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Name: Mayuga, Vea Haren B.
Course and Section: Medical Biology (3-year compressed course) MEB16
Subject: MGA BABASAHIN HINGGIL SA KASAYSAYAN NG PILIPINAS (G-SOSC001)
Professor/Instructor: Sir Jumel G. Estrañero
University: De La Salle University Dasmariñas
The Modern Persona of Maria Clara: Why There Was A Disentanglement from the Bygone
Cultural Norm
I. INTRODUCTION
Maria Clara is a fictional figure from the prominent novel of the Philippines’ National
Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who is a demure, tactful, and reserved Filipina believed to be the standard
embodiment of women from the bygone society. She was used by Rizal as a reference to his
supposed “greatest love” and his conceptualized ideal for a woman, Leonor Rivera. Through time,
her character has been carved on a pedestal because of how she has been established as the epitome
of purity, innocence, modesty, and conservativeness. Apart from those, her piousness and
submissiveness have been the normative stereotypes entangled with women during the Spanish
Colonial Era when the whole nation was under the control of the conquerors. This has commenced
the superficial belief regarding a woman’s yielding nature as the typical quality for a Filipina. They
had no liberal rights to oppose the protrusive words of men who were then painted as the
dominating forces who mostly forwarded the movements in society due to the more heavily
weighing favor for them cemented by the prevailing civilization.
But have all Filipinas necessarily conformed to this patriarchal system-constructed
standard about women? Have all been inhibited by what society has orchestrated for them to live
by? The answer is no. Some came to bend the chains boxing the archetypes of women from old
narratives of them being futile and naive. There was a female revolutionary leader who fiercely
braved a movement against the Spanish invaders and marked a name in history for being a pioneer
in such an intrepid act. She was in the person of Gabriela Silang. She has been dubbed as such
time’s Joan-of-Arc in the Philippines who, in place of her assassinated husband, Diego Silang, led
a revolutionary attempt to overthrow the Spaniards in the name of her land’s democracy and
sovereignty. Despite the failure, her endeavor has met after also being murdered by the invaders’
troop, she has been known in history for being a beacon of unparalleled patriotism who went
against the odds that were anchored in what was expected of a Filipina. Another remarkable
woman of history who has left noteworthy trails of legacy during her time was Josefa Llanes
Escoda who is the chief founder of Girls’ Scouts in the Philippines. She was known for her
distinguished philanthropy of aiding and nursing wounded soldiers, the hunger-stricken poor, and
the physically-ill individuals during World War II behind the knowledge of the Japanese
colonizers. Despite such a risky act of getting involved in social work during the war, she
invigorated her means of helping and courageously stood her ground. Despite also meeting her
demise after being attacked by the hostiles, she has remained one of the iconic female figures in
history who will forever be acknowledged for standing undaunted by what the tradition assumes
of her role as a woman. She has not been overcome by the intimidation of power and remained
steadfast in her pursuit of being instrumental to many. Her founded scouts legacy has built a more
fearless spirit among women through generations, especially those who partake in it. “If you
survive, tell the people that the women of the Philippines did their part in making the ember sparks
of truth and liberty alive ‘til the last moment.” - Josefa Llanes Escoda during World War II.
While there were women in the past who lingered with the standards, the progressive
courses of time slowly pulled more women from different generations to represent themselves
differently, most transparently distant from what was initially perceived as the personification of
a Filipina. And now, the most profound question there is to it that would be addressed by the paper
and that is encouraged among the readers to also ponder upon with internal reflection and deep
assimilation while reading is, “Does a Maria Clara still exist in modern times?”.
II. BODY
Living in the 21st century, the sensation of the 1500s and beyond prior to modern
civilization’s advent has predominantly dissipated into thin air. While some can still take a grip on
the past culture, most are already flourishing in the new wavelength of lifestyle. While some can
still embrace a traditional set of norms, most have already fixated their vision on a lens of modern
perspectives. And so has it been for the present women who are visibly wearing a more
differentiated spectacle in line with how their womanhood is projected in modern society. From
clear hindsight, it can be deduced that there is an absolute deviation in how women emerge in the
present in comparison with the past. There has been a recalibrated amplitude for the conventional
wave of women’s train of thinking and behavior.
