Women’s Month stands as a vibrant testament to the boundless potential within every woman, a potent reminder that dreams can flourish even amid the most formidable trials.
For Assistant Professor Novie Ada Urbis of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, this truth is not just a sentiment, but a hard-won reality etched in the pages of her life and her books.
Urbis, a respected academic, has also emerged as a compelling voice in the publishing world, crafting narratives of self-discovery and resilience in her works, “From Rock Bottom to Becoming a Warrior” and “Adventures of Brida.” Yet, her literary achievements are born from a crucible of personal struggle.
In 2015, a diagnosis of complex partial seizures shattered the equilibrium of her life. The condition, known to affect behavior and awareness, cast shadows over her relationships and amplified her inner battles with self-doubt and trust. “From 2015 until now,” she recounts, “I’ve been struggling to cope. It affected my relationships, made me overthink, doubt myself, and develop trust issues.”
The weight of these challenges reached its zenith in 2022, a period she poignantly describes as her “rock bottom.” Faced with the depths of despair, Urbis chose not to succumb, but to transform her pain into purpose. “When I reached that rock bottom,” she explains, “I decided to write about my journey instead of giving up.”
In an astonishing burst of creative energy, she penned “From Rock Bottom to Becoming a Warrior” in just three weeks. The book is a raw, unflinching account of her struggles, the insidious impact of her condition, and her arduous journey toward conquering anxiety and self-doubt. “My first book is about how I pulled myself up instead of giving up,” she states, “I turned my struggles into strength and became a warrior.”
Her battles extended beyond health, encompassing broken relationships, family strife, and the sting of societal judgment. Urbis’s path to healing was a tapestry of self-care: yoga, reiki, even the simple act of learning to drive, each a step toward reclaiming her agency.
Her second book, “Adventures of Brida,” a 2023 National Nobela Writing Month Challenge winner, delves deeper into the landscape of self-discovery. Through the characters of Aeda and Brida, representing the rational and emotional facets of the human psyche, Urbis explores the vital importance of self-acceptance. “The most important thing that I have learned from my experience is that I have to discover myself, I have to accept my flaws, I have to accept everything that is good and bad about myself,” she emphasizes.
Her advice to others navigating similar trials is a beacon of self-compassion and unwavering perseverance: “Everything is in the mind. Everything starts with our own selves. Once we nurture ourselves, love ourselves, and start everything in ourselves because we cannot extend anything without fully loving ourselves.”
Recognition from the National Book Development Board of the Philippines in February 2024 validated her work and opened new avenues for her literary journey. “Being the source of inspiration for a lot of women around me is, I think, the best thing that has ever happened to my life,” she reflects.
With two new books, “Talks Over Coffee” and “Confessions of a Single Woman,” on the horizon, Urbis continues her exploration of self-discovery and empowerment. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, a narrative of turning pain into strength and emerging, undeniably, as a warrior. (CCMT/JMCQ/MB, PIA Ilocos Sur)
