Pinay Hate Crime Victim Speaks Up

Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

The bruise is healing but the emotional scars are still raw for Filipina nurse and model Quiggle Ignacio.

“I still cry and [I am still] shocked about what happened. I have moments where I just burst into tears whenever I have flashbacks. I get scared about what happened. Parang sometimes I just get sad. Physically, I still get headaches,” said Ignacio.

On Tuesday, while sitting in her parked car at the Eagle Rock Plaza eating, a woman pushing a shopping cart with a baby in it hit her vehicle.

When Ignacio looked up, she was verbally bombarded with racial slurs and then physically attacked. She caught parts of the incident on video.

“When she hit my face and I got in my car I was just bursting into tears and crying and questioning why this happened to me. It’s really sad kasi I’ve worked so hard. I work hard, I’m a good person and how could someone just ruin your day like that, alam mo yun? It ruined my confidence. It ruined my mood, it ruined my serenity. I questioned what happened, bakit nangyari sa akin ‘yun. Nobody deserves that,” she said.

Ignacio filed a report right after the incident, but she almost kept silent.

“It can’t happen anymore. It doesn’t matter kung hindi ako model or actress. So bakit hindi ko siya gagawin ngayon? Para sa tao naapektohan or na beat up katulad sa akin,” she said.

The registered nurse did find some healing after posting the now viral video.

“I’m happy sa response. I didn’t expect it at all. Gusto ko magpasalamat sa mga tao na tumulong sa akin,” she said. 

Police are still investigating and trying to identify the alleged attackers. Ignacio is considering pressing charges. While she waits for that day, she’ll continue her work at the hospital and the runway while becoming an advocate against bullying and racism.

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)