Role of Women in Philippine Society Filipino Women and Feminism

By: G. Fitzsimmons
Published: July 8, 2008
http://www.lifepaths360.com/index.php/role-of-women-in-philippine-society-filipinowomen-and-feminism-14247/

In a culture where machismo is alive and well and where sexism is often validated by
social norms and tradition, Filipino women are nevertheless said to be the most empowered and
the most politicized members of their gender in Asia. This is perhaps due in part to their longer
history of activism (Filipino historians cite the founding of Asociacion Feminista Filipina in
1905 as the birth of feminism in the Philippines) or simply to a culture that many say is overtly
patriarchal but covertly matriarchal.
The Philippines is a country of sharp contrasts and paradoxes. And the role of women in
Philippine society is one area where this depiction is most palpable. While it can be said that
Filipino women have gained more leverage than their other Asian sisters in elevating their status
in society, their fight against oppression and exploitation is far from won. They may have come a
long way but they still have far to go.
The Filipino womens first steps toward more visibility in society were powered by their
vital role in the family. The countrys pioneer feminists recognized that as wives and mothers in a
culture that inherently respected women in these roles, they had a solid place from which to
approach the task. And they concluded that they had to be better educated in order to better
educate the society about their issues and concerns. Education would give them a voice that was
not only louder but also a lot clearer. As Sister Mary John Mananzan, the famous Filipino
feminist nun, said in Challenge to the Inner Room: Selected Essays and Speeches on Women:
For good or ill, the women, especially in the Philippines, almost have a monopoly in educating
the nations citizenry from birth to maturity.
The task of education in the family is almost exclusively the mothers responsibility.
Statistics show that there are by far more women than men teachers in the Philippine educational
system. It is therefore imperative that enlightened education entail re-evaluation of. societys
expectations of male and female roles. Indeed, much of the progress in empowering Filipino
women can be attributed to mothers creating a home environment where their sons and daughters
regard themselves as equals and where girls and boys are subjected to the same value system and
standards of behavior.
Education is definitely one of the areas where Filipino women have taken the greatest strides.
According to statistics, women have a higher literacy rate than men and more women than men
reach and complete college education. This has resulted in more and more women professionals
in both the public and private sectors. These data, however, have yet to translate into real
equality in the workplace. Men still far outnumber women in top-level executive positions.
Cultural bias and gender stereotyping are still formidable barriers.
Filipino women have worked hard to carve their rightful niche in society. Forwarding their cause
has not been easy but progress has definitely been made. Today, the road may remain full of
obstacles but it is still being taken. The words may be continually drowned but they are still

being spoken. The voices may be silenced time and again but they are still being raised. In the
big picture, that is a very good thing.
THE ROLE AND STATUS WOMEN
http://countrystudies.us/philippines/44.htm

