Issue #1 Women’s Empowerment Month May 2016
ISSUE NO: 1
LAYA!
Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief Det Guiamoy Assistant Editor-in-Chief Jeb Monge EDITORS News Allen Suating Features Reesha Cata-al History Oswald Santos ART Layout Artist Pat Santos Editorial Cartoonist Kamote Kick Cover Illustration Clarisse Monton
Table of Contents Maligayang Paglaya!
Clarisse Monton Ela Bicera Fatima Joyce Esteves Salve Grace Losbanes
Transcendence
Los Lunaticos Bravos John Arcilla Glenmarc Antonio Chiqui Perez Selya Gonzales Meagan Mateo Pauline Palita Las Flores Valerosas de Filipinas 2016 Photographer Chari Palanca Heneral Luna Memes Page Representative Clarice Dela Cruz
Page 2
Pagbati mula sa Heneral Romeo John Arcilla
No Longer Staying Silent
Page 2
Women are people that deserve respect Reesha Marion Cata-al
Las Flores Valerosas de Filipinas
Page 3
Ang Kapangyarihan ng Kababaihan Reesha Marion Cata-al and Clarisse Monton
Of Hugots and Inang Bayan
Page 4
Love Nation, a mini poetry-reading and ats festival Fatima Joyce Esteves
Maria Clara: The Ideal Filipina
Page 5
Does the Maria Clara stereotype still hold true for the modern Filipino woman? Clarisse Montin
In Unity
Page 6
A Reflection of Survival Salve Grace Losbanes
Page 8
Ang Badass na si Mameng Oswald Santos
Sinetch Itey?
Page 9
History Edition! La Loba Negra
Mga Tanyag na Babaeng Manunulat SPECIAL THANKS
Page 2
Munting pagbati mula sa EIC Det Guiamoy
Darling! feat. Carmen Planas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
DATE: 05-30-2016
Page 10
Pagtaguyod ng karapatan ng mga kababaihan gamit ang pluma Ela Bicera
Matam-is Nga Kabuhi
Page 11
The Sweet Life! Allen Suating
Alamat ng Kansilay
Page 12
Isang patunay ng katatagan ng kababaihan Allen Suating
Makata rin po pala kayo? Mga piling tula
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Page 13
LAYA!
ISSUE NO: 1
Maligayang Paglaya!
DATE: 05-30-2016
To my Dear Los Lunaticos Bravos,
Munting pagbati mula sa EIC
As a remark for our virgin issue, let me write you a sort of free verse poem that I would love to read as spoken words in one of the upcoming gatherings in our calendar.
By: Det Guiamoy
Maligayang pagbati sa mga nagdownload at kumuha ng kopya ng newsletter!
Transcendence
Isa talaga sa mga pangarap ko ang makapag-contribute sa pagpapalaganap ng diwang makabayan. Kaya naman laking papasalamat ko sa aking staff (labyu guys), lalo na kay Papa Bear John Arcilla sa tiwala at pagkakataon na pangunahan ang pahayagang ito. Ito ang opisyal na newsletter ng LLB, sana subaybayan ninyo kami palagi!
Love everyone; disrespect no one. Then you’ll float in the air like a feather and the wings you just discovered will teach you to FLY
Para nga pala ito sa mga kababaihan. Mabuhay ang mga peminista!
Suddenly the pursuit of a TRANQUIL place that you have consistently dreamed about will YIELD and let go of the walls you’ve been trying to build to shield yourself from IMAGINED enemies and rivals
Nagbibigay-pugay, ang mahiwagang EIC
People who believed will stay with you forever; and true friends will keep you in a LIFETIME; wherever the destiny takes you, it’s a blessing to find them in the same Paradise.
No Longer Staying Silent Women are people that deserve respect By: Reesha Marion Cata-al
In the end, it’s immaterial to yearn for those you can not find; they MAY have already bid goodbye.
When a woman dresses in clothes that reveal any inch of skin, chances are that she’ll gain attention from men, especially if they deem her beautiful. Men will watch her walk by, and wolf-whistle when they are satisfied by what they see. Many will shout at her, words that may outright disrespect and even threaten her, yet the girl can do nothing but walk faster, to avoid those who stare hungrily at her body.
