Bagong Pinay/ Pinay Ngayon (Filipina Today) 2003/ "Babaylan, My Sister, Magdiwang Ka: Highlighting Filipino Women's HerStory on Women's History Month" by Joann Natalia Aquino

Babaylan, My Sister, Magdiwang Ka:
Highlighting Filipino Women's Herstory on Women's History Month
by Joann Natalia Aquino

"Filipina women in the span of history have bravely played noteworthy roles in strengthening and structuring the archipelago..."

Growing up and growing older, I have longed to collect stories about Filipina women heroines in history I have admired. Filipinas for their warrior-like strength, unwavering courage, unshakable determination, passionate for life, fearless sisters breaking the grounds to what did not seem possible became possible. They were the babaylans, the high priestesses, the wisdom-givers and wound-healers in the community.

Growing up and growing older, I have longed to have another Filipina I can look up to, and tell me that everything is going to be okay. To tell me that my possibilities are endless. That my future is boundless.

Growing up and growing wiser, I have met and welcomed in my life, Filipinas that have done just that, including my mother, my titas, my sisters, my close friends, and other sisters I have met and are meeting in this journey.

Each year, the month of March is celebrated in observance of Women's History Month to recognize and celebrate the important contributions women have made in our history. Annually, International Women's Day is also celebrated around the world every March 8, to acknowledge women's struggles, as well as celebrate the important role of women in the labor force, and to appreciate the economic, social, cultural, and political achievements of women internationally. For many women around the world, International Women's Day is a time to recognize and emphasize how far women have come in fair struggle for equality, peace, and development.

Filipina women in the span of history have bravely played noteworthy roles in strengthening and structuring the archipelago. Filipina women have stories ranging from making the first flag of the Philippines, fighting in the revolution, caring for the revolutionaries, leading her country from the strength of the power of the people, leading to the stories of the present-day babaylans, our modern day heroes, healing within and healing her surroundings and leading today's revolution.

We thank Maria Josefa Gabriela Cari-o Silang, also known as Gabriela Silang, the widow of Diego Silang, leader of the Ilokano revolution against the Spanish government. After Diego was assassinated, Gabriela took over the leadership of the revolt in Ilocos. Though Gabriela Silang fought courageously, on September 20, 1763, Gabriela and about 100 other supporters of the revolution were executed.

We thank Melchora Aquino, otherwise known as Tandang Sora, the & quot;Mother of Katipunan.& quot; Tandang Sora's small sari-sari store in Balintawak, became a refuge for Andres Bonifacio and other Katipuneros in 1896 when the revolution began. Tandang Sora fed, cared for the sick and the wounded, and continuously encouraged the Katipuneros with her motherly advice and prayers. When the Spaniards learned about her activities, they arrested her and she was exiled to the Marianas islands. After the Americans colonized the Philippines in 1898, Tandang Sora already poor and aging returned to the Philippines with the other exiles. She died on March 2, 1919 at the age of 107.

We thank Marcela de Agoncillo, the maker of the first Philippine flag. Marcela, the wife of Don Felipe Agoncillo, was in Hong Kong when General Aguinaldo was in exile. Though it was General Aguinaldo who designed the Philippine flag, Marcela de Agoncillo sewed it with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Mrs. Josefina Herbosa de Natividad, the niece of the Philippine hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

We thank Corazon Aquino, the first woman president of the Philippines. A reluctant presidential candidate at the beginning, Cory Aquino overcame the Philippine government's electoral intimidation and unbridled fraud to be proclaimed the president, when the people's power took their discontent to the streets and forced Marcos to flee the country. Aquino remained in office for more than six years, and was succeeded by Fidel Ramos.

We also thank all our other Filipina sisters that have paved the way for the opportunities we have now and have endlessly been doing so.

Within each individual women's stories on the progress and endeavors of women in history, one can only yearn for their bravery, resilience, and strength-- which often is against tremendous odds-- and with this are the hopes that their lessons may enlighten us to learn from their struggles. In return, we must learn to also provide all our Filipina sisters a place in the pages of history, most especially in the pages of Herstory.

While we have triumphs to celebrate, let us also observe Women's History Month with a pledge to help our fellow Filipina women who are in great need-- women who are victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, women living in poverty, and women who are facing other life's difficulties. For the most part, they are the nameless, the faceless, and the voiceless heroines of our time.

We remember you.

Sisters, be fearless. Our possibilities are endless. Our future is boundless.

Babaylan, my sister, magdiwang ka.

"Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness." -- Oprah Winfrey

(Republished with permission from the author and from Filipino American Herald. Article originally published at Filipino American Herald on March 2003.)

_____________________