Women have always enjoyed greater equality in Philippine society than was common in
other parts of Southeast Asia. Since pre-Spanish times, Filipinos have traced kinship bilaterally.
A woman's rights to legal equality and to inherit family property have not been questioned.
Education and literacy levels in 1990 were higher for women than for men. President Aquino
often is given as an example of what women can accomplish in Philippine society. The
appearance of women in important positions, however, is not new or even unusual in the
Philippines. Filipino women, usually called Filipinas, have been senators, cabinet officers,
Supreme Court justices, administrators, and heads of major business enterprises. Furthermore, in
the early 1990s women were found in more than a proportionate share of many professions
although they predominated in domestic service (91 percent), professional and technical
positions (59.4 percent), and sales (57.9 percent). Women also were often preferred in assemblytype factory work. The availability of the types of employment in which women predominated
probably explains why about two-thirds of the rural to urban migrants were female. Although
domestic service is a low-prestige occupation, the other types of employment compare favorably
with opportunities open to the average man.
This favorable occupational distribution does not mean that women were without economic
problems. Although women were eligible for high positions, these were more often obtained by
men. In 1990 women represented 64 percent of graduate students but held only 159 of 982 career
top executive positions in the civil service. In the private sector, only about 15 percent of toplevel positions were held by women.
According to many observers, because men relegated household tasks to women, employed
women carried a double burden. This burden was moderated somewhat by the availability of
relatives and servants who functioned as helpers and child caretakers, but the use of servants and
relatives has sometimes been denounced as the equivalent of exploiting some women to free
others.
Since the Spanish colonial period, the woman has been the family treasurer, which, at least to
some degree, gave her the power of the purse. Nevertheless, the Spanish also established a
tradition of subordinating women, which is manifested in women's generally submissive
attitudes and in a double standard of sexual conduct. The woman's role as family treasurer, along
with a woman's maintenance of a generally submissive demeanor, has changed little, but the
double standard of sexual morality is being challenged. Male dominance also has been
challenged, to some extent, in the 1987 constitution. The constitution contains an equal rights
clause--although it lacks specific provisions that might make that clause effective.
As of the early 1990s, divorce was prohibited in the Philippines. Under some circumstances,
legal separation was permitted, but no legal remarriage was possible. The family code of 1988
was somewhat more liberal. Reflective of Roman Catholic Church law, the code allowed
annulment for psychological incapacity to be a marital partner, as well as for repeated physical
violence against a mate or pressure to change religious or political affiliation. Divorce obtained

abroad by an alien mate was recognized. Although the restrictive divorce laws might be viewed
as an infringement on women's liberty to get out of a bad marriage, indications were that many
Filipinas viewed them as a protection against abandonment and loss of support by wayward
husbands.
Women in the Philippines: Inspiring and Empowered
September 22, 2011
by Ayie Zerrudo
http://asiasociety.org/philippines/women-philippines-inspiring-and-empowered

Here in Asia Society Philippines, positions are held mostly by women. This is somehow
an affirmation of the 'women-friendly' societal conditions of the country. Although this is only a
small portion of a large and competitive professional community, reflections of the nation's
recognition of the role and importance of women are evident on aspects such as justice,
education, economics, politics and health. The last is still a debatable topic, with the current
issue of the Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippine Congress. Nevertheless, the country has
evolved from depicting women as only subservient and modest individuals to powerful nation
builders and leaders. It would be an understatement that this could all be attributed to the efforts
of the government, but it could not be denied that a democratic state stamped the gateway of the
formalization of women protection through the Constitution and its supporting statutes.
Justice. This is characterized, according to Newsweek, by 'laws protecting women from domestic
violence, adolescent marriage and marital rape, and also womens access to land and bank loans'.
The Philippines has a handful of legislations that address the problems of abuse and violence
against women. One of these is Republic Act No. 9262, known as the "Anti-Violence Against
Women and Their Children Act of 2004", that provides the penalties for such offenses. The
'Anti-Rape Law of 1997' is also a good example. One of its key components is the concept of
'marital rape', which protects married women from sexual abuse by their husbands. In short, the
Philippines has, not enough but, ample number of laws that ensure the protection of women.
There is still a need to solidify policies for prostitution, cyber and media exploitation of women,
but this does not mean that no such laws exists to protect them. The challenge is to effectively
improve and implement them.
Education. This is probably one of the areas that women have excelled on in the Philippines.
Education has been, for a long time, open to all gender since the American Thomasites have
started their academic institutions, which the Spanish tradition of primarily accepting male
students. Not only are the girls in this contemporary period enjoy equality but also outshines
their biological counterparts. According to the National Statistics Office of the Philippines (as of
2003), the basic and functional literacies of women in the country are 90.4% and 86.3%
compared to the 80.6% and 81.9% of that of the males. This does not imply a somehow 'battle
of the sexes', but shows that the Philippines hosts a sphere of gender equality for a healthy
academic competition.
Economics. Business and industries are still male-dominated fields, but this does not mean that
the women in the Philippines are just on the sidelines. Females in business are actually on the
rise. Some companies in the Philippines actually prefer to hire females due to their consistent
work ethic and professionalism. There are also top female business executives, like members of