Fret not; the right place is where you are. Thank you :) — Heneral John Arcilla
The sad part is, that’s the least horrible thing that they can do to that woman. Society dictates that women have to dress and act in a modest way to have dignity and respect, and look down on women who do otherwise. They criticize, judge, and outright hate on a woman who dresses like a “slut” and spit bible verses and virtues of modesty and chastity. They think that women dress up to draw attention and they shame them for it. Yet this is the same society that lusts after women who show skin, who happily cheer when women “look sexy” and reveal their flesh for all the world to see. They
John Arcilla at Love Nation with some of the moderators of Los Lunaticos Bravos. Left to right: Meagan Patricia Mateo, Sellena Gonzales, Nadine Flores (in red cap), and Lira Fiedacan (in khaki general cap). Photo by Pauline Palita.
(CONTINUED ON P. 6)
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LAYA!
ISSUE NO: 1
DATE: 05-30-2016
Las Flores Valerosas de Filipinas Ang Kapangyarihan ng Kababaihan By: Reesha Marion Cata-al and Clarisse Monton
The weather was fair, with the sun hidden by the clouds over Luneta park on a Sunday afternoon. In a cave by the Senior Citizen’s Garden, a group consisting of young people were busy preparing for the event that they had planned for months on end. Las Flores Valerosas de Filipinas, or “The Valiant Filipino Flowers”, held last May 22, 2016 as organized by Los Lunaticos Bravos, fans of the movie Heneral Luna, led by Mr. John Arcilla himself. It was a celebration of Filipino women empowerment, a show of the strong flowers our rich history bore, and the activities were truly exciting.
Philippine heroines and heroes, were getting into the costumes they had carefully planned out for the past few months. All of the dedication, hard work, and effort were truly astonishing and amazing to see. Come 5:00 pm, everyone had finished preparing for the parade as they lined up and waited for the sagala of the female senior citizens. Soon enough, the participants were walking around Rizal Park with their heads held high. If our Philippine heroines saw the parade that afternoon, they would have swelled with pride.
Inang Bayan and Heneral Luna as represented by Meagan Patricia Mateo and John Arcilla. They were at the tail end of the Senior Citizen’s Flores de Mayo sagala and the Las Flores Valerosas de Filipinas parade. Photo by Chari Palanca.
The flurry of activity inside the meeting place since 3:00pm was a show of nonstop bustling. The final arrangements were set, the organizers went over all the remaining details, and the participants of the parade, who had chosen to portray many different
Blessedly, there was none of the expected sweltering heat during the parade. Being a participant, the lone ranger amid a line of flowery women, there was the pressure pre-parade of having too many eyes on us as we marched. But none of that was there.
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There was only a silent awe, a hidden excitement, as people momentarilly stopped walking to check what our characters’ names were, and if we were heroines that they knew. Whatever nervousness there was had passed in favor of a hidden pride that people were curious enough to want to know who this dressed up female soldier was, if she had a name that they could find. The interest of some may have only been in passing, and they may have forgotten us once we were out of sight—but for one moment, fleeting as it may be, they were intrigued. They wanted to know who these characters in history were that led the way to Inang Bayan and Heneral Luna. What came after the parade was another show of Filipino pride, not just from the youth, but from the elders that came before us as well. Both sides stepped out of their metaphorical box with their talents; the elderly showed off their dancing skills and their wonderful voices (and with such a romantic song in their artillery, one of our parade members couldn’t help but sing along) using Filipino classics, while the youth showed off their passion for justice, for equality, for women empowerment, and for loving the country using balagtasan. Even Rizal himself (or, at least, a person who portrayed him) contributed to the show of women empowerment with his reading of his letter to the women of Malolos—women who, in Rizal’s time, were strong and courageous enough to step up to the plate by asking the Spanish-led government for the chance to create a school for themselves and their fellow Filipino women.
ISSUE NO: 1
LAYA!
DATE: 05-30-2016
Of Hugots and Inang Bayan
Love Nation, a mini poetry-reading and arts festival By: Fatima Joyce Esteves
I failed the exam for a major subject that I took the day after Love Nation.
John Arcilla in his Heneral Luna garb during his closing remarks. Photo by Det Guiamoy.
