AT A first glance, the young girl looks like the typical kid who begs for money in the streets.

Her skin is the color of mud and her short hair is messy. Her thin frame is proof of malnourishment -- something that only existed physically as her golden brown eyes spoke volumes of a mind abundant with hopes and dreams.

Mica, not her real name, is a six-year-old girl with a big dream. Her movements portray a certain elegance that only those blessed with the talent can acquire. Her confidence displays the inner strength of a woman. Mica was always meant to be on stage. She dreamt of being a beauty queen.

Mica exuded innocence and joy. The same, however, could not be said to those around her.

It was at 3 a.m. when Mica was caught by the police. She was on her way to her father’s workplace when they caught her at the streets past the curfew.

Davao City strictly implements the 10 p.m. curfew for children under 18 years old. Those caught violating the curfew are then referred to the Kean Gabriel Foundation, a processing place for abused and/or neglected children.

“Nag adto ko sa trading atong orasa para mag pakaon og iro (I was on my way to my father's workplace that time to feed the dogs),” Mica said.

One may think that Mica would go home after the incident. The child, however, chose to stay at the foundation.

For the girl, staying at the foundation is an opportunity. There, she can eat three meals a day, get proper education, and sleep on a comfortable bed.

Underneath the clothes she used to wear were bruises littering her body. Behind the crinkles of her eyes is the pain of a child battered by her own mother.

Mica’s mother would hit her with anything she could get her hands on. The girl was once hit using a hammer which formed blue-black bruises on her fragile skin.

Since her mother, who was crippled with gambling addiction, cannot provide her eight siblings with proper education, Mica stopped going to school. Their family relied heavily on the father who was an office employee.

Since her arrival at Kean Gabriel Foundation, Mica has not gone home.

“How could I reach that dream of mine if I’m not in a stable family?” she asked in Bisaya.

Now, Mica has formed relationships with other children in the foundation. She continues smiling while sharing her life story.

Despite her unfortunate experiences, Mica did not let her environment take away her dreams. Putting the pain of the past behind her, she walks with the strength of woman who has lived through and struggled in life.

As the epitome of sheer strength and beauty, Mica is a living symbol of empowerment to those who have lost hope. (Claire Yvonne Aznar)