In our history books, we are often provided with several names of male Filipino heroes, such as Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Pio Del Pilar, and others; however, history often glosses over female Filipino heroes. We hear about Gabriela Silang though she is often shadowed by the fame of her husband Diego Silang. Other Filipina heroes are mentioned but history doesn’t seem to do them justice in telling their stories
The “Dalagang Filipina Mentality”
When we hear about Maria Clara from Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” a few things come to mind: pure, modest, delicate, the epitome of femininity. Maria Clara’s characterization has been rooted in the image of the “ideal Filipina” during Rizal’s time.
Many of Maria Clara’s traits are very noble virtues that are evident in Filipino women such as resilience and compassion. However, we must remember that at the time, being pure, sheltered, modest, and submissive were all traits that were expected of women. Additionally, despite Rizal’s characterization of Maria Clara as the “ideal Filipina,” it is worth noting that in Rizal’s letter to the Women of Malolos, he gave importance to education for women and their empowerment.
Despite Rizal’s stance on women’s empowerment and education, women in the present times are still told to “be like Maria Clara.” There is this mentality that Filipino women are expected to be submissive to their husbands, to be quiet, and to focus on child-rearing. Although raising children is a noble and underappreciated job, a woman’s identity does not revolve around that. These characteristics (e.g., being submissive, quiet, and sheltered) are attributed to the idea of what a dalagang Filipina should be; however, history proves otherwise. It points to the fact that women are more than just incubators for children.
Filipina Heroes: The True Filipina
During the Spanish and American occupations, Filipino women helped by fighting alongside men, providing medical assistance, supporting humanitarian causes, and even providing intel information for strategizing.
Gabriela Silang
Filipina military leader known for her role as the female leader of the Ilocano independence movement from Spain. She was also the First Filipina to lead a revolt against Spain.
After her husband, Diego Silang, was assassinated by Miguel Vicos in 1763, a lot of the rebels lost hope and nobody stepped up to lead the rebellion. That is until Gabriela stood up and took her husband’s place as leader. She successfully led her men through their first battle in Santa, Ilocos against the Spaniards. And after that, being the first female Filipino to lead an army against the Spaniards, she became a known target. Gabriela Silang and her men were able to travel to Pidigan, Abra to establish a new base, and the Spanish were unable to track them down because of the land’s rocky soil.
A little trivia about her, she was actually widowed twice. The first time she married, it was an arranged marriage with a wealthy old man named Don Tomas Millian, who died of old age 3 years later. During her final battle at Vigan, Gabriela Silang led over 2000 men against over 6,000 Spaniards with powerful artillery. Unfortunately, they lost the battle and were captured. Gabriela Silang had watched her men get executed until she was publicly hanged.
Lorena Barros
She was a student activist and magna cum laude in Anthropology at the University of the Philippines in 1970. This was during a time when widespread protests in Metro Manila against the administration of Ferdinand Marcos were taking place. There were demonstrations against tuition fees, support for workers on strike, and police brutality.
She founded the Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan or MAKIBAKA. The group focused on women’s rights and the uplifting of the economic conditions of the masses. Initially, people were skeptical of the founding of a women’s organization as they deemed it unnecessary as there were already youth organizations. However, Lorena Barros clarified the ideology of the group. They weren’t just going to fight against the dictatorship of Marcos, but also specifically address the issues women face in a semi-feudal, semi-colonial, and patriarchal society of the Philippines. They were to fight also against the structural inequality in Philippine society and this was during a time when there was still a cultural distinction between men and women.
She was a writer focusing on essays and short articles on the women’s situation and the emancipation of women. You know the saying before, “The Filipino woman’s place is in the home”? Lorena Barros used to say, “The Filipino woman’s place is in the struggle.”
Lorena Barros soon became a target during Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Law, prompting her to join the New People’s Army. In 1973, she was captured by the government forces and was tortured. She was also pregnant at that time and had a miscarriage. Fortunately, she was able to escape prison and hid in the mountains where she continued to fight.
On March 24, 1976, Lorena Barros was wounded in a shootout with government forces in Mauban, Quezon. She was able to let her men escape while she covered for them. She even refused medical treatment in exchange for information about the rebels, saying that she would rather die for her beliefs. During the shootout, she was supposed to have said to the commanding officer, “You were lucky to be alive, my gun jammed”
Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan
More on MAKIBAKA. This was the first all-women activity to address the commodification of women through beauty contests. They addressed how beauty contests treat women as nothing more than objects.
The group also supported the worker’s strike at the US Tobacco Corporation. As the organization developed, there was a picket protest against the militarization of the University of the Philippines. MAKIBAKA also held discussion groups on national and women’s issues. They also visited political prisoners, paid homage to revolutionary martyrs, and rallied against the high prices of goods in the economy.