Of course, there was John Arcilla himself, who gave his speech on the one thing similar in all of us, be we the youth or the elderly: our love for our country. While numerous years may separate us from each other, while we as youth may be lacking in experience in certain areas, and while we may come from different backgrounds, there will always be that love for our country that will unify us, be it in times of need or in times of just being. While some of us may be new to this, having only kindled (and for some rekindled) our love for country due to instigating factors like the Heneral Luna film, what remains is the truth that we want to nourish this love for our country, in much the same way as our elders have in the years that have passed and will eventually come to pass. At the end of the day, there may have been pictures taken, friends made, and fun felt by all—but this all would not have come to pass without that Filipino sense of unity. Not just for the sake of celebration, or for the sake of socializing, but for the sake of letting people know the existence and reality of our Philippines’ valiant flowers, be they youthful Filipino Roses or our much beloved (and seemingly ageless) Sampaguitas.
You’re probably thinking “It was just a few hours long, you still had time to study”, “You should have studied first before the event,” and the ever-classic mom line, “Why didn’t you prioritize your exam over the event?” Here’s why: 1.) Los Lunaticos Bravos is the first organization that I joined in my college life. I was eager to attend an event that let me meet new people, and finally meet the online friends I have made through this organization. 2.) It’s not everyday that a well-known and respected celebrity organizes an event for all that allows everyone to showcase their love for this country. 3 ) I was part of the team that volunteered to do the decor of the venue, which is incidentally really close to where I live, and 4.) I just really wanted to run away from all of my responsibilities for a while. (Kids, ‘wag tularan!) This is a really overused thing to say, but nonetheless true. The event was really enlightening. It’s one thing for one person to be passionate about their
country. It’s another thing for likeminded people to come together and be passionate together. God knows our country needs these people right now, especially in the wake of the recently concluded elections, where Filipinos became more divided than ever. Love Nation was an event that put these passionate people together, and strengthened their love for their nation. Paco Park was a very fitting venue for this event, since it was the place where Gat Jose Rizal was initially buried, and where the three martyr priests GomBurZa were also laid to rest. From the rousing opening remarks of Sir John Arcilla, to the poetry reading, to the getting-to-know-each-other, to the impromptu poem compositions, to that one Sisa performance, to that absolutely amazing Balagtasan-like exchange between Gregorio del Pilar and his girls, to the heartbreaking letter from Juliana Piqueras to her Paco Román, it wasn’t hard for the patriotic feelings to surge and intensify. One thing I can say is that it was the perfect first event that I have ever attended.
John Arcilla at Love Nation with some of the moderators of Los Lunaticos Bravos. Left to right: Glenmarc Antonio, Chiqui Perez, Nadine Flores, and Sellena Gonzales. Photo by Pauline Palita.
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LAYA!
ISSUE NO: 1
DATE: 05-30-2016
Maria Clara: The Ideal Filipina
Does the Maria Clara stereotype still hold true for the modern Filipino woman? By: Clarisse Monton
Maria Clara has long been idealized as the image of the perfect Filipina; conservatively educated, beautiful, loyal, demure, and an obedient daughter to her family. It was said that Jose Rizal created her in the image of the woman he held dearest, the woman whom he saw as his most beloved even after years upon years of being separated from each other. He portrayed the kindness he loved in Maria Clara, and a pure heart that is as loyal in love as it would be to family. He loved her dearly, as can be attested by his works dedicated to her, and he held her high as one would a golden ideal. This is, perhaps, the origin of the high pedestal from which women must be held. In love he thought highly of his beloved and the character he based upon her, perhaps to the point that his image of her has reached the unattainable stars. Perhaps, he did not mean to. But he had set the ideal for Filipino women in Maria Clara when he created her as the loyal-in-love heroine of his novels. And, consequently, this fostered the idea of women as ideally being “kind, quiet, enduring, and submissive”. While it is true that ideals are generally seen as imaginary or unreachable concepts, some hold these ideals as actual standards for women, even going so far as to insult and put down the women who stray from the image of Maria Clara. To be open with your thoughts, to be passionate and unashamed of sharing your feelings to the world, to challenge how the world understood you—these are the things women were not supposed to do during our colonial period. And perhaps, even now.
