Name: ROBERT VON DE UNA

Year & Section: BSEE 2C

Title: Bidasari
This epic was mostly consisting of female characters such as the main character, Bidasari, the
main antagonist Lila Sari, the Sultana of Kembayat which also the mother of Bidasari and the sister of
Bidasari, Sinapati. On the other side, the epic also presents male characters that help to enhance
feminism as the epic was told. They are the Sultan of Kembayat which is the biological father of
Bidasari, The Sultan of kingdom Indrapura, Sultan Mongindra and most of all, the one who stands as a
parent of Bidasari, Diyuhara. This characters in the epic was kind to promote feminism in the way of
knowing real personalities and characteristics that a community or a kingdom has.
In the first place, which is the Sultan and Sultana of Kembayat or the mother and father of
Bidasari whom was very afraid to get killed by the monster. The Sultan trusted to her wife the life of
their daughter, he let his wife bring their baby where ever she goes. Sacrificially, the Sultana bring their
baby at her own risks, she put the baby inside the boat, hoping that the baby will be saved as it goes
along the river. That scenario in the epic might be tragic for the baby, but for me it is a the most hurting
scene that everyone could ever see. Especially to parents whom are going to be apart to their
child/children, even if it is distrustful, but for the sake of safety and life of their child they will do it. Next
character that really catches and filled feminism is the merchant who finds the baby Bidasari on the
floating boat in the river. Diyuhara I believe is a man, but I also believe in the character he portrays
which is being a single parent to a baby he doesn't even know, he is the best example in the epic of
being a good parent. To get the point of feminism on the characters of Sultan and Sultana of
Kembayat, also of the merchant Diyuhara who stands the role of being biological and known parents of
Bidasari. The story gives them equal amount of rights and responsibilities to perform their role, and that
is being parents regardless of the capabilities they have, regardless of how hard the situation given to
and most of all, regardless of what gender or sexuality they have. Meanwhile, to look upon with the
characters that Lila Sari and Sultan Mongindra played or rolled in the epic, the author makes them the
way of realizing things over feminism. In the scenario where Lila Sari being unsatisfied and being
worried to the response of the Sultan Mongindra over the question of "would you still love me even
when a time comes that you'll see more beautiful girl than me?" We can notice how much Lila Sari
down her worth as a girl and as a wife. Which showcase to us a big realization that we must not be like
her in terms of entering relationship. We must look upon ourselves that the kind of being you yourself is
the highest standard of love, respect and true happiness. The author or the epic is just reminding us
that if we do the same thing as Lila Sari did, we will end up being insecure, disappointed and envious
that will trigger us to do worst things and may lead to accidents or death. Another one, is the character
of Sultan Mongindra whom I believe at the first place that he'll be faithful to his first married wife. Based
on his dialogue in the epic, he's been responding yes upon not looking to more beautiful maiden unless
it's his wife. Although, his character is made to save the life of the main character which is Bidasari, still
he lied on his wife. Both of them lied. That scenario, make me think that the author might make this the
way of telling that cheating or lying doesn't choose any gender. Wherein also, I realized that feminism
is a matter of contentment to what you have.
At last, Bidasari's role or her portrayal in the epic was the character and attitude that really
belongs to feminism. I have observed that the author lead Bidasari on this epic because the story is
about prolonging life. Wherein, can be totally seen in the fighting spirit of Bidasari's character from the
very beginning until the end. From baby life, wherein she's just in the oat floating in the river. Until she
grows unknowingly loving the parents who takes care of her. And of course, in the scenario where
she's in the midst of life and death under the control of the fish and Lila Sari. That points of views and
events happen in Bidasari's life, I can say that she is one of a kind characters in whatever epic it is. The
author has lay all the struggles on Bidasari's character, yet the author has filled the character of
Bidasari with strength and courage. The gender she has, didn't become a big deal, an issue nor a
hindrance for her to achieve life, freedom, and love. She herself, empowers and has the true essence
of feminism that every reader should know, observe and admire. To conclude on how the epic
showcase feminism, I can say that it is exceptional and rare. For the reason that not every reader is
going to notice and appreciate those happenings and struggles meet by every character in the story.
And more of course, the author's efforts of laying feminism in this epic is incomparable. I think, this is
one of the most reason why epic from Mindanao "Bidasari" really hits on around our country, even if the
listener or reader is a boy, girl, lesbian or gay.