The Ideal Filipina = Maria Clara? | History of Filipino Women 🇵🇭

Hey guys! Since today, March 8, is International Women's Day, why don't we talk about the story of Filipino women—who are they and what have they gone through throughout the years?

Note: This video is just a general overview of the topic and there's so much more we all need to learn but I hope it helps give you an idea of how the life of Filipino women changed and progressed!

Happy Women's Month, everyone! ✨

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[xeanluxcrille]

One thing to note about Filipino women is that although the status of Babaylans, Katalonans and even ordinary women were removed when the Spanish came, their legacy lives on in every Filipina's attitude. Some ladies may be still submissive (whether it's their choice or they were gaslit/manipulated into it), but push them far enough and they become dragons. By nature, Filipinos are ridiculously vocal regardless of gender. This is why Filipino women are very strong and opinionated, for better or for worse. Regardless, I can never be thankful enough that I grew up as a woman in the current modern Filipino society. I'm introverted, so these traits definitely help out a lot in keeping my sense of self.

[francine]

Funny how the Spaniards (who established the patriarchy in our country) is now a country with high level of gender equality and also LGBT acceptance.
While the Philippines is still stuck in the spanish-era mindset.

[svensdascha]

Last week I visited the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila. What is missing in their collection is the political history of the Philippines. Politics also includes social power and hierarchy. What you discussed in your video is the type of information that is needed at the Museum.

[charamcnuggers]

While Maria Clara as a symbol of womanhood is rather outdated indeed, I think it's worth pointing out that, as a character, in Noli Me Tangere, Maria Clara was a rebel and a strong woman in her own right. Though pampered and submissive, she knew what sacrifice was, she refused to run away with Ibarra, sticking to her family instead of leaving them for a man, and refused to betray Ibarra by marrying the man of Padre Damaso's choice, choosing to become a nun and going through the same things her mother did with a Friar. She wasn't assertive, but do all female heroes need to be? Isn't a silent protest also a protest? The overall characteristics that come with the Maria Clara title can come off as sexist (religious, submissive, modest, domestic), but the other ones (Elegant, well-mannered, devoted, enduring) which are often overlooked, are the ones I think should've been kept in mind when they made her the model Filipina.

[aejoymamotosfermin]

Nice sitdown talking vlog 💖💖💖
Galing ng discussion mo about history ng Filipino women. Ang sarap makinig sa History vlog mo🥰. pwede kana maging Filipino teacher, Napaka clear pa ng pagka explain mo sa topic.... 💯❤️🥰😘😍💖

[Luthien]

Pre-colonial history of the Philippines is really interesting. I have read some articles about the boxer codex. Too bad the colonists destroyed a lot of our old cultures, still glad though that some survived until now.
Despite the patriarchal system the colonists tried to instill in the country, it seems like the gender equality of pre-colonial Philippines still prevailed in the modern times. PH being the only asian country in the top 20 of the global gender parity.

[gethbnsy]

⚠️ Can the editing team tone it down with the word/photo sound effects?

It's kinda annoying hearing the swish swash pop click sounds every 1.5 seconds. LOL ⚠️

[karinawestwood]

pre-colonial ph was so progressive. spaniards really pushed us back for ages. the burning of information about our past still infuriates me. i honestly want to learn more but the resources are so limited.

[mariacarson]

Yes you are absolutely right, Filipina women don't just gave up, we are very resilient and we fight for our rights

[jwilliamman]

Sometimes, it makes me feel that you are much more educated about the history of the Philippines rather than the Filipinos themselves (that includes me I guess). Given that you're a foreigner, it's a big realization that you should be our Filipino history teacher (joking aside)... that we Filipinos should aspire to become more educated about our very own history. Dakong Filipina na diay ka!

[aljonserna]

Know what? our Filipino ancestors were viking-like in precolonial period, some women were like shield maidens although a lot were housewives it is also seen in our stories that some women are more capable in the warrior way than some guys. Now let me walk you through the archetypal story of Mayari (moon goddess) and Apolaki (sun god): when Bathala was old, the two argued who shall rule next and Apolaki claimed that it should be him for he is a man but Mayari argued too that despite he is a man she could also lead well and then they fought until Apolaki got one of Mayari's eye, noticing her sister's emotion he apologized and reconciled. Apolaki ruled brightly because his light covers far wider than that of Mayari that now her one eye can only see darkness.

Now that's a classical archetypal story, an old god is dying and then there's power struggle and the Egyptians also knew it with their mythology (Osiris and Horus) that who should rule is someone who looks/see and (Edit: pay attention)--that's why leaders are called to "oversee" and when caring about someone it's to "look out for..."--which is different from thinking. Now it could be that Apolaki sees better than Mayari (male vs female/yin and yang element) but it could also be a lesson from our ancestors who should rule, maybe it isn't about male or female but rather who can see things better or in more cover like views in different perspectives/angles, anyways it's just an astounding finding that our ancient ancestors have had a topic already about feminism hundreds of years before the common revolution.

I felt like as Filipinos we have to revivify our old culture precolonial period and merge our current culture because that's what the classical hero story is about, explore, defeat the dragon and save your old/dead father from the abyss, tell others what you saw in your adventures and then update the culture--the "Logos'" way.