From clothing, the transition cannot go unnoticed. The traditional past would impose a
more wrapped style of dressing usually in the form of saya which was considered the “decent”
form of attire for women. Anything that lays bare the skin could subject the individual to societal
judgment and could even be framed as an equivalence of immorality. People from the past
generation would be clouded by an appraisal with an intrusive mentality that the vulgar attire might
be a peril in the sense that this could feed the sensual urges of the opposite sex. But women in the
present generation have become bolder in posing their convictions regarding their style of dressing.
They have been vocal about their stances that the way they dress is an entitled expression of their
own beauty and the manifestation of their esteem and not in any way an outlet for a sexual invite.
Traditional Clothing in the Philippines
Photo Credits: Arts of Asia
Contemporary Clothing in the Philippines
Photo Credits: Shutterstock
They have firmly reiterated the fact that a woman’s skin-showing attire will never suffice as a
reason to be disrespected and molested.
Furthermore, another factor that sets the discrepancy between the two facets of time is the
behavioral norm the two sides of culture divergently uphold. Given that the past culture is more
inclined to a conservative belief, only men had the capability to do external labor while women
were limited to household activities. Women had less voice in society as it pays more heed to men
who were deemed to be way smarter and more skilled than them. Misogyny and macho fascism
have been prevalent in the past centuries as patriarchal dominance has been superlatively pitched
as an archetypal political sight. Even the rights to suffrage and leadership used to be deprived
among women until the law was revised in the mid-1930s through Commonwealth Act No. 34 on
Sept. 30, 1936. But today’s time has emerged differently. With how the world scored an
evolutionary mindset, more people have protested for gender equality which then gave women
equal rights to elect leaders of the country and hold a position in the government, equal
opportunities for work, and equal freedom of speech.
A Company of Filipino Soldiers in the Philippines during
Spanish Colonial Period
Photo Credits: Flickr
A Group of Filipino Women during
Spanish Colonial Period
Photo Credits: ANC
Traditional Filipino Serenade
Photo Credits: Pilipinas Retrostalgia
Furthermore, relevant to women being voiceless and conventionally silenced by society,
they were not allowed to have any forms of intimate interaction with men. Simple physical touches
which had no implications of religious reverence or civilian courtesy would be hardly demonized
already by conservative adults. Moreover, only men were granted the privilege to initiate affection
or hold courtships, so women confessing their romantic feelings toward the opposite sex would
amount to abounding insults on their end. Just as in accordance with how they were expected to
behave like Maria Clara, they should be the ones pursued and chased and should even show initial
forms of resistance without easily giving themselves in to the romantic advances of their suitors.
Given that the Philippines has ever been a religious nation grounded in Christian Catholic dogmas,
they place a high value on virginity before the marriage. But of course, these traditions are not
necessarily adopted for the modern-day establishment of women, at least for the most part where
new and modernized social concepts have arisen as fresh breeds of points of view. Physical
intimacy is more welcomed between opposite sexes. Women can be as expressive as men in terms
of their romantic feelings. They can be as outspoken in the political climate of the country. And
with a more liberated culture that set in, virginity is more encapsulated as only a social construct
beyond a gauge of purity.
Before, the considered women of times were only those who were innate-born women.
Now, the definition of womanhood has expanded and has covered a broader spectrum. It has also
become fitting for and inclusive of the queer community, the LGBTQIA+ community.
Truly, so much has evolved about being a woman, and its paramount equivalence – its
rights, responsibilities, and even its definition. But why was there a need for change to transpire
LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines
Photo Credits: Buena Bernal/Rappler
for how women have become through the years instead of simply being riveted to the hues of the
past?
