Gender Journey I cannot remember any event/incident where I felt that being a lady/woman is a disadvantage.

Thanks to my parents for letting me grow up with my male cousins and letting me play (grow) outside the four walls of our house. I basically grew up with boys. Lets travel back (by academic phase and by work experience. Elementary. Since I grew up with boys, it became hard for me to make friends with all the girls but I had a girlgroup, according to most was a bad influence (I am thinking the other way around ). My classmates and I do almost the same things, we play the same games, we clean our school and we use the same cleaning equipment. Being the eldest daughter, followed by another daughter, I cannot differentiate the male/female roles at our house. I see my father doing house chores, my mother also works, most my aunties also work, so does my uncles. Hence, I was not that aware of the concept of the usual female inside the house and male work for a living. At school and inside the house, gender roles and gender discrimination were non-existent. Highschool. In most aspects, girls, during our time, were more empowered than boys (may it be in academics and extra-curricular activities). The boys were given more attention only during intramurals or anything related to sports. Of course, being a boyish that I am, I started the female basketball team in our school. So girls did excel in sports too, but not as much as boys do. Having girlfriends became easier. I was part of a group of not so good girls most of the time, we are having classes inside the guidance counselors office. So our parents were often invited. I am not that certain if these incidents have something to do with gender roles but my mother is the one attending school activities and of course, counseling. My father only attends the recognition and graduation ceremonies. Inside the house, we were given the same house chores, example, washing the dishes. I was assigned in the morning, my sister after lunch, and my brother after dinner. College. My role as the eldest female during this time was highlighted. I remember my male cousins I grew up with were not that into house chores. They were, most of the time, playing basketball, while if not at school, I am inside the house, cleaning. There was this instance in my PE class (finals) that I got five loses and two wins. No other girls would want to play with me because I play like a boy in badminton and they were afraid to lose because it has bearing on our grades. So I played against the boys, and I lost five games. This is the only instance where I felt that it was a bit unfair. But if you look closely, the girls made me feel that. Generally, theres not much difference between a male and a female. At Work (AFP male dominated world ). The AFP made me feel I am a girl. They wouldnt let me carry equipment. During overtime, they fetch

me home. This is also where I see that women are less appreciated. This is where I hear Wala naman experience masyado yan sa field kasi babae yan. At Work (DSWD female dominated world). This time, female here are much more appreciated.