the Asia Society Philippines' Board of Trustees: Ms. Tessie Sy-Coson and Ms. Doris MagsaysayHoy. The former is a 'retail royalty'. She is the vice-chairman of SM Investments and hailed by
the Fortune Magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in the World. The latter, on the
other hand, is a 'shipping heiress'. She is the head of the Magsaysay Maritime, the largest
manning company in the Philippines. A lot of women are now making their way up in the ladder
of corporate bureaucracies. This is shift from the stereotype housewives to emerging group pf
professionals.
Politics. Since the Commonwealth, Filipino women have been enjoying the right to suffrage and
eligibility to public offices through the Act No. 4112, approved by then Pres. Manuel L. Quezon.
Although men mostly hold public offices, women have likewise made their presence felt. It is
the Philippines who produced the first female president in Asia-- Corazon C. Aquino. Former
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was its second. The Senate and the House of
Representatives also have its women legislators, like Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Pia
Cayetano and Loren Legarda. The "Party-list System Act" also open doors for more awareness
about the needs of women in the Lower House. Gabriela, a party-list group forwarding the
interests of women, has consistently won a congressional seat in the past elections. The
participation of women in Philippine governmental processes is predominantly a growing
spectrum.
Health. This is probably, among the other aspects, the waterloo of the Philippines. In the
Newsweek list, the country received only a 57.0 mark. This is relatively low compared to
education, politics, justice and economics. This may be attributed to high death rates of women
giving birth. The Reproductive Health Bill is presently the most controversial topic in the
country. With the country's deep Catholic faith, the whole nation, specifically the Congress, is
divided whether this is beneficial to women or not, particularly. The future of this bill, if it will
be promulgated into a law, is still unknown since debates are on-going.
Although the Philippines still has rooms for improvement in addressing issues concerning
women, it is by-far a great place to become a woman. One of the best things that your country
could probably give to you is the chance to aspire and create your own future without unfair
limits. The Philippines could set an example to its Asian neighbors on how to move-on from
traditional mindsets and accept that everyone deserves equal opportunities and treatment
regardless of appearance, size, color, age and gender.

Filipina Women
by Prof. Liwayway Memije-Cruz
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6458364-filipina-women

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but
when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
~ Elizabeth Kbler-Ross ~
Filipinas roles are usually taken in the context of culture, standards and mindsets. She is
noted as strong and capable of multitasking: managing her family, holding management positions
in business or education entities and even handling political seats in the government. Her life is
centered in her family and even willing to do everything for his children and her husband and
contribute to the progress of the community and the nation as well.
Filipina women before are so careful in terms of their personality and sexuality and has to
maintain always her reputation and self- respect. But then everything changes, even culture and
traditions change. Change can be voluntary and involuntary. It depends on how woman looks at
it or accepts it.
The onset of women empowerment liberates Filipina women and even makes them more
powerful and stronger than ever before. However, it depends again on how they look at it and
their status in the society. Poverty plays a major role in asserting their rights and improving their
lives. Lack of education means no access to good job or opportunities. They just have to settle
for a job that will provide them just enough to feed themselves and their families. Some resort to
easy jobs that would allow themselves to lost their reputations, dignity and self-respect. These
are cyber sex and prostitutions. I know these entail a lot of pains and sacrifices on the part of the
women involved with them. Some are just fortunate enough to acquire good education and jobs
with good families of their own.
THE FILIPINO WOMANS ROLE
IN THE HUMANIZATION OF SOCIAL LIFE
LINDA P. PEREZ
http://www.crvp.org/book/Series07/VII-18/chapter-13.htm

This marvelous creation was described as a submissive wife whose reason for being was to love,
honor, obey, and occasionally amuse her husband, to bring up his children and manage his
household. Anne Firor Scott
This in a capsule is every woman held captive by her traditional role as "Queen of the Home."1
Yet changes brought about by the movements of "the late 1840s and early 1850s"2 and "the 60s
and 70s,"3 that swept women around the world, catapulted them into new career roles, as
secretary, teacher, lawyer, manager, president of a company or of a country. . . . To the "womens
rights organizations . . . in Europe and America,"4 the liberators of the race, our debt of gratitude:
at least, now women cannot be "denied . . . the facilities for obtaining a thorough education . . .
"5 and "their conditions . . . that of a legally inferior caste"6 will be history.