III. ANALYSIS
Being compared to Maria Clara has both its perks and cons. Aside from being an image
of beauty, Maria Clara is known for her resilience who toughed out enormous hardships including
the thought of her beau’s death. However, it should be taken into account that Maria Clara is also
a character who did not have much to say about the social cancers of her society. It is safe to infer
that her character is one of the side colors of the story but played a little role in the transformation
of events. It is not to imply that her character was vain, nevertheless, it served the subtle purpose
of the exact conveyance that women have been too suppressed and repressed by a society that most
favorably upheld men. Maria Clara, in general, is voiceless. She is most notably renowned only
for her beauty but discussing her significant contributions to the resolution of societal dilemmas
will most likely pose a lot of questions and skepticism. Although, she is not totally to blame
because that was how the tradition and culture made her become along with other women of her
time who were altogether shaped to be under men’s subjugation. But should this kind of build-up
among women persist through time? Should women still continue to follow in the footsteps of the
celebrated image of Maria Clara even if in dissecting an insight about her, one could easily reach
a harsh conclusion that she is no more than a taciturn charmer – a silenced woman who just had to
endure but no power to make a difference in a country that might have adored her beauty but
looked down on her innate capabilities?
Should women just continually be used for the display of fascination who should remain
speechless and actionless even amidst the egocentric torment induced by society?
The long abuses and discrimination experienced by women through the years came to their
realization which propelled the stronger urge in them to speak up for themselves, turning away
from how the standard Filipina in the image of Maria Clara has conventionally been. Their long
battle in silence has injured so much of their dignity and inflicted them with growing wounds that
get harder to heal from time to time. Remember, Maria Clara also suffered from sexual insolence
at the hands of Padre Salvi, a friar known for his lascivious behavior in the novel “Noli Me
Tangere” but had no courage in her power to stand against his way and speak against those men
of his likes. Imagine, an air pressure that builds up inside a bottle wanting an escape through an
immediate route. Imagine, a liquid bottle that has a constant weight yet gets heavier the longer it
is held. These are the significant imageries that bear the sufferings of women. They have endured
for so long, yet with an understanding that their gripped situation has robbed them a huge portion
of their worth and has evenly damaged their self-respect, they used their mammoth pain to instigate
change in how society treats and sees them.
Realistically speaking, the experience of the pandemic has given people a glimpse of how
the deprivation of freedom stimulates an escalating desire for breaking away from the prison
created by time. The experience of women is no less than this. The pressure instilled by the nation
for how they should act, the dictation of culture for how they should succumb to the authority of
men, and the exploitation of power for how they should be ostracized from a community that only
had eyes for male rights – all these consequently led to the abusive exercise of male prerogatives
triggering sexual violence and slavery among women which were massive traumas that left a
lifetime scar on their individuality. When one has put up with so many struggles to withstand, the
intrinsic core of human frailty will force a person to burst with rage and act with vengeance. And
this is exactly how women responded to the piling agonizing cuts of their womanhood, they learned
to push for a more humane and justice-driven society as a form of their collective retribution.
From the period of 1932-1945, “comfort women” came to rise which is defined as the
system of sexual slavery perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Government during their
colonization era. This occurred in the Philippines where many Filipinas have fallen as victims.
And even if this has happened for more than seven decades now, history will forever remember
the atrociously dehumanizing acts executed by the Japanese conquerors. The story of a survivor,
Narcisa Claveria, is one of the testimonies of how gruesome the mental scar the abusers had left
victims. "If I could prevent the sun from setting, I would, because whenever night fell, they would
start raping us," she remarked. In a 2020 article about her interview, stated therein was how her
façade turned differently when she was to recap the happenings from 75 years ago. Note, she
wasn’t the only woman abused by the Japanese forces in order to satisfy their sexual gratification.
History has it that around a thousand women have been held as victims of coercion, abduction,
and deception, all for sexual service under the invaders.