Trinidad Tecson
She was one of the few revolutionary women who fought side-by-side with the revolutionary men against the Spanish colonizers. She joined the Katipunan when she was 47 years old, and she was the first-ever Filipino woman to undergo the ‘sanduguan,’ signing her name with her own blood.
As a child, instead of embroidery and stitching, she took up fencing. Fighting was something that came naturally to her.
Tecson also fought a dozen battles, notably the Battle of Biak na Bato. Along with her husband, they guarded the entry into the fort of Biak naBato and were able to prevent an attack, the reason why she was nicknamed “Ina ng Biak na Bato.” Tecson was also notorious for seizing firearms and sneaking in food for the troops. When caught, she managed to subdue the guards and escaped by pretending to be dead. Tecson also helped aid wounded soldiers, making her the “Mother of the Philippine Red Cross.” She continued to fight for the country’s freedom until the American colonization.
Agueda Kahabagan
Not much is actually known of Agueda Kahabagan but she was best known as the “Tagalog Joan of Arc” and was also called “Henerala Agueda.” She was known to dress in white and was armed with a rifle and bolo during the revolution against the Spaniards and Americans.
She was also the only Filipina general listed in the roster of generals of the Army of the Philippine Republic under Emilio Aguinaldo. Kahabagan was also already a member of the Katipunan before its discovery by the Spaniards in August 1896. She first led the troops of men in May 1897 as commissioned by General Miguel Malvar.
In October 1897, she joined General Artemio Ricarte in a 3-day attack on the San Pablo garrison in Laguna, this was one of her most well-known moments. She would lead her men while riding a horse with a rifle in one hand and a bolo in the other.
She joined the rebellion against the Americans alongside General Pio Del Pilar. It was General Pio Del Pilar who recommended that Agueda be granted the title of “General”. They fought the Americans in the Southern Tagalog Region.
In the Philippine-American Revolution, she was also an undercover agent, where she was imprisoned and later released
On April 6, 1899, General Pio Del Pilar signed a letter addressed to Secretary of War Baldomero Aguinaldo as a recommendation for Agueda Kahabagan to be recognized as a general under the First Philippine Republic. He described Henerala Agueda as “a native of Santa Cruz, whose enthusiasm is worthy of praise in view of services rendered since the first insurrection up to the present time.”
According to witnesses of the Battle of San Pablo, “Her man-like fighting prowess became legendary, jumping over wide trenches and high fences, outdoing even men.”
Magdalena Leones
A Filipina intelligence officer during World War II. Only Filipina and Asian to receive a Silver Star Medal for her contribution. She was also nicknamed the Filipina “Super Spy.”
She was born in Kalinga and was a teacher studying to be a nun. She was among those who, during the Fall of Bataan, did not surrender. For this, she was imprisoned for five months. During that time she taught herself Nihongo, the language of the Japanese, which had proved useful during her time as a spy.
Corporal Magdalena Leones helped in healing the wounded, but she was mostly known for risking her safety to provide vital intelligence information to the Allied forces during WW2. She was also able to provide radio parts and medical supplies, even if she knew that if she was captured, she could experience torture and execution. For this, she was also known as the Lioness of Filipino Guerilla Agents. Magdalena Leones was actually caught several times, but she was able to escape by smooth-talking the Japanese officers into letting her go. Her wit and smooth talk also helped save some of her male comrades who got caught by Japanese forces.
For her service, she was awarded the Silver Star, making her the only Asian woman and Filipina who was awarded such during World War II.
The Army Citation awarding the Silver Star to Leones on October 22, 1945:
“For gallantry in action at Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 27 February to 26 September 1944. During the period cited, Corporal Leones repeatedly risked her life to carry important intelligence data, vital radio parts, and medical supplies through heavily garrisoned enemy-held territory.”
“Although she knew that detection by the enemy would result in torture and execution, Corporal Leones fearlessly continued her perilous missions between guerrilla forces throughout Luzon with notable success. Through her intrepidity and skill as a special agent, Corporal Leones contributed materially to the early liberation of the Philippines”
Remedios Gomez-Paraiso / Kumander Liwayway
Known as the “Huk Amazon”, she was a commander ng Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon or Hukbalahap that was able to defeat Japanese military forces in Central Luzon. She was known to go into battle well-groomed. She would wear nail polish and red lipstick, and would also wear perfume before going into battle.
“One of the things I am fighting for in the Huk movement is the right to be myself”, she told Luis Taruc when asked about her feminine demeanor. This was also her response to comrades who criticized her for wearing makeup and appearing feminine. This was something new, because when we consider a woman “strong”, we often think of the type who is “tomboyish” or “masculine”, meanwhile we consider women who wear frilly skirts and feminine makeup as weak or someone lesser than those who do not. But Kumander Liwayway was something different, she was proud to be feminine, wearing her signature red lipstick in battle, but she could still fight alongside men as equals.