The aim of this paper is to present the multifaceted role the Filipino woman plays in the
humanization of social life as mother and housewife, as working mother, and as alternate mother
and/or alternate breadwinner. Simple, sometimes shy, usually dedicated, hard-working and
faithful, the Filipino woman is a real partner in the humanization of social life.
Before considering the Filipino womans role in the aspect of humanization, it is proper to define
some terms.
Filipino. This term refers to the inhabitants of the Philippine archipelago (called the Philippines,
a country of more than 7,000 islands and islets that lies off the southeast coast of Asia7)
regardless of racial strain or economic status.8
Humanization. It is the art or process of giving a human character or aspect; regarding or treating
as human;9 to be human (having the attributes of man - understanding, evaluating, choosing,
accepting responsibility).10
Social Life. Social is concerned with the welfare of human beings as members of society.11
Life is the state of a material complex characterized by the capacity to perform certain
functional activities . . . growth, reproduction and some form of responsiveness and
adaptability.12
FILIPINO WOMANS ROLE
The Filipino woman plays a multifaceted role in the humanization of social life. First and
foremost, if she is married and with children, she is a mother and/or "pure housewife"; second,
she is an "alternative breadwinner," working mother, or "career woman;" and third, the single
"alternate mother" and "alternate breadwinner."
Mother and/or Pure Housewife
The most important role of a Filipino woman is being a mother and/or pure housewife. She stays
at home most of the time. As mother, her primary responsibility is the care of the children
from feeding them nutritious food, bathing them, preparing them for school to supervising them
with their homework. Her secondary duty is cleaning the house, putting things in order, doing the
dishes, laundry, gardening, grocery (this is sometimes done by men because most Filipino
women do not drive) and budgeting the family income to balance with expenditures, while
setting aside some amount for future needs. This is a full-time job, but of course, first and
foremost, she is a wife, and as such she also has to attend to her husbands needs - preparing his
meals, setting the table for him (while the man reads newspapers), packing his lunch, etc. (It may
be a consolation to know that some men do work that are usually reserved for women.) All the
above and more make up the job description of the woman whose designation or appointment
(that does not come with a monetary consideration) became official during the marriage
ceremony when the priest said, " . . . Be a good housewife."

An important aide for the mother and/or pure housewife is the availability of house-help. A welloff husband can hire a helper or maid. The presence of extended family members is also a relief
for the overworked woman.
The woman falling under this category armed with whatever education she has earned before her
marriage goes about her duties without complaining. She is the model, perhaps unlike Griselda in
patience but patience for her husband she does have, like a Penelope, for Odysseus,15 upon his
return, "did find his wife waiting for him. . . ."16
One disadvantage of this type of role is that though the woman is preoccupied with bringing up
one or more upright individuals, a humanized family ready for entrance into society, in the
process she herself is dehumanized. She is cut off, so to speak, from society. Today some of this
has changed. The mother or the pure housewife goes to parties, plays tennis when children are in
school, becomes a member of a club or two, attends meetings, goes to aerobic classes, etc.
An advantage which outweighs the disadvantages is ". . . the positive psychological impact the
mothers constant presence is believed to have for children during the latters growing and
formative years."17 This must be the reason for women, including the career-oriented ones, to
choose to stay at home and return to work when the children are in school or grown up and are
able to take care of themselves.
"ALTERNATE BREADWINNER," WORKING MOTHER, OR "CAREER WOMAN"18
The second category, the working mother, career woman or "alternate breadwinner" is wellprotected by The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. Article XIII Social Justice and
Human Rights, Section 14 on Women states:
The State shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions,
taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and opportunities that will
enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation.19
In spite of this provision however, women still encounter a lot of problems. More often
companies are reluctant to hire married women who are of child-bearing age because of probable
disruption in the office when she applies for maternity leave. Besides, when children get sick
usually it is the woman who excuses herself from work, although the man may take care of the
child when circumstances warrant it.
In the Philippines, a woman who was working before she was married may arrange with the
husband to work even after she has children. She may be allowed to work if the husband cannot
afford to provide for the family with his salary alone; however, if he can manage, then they may
decide for the woman to stay at home. In cases of women who hold prominent or high positions
or may be engaged in scientific pursuits such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, chemistry
(particularly those undertaking research), etc., they are allowed to continue working. Others,
such as those in teaching, are also allowed to continue, because the work entails a shorter
absence from the home. In addition, when the children attend the school where the mother is
teaching, they enjoy free tuition grants. The children studying from grade school to the university

