III.

STRUGGLE OF
FILIPINAS
ADRIAN ALEXIS P. CORTES
• The ideal woman for the Spaniards is someone who is overly religious,
submissive, and obedient. Yes, the typical “Maria Clara”. That “mahinhing
dalaga” stereo type was brought to us by the Spaniards. Women can no longer
loiter around, run along the meadows, and swim in rivers or climb trees as
children. The real Filipina was replaced by the ideal woman dictated by the
Spaniards. During the Spanish occupation the woman being subordinate was
instilled, men rising as the dominant gender, establishing a patriarchal society
that has prevailed and surpassed generations, and is now the prevalent type of
society that we follow. The Philippines was controlled by the Spaniards and the
Catholic Church. Women were no longer allowed to hold high positions and
participate in political activities. She was even snatched of her right to express
her thoughts being instructed to stay within the shadows with her lips sealed.
 The Filipino Women During The American Colonial
Period
• The American colonization claimed to have brought upon liberalism and paved a path for
Filipina women to access freedom and equal opportunity. In contrast to the conservative
Spaniards, this may have been a saving grace.
• The American colonial period merely brought a small handful of native rights towards the
surface, awakening the prominent figures Filipinas once were in Philippine society.
Industrialization and the establishment of a nationwide education system also aided in
propelling women to the field of work, alongside men. 
WHAT WAS THE STATUS OF WOMEN
DURING THE AMERICAN PERIOD IN
THE PHILIPPINES?
• The coming of the Americans
created opportunities for
women to earn college
degrees and learn the
essentials of business.
• Women were employed in
managerial positions as
heads of business firms
dealing in textiles and
native cloths, jewelry,
embroideries, pawnshops,
rice and foodstuff,
bakeries, real estate, and
transportation.
• The influence of women in
business has even extended to
retail and other industries
previously dominated by men.
The prioritization of
education was responsible in
improving the influence of
women in the fields of trade
and commerce.
• An analysis of the role of
women in society during
the American regime
showed their evolving
presence in the economy.
Filipinas were given more
responsibilities as
managers in different
industries because of their
leadership skills and good
work ethics.
WHAT WAS THE STATUS OF WOMEN
DURING THE JAPANESE PERIOD IN
THE PHILIPPINES?
The Filipino Women During The Japanese Colonial
Period
• When WWII in the Pacific broke out in December 1941, Filipinos immediately joined the
army or the communists to resist Japanese occupation of the Philippines.  Stories of rape,
looting, disappearances, and murder abound. With most of the men leaving to join the
guerrilla movement, women were left to fend for themselves and their families, and tend
to the home. War proved to be an equalizing measure; rich or poor,  man or woman,
Filipinos lost lives, livelihood, and property. At the same time, poor and privileged
women and men alike contributed what they could to the war effort.
The Filipino Women During The
Japanese Colonial Period
• Women professionals served their country in
many other ways. Filipina nurses and doctors
continued to help civilians, soldiers, prisoners-of-
war, and guerrillas despite the loss of their
hospital and the scarcity of food and supplies, as
in the case of Bruna Calvan, Carmen Lanot,
and Guedelia Pablan in Bataan
The Filipino Women During The Japanese Colonial
Period
• Women engaged in whatever means of
livelihood was available to them so
they could provide food for their
children.
• They rendered charity and social work;
or joined the guerilla movement as
spies, nurses, or soldiers.
• A few continued to write and
document the nation’s ordeal.
• With the men joining the military or
guerilla forces, the responsibility of trying
to keep the economy alive in an
agricultural country fell largely upon the
women. Women have been tilling the land
since the beginning of time, but especially
during the war they were left to tend to
their family’s farms and were also made to
work in plantations that were being run by
Japanese companies.
• Filipino women in 1943 organized the Women’s
Auxiliary Service (WAS). It’s mission was to
make sure that guerilla fighters in Mindanao had
food and shelter. Performing hospital and
dispensary work, WAS members also
administered first aid and treated the wounded.