Certainly, we may allow women their space and their opinions. But there are still some who share their thoughts deriding these women, viewing them as children who were not raised well by their parents. And some even make it an automatic reaction to ignore women when they share their thoughts to the world. Choosing to shut down women’s voices with the thought that these are just “complaints” or “rants” of a constantly unsatisfied wife, daughter, lover or radical feminist, is to choose the path of ignorance and sustained patriarchy. Why else would anyone willingly ignore a woman who voices significant concerns for her wellbeing, and the well-being of women like her? Why would they shut her out, if not for the reason that they believe women should be seen, but not heard? There is nothing wrong with being kind, demure, loyal, or obedient. But to let a Filipino woman remain educated only in things that will continue to oppress her, to never let her know that she is not required to endure all hardships set upon her, is to turn these qualities into detrimental aspects of a woman’s personality. If the Filipino woman remains submissive for the sake of the Maria Clara ideal without knowing that she has the right to her own body, to her own voice, and to her own life, she will remain oppressed. And in consequence, without power. Taking her power away for the sake of keeping her always a level below her male counterpart will only result in the fostering of a society that will never know true development.
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Is it impractical to believe that Filipino women can be unlike Maria Clara yet just as admirable, if not even more so? I think not. Gabriela Silang is a wellknown entity for women going beyond the Maria Clara stereotype, considering there is an organization named after her that advocates women’s rights. She was a wife as much as she was a leader. And loving someone did not entail that she be a follower and mourn forever when she lost her husband. She went above and beyond in the fight against the Spaniards, serving not just as an aide-de-camp to the rebel troop’s leader, but as its eventual leader herself when her husband was killed. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is another example of a woman who went beyond the standards set upon her, going so far as to engage in all three branches of the Philippine government, and all while having other accomplishments in politics both within and outside the country. She does not only speak her mind; she gives her opinions frankly, perhaps to the point of offense for those who are not used to point-blank honest criticism from a politician. Her presence is firmly felt, even if criticized by others. And it is noticeable how many of the youth admire her for her excellent work in the government. Along with all of these things are her loyalty and love to her family and nation, and her compassion that is felt in how she chooses to continue working for and serving the Filipino people even while being held back by her illness. (CONTINUED ON P. 7)
ISSUE NO: 1
LAYA!
In Unity
(CONTINUED FROM P. 2) think that women dress up for them and take every opportunity to impress men and cheer them for it.
DATE: 05-30-2016
This is a horrifying yet real situation, one that we ourselves have created. We have this mindset wherein women
A Reflection of Survival By: Salve Grace Losbanes
On its third year, QCinema brought along a larger independent film roster. Among these films was Iisa (translated in English as “As One”), the debut film of Director Chuck Gutierrez, who for the past few years was known for his film editing skills and documentary work. Unlike films that showed stories through words and actions, Iisa showed itself through series of mise en scène. Though these things may be less noticed by some of the audience, they may be interpreted as symbolic of the lives and stories of the characters in the movie; that they may have told how the characters survived tragedy through faith and unity.
Illustrated by Kamote Kick
I have heard stories of my friends who feel unsafe as they walk by the streets, even in broad daylight. They say that it makes them uncomfortable when men stare at them and catcall them and they just look away. Some are even touched without their consent, and that the predators get away with it. And the worst case scenario? Women get raped. It is disgusting to think how people in society are such hypocrites, and how they shame women for the way they dress; they feel like it is their business to dictate what a woman does. They objectify women and view them in a sexual way. Is this the society that we want our daughters, mothers, sisters, cousins, friends to live in? Is this the society that we want any woman to live in?
have to expect that in order not to be catcalled, they have to cover up their body. But the truth is women should not be treated this way. They can dress however they want because it is their choice. Respect is not based on face value— it should be given no matter what type of clothes you wear. Everyone deserves respect, no matter what. So the next time you see a woman feel uncomfortable when she sees men whistling at her, eyeing her like the carinderia’s best ulam, call these men out. Change will come when you make it come, so let’s all respect one another and the way we dress, and raise each other up. Let’s make it a better society for women to be safe in.
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Still from the official trailer of Iisa / As One for the QCinema Film Festival last October 2015.