are recipients of this privilege and this helps a lot considering that education is expensive,
especially in the university. This arrangement also enhances the prestige or position of the family
in the community. The teacher is always accorded respect and so are the members of the family.
A disadvantage for this category may be echoed in Jeanne Frances I. Illos study "Woman and
Development: Alternative Roles and Strategies":20
A rare breed among married women, the career woman is often caricatured in popular literature
as a mother faced with delinquent children, a topsy-turvy household, and a marriage on the
rocks. Some believe that a woman must choose a career or a marriage, since they are mutually
incompatible.
An advantage of this category, however, is that the burden of supporting the family financially
does not fall solely on the mans shoulders. Furthermore, the family can enjoy greater material
comfort which contributes to their social standing in the community. Further, when the man of
the family is not able to provide for the family, there is a ready substitute or alternate to carry on
the burden such that the family members do not have to go begging.
The third category concerns the eldest girl in the family. More often than not this member of the
family stays single throughout her life because the burden of caring for the younger members of
the family falls on her shoulders. In the case of richer families, the eldest girl is sent to good
schools, gets an education, works and earns some money. She can do as she pleases with her
money and may get married if she wants to. Her counterpart in a poor or middle class has really
little or no choice at all.
This eldest child sends her younger brothers and sisters to school, provides all the financial and
psychological support, paving the way for their humanization. When the younger ones have
finished their studies and find work, they may go their own way. If however, they are not able to
find work and provide for their living, the eldest child still has to provide for their needs, unless
the parents are able to help. It is a difficult job but in a way rewarding because in the end she will
see the fruits of her labor.
Perhaps, the hardest part of this is after everything has been done, the parents are now old and
they can no longer take care of themselves. The burden of taking care of them goes to the eldest
girl. Her task does not end there. Sometimes, it goes beyond the first generation of family
members. This extends to the second or third generation. The process is taxing but this is a
practice that has been going on for generations.
CONCLUSION
The Filipino woman, then, does indeed contribute to the humanization of social life - as a mother
and/or pure housewife, "alternate breadwinner," working mother or career woman, or as the
single "alternate mother" and "alternate breadwinner."
Many may not have realized the depth of the sacrifices women have been making in humanizing
the home, the community and the world. These women like Shakespeares Viola and Rosalind