[nanachi]

additional info:
babaylans are not just merely are women who are born in that sex. there are babaylans who are also men, but would act as a woman and is allowed to marry a man in their times. they are called “bayok” which i think is the root of the word “bayot” which means “gay”. but in their times, this feminine men are well respected as shamans of their society. they believe that femininity is the key to the spiritual realm, which gave them the right to rule communities.

the philippines is a very open country before the spaniards and their religion rooted in misogyny came. so when someone says “bat kaya ang close minded ng mga pinoy”, say “sisihin mo espanyol beh”.

[erwinmartinez]

Sorry, i disagree. It's not drastic change of Filipinas during Spanish era. There are revolutions lead by Filipina like Gabriel Silang. There are also guerilla women during Philippine-American War. I think mostly elites that change to "Ideal Filipina"

[lebellebonida-wtil]

I just feel angry everytime people will tag women during Spanish period as weak people because that was Maria Clara era, remember this during those times they fought along side men so, how they are weak like the women of Malolos, Rizal's Mother, Melchiora and even Gabriela Silang were given the same education and breeding like Maria clara were thought of. So, it's big disrespect to view them as weak.
They endured hardship, they fought in a different ways, they stand for what they believed that is right so, that we can walk heads-up today.
Plus, those women from Spanish period were the one who founded the red cross of the Philippines and aside from nun there were Female Teachers during during Spanish period a proof that they might be in caged but, they fought in the most unimaginable ways to survive and continue.

[vanallen]

Do you knows that Statictics shows that 90% of Filipina women loves to marry a foreigners

[meowming]

Bakit lagi mo kino-content mga pinoy? wala kabang Ibang strategies? 🤣

[daygosbaby]

I appreciate the history of women's position in the Phillipines and I like your food content but let's be honest here. Alot of CAP going on in this episode. You're sadly mistaken in portraying the american involvement in the Phillipines in this video. You have to do more homework about the true history of American and Filipino relations on the islands during the occupation. You play up the American teachers as if they were benevolent to the filipinos and played some type of savior role to the locals providing "education" to both boys and girls but the true history is they put the natives in "assimilation" schools where they white washed the native population to forget the horrors and dehumanization they put them thru. The Americans massacred upwards to a million filipinos during this short period at the same time brain washing their youth with this american "education" while you blast the Japanese and their cruelty with the 1000 enslaved "comfort women". I may be wrong but the Japanese didn't body nearly as many filipinos and out of the million filipinos massacred from American hands, would you really think that within this number, filipino women were spared from the same atrocities? Both the Japanese and American situations were horrendous and if you're going to put out "historic" content, please be objective and state the facts. Don't mislead your audience being subjective of what you think happened. There's plenty of sources you can find the true history. BTW - I'm born and raised in America and my significant other is Pinay born and raised here as well. We had no idea of the true nature of american filipino relations and history until recently as this is never taught here in the states nor do they care to teach it. Alot of filipinos here are raised with the concept that Americans played some type of benevolent role to them and it's obvious in this video it carries over to a certain extent to the islands and that may have a little weight in it in certain ways but to continue this american savior narrative aint the vibe. That shit is CAP. Its sad to see asians still hold this notion without knowing what really played out not only in PH but all asian nations that Americans were involved in. I love America but facts is facts. While we're celebrating post colonial modernity just remember how many of our ancestors perished fighting against it.

[TIMELAPSEPH]

before we are Muslim and suddenly sword and the cross came in. Yesterday We have our land and they have the bible and now we have the bible they have the land.

[vinzgl]

You talked about Filipina in history but didn't mention the one of the (probably the most) famous Filipina warriors in history, Gabriela Silang, the first Filipina to led a rebellion against the Spaniards.
The Heroine of the Visayas, (dubbed as the Joan of Arc of the Visayas), Teresa Magbanua, who fought the Spaniards, the Americans and the Japanese. She fought in the Battle of Sapong Hills against the Spaniards and at the Battle of Balantang against the Americans. Both of which the Filipinos were victorious.
Also Januaria Constantino Keller, a famous actress in her time, , better known by her screen name, Carmen Rosales, , fought as a guerrilla during WWII. Her movie "Guerrilyera" was based on her experience as a guerrilla.

And also not to forget, Remedios Gomez-Paraiso, better known as Kumander Liwayway, famous for wearing formal dress and wearing red lipstick in battle. She led her unit (Squadron 3-V)and defeated the Japanese at the Battle of Kamansi. Her story is mentioned in the book, "Women Warriors" by Elizabeth Schememund.

Many ordinary Filipinos don't know her, but if you're a woman in the Army, I am sure you've heard of her, Josefa Capistrano, founded the Women's Auxiliary Services (WAS), and they were re very active during WWII. After the war, Josefa Capistrano was awarded the Military Merit Medal but refused to accept it unless WAS became part of the Philippine Army. In 1963, her wish was granted when then President Diosdado Macapagal made WAS as an official unit of the Philippine Army. Women's Auxiliary Services (WAS) was renamed Women's Auxiliary Corps (WAC).

[jboycaceres]

So the pre-colonial Filipinas can create fireballs. 😁