THE MUD The first scene was when the rebels were buried in the mud. Both Mao and Rufo were stuck, struggling just to survive. THE DESTROYED HOUSES As the rebels finally regained their strength, they came across a small town also hit by the typhoon. They then rescued several people in the area. Destroyed houses and trees surrounded them as they searched for a good place to build shelter. (CONTINUED ON P. 7)
ISSUE NO: 1
LAYA! (CONTINUED FROM P. 6)
THE CROSS Among the structures that were destroyed by the typhoon was a chapel. The only part of the chapel that was not destroyed by the typhoon was the cross. Fortunately, through unity, they were able to let the cross stand on top of the hill.
The darkness intensified the bad side of the characters: Ross stole the money meant to build a school, and Maoscared rich people just to gain something for their survival.
DATE: 05-30-2016
to survive. Unfortunately, they were shot by a soldier which led to their death. As their bodies were being carried away, the camera focused on blood and two sacks of rice on the road where they were shot. GREEN LEAVES AND SUNLIGHT This was the last scene before the movie ended. The green leaves with melting dew was a sign that a new life would begin soon.
A new day dawns upon them after the tragedy. A brighter tomorrow is coming.
THE STREAM Aside from the cross, another thing that repeatedly appeared in the movie was the stream. At first, the flowing water from the stream was clear, then it turned into a light shade of brown. The everything they once had slowly turned into nothing. Their surroundings, once full of light, became dark and dirty. DARKNESS It was dark throughout the movie. The director explained that it was because there was no electricity in that area. But the “no light” production could be interpreted as part of the story.
Every element was fit for the movie’s theme. As the title would say, AS ONE / IISA is not just the mere survival of one person, but the survival brought by the failures and successes of each and every person being affected by the typhoon. And that regardless of our circumstances and past mistakes, after the rain the sun will shine again. A new day is born, and we could always start over. Together. As one. Permission has been granted to the author by director Chuck Gutierrez and actor Mon Confiado to use the photos for the article.
(CONTINUED FROM P. 5)
The darkness intensified the bad side of the characters: Ross stole the money meant to build a school, and Mao scared rich people just to gain something for their survival.
TWO SACKS AND THE BLOODY ROAD In one scene, two of the characters (Ross and Mao) entered an NFA warehouse to grab some sacks of rice in order
In these examples, we see that not going by the standards of the Maria Clara stereotype does not necessarily mean turning away from all traits associated with her. Rather, the idea that must be understood here is that we, as women, can embrace these traits without feeling that we need to have them to be regarded as true women. A woman need not submit, or endure, or be endlessly kind to be regarded as a true woman. A true woman just needs to be who she is: herself in her entirety, without compromising her identity for the sake of another. How she knows herself, and how she lets other people see her, is how the Filipino woman can be understood in all her forms and qualities. That is the mark of an ideal Filipino woman.
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LAYA!
ISSUE NO: 1
DATE: 05-30-2016
Darling! feat. Carmen Planas Ang Badass na si Mameng By: Oswald Santos
N
