History tells us that women always rise whenever things go awry. History tells us that women play more of an integral role in building civilization than men (get some source). However, until time immemorial, the culture of toxic masculinity was prevalent in discrediting the women who did their part in improving the lives of the Filipinos.
Although the Datu or Sultan has the highest authority in our civilization in the Philippines' pre-colonial era, they always take advice first from the Babaylans before they act since these priestesses can foretell the future. These shamans are also respected as healers and mediators in their respective tribes. In fact, male religious practitioners perform their rites wearing women's dresses. Men and women are equal in education, inheritance, or divorce occur during this era. To summarize, the pre-colonial women are free and dignified compared to the women in the Spanish period.
The Spanish occupation destroyed the social order prevailing during the pre-colonial Philippines. The church has given new meaning to womanhood, which has disadvantages. Segregation and inequality of rights have risen between Filipino women and men. The church spread misogynistic ideas against women to promote patriarchy. They lost their power to hold high positions and participate in politics.
Even though they lost their freedom and rights, Filipino women never fought. We had heard about the mighty Gabriela Silang when she continued the cause of her deceased husband and was the leader of the said Ilokano revolutionary army to fight against the oppression of the Catholic Church and the Spaniards. Many Filipino women played a pivotal role during the Spanish era, like Gregoria De Jesus, Teresa Magbanua, and Trinidad Tecson, but one woman who stood out the most during this era is the Grand Woman of the Revolution, Melchora Aquino. She played a significant role during the 1898 Philippine Revolution. She contributed to the Katipunan by using her home as the place for secret meetings of the said organization. She even cooked for them while having a private forum and nursed the katipuneros during the battle. Even the Father of the Philippine Revolution sought advice regarding decision-making in the Katipunan.
During the American occupation here in the Philippines, Filipino women gained access to education again. Suffragist Movement in the Philippines, which was spearheaded by Filipina feminist and human rights activist Concepcion Felix Rodriguez of the Asociacion Feminista Filipina, along with Pura Villanueva Kalaw of the Asociacion Feminista Ilonga and other feminist groups helped this movement and other women's civil rights such as healthcare, labor reforms, and improving the education system. Many Filipino men and women are against this since they fear that the roles would change if women were given a right to suffrage.
Although the Japanese occupation and World War II did not last that long, Filipina women experienced sexual abuse from the Japanese forces. According to Evelina Galang, a writer, and researcher, around a thousand or more are being used by the Japanese as their sex slave during their occupation in the country. Women are afraid to go out during these times. Nevertheless, during the second world war, Filipino women were still unstoppable in showing the world that they could help, such as Josefa Llanes Escoda, who aided and supported the Filipino and American soldiers during World War II in our country. By doing this, she was abducted by the Japanese forces and never seen again. Her last message to the war commander that time was:
"If you happen to survive, and I fail, tell our people that the women of the Philippines did their part also in making the ember sparks of truth and liberty alive till the last moment."
We also cannot forget how Pres. Corazon Aquino, the first woman head of state of Asia, fought against the atrocities and dictatorship of the strongman Ferdinand Marcos. During the Marcos Regime, many have experienced countless human rights violations. According to Amnesty International, 3,200 people were killed, 34,000 were tortured, and over 70,000 were imprisoned warrantless. Liliosa Hilao, a student activist from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, was also one of the women who fought for the rights of people during this dark age in the Philippine era. She is the first detainee killed during Martial Law. Lorena Barros, who founded Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) was also one of the notable figures who fought against the dictatorship. She was one of the 63 student leaders charged with the case of subversion by the government.
The country has elected twenty-three (23) female senators from the 1st to the 18th Congress of the Philippines and elected two (2) female presidents. The country has also appointed two female Chief Justices, one being a victim of political persecution. Moreover, they also elected two Vice Presidents, one being the president after. This is a small number considering that 85 years have passed after Governor-General Frank Murphy passed the women's right to suffrage.
Right now, there is an increase in hatred regarding female leaders. President Duterte even said derogatory remarks to his Vice President, Leni Robredo, stating that she is weak and not fit to lead. He even declared that the presidency job was not for women because of the difference in emotion compared to men. President Duterte is known for his misogynistic and sexist remarks. Her daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, running for Vice President, inherits his crude behavior and tactless remarks.
Marcos is running again, and there is a considerable possibility that our rights which those women fought during the darkest age in Philippine history, will come again if their family runs our country. Right now, we are choosing whether we will go back again to our darkest age or elect another woman for our presidency. This decision has been given to us so let us not waste our vote and know our candidates to see if they deserve it.
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Written by: Marcus Lex Cajusay
Layout and Desigm by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura
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