Kingfisher

Perhaps you have doomscrolled your way into that wild question circling the internet asking, “Would you rather encounter a bear or a man in the woods?”

Not long ago, this trend prowled across various social media platforms after the pop culture account, Screenshot HQ, posted a TikTok video asking eight women that same question, where seven immediately chose “bear.”

After all, young girls grew up on warnings about the dangers of men, whispered like prayers that have been recited for as long as they could remember—way before they understood any of it.

“Huwag magpapagabi.” “Huwag magpapakalasing.” “Huwag magsuot ng maiikling damit.” “Huwag basta magtitiwala.”

No one can blame these women, when reports show they have suffered far more at the hands of men than the claws of bears.

Around 736 million women have faced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Compare that with fatal bear attacks, which occur approximately 40 times a year.

Beyond debates, this viral trend created a space for women to tell their stories—personal accounts of sexual assault and violence that would have been left unheard, otherwise.

Thus, there is no denial that rape culture is still rampant, and the confusion surrounding men only reveals how little they know about the lived experiences of the opposite sex.

In the end, the racing heartbeats after instinctively speeding up when someone follows you, or formulating escape routes while riding a tricycle home, is the reality of women alone.

This should go without saying, but the worst a bear could do is maul you to death, treated as a human being.

// written by John Mike Ayapana

// art by Alaleh Iglipa

#KFStandstoEndVAW