By Eva C. Visperas

 

WHEN former senator Leila de Lima arrived in Dagupan City on March 10, she wasn’t just a nominee for the Mamamayang Liberal Partylist. She was a symbol of strength, resilience, and the unyielding power of a woman who had endured the harshest of life’s challenges and came out not only standing but stronger than ever.

De Lima reflected on the personal and political challenges she faced, most notably the trumped-up illegal drugs charges that saw her imprisoned for almost seven years.

During our interview, I opted to ask her about lessons/realizations in life after what she’d gone through. She shared her thoughts, offering a glimpse into the heart of a woman who has seen the worst of humanity but continues to rise above it.

One of the first things she shared was her realization that true strength is often forged not in times of ease, but in moments of difficulty. “I always considered myself a strong woman, but your character is really tested when you are under those circumstances,” she said, referring to her tough years in detention.

“You discover that you have more capacity to be stronger than you ever thought you could be,” she said. Her voice carried a sense of quiet conviction, and it was clear that she had come to appreciate her own resilience in ways she never had before.

Her story is not just one of overcoming political persecution but also of finding strength through personal struggles. It is a story that speaks to the nature of friendship — what it means to truly have people by your side, and the painful truth that some people only love you when it’s convenient for them. This actually happens to most of us in our daily personal struggles.

“There are people who will be with you when everything is going well, but when things go south, they disappear. These are what I call fair-weather friends,” she shared.

Many of us can relate to this truth, whether in politics, work or personal relationships — how we sometimes give our energy to those who only love us when it’s easy, but when the storm hits, they’re nowhere to be found.

But amidst all the challenges, De Lima discovered new blessings in life — those small moments of joy that often pass us by in the hustle of our daily routines. “There are small blessings in life that you tend to overlook but are actually important,” she said. “I started noticing the birds in the mornings, the way they gathered in the detention compound. I even grew fond of the stray cats that came into my life during my time in jail. I had hated cats before because I loved dogs, and my dogs hated cats. But in prison, they became my companions, and I ended up adopting more than 20 of them,” she said, beaming with a smile.

Through these small joys, De Lima found peace amid the chaos. She spoke of becoming a “plantita” and finding comfort in the routine of caring for a garden. Even watching the rain, something many of us take for granted, became a source of reflection and solace.

The simple pleasures she had once overlooked in her busy life became her anchors during her darkest times. It was a reminder for all of us that life is not just about grand achievements or overcoming monumental hurdles. Sometimes, it’s the small, everyday moments that help us hold on.

De Lima’s experience also gave her a new perspective on misogyny and the discrimination women face, particularly in politics. “Misogynistic attacks and slut-shaming are not things that I, alone, experienced. Many women in this country face these injustices,” she said. Her words were a call for greater respect for women and their voices in all spheres of life, urging society to stand against the unfair treatment that often accompanies a woman’s rise to power or prominence.

In Dagupan City, Mayor Belen Fernandez has faced, too, some of these attacks, but she is undaunted. It’s that kind of fortitude that makes her more admirable. After all, she’d always say, “Kaya kong tiisin lahat ng panghahamak nila sa akin para lang sa mga kapwa ko Dagupeño.”

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