Last October 2025, I began the process of filing a VAWC case against my former partner. With a referral from the City Social Welfare office, I secured a psychological evaluation at PGH, though it meant waiting four months. Those months were full of ups and downs, mostly survival. At times I questioned whether there was any point in pursuing the case, but most of the time I held on to the hope of justice... for myself and for my daughter.
February 10: When the day finally came, I traveled from Laguna to Pedro Gil before sunrise, only to spend the entire day waiting to meet a psychiatrist that will give me a quick introduction type of session then send me home. (tho he was super nice and gentle, i like him). To make matters more complicated, I discovered that I had been booked in the wrong department. PGH has both a psych OPD and a women’s desk, and I was mistakenly placed in the OPD. Thankfully, I was redirected to the women’s desk, but that meant waiting another two months for the proper appointment.
April 6: Today, after months of waiting and navigating the system, I finally completed the first step towards this movement. I OBTAINED MY PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION with final diagnosis as follows; major depressive disorder with anxiety, moderate to severe with disclosure of psychological, emotional and neglect abuse by former partner.
Some might think it's strange to feel happiness upon receiving a final diagnosis. For me, it was not about having a stronger evidence for my case, but about finally being able to say with certainty that I am not insane. I am not imagining the abuse, I am not hallucinating. What I felt was real. That diagnosis gave me validation and support. It reminded me that what I have endured is not a figment of my mind, nor is it a definition of who I am. This is not my identity. This is simply a medical condition, and it does not define me. For the first time, I felt seen, understood, and reassured that my truth is real.
