Reaction to "The Filipino Woman"

In the essay, four women from different generations and walks of life were juxtaposed. Cory Aquino, Imelda Marcos, Gabriela Silang and Leonor Rivera all possessed strong characteristics that many women today only wish of having. Even if they all acted differently and chose to handle life in certain ways, there was one thing common to all of them: strength.

                                     

I personally liked how the author wrote, “everyone of those glossy, female yuppies in the high-rise office buildings, there lives the spirit of an embattled, fiercely courageous Filipino woman.” It brings to light how strong women are not just in matters of the home but in the work force as well. It is essays like these that remind me that women, even if still often seen as the weaker sex, can rise up to the challenge and find themselves on equal footing as men, especially in the professional world.

The essay, for me, highlighted two things. One, these women all valued different things but are all considered empowered women. They all excelled in their selected fields and are given due credit for it up to today. It only goes to show that there is not one formula to become a “heroine.” One simply has to live according to one’s beliefs, fighting for them and constantly standing by them despite any trouble that may arise. Two, these women are heralded because of their amazing accomplishments, but they did not seek to accomplish these things. It was only a consequent from doing what they were passionate about. Thus, this is what I want to apply as well. I want to pursue everything I am passionate about, for these will be the only things that will reap real reward.