03/12/2024
To our everdearest Dr. Rolando Jose Felipe Mallari, we wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in Aringay.
Your vision and dedication have made a significant impact, providing support, visibility, and empowerment to many individuals. The work you are doing not only fosters a more inclusive environment but also inspires others to stand up for equality and acceptance.
Thank you for being a beacon of hope and for your tireless efforts in creating a better future for all. Your leadership is invaluable, and we appreciate everything you do. Mabuhay ka, Dockie namin!
BEYOND WORDS: AN APPRECIATION OF GRATITUDE
The exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. The Aringay Pride Inc. Night (APRI) loomed, a shimmering mirage of glitter and music that felt impossibly far away. When asked what I’d wear, the flippant “a gown” tumbled from my lips, a shield against the crushing weight of fatigue. Truthfully, the thought of attending felt like climbing Everest in stilettos – an impossible feat. I'd poured every ounce of energy into the fight, into the slow, arduous climb towards acceptance and visibility for our community, leaving me with nothing left to give. I’d planned to spend the evening cocooned in the quiet comfort of my own home.
Then the messages began to flood in. Urgent requests, pleading tones, the whispered necessity of my presence. They needed me, they said, to represent, to inspire, to simply…be there. The weight of responsibility, a familiar and weary companion, settled back on my shoulders. Reluctantly, I surrendered to the tide of requests. Resignation, not excitement, propelled me towards the venue.
The air crackled with anticipation, a vibrant hum of laughter and nervous energy. Glitter cascaded across the room, reflected in the thousand knowing smiles. For a moment, I felt that familiar pull, the surge of camaraderie that always accompanied these events. But exhaustion still clung, a persistent shadow dimming the celebratory glow. I found a quiet corner, letting the music wash over me, a wave of sound that momentarily lulled the weariness.
Then, the emcee's voice cut through the music, crisp and clear. My name, spoken aloud, resonated with an unexpected impact. My heart lurched in my chest, a startled bird taking flight. A wave of disorientation washed over me. I hadn’t been expecting this. Not at all. I felt a tug, a gentle but insistent pull towards the stage.
The applause, initially a distant rumble, intensified as I walked towards the spotlight. Suddenly, the exhaustion receded, replaced by a strange blend of surprise and gratitude. On the table, shimmering under the stage lights, sat a plaque. A Plaque of Recognition. For my achievements. For my work in the gay movement.
Tears almost stung my eyes. It wasn't the outfit, the applause, or even the recognition itself that moved me. It was the quiet understanding, the unspoken acknowledgment of the years of tireless effort, the countless hours spent fighting for a cause I believed in with every fiber of my being. It was the validation, not just of my work, but of the struggles, the sacrifices, the sheer exhaustion that had come before.
The words of the presentation blurred slightly through my eyes, but I heard the genuine appreciation in the speaker’s voice. It was a moment not of personal triumph, but of collective victory. A testament to the power of community, the resilience of the human spirit, and the unwavering belief in a future where love, acceptance, and equality reigned supreme. The outfit, I realized, had been the least important part of the evening. What mattered was the shared space, the community, the unwavering dedication, and the simple, profound acknowledgement that my efforts, however draining, had made a difference. The exhaustion remained, but it was now intertwined with a deep sense of purpose, of belonging, and of profound gratitude. The weight felt lighter now, carried not alone, but shared.
Thank you APRI for the recognition. Thank you to everyone. This Plaque of Recognition matters most.
