By Janela Bañanola |
Illustration by Shazmeen Claro
The plethora of roles women played in Philippine folktales harmonizes their essence—illustrating how the native civilization freed women from the shackles of sexism and misogyny. Such social structures opened the door for pre-colonial women's empowerment and self-expression.
However, with so much emphasis on foreign colonial influence, one cannot help but wonder what women were like during the pre-colonial era of the Philippines. What was Philippine society like before the Spanish Conquistadors landed on our shores? More importantly, what role did women play in this time of survival and cosmological tales? How did they portray the ideal Filipino woman?
Bridges and roots
Before colonization, the Philippines was already a bustling tropical paradise filled with diverse cultures, histories, and trade relations with neighboring nations. Philippine folktales offer a window into these times—exploring Filipino women's versatility, motivations, and complexities—mainly on how their fates and choices intertwined with the daily rigors of native life.
One such legendary icon would be Princess Urduja, the Legendary Warrior Queen of the Kingdom of Tawalisi in Pangasinan. Urduja continues to be a potent symbol for Filipino women even after historians disproved her historical records and rendered her into a myth.
Princess Urduja, Warrior Queen of Pangasinan
Urduja: The Warrior Princess by FerdinandLadera via DeviantArt
In the 14th century, Urduja reigned as a dominant yet noble leader of her tribe. Trained in the martial art of Eskrima as a child; Urduja was revered far and wide as the fiercest warrior of the region; a claim only reinforced by her battalion of robust, muscular, and talented female warriors called the Kinalakian or Amazons. Urduja's famous tale was one in which Ibn Battuta, an Arab traveler, was once noted as the best in his field. As he passed by Pangasinan, Urduja invited him and his crew to a feast; the Arab refused Urduja's invitation, for he viewed them as "infidels." Offended, Urduja summoned him and made him bear witness to the splendor and finery. The Princess famously replied in Arabic, "You behold about me, seated around my throne, the elderly ladies who are my counselors. Do their chairs of sandalwood, does my silk-canopied and gold-plated throne, suggest the court of a barbarous people?"
To this day, the name Urduja still holds reverence; Dr. Morr Tadeo Pungayan of St. Louis, the University of Baguio, stated, "No Ibaloi will bear the name of an ancestor unless she's related…The name (Urduja) usually describes a woman of strong quality and character who's nobly descended. That name is an Ibaloi name. That's why Ibaloi traces their ancestry from Urduja."
Another famous feminine icon would be Mayari, the mesmerizing one-eyed moon goddess in Tagalog mythology. Mayari lost her eye in a duel between her brother Apolaki against the right to dominion over the earth after their father Bathala's death. Apolaki expected to inherit his father's divine right to rule as a son, vehemently expecting his sister to swear obedience to him. Mayari, fueled with rage and determination, uttered, "I am no less my father's child than you. I will succeed him to his throne, whether you like it or not!"
Mayari, Goddess of the Moon
The Battle of Mayari and Apolaki: Illustration by Elliot Dimasuhid
Feeling ashamed of what he's done, Apolaki decided for them to rule together equally, with him overseeing the day, basking the world with warm, bright eyes becoming the sun. In contrast to the warm light Apolaki exudes, Mayari shines with a gentle and calm light with her one regard, ruling the iridescent night as the moon. Despite her disfigurement and loss, Mayari never lost her kindness. She's also renowned for being the goddess of evolution, war, hunting, weaponry, beauty, strength, and night. In the Philippine pantheon, Mayari is the most enchanting deity despite the scar on her lost eye. Mayari is a morena beauty with delicate features decorated with elegant tattoos. The moon goddess is a model of inner strength and compassion.
Alas, certain folktales frequently depict women as being restricted by domestic norms. For instance, the well-known myth, Malakas and Maganda, characterizes a woman as only attractive and frail. She is porcelain-skinned with rosy cheeks. She is the feminine ideal: shy, demure, modest, loyal, and submissive. In Mansumandig, the wife is in charge of overseeing and protecting the family's finances, whereas in Siete Pecados, seven misbehaving daughters are transformed into seven islands. However, in Hinilawod, a woman is portrayed as a fierce warrior, and in Ang Ginhalinan Sang Adlaw Kag Gab-i, the moon bravely departs her cruel husband, the sun. Strong representations from precolonial society were able to permeate through the gaps in the portrayal of Catholic women, despite the fact that Spanish colonization shaped female personalities to conform to the Virgin Mary stereotype—reverent, devoted, and apathetic in vanity.
Behold her power
Urduja and Mayari's tales show that Filipina women have always been fierce, determined, empowered, gentle, and kind. As our ancestors have guided us through the stories of old: boldness, bravery, ambition, and compassion define the ideal Filipina woman. And these kinds of traits from the Filipina women mentioned are a force that should go on. Their story teaches us never to waver in threats but to stand up for ourselves.
As Wilfred Galilia put it in his essay, The Power of Pinays: “At its core, Philippine society is a matriarchal society.” More often than not, a woman runs and leads family businesses, institutions, and the family treasury in modern society; in Filipino families, the most influential and, at times, feared member typically is the matriarch. A Filipina can love, lead, and inspire herself, her family, and others.
These tales portray an array of powerful women—damsels who aren't afraid to use their might. With this, these women's roles can serve as role models for girls who read these stories, inspiring them to believe that they, too, can be strong and courageous.
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