And these cases of abuse did not end there. For years, thousands of sexual violence and
harassment are still being reckoned. And not every victim has sought justice for their traumatic
encounter that was beyond their control and will. Considering all these injustices that set a dent in
their dignity and jeopardized their human rights, women have grown more fiercely in fighting for
them upon the realization that their life and very existence are not catered with what they are worth;
Hence, the strong advocacy for women empowerment especially in the 21st century.
This is why there are more steadfast and amplified voices against women objectification.
As women who have proven their capabilities transcending what the culture has perceived of them,
they have all joined hands in letting not their efforts and passion go unrecognized. They did not
let themselves be treated as mere sexual objects for the pleasure of men. They knew they were
more than that. They did not let again society take control of and obstruct their freedom when they
know exactly that as naturally born Filipinos, they are and should also be covered by the natural
rights accorded to every individual in the country. Hence, there are multifarious feminist groups
and organizations which have been founded to become pillars for women around the nation. Some
to name are Gabriela Philippines, CARA Welfare Philippines, Women’s Education, Development,
and Research Association (WEDRA), Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), Pambansang Koalisyon ng
Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK), Bahaginan, and Samahan ng mga Progresibong
Kababaihan (SPARK). They make a stand on issues revolving around women being thrown under
the bus.
This stronger union of women has also what sparked a stronger stance on women’s way of
clothing and the right to have control or dominion over their own bodies. As clothing is one of the
channels of their esteem which empowers them, they do not allow their style of dressing to be the
definition of their own worth nor the outlet for sexualization. They claim that the diversity in their
clothing expresses the distinctive expression of each beauty and whatever style it incorporates, it
does not give any men permission to molest or harass them. Even more, part of their enjoyed
democracy is getting to have the freedom as well to choose how they want to ornament and make
use of their body.
Furthermore, more women have expressed their affirmation of gender equality. This is to
mend the incongruities which cause divisiveness and discrimination corrupting the prosperity of
the nation. In this time and age, women are as politically vocal and involved as men. In the
Philippines, some women have been seen as competent leaders of society who were able to make
a mark in the long history of politics run by men. Some to name are former Vice President, Maria
Leonor “Leni” Robredo, whose office significantly contributed to the marginalized communities
during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic through her “Angat Buhay” Program and has even
acquired the highest Commission on Audit rating for four consecutive years, and Senator Risa
Hontiveros who principally authored a law raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16. Who
could also forget that in history, the first-ever Philippines’ female president was able to hold a
peaceful protest, without any drop of blood to shed, (which would not be conveniently executed
in today’s time considering the violence that has been ubiquitous and normalized by the former
administration) through EDSA People Power Revolution in ousting the dictator who had numerous
records of corruption and killings in his 20-year reign? She was none other than the late former
president Corazon “Cory” Aquino.
With gender equality advanced and fought for, women did not also allow their womanhood
to be diminished to their inner and outer organs solely as primary definitions and basis of it. The
broader faction of women has been more accepting of each and every being who embraces the
identity of womanhood. They think that being a woman is more than just having the capability to
bear life from within and that the expression of love regardless if it is in a romantic or platonic
sense is not limited to the opposite sex. Hence, the spectrum of womanhood has burgeoned and
has been harmoniously open to the gay and transgender community.
So the important question now is, “Is there really still a living Maria Clara in the modern
world considering the evolved women of the time?”. Different perceptions are valid regarding this.
However, from a subjective point of view in line with the paper’s analysis, Maria Clara used to
be the standard among women during her time. This modern age still has its standard but it rather
promotes that each woman is a standard of her own. Maybe, Maria Clara still lives today but there
is a new persona breathed into her. Maybe, Maria Clara, this time is not exactly just one person,
but the whole population of Filipinas who are their own definition of beauty.
