Dearest Filipino public, It’s disappointing to see how most of you (the older generation) are reacting to the passing of the Absolute Divorce Bill. Yes, I had to point out (I’m Gen Z, btw) that it’s the older generation reacting completely negatively to this bill, but all the while it isn’t that surprising at this point. Why? Well, to get straight to the point—almost all of the Filipino public is so stuck up on the patriarchal and traditional (and blindly religious) way of thinking that they are not willing to open themselves up to anything else.

Or, in other words, you’re all too deluded in your “happy family” fantasy when everyone else’s families and lives are falling apart. A little bit of background before I continue on: Did you know that only 2 countries in the world outlaw divorce? Yeah, that’s the Vatican City, where the Pope is, and the Philippines. Yay! Pinoy Pride! No, that’s not the Pinoy pride you’re asking for.

This just means that out of 195 countries in the world, the Philippines is one of the two countries that does not allow anyone to legally walk away from an abusive relationship and to spare children from the trauma of bearing witness to a destructive family. Our country is absolutely conservative and restrictive—the only way out of a marriage (abusive or not) in the Philippines is through annulment. This, however, is completely out of reach and mind-blowingly difficult for the vulnerable to even think of.

Why? Because it’s *****.