A World Through the Eyes of a Biguena
Life seemed simpler and easier back then,
when I was just a child. A tiny human being who is still learning about the
wonders of the world. No clues or ideas about the underlying truth of the
different social issues that urged me to be who I am today. At the age of ten,
I started to slowly realize that gender is a great factor in how you will be
treated as an individual and it became apparent that women have the shorter end
of the stick. It was expected that women should live as a follower instead of
becoming a leader of their own, a ruler of their kingdom. It was made clear to
me, that at a young age a girl should know that the future they can only have
was limited. But a girl could dream, and that I did, as well as many strong
women out there proving that our worth is more than that of the stereotypes
they placed on us since the beginning of time.
Throughout history, many Bigunas have made a
remarkable contribution to achieving equal rights and treatment that paved a
way into opening the eyes of many on how poorly treated women are. Many
inspiring Biguenas have proven that we are capable of sharing our abilities to
build and make our nation prosper. Many of us showed that gender is just a
label and that anyone can be who they are and do what they please as long as
they have the courage and the strength to do it.
The dawn of the 21st century, a time where
feminism and women empowerment is very common in the world, especially in the
Philippines. Where do I begin? From being seen only as a housewife, a mother
who tends to the children whilst her husband is off at work, a sister who needs
a brother or a father to protect her and a daughter, to having the ability to
be just more than that, to have the title as a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, a
hero and so much more. Through years of fighting for equality and the rights to
be treated as human, as an equal being, to disregard who is greater than the
other, women have come so far. The fire that was once ignited by our ancestors
is still burning.
Vigan City is the home of many courageous
and inspirational women who have written are to be remembered from the past, up
to this day. Leona Florentino, the Great Ilokano Poetess, who got recognized
internationally for her great gift in writing, exhibited an act of feminism,
defying the social standards. Gabriela Silang is a hero, a leader who fought
during the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards. The past mayor of
Vigan, Mayor Eva Marie Medina who was a remarkable leader during her time. To
the many Biguenas who excel in their chosen fields, education, medicine,
entertainment, and even in male-dominated affairs such as the army or as a
public servant.
During this trying and hard time, we are
encouraged to let go of our old ways and become accustomed to what we now call
the ‘new normal. Every one of us has important contributions to ensuring our
safety and ensuring that we can get through this. With this, many inspiring
women have shared and used their abilities to help others. We call them the new
heroes of our generation. For they have willingly sacrificed their lives to
keep us safe and healthy. To the thousands of medical frontliners, who work day
in and out, especially to the mothers who chose to be away from their families,
teachers who are trying their best to deliver quality education to the
students, doctors, nurses, and staffs who put the safety of others first
instead of their own.
. As a Biguena,
I know that our generation of brave, independent, and strong women is living
proof that we are more than what society has painted us. We will strive to
continue what they have started, to achieve peace and harmony regardless of our
gender. Because women are created to be the queen of our kingdom and that we
should not let anyone, ever step on us and walk all over us. But instead, we
should always think that we are all equal and that our gender identity does not
define our status or our self-worth.
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