oong taong 1937, binigyan ng Commonwealth Act No. 34 ng karapatang bumoto ang kababaihan matapos magkaroon ng plebesito kung nararapat bang bigyan ng pantay na karapatan sa pagboto ang mga Juan at mga Maria. Mahigit siyamnapung bahagdan (90%) ang pumayag na maipatupad ito—isang testimonya ng pagkakaroon ng tiwala ng kalalakihan sa kakayanan ng mga kababaihan. Kaya noong ika-14 ng Disyembre , 1937, sa unang pagkakataon, nakaboto na ang mga Maria at si Binibining Carmen Planas ay isa sa mga unang nahalal na babae sa pamahalaan. Si Carmen o “Mameng” ay ipinanganak noong Marso 23, 1914 sa Tondo, Maynila. Isa siya sa apat na supling ng mag-asawang Iluminado Planas at Concepcion Lim. Bata pa lamang siya ay nakitaan na siya ng talino. Kitangkita ito sa pagiging consistent valedictorian ni Mameng sa Zaragosa Elementary School, Colegio de Sta. Rosa, at Holy Ghost College (ngayo’y Holy Spirit College). Kumuha siya ng pre-law sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas kung saan siya ay naging iskolar. Doon niya naipamalas ang galing niya sa retorika at pagdedebate. Sa galing niya, nakatanggap siya ng gintong medalya mula sa isang paligsahang pang-orador. Isinabit sa kaniya ang medalya ng Floor Leader at Ispiker ng Pambansang Asemblea. Minsa’y idinebate niya kung nararapat bang bigyan ng karapatang bumoto ang mga kababaihan. Una’y umanib siya sa mga pabor dito at maganda ang kaniyang ipinamalas. Nang pinalipat naman siya sa panig ng mga
tumututol, mas naging magaling pa siya at dahil dito, tumanggap siya ng dalawang gintong medalya. Noong Agosto 3, 1935, isang malakas na bagyo ang humagupit sa Maynila. Dahil dito, inanod ang isang troso sa Isla ng Convalescencia sa Ilog Pasig. Nakita ito ni Yoshio Tagashira, isang kapatas ng isang kumpanya, at pinagalitan niya ang karpinterong si Anastacio Lozano. Inutusan ni Tagashira si Lozano na kuhanin ang trosong inanod sa kadahilanang sila ang pagbabayarin ng halaga nito kapag nagkataon. Subalit, nalunod si Lozano habang kinukuha ang troso sa ilog. Dahil dito, nagsampa ng kaso si Silvestra Cueva, ang ina ni Lozano, laban kay Fausto Barredo na siyang may-ari ng kumpanya at amo ni Tagashira. Humihingi rin ng danyos si Cueva kay Barredo. Subalit, hindi ito pinayagan ng huwes na si Emilio Mapa sa kadahilanang hindi naman sa problema sa makinarya ang dahilan ng pagkamatay ni Lozano. Idiniin din ni Mapa na aksidente lamang ang nangyari. Siyempre, hindi ito matanggap ni Cueva kaya naman dinala niya ang isyu sa Korte Supremo. Naging mainit ang usapin tungkol dito at naging laman pa ito ng mga pahayagan. Isang araw ay tinanong ng isang mamamahayag kung ano ang tingin ni Quezon sa pangyayari. Pinanigan ni Quezon si Cueva at idiniin niyang hindi maaari ang ganitong desisyon sa kaniyang pamahalaan kung hindi marunong ang huwes na bigyang kahulugan ang karapatang pantao ng namatay na karpintero. Tinawag niya pang “taong namumuhay sa ika-16 na siglo” si Judge Mapa at nararapat diumanong matanggalan ng trabaho.
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Napansin din ni Pangulong Quezon ang dalawang babaeng nasa bulwagan noon. Biglaang sinabi ni Quezon na, “Sana’y walang mga babaeng mamamahayag dito para masabi ko sa inyong mga kalalakihan ang naiisip ko sa ganoong mentalidad.” Sabay bitaw ng kaniyang paboritong mura, PUNYETA. Maraming nag-react sa mga sinabi ni Quezon, kasama na si Mameng. Sa isang youth rally, nagbigay ng komento si Mameng at tinira si Pangulong Quezon. Noong panahong iyon, hindi pa bukas ang isip ng mga tao para sa isang babaeng naglalakas-loob na sabihin ang kaniyang mga saloobin. Kinabukasan ay naging laman ng mga headline ang mga salitang, “U.P. Coed Attacks Quezon.” Sumikat siya at pinatawag siya sa Malakanyang. Inusisa siya ng ilang tao doon kung bakit ba niya tinira ang presidente. Depensa naman ng matalinong si Mameng, hindi niya tinitira ang pangulo kundi ang kanyang mga ginawa. Nakuha ni Mameng ang atensyon ng noo’y lider ng Young Philippines Party at future guerilla leader na si Wenceslao Q. Vinzons. Ninais ni Vinzons na sumali si Mameng sa kanilang partido upang tumakbong konsehala ng Maynila sa Eleksyong 1937. Kakapasa pa lang ng Commonwealth Act No. 34 at kakabigay lang ng karapatang bumoto para sa mga kababaihan. Pumayag si Mameng at masipag na nangampanya sa Maynila. May kalabuan pa naman ang mata ni Mameng ngunit hindi niya sinuot ang kaniyang salamin. Sinama niya (CONTINUED ON P. 9)
ISSUE NO: 1
LAYA! Sinetch Itey?