She was a popular local beauty queen when she was younger. And when she was in high school, she helped support the family by selling rice and stitching dresses. Her father, Basilio Gomez, was elected mayor of her town and a peasant leader. Because of this, she was exposed to peasant activities and also learned to ride a horse.
Now, why did Remedios join the Hukbalahap? When the Japanese entered Mexico, Pampanga, Remedios’ father, Basilio Gomez refused to cooperate with them. Because of that he was arrested, tortured, and executed, they didn’t even return his body to his family. This radicalized Remedios. Because of that, Remedios wanted to avenge the death of her father. And additionally, one of the “driving forces” that pushed Remedios to join the resistance was because of the reports of the Japanese abducting and raping women (comfort women).
One of her most well-known moments is her role in the Battle of Kamansi. Along with two other squadrons, her unit fought against the Japanese in the Battle of Kamansi. In this fierce battle, Kumander Biyong, one of the squadrons, ordered a retreat, and the other squadron followed. However, Kumander Liwayway and her unit stayed and fought. In the end, the Japanese forces retreated. With this, the name “Kumander Liwayway” struck fear into the hearts of the Japanese militants.
The Pen Isn’t Always Mightier Than The Sword
“The pen isn’t always mightier than the sword. Pens don’t win battles and swords don’t write poetry. Mighty is the hand that knows when to pick the pen and when to pick the sword”
Although we have various Filipina fighters, it is also important to tell the stories of those who focused on humanitarian goals through innovation, wit, and diplomacy.
Encarnacion Alzona
She was the first Filipina historian and was awarded a National Scientist for History by the National Academy of Science and Technology. She was also a member of the Philippines Historical Committee and wrote various books and prize-winning historical articles.
Encarnacion Alzona was also the first woman delegate of the Philippines to UNESCO and was the first woman to serve as Chairman of its Sub-commission on the Social Sciences, Philosophy, and Human Studies.
In 1934, she wrote her book, “The Filipino Woman” in 1934. Being an advocate, she wrote to prove that the Filipina of the 20th century was eminently qualified to hold her place in a modern and intricate society. She was known to have fought for the Filipinas’ right to suffrage, going as far as hosting tea parties for members of the Legislature just to convince them to grant such a right. In September of 1937, the election bill that granted the right to vote to all citizens (male and female, 21 years of age, and who can read and write) finally became a law.
Olivia Salamanca
She served as the first secretary of the Philippine Antituberculosis Society. potent anti-TB drugs were not available yet, so Salamanca had to care for their patients at the expense of their own health.
In 1905, he was one of the 37 Filipino students who were appointed scholars by the Philippine Government to study in the United States. She was also one of the three girls out of 37 students. Originally, there were four students but one of the students that passed was only 12 years old, meanwhile, 16 was the minimum age required by law.
After finishing the secondary course in St Paul, she went to Philadelphia and enrolled in the Women’s Medical College. She was known for her intellect and her admirable academic record. Nanalo siya ng award sa anatomy and physiology. Olivia Salamanca graduated with flying colors with an average of “A” at 20 years old. She became the first Filipina physician.
Her well-known achievement was being one of the charter members and the first secretary of the Philippine Antituberculosis Society, which was founded on July 29, 1910. At that time she was also dedicated to treating patients with tuberculosis, which was very brave and dangerous because, during that time, there weren’t many potent anti-tuberculosis drugs. We could say that she put her life on the line to treat these patients. Towards the end of that same year, she was found to be suffering from tuberculosis.
Maria Ylagan Orosa
She was the first Filipino nutritionist. She was known to have invented banana ketchup as a replacement for imported ketchup, as well as the one who designed the Palayok-oven for those who don’t have electricity.
As a humanitarian, she made innovations to make every Filipino family self-sufficient in food and nutritional needs. She worked to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in the Philippines. She wasn’t very well known for her inventions but that is one of her intentions. It was in her principles that knowledge is to be shared, not sold. “When you start an experiment, finish it and write the results for others to use,” she often told her assistants.
Maria Ylagan Orosa was a chemist at the Bureau of Science, and was the pioneer of canning of native fruits and vegetables, along with prepared delicacies such as adobo, dinuguan, and escabeche. Orosa was the first person to freeze and can mangoes, enabling their exportation across the globe. She also promoted the use of indigenous ingredients, the culinary potential of which had been sidelined and looked down on through centuries of colonialism. She made flour from cassava, green bananas, and coconuts; fermented wine using native fruits and nuts; coaxed vinegar from pineapples; and transformed seaweed into agar.