IV. RECOMMENDATION
From the substantiated discussion of the topic through the preceding parts of the paper, it
hereby recommends the following:
1. Educational institutions should instill among students that instead of “becoming exactly”
Maria Clara which could insinuate standing powerless and being in a state of inaction
amidst violent behaviors (for example bullying in school) which could drive massive
repercussions in the long run, they should rather be taught to be INSPIRED and MOVED
by her – inspired to emulate her positive qualities (just like religiousness and fidelity that
is rare to seek in an era of lies) and moved to work on her imperfections as a woman (just
like having no power to stand against the odds), especially at a time where there is a thriving
advantage of advocacy and intensified outcries for women empowerment and gender
equality.
2. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo should be channeled in schools not in a sense of
being holistically academical but in an appeal where young nationalists and patriots of the
nation should learn the Filipino values that should be kept and rather changed. Staying
resilient has its good dimensional sphere, but having to be forced to endure instead of
calling out the people in power and those on the wrong side of the coin to be accountable
for the mass suffering that they are responsible for is a form of “Toxic Positivity”. Staying
silent and enduring it all instead of stepping up for change or transforming a situation and
being vocal for the betterment of circumstances will cost a lot of lives at stake and will
only invalidate the bravery and martyrdom of considered heroes of history in fighting for
freedom of speech. This attitude does not set one apart from the cancerous aristocrats of
society who incorporate in them a blinded sight of other people’s welfare and have no
genuine sense of compassion or empathy for their situation.
3. Parents should straighten their bent mindset regarding how their children should grow up
to be “emulating” certain individuals like how they would preach to their young girls that
they should embrace the person of Maria Clara in certain aspects of their growth. Although
this is not necessarily wrong as the personality and attitude of Maria Clara are
commendable by nature because of her pure-heartedness, well-mannered behavior, and
amicability, however, pressuring them to emulate someone else and asking them to be
another person they are not (regardless if Maria Clara or other women) can be harmful to
their very own growth. Asking them to always conform to the pressures and standards built
by society can be detrimental to their esteem as they might always project themselves in
comparison with other ladies of their age. Their innocence might be easily tainted. And it
is not impossible that they will later practice the intricacies of “crab mentality” with fear
that they cannot align with the set norms and submit to peer pressure which can bring more
harm than good.
4. Everyone should understand and learn that:
4.1.Each woman is entitled to become her own unique standard. No one should be
pressured to conform to a fixed system of conviction about a supposed identity,
especially about sexuality which can drive ferocious forms of discrimination. Diversity
is beauty. Individual differences should not be a cause of division but should rather be
a factor for unification to initiate complementary progress and development.
4.2. Instead of being forced to be someone like Maria Clara or other archetypal figures of
the time, one should learn to embrace and create his own identity. Each has her own
unique path and should be entitled to the liberty of unfolding her true colors.
Remember, it is always better to have one’s own name to take pride in no matter how
small or big it sounds than to forever be shadows just remembered for being a duplicate
of someone else.
4.3.Standardizing qualities for beauty will only create comparisons. This is where the “crab
mentality” of most Filipinos is rooted in. Let everyone have the chance to capitalize on
their own freedom of expression. This will bring about the uplifting of every individual
rather than the dragging of people who are set close to standards.
4.4.A woman’s way of clothing is a representation of her personality and character and not
in any way an enticement for objectification. Regardless of what a woman wears, it
does not reduce her right to be respected. Remember, Maria Clara has also been
sexually disrespected by the character of Padre Salvi even if she was wearing a highly
wrapped garment. This goes to prove that women’s clothing is not the problem but the
lack of morality of most men.
4.5.There should be no superiority in terms of sexuality or gender. No one is above the
other. Misogyny and Macho Fascism should not be tolerated in the community. No one
is granted the privilege to manipulate the system into only favoring a certain sexual
race.