play the role of the "restorer of a natural wholeness and meaning to life."21 The position of
women in society is of such importance that according to "the laws of Manu (In Hinduism, the
rules of social relationships, based on the Vedas and, according to Tradition, given by Manu, the
progenitor and first legislator of mankind), "where women are honored, . . . the gods rejoice: but
when they are neglected, all rites and ceremonies are fruitless. Where women do not grieve, it
[society] even prospers."22 However, it is surprising to note that women to be recognized and
accorded the love, respect and esteem they so deserve have to resort to the "parliament of the
streets" to air their grievances and be heard. In short, they have to fight for their rights. Hence the
organization "Association of the New Filipina, known as KaBaPa in the Philippines [is] . . . one
of the militant womens organizations . . . [and] consistently struggles for equality, development,
independence and peace."23 This organization was able to bring "women from all walks of life
together for the delegation to the World Congress of Women in Moscow, June 1987, such as rural
women workers, professional and intellectuals, women in government and in the media."24
With all the women movements around the world, including the Philippines, the role of the
Filipino woman as mother or housewife has distinctively changed in the course of time, whether
it is good or bad, only time will tell. Perhaps, Winston Churchill25 was right when he said, "It
will be the same, I trust, as it has been since the days of Adam and Eve."
The Changing Role of Women in Philippine Society
By: Lolito Tampus
Published: January 4, 2011
http://www.lifepaths360.com/index.php/the-changing-role-of-women-in-philippinesociety-4267/

Around the world, we could immediately mention some famous and established names like
Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Mother Teresa, Golda Meir, Indira and Sonia Gandhi, Margaret
Thatcher, Serena Williams, Angela Merkel, Michelle Obama, Cristina Kirhner, Gail Kelly, Anne
Lauvergeon, Veronica Jeria, Queen Rania, Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth, Yulia Tymoshenko,
Dilma Rousseff, Madonna, etc. They could have etched their names in the annals of influence,
popularity and history. They could be the women who would have exhibited extraordinary
strength of woman power. They could have depicted roles that could match or surpass the
capacities of man.
In the Philippines, the populace could have totally adopted the liberalized concept for equality.
The practice could have been presented in all endeavors, either for family and community
uplifting or for survival. Unlike some of its neighboring countries, the nation could distance from
the usual custom, culture and tradition that would allow an aura of ultimate paternalism, egotism
and monarchy. Gone were the days when the Filipino woman would confine herself as a martyr,
crying lady and an entertainer or if not as a nanny, maid and personal possession. She could now
be respected in all facets and goals in life. She could have an independent mind, power of reason
and assertiveness. The ensuing scenario would be some cases of separation, single parenthood
and employment in the locality and around the world. In short, the wife should not always wait
for the husband to move on for the good of the family. She could be the breadwinner, decision
maker and disciplinarian. As a wife, she could now claim for fair and quality time for the
children in the family.

Whether the actions would be right or wrong, legal or illegal, righteous or not, the Filipino
woman could already have a voice and a place for leadership and movements in society. She
could experience all of mans aspects for growth and development. It would carry through the
mainstreams of education, business and many others. Her gender, rights and privileges could
already be given due recognition and should not just be taken for granted.
Positively, there would be Filipino women who could give a name for the country abroad, in
terms of honesty, intelligence and devotion towards work and in dealings with other nationalities.
Many of them could be recognized in America, Europe and other continents for quality service
and performance. In the local setting, there were many successful and idolized personalities like
Corazon Aquino, Gloria Arroyo, Vicky Belo, Haydee Yorac, Lydia de Vega, Loren Legarda,
Vilma Santos, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Jessica Soho, Helena Benitez, Pia Cayetano, Anna
Coseteng, Luisa Ejercito, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Jamby Madrigal, Saturnina
Rasul, Imelda Marcos, Kris Aquino, Grace Tampus and many more. They too had made the
Philippines famous and proud because of outstanding achievements in their respective fields of
interest and public service.
Negatively, there could be some Filipino women who would opt to disgrace the country by being
channels for greed, lust and crimes. They could resort to drug peddling, criminality and
prostitution. Just like the male counterparts, they could also engage in organized crimes and
unlawful acts. The misdemeanors would even reach to the extent of discreetly hurting the
Philippine Constitution and inherent laws not to be outsmarted by men, they too could become
selfish and corrupt. More or less, any act, whether right or wrong could become unisex in the
Philippines. One main phenomenal scenario to consider nowadays, would be that there could be
changes in terms of relationships. And that the man or woman could even switch roles or
positions. As the modified saying goes: In front or behind the success and failure of man,
could be a woman, or vice versa.