FOLLY OF INNOCENCE: PART THREE

Foolishness of Love
By:
The FLYING JOURNAL
October 04, 2011

Geraldine together with children and with her live-in partner Carlo clutches their youngest child.

At the age of 13, Geraldine chose to go with Carlo, who by then was 37.
Carlo is not a native Cebuano. He came from Bohol and has gone to Cebu to find a job.
In Bohol, he already had a child from his past live-in partner, whom he later deserted.
But when he met Geraldine in Talisay, Cebu, he chose to live with her permanently.
After a year of living together, Geraldine gave birth to their first born and was followed
successively, now, they already have three little children.
Carlo earns Php 100 to Php 200 everyday. But his wage depends on the number of
customers to be served per day. If there are lots of customers, the better, but if there are
only few, he earns less.
“Bugas jud dayon ang siguraduon ug palit,” (We secure to buy rice first.)Carlo added.
According to survey, the causes of early marriage or live-in relationships are usually
a combination of factors, among which are peer pressure, lack of self-esteem (desire
to feel lovable), general rebelliousness, selfishness and lack of quality parental
relationships (perhaps too authoritative or perhaps too permissive). The parental
relationships are, perhaps, the driving factor behind the other causes.
“Nagminyo nalang ko kay kapoy man gud sa balay. Daghan kaayo problema,” (I chose to
be with him because I’m tired to be in the house. Lot’s of problem.) Geraldine reasoned.
According to the recent survey, teenagers thought that escaping from their problems is
the only solution. But it made their life more miserable.
Teenage pregnancy has been defined predominantly within the research field and
among social agencies as a social problem. Poverty is associated with increased rates of
teenage pregnancy.
“Unsa man diay imong nakita ni Carlo nga mingkuyog man ka niya?” (What is it that you
saw in Carlo that you decided to go with him?)their neighbor had asked.
“Wala ra man,” (Nothing.)her reply.
“Tagaan ra ka kwarta ni Carlo noh? Katong manag-uyab pa mo?” (Does he give you
money when you were still boyfriend-girlfriend?) one neighbor tried to guess.
“Taga-an ra man ko niya ug kwarta. Ug isda sad,” (He gives me money and also fish.)her
honest reply.
The mother was asked by their neighbors, why they didn’t report this abuse since
Geraldine was minor age by then.
But the mother replied,” Wala ra mi ni report sa police. Buotan man na iyang bana.
Pinangga man na siya. Maayo ra man pud ang ilang pagpuyo,” (We didn’t report this to
the police because Carlo is kind to her. After all, they were able to live well.)the mother
clarified.