Features

Remembering HER-story

Posted by HiLitesASHS on
Graphic by Francine Angeles

by Jaemie Francine Talingdan

Living in a patriarchal society, women are limited to certain stereotypes and often subjected to sexist remarks. Despite this, even when expected to play secondary roles to men, women in history have marched their way to the forefront, fighting for our independence, for women’s rights, and for advancement. From leading troops to making incredible scientific breakthroughs, women have long disproved statements that draw the line on what they “can” and “cannot” do.

To commemorate Women’s History Month and highlight the achievements and contributions of women, let us honor these Filipinas and how they defied societal norms and sexist expectations.

Un-ladylike Ladies

In contrast to the Maria Clara standard, many Filipino women in history have fiercely resisted the ‘di-makabasag-pinggan stereotype by braving the front lines in battles for our sovereignty. Holding bolos and rifles, riding horses and leading armies, these Filipina revolutionaries are not as ladylike as society expects them to be.

During the Spanish occupation, women from all parts of the country have fought wars and sometimes even led rebellions. Up north was Gabriela Silang, one of the most well-known female figures of the revolution and now, a symbol of women empowerment. She led the rebellion in Ilocos after her husband, Diego Silang’s death and sent guerilla attacks, making the enemy fear her name. Another notable heroine was Trinidad Tecson, popularly known as the “Mother of Biak-na-Bato.” She was known for being one of the few women who fought alongside Katipuneros, fighting a total of 12 bloody battles in Bulacan. Further south of Luzon was Agueda Kahabagan, dubbed as the “Tagalog Joan of Arc.” She was best known for her role in the three-day battle in San Pablo, Laguna, where she was said to arrive dressed in white, on a horse with a bolo on one hand and a rifle on the other, leading an army of rebels. From Iloilo was Teresa Magbanua, a teacher turned Katipunera who was known as the “Visayan Joan of Arc” for being the first and only woman in Visayas to lead troops during the revolution.

Filipinas also proved themselves as a force to be reckoned with in wars against the Japanese. Remedios Gomez-Paraiso, more commonly known as “Commander Liwayway” of Pampanga was one of the highest ranking female commanders of the anti-Japanese army Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap). She was remembered for wearing bright red lipstick, showing up well-dressed and well-groomed to lead her squadron fearlessly into successful attacks against Japanese troops. Also amongst the most remarkable guerilla leaders was Captain Nieves Fernandez, best known for her special technique in killing Japanese soldiers with her bolo. She was also known for leading a troop of 110 rebels to victory in a battle against more than 200 Japanese soldiers, fighting only with their bolos and makeshift weapons.

Power in Profession

Whoever said women have to stick with being homemakers have yet to see these remarkable Filipinas, each excelling in their respective fields of study. For decades, Filipina women have proven themselves worthy of praise for their contributions to the academe, both in the sciences and the arts.

One of the most well-known Filipino women in the field of medicine is Dr. Fe del Mundo. Being the first woman and first Asian to be admitted to Harvard Medical School in 1936, del Mundo surmounted the male-dominated discipline. After returning to the Philippines, she invented a makeshift incubator for families in poor communities and soon established the first pediatric hospital in the country.

In the field of pharmaceutical chemistry and food technology was Maria Ylagan Orosa, a chemist who utilized her culinary ingenuity to resist colonial control in food systems. She pioneered the canning of native fruits and vegetables and developed preservation methods and recipes that highlighted the country’s abundant resources, one of her most notable contributions being the iconic banana ketchup.

Women have also long contributed to the arts in the Philippines. Purita Kalaw-Ledesma, hailed as the “Mother of Philippine Modern Art,” was an art critic and writer who founded the Art Association of the Philippines. She brought about change in art history as she provided venues for contemporary artists to express their ideas freely, eventually contributing to the acceptance of modern art in the country.

Leading Ladies

As American women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony said, “There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.” Until the plebiscite in 1937, women in the Philippines were deprived of their right to vote and run for public office. Up to this point, FIlipino women led various movements and mobilizations to fight for their rights to suffrage.

Women’s rights pioneers Pura Villanueva Kalaw and Concepcion Felix Rodriguez were among those who fought for women’s suffrage. They founded the Asociacion Feminista Ilonga and Asociacion Feminist Filipina respectively, building a foundation for the suffrage movement in the Philippines. This made way for many other women’s suffrage advocates, including Josefa Llanes Escoda,  founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and Encarnacion Alzona, the first Filipina with a doctoral degree.

The suffrage movement also paved the way for many women lawmakers in the country, including Natividad Almeda Lopez, the first Filipina lawyer and judge; Geronima Pecson, the first woman senator of the Philippines; Elisa Ochoa, the first Filipina congresswoman; Carmen Planas, the first Filipina councilor; and Corazon Aquino, the first female president of the Philippines.

No single story can fully encapsulate the contributions of women to our country’s rich history, but recognizing these notable Filipinas’ parts in our advancement is a step closer to honoring theirs. With that said, these women should be remembered not only as representations, but also as people who fought for equality. However, the fight against oppression and gender inequality has yet to end. We can express our gratitude to these women not only by remembering their names, but by continuing to resist until we rid our nation of inequality.

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