(CONTINUED FROM P. 8) na lang ang kaniyang kapatid na si Charito para magsilbing kaniyang mga mata. Minsan pa, umulan sa kanilang political rally. Aalis na sana ang mga tao nang biglang sinabi niyang, “Huwag kayong mag-alala. Titigil rin ang ulan.” Tumigil nga. Sa isa namang pagkakataon, may isang taong nag-amok sa kanilang political rally. Buong boses na sinabi ni Mameng, “Tumigil ka nga. Bakit hindi ka lumapit at sabihin mo sa akin kung ano bang problema mo?” Badass si Mameng! Nanalo siya sa edad na 23 at naging pinakabatang kandidatong tumakbo sa pamahalaan. Siya rin ang naging unang babaeng konsehal ng Maynila. Partida, ikatlong taon niya pa lang ng abogasya sa UP at hindi pa nagtatapos. Anong nangyari noong nanalo siya? Sarap buhay ba siya katulad ng ibang kandidato sa halalang ito? Iba siya. Siya ang uri ng pulitikong lumibot sa mga pagawaan at gumawa ng mga ordinansa para mapabuti ang sitwasyon ng mga manggagawa. Ilan sa mga ordinansang ito ay ang pagkakaroon ng cross-ventilation at mga day-care nursery para sa mga sanggol sa loob ng mga pagawaan. Siya rin ang unang naka-isip ng mga tawiran o pedestrian lanes sa Maynila at pinagbawal niya ang paninigarilyo sa loob ng mga sinehan. Naglabas rin siya ng ordinansa na tanging mga Pilipino lang ang maaaring magtinda sa mga pamilihang-bayan. Nagpagawa rin siya ng mga pabahay para sa mga mahihirap pati na rin ng mga palaruan at parke para sa mga bata. Isang araw, nagmamadaling pumunta sa isang appointment ang konsehala nang makita ang isang reporter na balak siya makapanayam. Napansin ng reporter na nagmamadali talaga si Mameng at hindi puwede. Tinukso niya ang konsehala na may “date” yata siya. Walang ano-ano’y, sumagot siya,
“Oo! Ang ka-date ko ay ang lungsod ng Maynila!” Dahil dito, tinawag siya ng marami na MANILA’S DARLING o MANILA’S SWEETHEART. Nang sumapit ang Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, nagpatuloy pa rin sa pagtulong si Mameng. Tinulungan niya ang mga gerilya ni Vinzons, pinakain ang mga Briton at Amerikanong nakapiit sa UST at Assumption College. Minsan siyang nahuli ng mga Hapones at ikinulong sa Fort Santiago. Dahil sa kaniyang tulong, naging gobernador siya at kalihim ng Philippine National Red Cross. Nag-iisa siyang naging delegado ng PNRC Convention of Red Cross Governors sa Oslo, Norway. Naging legal advisor din siya ng Philippine
DATE: 05-30-2016
History edition!
