It's been maybe about a day or two days, if my memory serves me right, that our incoming president here in the Philippines deliberately said that catcalling is a freedom of speech. 

And I was simply outraged. 

Yet again, as much as I don't want to be judged from my outer shell, I didn't judge him too quickly. After all, it's hard to be with anyone after studying psychology. You just know why they are. 

Today, I went to my university to process papers. Since we didn't have a uniform, I wore a very long denim skirt that reaches my knees and a shirt. In all sense, by culture, I am "rightfully" dressed. 

But I got catcalled several times. Whistled. Shouted at. Eyed maliciously by es and erts alike. My death glares won't even bother them. They just refer to me as this girl they predominantly objectify for the sake of lust. I didn't bother anymore but it was definitely degrading for a woman to be whistled at. It was not even a compliment. It was harassment. 

I forgot the number for street harassment, and that's why I was shocked for a minute. I wanted them in jail. I wanted them to learn something. 

I hope society sees and harassment as something personal. We don't have to tell women to dress "appropriately" and wear anything below the knee and with sleeves. Women get catcalled and harassed while wearing anything. My friends wearing hijabs also are being harassed, yet I can't do anything about it. Women are not safe from unintellectual, uneducated human beings that do not know how to MAKE a compliment. Would a y whistle compliment my body? No. I was disrespected. And I am, by any means, can disrespect you also. Would calling me babe compliment my dignity? No. I am, by any means, would call you a . 

My men friends always accompany me on busy streets and quiet streets alike to avoid this, even my brother is very concerned about my welfare. 

And this is why I hated dramas dragging the girl everywhere without her permission. For example, I really hated how the main character in Playful Kiss was ruining her dignity. Although the plot was amusing, I can't believe I had suffered so much and hated the drama for treating girls into objects. 

I hope some people stop harassment. This is not a joke. Even girls who harass men are not exempted. We are humab beings after all. Gender classified us into stereotypes we are not able to move over. If men are not allowed to harass, women too. 

That's all. 

-Ikalsasa