4.6.Womanhood should not be simply constricted to or boxed in the idea of sexual
reproductivity as this is a huge insult to women. A woman is more than that. Just
imagine the barren and hermaphroditic females, should they not be considered women
anymore just because of their limitations in producing offspring and having another set
of sexual organs respectively? So being a woman should not be exclusive to those who
were born with a vagina and uterus. Being a woman is an identity to be embraced and
loved for, which goes beyond physical attainments.
4.7.A call for women’s empowerment is not tantamount to a protest to overthrow the
community of men. It is rather a call for the equal treatment of both sexes considering
that what used to be enjoyed by men as rights in the long course of history were only
once privileges to be granted among women of such time.
4.8.There should be no place for sexual abuse. Men or women are not sexual objects that
only appease human flesh. They are people. The law recognizes each and every
person’s right to be respected.
4.9.In the midst of violence, silence should never be an option. It only works in the favor
and benefit of the perpetrators. Silence means tolerance. This enables the thriving of a
culture of injustice that crucifies the victims more. People should learn to speak up
when rights are being trampled on because every single voice has the power to enforce
pressure that will materialize a difference in social and global mobility.
5. The government should learn to strengthen feminist organizations which have beneficial
causes by donating funds to them. It is time that women become more audible in a society
that used to oppress them and that there are more strongholds for the championing of their
rights, so abuses will be lessened and justice for victimized women will be more
conveniently procured.
V. CONCLUSION AND WAY AHEAD
Being Maria Clara in the modern era is not necessarily wrong and unacceptable. However,
her character should not construct any form of a stereotype that can harmfully prejudice girls of
any age which may subject them to slut- or body-shaming. In an age where women's empowerment
is desired to be vouched for, people should stop crafting a complex of superiority in the system by
setting standards on looks and supposed behavioral characteristics. A woman’s imperfection will
not make her any less of a woman. Regardless of her appearance, her personality, and even her
virginity, a woman is still a woman who deserves respect. There should be no room for
discrimination. A woman is not defined superficially by her reproductive capability and her bodily
organs. That her limitations internally and externally will not decrease her being one. A person
who is not gifted with a broad chest, slim body, and less-hairy skin will not make her less of a
woman, likewise, the absence of female genitalia. Furthermore, a call for the empowerment of
women is not synonymous with the demand of loathing and destruction of men. It is rather a call
for just and fair treatment, especially for women who have been looked down upon by society for
years. It will never be a decline nor a downhill attack for men if the rights and privileges they used
to be solely endowed with will be evenly shared with their equals – the women. Mutual respect
between sexes is a must. No one deserves to be abused nor for his or her rights to be encroached
on. Let equality be the Philippines’ generational heirloom as the Filipinos eye a third-world
country’s successful bloom. Remember, bigotry is one of the gateways toward a nation’s doom!
VI. REFERENCES
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National Nutrition Council. (2021). Women’s Month 2021: The Girl Scouts Founder, Josefa
Llanes Escoda. Retrieved from https://www.nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/mindanao/region-xi-
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***
MESSAGE TO PROFESSOR
Thank you so much sir for the whole semester of imparting us your knowledge. It was an
honor to be your student and to have learned from you. Philippine History has always sparked my
interest in exploring the past and appreciating the legacies and contributions it paved for the
present. Thank you for giving us the creative freedom to express our insights regarding history,
evidenced by this paper, and for the activities in which we developed a comprehensive knowledge
regarding it. I personally enjoyed grasping the learnings I acquired in the subject, more so, I loved
how I was able to extensively share my pieces of thoughts on the important social issues and
cancers of time not just in the past but even in the present. The feeling that I was accorded the
platform and the outlet to which I can channel my perspectives and enrich my understanding of
the past resonates deeply in me.
Lastly, thank you for giving us, your students, the opportunity through this paper to bring
into the limelight various historical viewpoints that bridge to a better assimilation of the present. I
hope you can continue to be an instrument for the love, discernment, and understanding of history
among the youth, especially in an age where historical distortion is a prevalent concern. God speed!