Gigi De Villa

Through our Theology and Philosophy classes, we were all taught about the importance of relating to the marginalized, and the preferential option for the poor. As Ateneans, more so, we have always been called to be men and women for tohes. Everyay Idealists found the perfect personification of these values in Ms. Gigi De Villa, a senior taking up Management Economics and Development Management, who has been very active and all out in her support for the marginalized sector. It was our first time finding someone with such great passion and commitment to giving voice to those who have none.

Gigi De Villa begins the interview right on by stating her greatest conviction. By the way she talks, one can really feel the level of passion she has towards her commitment. “Malapit sa puso ko ang mga marhinalisadong komunidad tulad ng mga magsasaka at mga katutubo; at para sa akin gusto ko sana maging bahagi ng pag-uplift ng dignity nila as human person, gusto ko na matulungan silang mangarap ulit.” [Those who are in the marginalized communities are very close to my heart, like the local farmers and the indigenous people, and I want to take part in uplifting their dignity as a human person, I want to help them dream again.]

Gigi explains how she can’t stand just being a witness to the state of helplessness and hopelessness that these people are currently in, and that for her, she has to take action and initiative for the movement that would rekindle in these people hope, confidence and inspiration. As one of her steps in accomplishing this mission, she envisions herself serving at the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP), and/or working for government institutions such as the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) or the  DepEd (Department of Education), that would help in promoting the rights of these people.

Gigi explained to Everyday Idealists interesting stories of how she got inspired to fight for the marginalized. First of these was her story on how she felt attachment to the indigenous people.

According to her, it all started through a documentary she watched, wherein aetas were being misled by people as they travel by directing them to wrong buses, just because they know that these people are unable to read. Gigi shared how disappointed and sorry she felt for the misery of the aetas, who have been taken advantage of through their weaknesses.

This cruel reality was strengthened to her, through a lecture of her Theology professor, about a certain indigenous group called the “Dumagats”. The story tells of how, upon the arrival of other people, the Dumagats would say “O nandito na mga tao” [Oh, the humans have arrived]. The students were astounded of how they were received. A Dumagat then explained that this is because whenever they would ride a jeepney, he would hear a person, not belonging to their group, would say, “Walo at saka tatlong Dumagat” [Eight, and 3 Dumagats], as he pays. The Dumagats have been judged as different, and for Gigi, she can’t deny how angered she was upon hearing how these people have been treated.  “Alam ko na hindi naman dapat ganoon ang pagtrato sa kanila. For me, isa silang gem ng Philippine Society at dapat na alagaan natin sila.” [I know that they shouldn’t be treated that way. For me, they are gems of the Philippine Society, and they should be taken good care of.]

The second story Gigi shared was that of how she was inspired to work towards the rights of poor local farmers. She traces back her devotion to this cause, way back when she was still in freshman year. Early on, she has been exposed to the issues and dialogues held reharding the matter. In fact, she even cut her InTACT class, just to be able to march along with these farmers and the people who share the same sentiments with her. According to her, it was through this experience that she realized the importance of these poor local farmers, and how their rights were deeply underpromoted.

“Nakita ko doon na, mahalagang bahagi sila ng society natin and yet, hindi sila mapahalagahan. Ang laki ng kontribusyon nila, pero ito yung nararanasan nila.” [I saw how they are really essential to the society, yet they are not given importance. They offer great contributions, but they suffer that way.] These farmers, are those who, albeit their many decades of tenure, have not been granted title to their lands. Gigi expressed how she felt injustice upon the realization that these people have been exerting much effort, and yet, they have not been fairly compensated.

It was also through this event that she was able to meet people who are passionate about fighting for the rights of the underpivileged as well. Gigi tells the story of Karen, also an advocate of these local farmers, who died fighting for their rights. According to Gigi, she was deeply inspired by the conviction of this person. “Bakit ako di ko kayang subukan lumaban? Given na ako, naprovide ako with Ateneo education so, sana ako din maglakas loob para sa kanila.” [Why don’t I try to fight for them as well? I have been given an Ateneo education, so ideally, I should also have courage to stand up for them.]

Gigi shares, that even though these issues that she fights for might seem very heavy and controversial, at the end of the day, these are the same things that drive her to get going with life, most especially in her academics and the path she’s taking.

“Yun ang nagiging drive ko para mag aral. Pag nag-aral ako ng mabuti, mas mapapaglingkuran ko sila. Yun ang nagpapabangon sa akin sa umaga. Pag hellweek na and everything, alalahanin ko lang na ang lahat ng ito ay para sa kanila, na kung maging magaling ako na Atenista, sila rin maeempower ko rin sila in the long run.” [It’s what drives me to study hard. Because if I do well, I can serve them better. That’s what keeps me up everyday. Whether it’s hell week and everything comes tushing through, I just remember that all of these is for them. And if I’m a good Atenean, I can empower them as well in the long run].