Photo via International Women's Day Website (Screenshot) International Women's Day Share on Facebook Share on Twitter “Whether women are better than men, I cannot say – but I can say they are certainly no worse,” says Israel’s fourth Prime Minister Golda Meir. Women have always been the “weaker” male counterparts. But on this year’s celebration of the National Women’s Day 2018, we should acknowledge that women are not weak – in fact, they are equal to the opposite sex. With the theme, “Making Change Work For Women,” we are making baby steps towards making “change” mean “equity.” Although we’re transitioning to a more progressive country, we can’t deny that the process takes slow. But that shouldn’t stop our efforts to make a change. Even if the road is long, we should continue going through it. After all, if it’s not for us, it’s for the future of the Philippines. National Women’s Day 2018, the voices of the women today 1. Struggles – Abby Orbeta – Watch the video here Abby Orbeta is the founder of Philippines’ spoken word group “Words Anonymous.” The group consists of 12 poets from different walks of life. They tell different stories from different points of view. Through poetry, they are able to contribute to the shaping of the world today. In “Struggles,” Orbeta talks about how a girl encounter judgments from people. The piece talks about how women are often treated as weak beings. It narrates how as a child, she was mistaken to be a boy. But then they end up realizing she was a woman. Her family raised her in a way no woman should be; controlled, fragile, and soft. “Babae nga ako eh.” 2. Paper Dolls – Sierra DeMulder – Watch the video here “The person who did this is broken, not you.” Sexual harassment, abuse, and rape are sensitive things to talk about. Sierra DeMulder, an American poet, tackled it with purity and the feeling of safety. In “Paper Dolls,” she talks about being a daughter of three children. She starts to break down people’s side comments from people aimed at victims. There are so many things to blame, but it should never be the victim. The woman is a fragile thing. But it is not fragile enough to get crumpled, like paper dolls. 3. If I Should Have A Daughter… – Sara Kaye – Watch the video here Love is the most precious gift from a mother. “There will be days like this, my momma said.” Kaye imagines herself as a mother. She talks about what she will teach her children if ever she bears one. There is no sugar-coating here. She’ll make sure that her children will be the strongest warriors the world would see. Strength begins at home. It begins when we accept that there are battles to fight along the way. We choose the journey, but never the struggles. As Kaye says, her children should be ready. 4. Woman Fight Back – M Manese – Watch the video here Denial is the first-line defense a woman has. In her narrative, Manese draws the picture of a woman who always thinks that his man’s excuses are always valid. And the woman always believed in lies. But all good things come to an end. Although it’s hard to believe sometimes, Manese convinces the woman that she is stronger than what she thinks she is. “Show him… Woman.” She empowers women like him not to fear the enemy that their man has become. Change begins with ourselves. If it does not happen today, then when? 5. Prince Charming Says… – Jessica Faye Marino – Watch the video here “This is true love. Get with the program.” Marino disguises men into Prince Charming. Contrary to popular belief, her idea of Prince Charming are men who abuse their privilege as men. They always think that because they’re Prince Charming, they get to run away with whoever they want to be. Marino believes otherwise. And as a princess herself, she goes to shut down men who abuse women in any way. Now, this is a fairytale we’re still waiting to happen. 6. Impossible Women – M Manese – Watch the video here In this family tree, women are impossible women. One saved a marriage by staying. Another provided for a woman impregnated by her man. The last is a woman who grew up seeing everything happen. “Impossible Women” is Manese’s most vulnerable piece to date. She sheds off her strong personality and bares her story to the world. That’s what a should be. Fearless and ready to show the world who she is. 7. Unnatural – Louise Meets – Watch the video here “These aisles are the only aisles we will ever walk on.” It’s sad to admit but the discrimination on the gay community still continues. Although we have progressed little by little, there is still so much to do. Meets discusses how grocery aisles are the only aisles they will ever walk on. No church or state will ever be open for them to bless a much-needed marriage. But like what she said, “Love is not about anatomy. It is not defined by where I decide to put my mouth. Love is not about body parts or sexual preference.” 8. Sex Is Like – Victoria Morgan- Watch the video here “It’s more fun with two players. But you can play it by yourself and you’d get more achievements that way.” Women are often shamed for being sexual beings. Unlike men who get praise, women become low-flyers. Although the narrative discusses the double standards that the society has for men and women, she still manages to insert humor into it. She manages to break through, deliver, and kill it in a piece that’s a minute and a half long. 9. Ako Naman – Zuela Herrera- Watch the video here This is a letter to the first man that Herrera will love. The intimacy of holding hands is important for her because her hands mean so much to her. But it is a fragile thing. Her hands are made of doubts and hesitations. She tells in an open letter that if a man should ever hold her hand, he should know why it is a sensitive thing for her. 10. Biyaheng Malandi – Jonel Revistual – Watch the video here It is a journey that’s taking so long. Victim blaming is a disease of a nation. Through Revistual’s piece, he uses a jeepney ride to tell the story of how women are blamed for being abused. He talks about what women do, or wear, that gives people the privilege to do things against them. Even if Revistual is a man, he connects to the struggles of women. His principles concern their rights. But as a man, he contributed to the change all women need. Facebook Comments
