I would like to share the story of this kid bullied by her elders. Elders who must have lost their sense of adulthood by their childish act of bullying this child.
Anna was born and raised in the Philippines, when her biological parents decided to leave for work abroad Anna was left in the care of her grandparents. I could say that she was very well taken cared of, they were not poor to a certain extent infact her parents could survive even if they cease to work but since philippine culture is very traditional in terms of raising children they decided to earn and support Anna on their own means. Until they decided to migrate in the States for good.
It must have been difficult for Anna and her parents to live apart, all the while they applied for petition so Anna could finally live with them. However we all know that here in the Philippines processing such application could take a while and a lot of patience is required and of course scrutinized legal details before an approval is awarded. Hence the long process took over 8 years.
Now at 8 years old finally Anna's petition to migrate was granted. It is a mix of both sad and joyous news to celebrate upon. An intimate occasion with immediate relatives, family friend, godparents and kiddie friends was set to celebrate advance send off for Anna whose bound to leave by October this year. Her grandparents were ecstatic and anxious at the same time, they tipped and shared the stories of Anna's personal favorites and cute embarassing firsts to the guests. On the background plays an audio visual presentation of her evolving years. She is indeed a great performer very enchanting and talkative and fashionable for her age. She entertained us guests by her talents singing and dancing. Nobody predicted that in about a short moment this cheerful little lady would shift into frustated sullen mood.
Here it goes...
After her number she was asked by this one group of guest in their 30's, maybe they were Anna's extended relatives, to sit and have an interview chat with them (in seldom occasion I've seen Anna this is the first time I chanced upon them). Anna happily obliged. She was panting from her dance number but gamely striked a posed and sit like that of a host and started doing her own thing.
Anna: Bakit nyo po ako tinawag? Ano gagawin natin? (why did you called me? What we will do?)
Guy1: May ibibigay kasi kami sayo pero bago yun kelangan muna ka namin interviewhin. (We will give you something but before that we will ask you a few question first.)
Anna: okay (she smiled and look at her other audience)
Guy1: Ok. welcome to Anna's Talk show! (audience applauded) So anna are you ready to go to the States already?
Anna: of course tito boy! ( she address this guy tito boy like that of a popular showbiz show host here) I'm excited to see my Mama & Papa. They promised me they'll bring me to this huge amusement park there.
Girl1: But you'll have to bring your own stuff there, you'll have no nanny there. You'll do chores and carry your own bags by yourself is that okay with you?
Anna: Thats okay I can do it! ( she proudly answered)
Girl 1: Oh you'll turn your silky hands rough from washing the dishes and laundrying your own clothes, even cook your food you can't be a princess there like you are here. There's no lavish lifestyle there kiddo. (she smirked and look like a bullying dog here while asking Anna.
Anna: silent and nodding her head no.
Guy1: See, Anna you cant live there like you do here, you'll have too much burgers and chocolates but you'll have less time to play coz you have to help your mom with the chores. (the way this guy delivered it convinced me that they're trying to provoke Anna to react negatively.
Anna: turns cheeky red and teary eyed, she looked on the audience as if scanning some people to run to.
Guy2: look! Anna we have presents for you but tell us if you'll enjoy living there even if you dont have your nannies with you, even if you cant play outside on winter, they dont have nice beach there like we have here you cant be Ariel the mermaid anymore (the girl harshly laugh)
Anna: run to her Aunt Fina sobbing, hugged her like she was maltreated and maligned in every frame. While sobbing she managed to utter
THEY'RE BAD!!!!! Her wailings turned her voice hoarse and bad no one can stop her from crying not even her grand parents. Pausing sobs in between she look at me and borrowed my ipod which she usually does when I'm around, I know she'll play either chasing yello orndy crush. Sobbed again while holding my ipod then slowly her sobbing comes to a halt luckily I'm seated next to her Aunt Fina.
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I sensed the torment this kid has gone through in that very short exchange too much of it confused even consumed her. She is still a child who has nothing hefty to think of but play and yet here are four insensitive adults making her feel as if the world is all about work. Yes later in her life she really has to work but whats with prodding her now? Whats the point?! How bad can you really be huh? The guests chattered as if nothing bad happened but from the look on their faces traces of shock and humiliation grew extensively that they even applauded this four jerky adults for coying Anna for an interview.
The nerve to do that to a kid. They should realize the moment Anna said she was excited and looking forward to explore with her parents they should have restrain insinuating remarks of American Lifestyle for it may ruin her entire perception even anticipation to join her parents. Why is there so much strength and emphasis of doing those chores whats wrong with that? Are they just jealous that finally this kid be at her parents care in another country with greater power and safer grounds and whose community is far more organized sans existence of nannies. If thats the case they have all the reason and more to envy this kid. While she may be learning to live independently on her chores in the USA this four jerk here continue to rot their asses getting simple jobs done by their nannies!
I deeply feel for Anna I myself had been into countless bully attack sometimes of even my immediate relatives. So I know how bad this could really affect a kids perceptiom in life. I don't even need to have a psychology degree to understand that for God's sake its pretty obvious!
I observed Anna after she stopped sobbing, holding my ipod she was just playing there the whole time head down and not even a hint of smiled graced her lips since. She was frustrated from the looks of it. Far from the Anna before the party started she has become silent and disturbed by the end of the party.
This is so heart breaking this scenario continue to linger in my system even after its been a month since it happened.
