Cover Katrina Legarda then and now (Photo: Katrina Legarda)
Katrina Legarda then and now (Photo: Katrina Legarda)
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In a letter to her younger self, Atty Katrina Legarda writes of solitude, strength, and the unwavering resolve to stand up for women
This story is part of the Letter to My Younger Self feature for Tatler’s March 2025 issue.
Dear younger self,
One day you are going to find yourself staring down at a rapist. Not in a dark alley. Not in a nightclub. You will be in a courtroom, all eyes on you, prosecuting a congressman who tortured children with sexual assault for fun.
I know this might be hard for you to imagine now. All those people are watching you, judging you, and wondering what to say to people during social events. You are fond of solitude and solitary pursuits. You’re a little different—odd.
But remember what your irritated grandmother told you: “Being shy is not an option—it just means you think everyone is talking about you or looking at you. Get over it.” And you will. You might still prefer your company to a cocktail party, but you can thrive in and enjoy both settings. Because who cares what people think?
Above A young Katrina Legarda (Photo: Katrina Legarda)
A young Katrina Legarda (Photo: Katrina Legarda)
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Your grandmother is your heroine. Her history in the fight for women’s equality— especially in women’s right to vote—will engender in you the realisation that patriarchy, male control, is unacceptable. Your history with your Lola will enable you to make it your life’s mission to uplift women.
You love Charlotte Bronte: “The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed.” So you’ll tend to avoid introspection. You prefer, as the sneaker ad says, to “Just do it”. Don’t lose this impulse to take action. Carpe diem—seize the day. For some reason, you do not fear the unknown. What’s the worst that could happen? Death? Everyone dies, anyway. Some person saying no to something you wanted? Believe me, you will always find another way, another path.
Almost always say “yes”. You will be glad of this decades from now and look back and be grateful for the many opportunities you might otherwise have missed, like jumping out of the plane with that parachute. But also know when saying “no” is best for you. Do not hesitate. Stand your ground.
Related: Linking Leaders: Inside the Asia Gender Network dinner championing women’s causes
Above Katrina Legarda at a Tatler Philippines event
Katrina Legarda at a Tatler Philippines event
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You will have some unfortunate, sometimes tragic, experiences with betrayal, pain, and faithless friends. You might feel that bad things, bad days, and bad experiences will never pass. But trust me, they do end. You will reach a milestone birthday you never thought you’d get to because your mother and sister died so young. And from your experiences will come the acuity to recognise the liar, the cheater, the person not to be trusted. You have this instinct already—you know what people are like within seconds of meeting them, but experience will hone instinct into skill.
Perhaps best of all, your friendships will be wonderful (some short-lived, some lifelong–there is a season for everything, after all). You will have children and grandchildren, and your joy with them will outshine every lover’s quarrel, work conflict, disappointment or setback you will face. So have no fear. Stay curious. Seize the day. And just do it.
Love,
Katrina
