglaya po nila magagamit din po nila 'yun," said CO1 Janice Resaba, Chief of the Work and Livelihood Program.
Despite everything that has happened to Linda, she encouraged others not to be negative.
"Wag po tayong laging negatibo kasi kung magiging negatibo po tayo hindi natin kakayanin lahat ng pagsubok," she said.
For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, and Shopee. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information.
—CDC, GMA Integrated News
