For all the posturings that Filipino men do, I still believe that Philippines society is essentially a matriarchal one. In many Filipino homes, the father brings home the bacon but it is the mother who cooks it and still holds the purse strings. Behind all the great family fortunes in the country, there was always an enterprising woman somewhere in the history of that family. I have taught in some of the country’s top schools to know that many of the ‘macho’ Filipino leaders and prominent persons are Mama’s boys. It took more than a decade to get the RH Bill enacted into law. But when push came to shove, the whole cabal of macho senators backed by bishops invoking hellfire and brimstone were no match for two feisty women-senators.
it is sad how women still suffer discrimination and exploitation to this very day. There are still societies where women are considered as chattel. Even in advanced societies like the US, women also still experience subtle discrimination as in walls of exclusions or glass ceilings of limitations. It rankles feminists no end how men can pretend to make laws governing women’s bodies, for example.
The Bible, specially the Gospels, is replete with stories championing the cause of women. (Although there are stories that are discriminatory, reflecting the cultural mores of the times and milieu during which they were written.) No story is more inspiring than the story of Mary, a simple girl thrust into the center of cosmic events, giving her Fiat to all that was happening to her, keeping these things in her heart. Her Magnificat stands out for its deep spirituality, profound wisdom and universal significance.
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Luke 1:46-56