the state; and CHR as allies or protector of drug dependents, drug lords, criminals, and rapists. Mr. Balansag clarified these perceptions by narrowing his discussion on the importance of Human Rights and the Mandate of CHR. • Mr. Balansag explained that human rights is universal. He emphasized that human rights is inherent to everyone. He also gave a brief historical background of the human struggle to assert these rights. According to Mr. Balansag, the assertion of basic human rights all throughout human history happened in a situation where they experienced discriminations and violence. Women, for example, has long been perceived as lesser gender. They were perceived as secondary to men and sometimes subjects of men. • In order to give more input on gender-based discrimination, Mr. Balansag, also explained the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression. He provided the definition of the key concepts in SOGIE and explained the difference between sex and gender. o Sexual Orientation answers the question, who do you desire? o Gender Identity is determined by answering the question, how do I see myself? o Gender Expression answers the question, how do I represent or express myself? • Although, we are fortunate to have been born in a generation where human rights are asserted and openly discussed, Mr. Balansag emphasized that there is still a need to continuously assert it. More so, that discrimination is happening everywhere. Human Rights must be recognized as not only important but also interrelated to each other. One human right is necessary for the enjoyment of other rights. The violation of one human right, affects the other rights. • Mr. Balansag also provided the definition of human rights according to the United Nations, Commission on Human Rights, and late Senator Diokno: o United Nations: human rights are generally defined as those rights which are inherent in our nature and without which we cannot live as human beings. o CHR: human rights as the supreme inherent and inalienable rights to life, to dignity and to self-development. It is the essence of this rights that makes man human. o late Senator Diokno: “No cause is more worthy than the cause of human rights. Human rights are more than legal concepts, they are the essence of man (woman). They are 16