MANILA, Philippines ? Dear Emily,
I have relatives who also happen to be our neighbors who are always onto us. They would verbally and sometimes physically abuse my kids as if they want to start a fight with me and my live-in partner. My cousins hate my partner so much and we don?t even know what we have done. I talked with my dad about this problem but he?s not on our side. It makes me feel so hurt and betrayed by my own family. What should we do with this kind of people?
MICHELLE
You may not have an inkling of what you?ve done to them but surely theycan?t be doing what they?re doing just because they?re plain sadists!People don?t take over and manipulate other people?s lives without astrong and valid reason. Why are they able to oppress you this way? Do you owe them money? Did they send you to school? Gave you yourjob? Any favors at all in the distant past? Is there anything in yourlife that can be reason for them to blackmail you, but can?t andresorted to just bullying you?
Why do they hate your partner? Did he steal you from your husband and broke up your marriage? Is he terrifyingly handsome or downright successful in his job making piles of money?reasons that annoy them no end? Or is he a plain bum whom they suspect of fleecing you dry? It is beyond belief that these relatives of yours are doing this for no reason at all except to make your life miserable.
If there is absolutely nothing on your plate to cause their dastardly behavior?you have no alternative but to confront them head-on and bloody well put an end to this. Stop talking about it. Do something!
E-mail the author at emarcelo@inquirer.com.ph, Subject: Lifestyle, or send your letters to Inquirer. Visit www.pbs.gov.ph and listen to Ms Marcelo co-host the program ?Kalikasan Vigilante,? 7:15-8:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, on dwBR 104.3 FM.
