Every time Buwan ng Wika comes around, we are reminded to look back at our roots and reflect on who we are as Filipinos. It is not just about celebrating language or culture, but about remembering the experiences that have shaped us. This is why Sharing my Light & Healing Energy: Journey to True Self by Gresson Peiffer resonates so deeply. It is not only a story about healing, but also a reminder that to move forward, we must first have the courage to look back.
Gresson’s journey began when she turned inward to face her inner child. She writes about her struggles growing up, how she felt restrained and unable to truly experience her childhood. These buried wounds stayed with her, quietly shaping her self-esteem and even her relationships as an adult. For years, she carried them until she realized that suppressing pain only makes it grow heavier. It was only when she acknowledged the child within her and faced the hurt she had long avoided that she began to heal.
Her story teaches us that healing is not about forgetting the past. It is about accepting it, giving ourselves permission to feel the pain, and allowing that acceptance to free us. This is how we become our truest selves—the kind of person who no longer allows others to mistreat us, who stands firm in self-worth, who welcomes goodness, and who faces the future without fear.
On a larger scale, her journey mirrors our story as Filipinos. As a nation, we have endured centuries of adversity. We carry wounds passed down from colonization, injustices, and struggles that continue even today. And just like an individual, a country cannot truly move forward without looking back. We need to face our collective pain, acknowledge it, and honor the strength of those who came before us.
Looking back is not about staying stuck in the past. It is about recognizing that our struggles and wounds have shaped our resilience, our culture, and our identity. When we do this, we do not only heal ourselves—we also give meaning to the sacrifices of our ancestors and the spirit of the Filipino people.
Buwan ng Wika is more than a celebration of language. It is a reminder that healing, both personal and collective, begins when we embrace our roots. And in embracing them, we open the path to becoming whole again.
By Aaliyah Madeja