As a nationalist, she saw the food system as a way of colonization. She worked to help reduce the reliance on foreign imports. Through chemistry and her innovations, she was able to develop food products and preservation methods that are focused on self-sustainability. In other words, not having to rely so much on imports from foreign bodies.
Key Takeaways
Going back to the Dalagang Filipina Mentality, there are ways in which this belief could be dangerous to Filipino women
- Limiting. This could lead to low self-esteem and motivation for women because our own culture is bent on the ideology that women are supposed to be housewives and stay at home when even during the wars women are much more than that
- Victim-blaming due to higher standards for women. Expecting women to have “Maria Clara” characteristics that whenever something bad happens such as rape or discrimination, women are put down because of factors such as the way they dress, if they were intoxicated, if they were out late at night, instead of focusing the persecution on the perpetrators themselves and actually getting justice
- Domestic violence. Because of the low regard for women, women are expected to be submissive to their husbands. Similar to victim-blaming, there have been cases where the battered wife was persecuted and was told, “Alam mo namang babae ka, bat ka kasi sumasagot sa asawa mo” or something to that effect
Additionally, this also impacts men. As we regard women as weak, it provides extra pressure on men as breadwinners, “the sex that should step up”. In turn, we can find that the higher suicide rates are that of men. Because of how we view feminine things, such as cathartic coping mechanisms such as crying and healthily discussing one’s own problems, men are pressured to keep their issues to themselves to not look “weak”. But that shouldn’t be the case. We need to help build a world where everyone can express themselves freely without compromising the rights and views of others. We need to work to rid the cultural toxicity of the patriarchy to make a place that is safer for both men and women.
What can we do?
- Be informed. Being educated is the best first step we could take. The more aware we are of what’s happening, the more opportunities we have to find a solution
- Use your voice. Speak up. Don’t be afraid to voice out your thoughts, but keep in mind there is always a healthier way to voice it out. The more we are efficient in knowing when to pick up the pen rather than the sword, the more successful we can be
- Stay on earth. Educate and be educated. Engage in the community, and listen to stories. Build up your empathy.
Hindi ikaw ang pinakamatalinong tao sa mundo, marami kang matututunan pag nakikilahok ka sa masa.
References
Alzona, E. (1934). In The Filipino woman: her social, economic, and political status 1565-1937. Foreword by Alexander G. Puthvcn (p. 146). Benipayo Press.
FilipiKnow. (2019, March 11). 10. Lorena Barros. 14 Amazing Filipina Heroines You Don’t Know But Should. https://filipiknow.net/greatest-filipina-heroines/#10_Lorena_Barros_1948_1976
Gingrich, J. (2020, July 23). Maria Ylagan Orosa and the Chemistry of Resistance. Lady Science. https://www.ladyscience.com/features/maria-ylagan-orosa-chemistry-of-resistance
Gloria, G. (2017, June 7). 5 Filipina Heroines Who Changed Philippine History. CNN News. https://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2017/06/07/5-filipino-heroines.html
Gloria, G. (2017, June 7). 5 Filipino heroines who changed Philippine history. CNN Philippines. https://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2017/06/07/5-filipino-heroines.html?fbclid=IwAR17jxZtT0XYfaHJxnJeOiKLz8x458lQxuE5hkdw5SmOd3Kflj35SwhQq0
Guillermo, A. R. (2012). Historical Dictionary of the Philippines (illustrated ed.). Scarecrow Press. https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=wmgX9M_yETIC&dq=her+man-like+fighting+prowess+became+legendary+agueda+kahabagan&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Jose Rizal’s letter to the 20 young women of Malolos – Translation from Tagalog. The Kahimyang Project. https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1727/jose-rizals-letter-to-the-20-young-women-of-malolos-translation-from-tagalog
Ledesma, C. K. (2015, March 23). Women in Revolution: Maria Lorena Barros and MAKIBAKA. National Democratic Front of the Philippines. https://ndfp.org/women-in-revolution-maria-lorena-barros-and-makibaka/
Mansalay, M. (n. d.). Gabriela Silang. Bayani Art. https://www.bayaniart.com/articles/gabriela-silang-biography/
Mosura, A. O. (n.d.). Tagalog “Joan of Arc”: Agueda Kahabagan. Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. https://pvao.gov.ph/pvao-gad-updates/agueda-kahabagan/
Nemenzo, A. M. (2019, November 25). Kumander Liwayway: A Feminine Warrior. Positively Filipino. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/kumander-liwayway-a-feminine-warrior
The Philippine Diary Project. (n.d.). About Olivia Salamanca. The Philippine Diary Project. https://philippinediaryproject.com/about-the-philippine-diary-project/about-the-diaries/about-olivia-salamanca/
PVAO. (n.d.). Magdalena Leones. Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. https://pvao.gov.ph/pvao-gad-updates/magdalena-leones/
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