Hatid ng Charoterang La Loba Negra
Magandang morning, mga beks! Ansabe ng mga chismax sa palengke sa mga kakaibang kwento ng history? ‘Yun, mga chismax. Pero ang mga itech, confeermed! Hulaan niyo ‘to mga kabarang-gay, trulalu ‘tong mga jjampong blind items! 1.) Sinetch itey na Katipunero na nagbenta ng laman bago dumating ang mga Kano? Clue: Haba ng hair nito, bhe! 2.) Sinetch itey na rebolusyonaryo na lumaban sa battlefield para masabihang hindi puro porma lang ng tatay ng bebeloves niya? Clue: Megan Young pa siya n’ung na-dedo! Association of Women Doctors, ng Filipino Youth Symphony Organization at ng Women’s International League. Kalaunan ay naging representante din siya ng Philippine Lawyers Association sa Lawyers International Conference sa Monte Carlo, Monaco. Hindi na siya tumakbo para sa ibang posisyon at hindi na rin siya nakapag-asawa. Simple rin lang ang kanyang pilosopiya sa buhay, “Just do the best I can in any given problem. The results, I leave to God who must have a reason for everything that happens.” Sa huli, natupad din niya ang pangarap niyang malibot ang mundo. Nakarating siya ng India, Germany, Italy, at France. Nagtungo rin siya sa Chicago, USA noong Agosto 1964 kasama ang kaniyang pamangkin para maging judge sa Miss International contest sa California. Siya pa ang nag-ayos ng brochure ng kandidata noon ng Pilipinas sa si Gemma Cruz (Araneta). Dagdag niya pa ang impormasyon na apo ni Dr. Jose Rizal ang pambato. Nang makoronahang Miss International si Gemma Cruz ay hinimatay si Mameng dahil sa severe hypertension. Sinugod siya sa Grant Hospital kung saan di na siya nakarecover at namatay noong Agosto 25, 1964. Wala na sa mundong ito si Carmen L. Planas ngunit hindi matatawaran ang kaniyang iniwang bakas sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Pinatunayan niyang kayang makipagsabayan at mahigitan pa ng kababaihan ang kalalakihan. Pinatunayan niyang malaki ang naiaambag ng mga babae sa pag-unlad ng bayan—joint effort ng lalaki at babae ika nga. Mabuhay ang kababaihan! Mabuhay si Carmen Planas!
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ISSUE NO: 1
3.) Sinetch itey na president na ginamit ang charms ng misis niya para maakit ang isang foreign leader na magkaron ng ilang kasunduan sa Mindanao? Clue: Madalas magpa-macho ang papa mo sa mga pictures niya noon lalo na ‘pag naka-topless! 4.) Sinetch itey na girlalu ang pretty bebe noong kadalagahan niya na nagsilbi sa KKK at gumamot ng mga sundalo? Clue: Thunders! 5.) Sinetch itey na trapong natepok ng cholera? Brainy pa naman, balimbing nga lang! Clue: Mr. Suave ang peg nito! 6.) Sinetch itey na bayani na sumakay dati ng chu-chu train ang nagka-trauma nang iwan siya ng tren na umikot lang? Clue: Laging nambabasted ng babae! 7.) Sinetch itey na pintor na grabe kung makagamit ng brotsa? Biruin mo, naka-benteng junakis! Clue: Realism ang peg ha! 8.) Sinetch itey na iskultor na diumano ay nakikipag-usap sa mga kaluluwa ng ilan sa mga bayaning inukit niya? Clue: Kaapelyido ng senatoriable! 9.)Sinetch itey na pangulong nanggulat sa isang representative sa Washington nang inunom nito ang hugasan ng kamay na may lemons? Clue: Tambay sa StarBucks ang lolo mo! 10.) Sinetch itey na Pilipinong musikero na shining shimmering splendid na pinakamahusay noong panahon ng mga Espanyol? Clue: Di sha famous pero worth knowing! Ayan, inihain na. Maging malikot sana ang mga utak natin, mga bhe. Basa-basa rin ‘pag may time, ha? Para mamulat sa mga kasinungalingang pinapakalat sa Facebook. Malalaman ang mga sagot sa susunod na isyu, hanggang sa muli!
LAYA!
DATE: 05-30-2016
Mga Tanyag na Babaeng Manunulat
Pagtaguyod ng karapatan ng mga kababaihan gamit ang pluma By: Ela Bicera
Sa kasalukuyang panahon, marami nang naiaambag ang kababaihan sa ating bansa sa iba’t ibang pamamaraan. Isa na rito ang pagsulat ng dula, nobela, tula, at maikling kwento. Ika nga ng iba, ito ay simple lang, mga bagay na wala namang naitutulong sa lipunan. Maliit lamang ang binibigay na atensyon ng tao dahil isa lamang itong pampalipas oras at walang silbi. Ngunit para sa mga kababaihan, isa ito sa nagsilbi nilang boses sa masa. Hindi man nila ito direktang naihahayag, naipapakita rin nila na ang pagsulat ay hindi basta-basta lang. Apat sa kanila ang nagpatunay sa kapangyarihan ng pagsulat. Isa na rito si Paz Marquez-Benitez. Hanggang ngayon ay kinikilala pa rin ang kanyang maikling kwentong “Dead Stars” na nakasulat sa wikang Ingles. Ang kwentong ito ay tungkol sa nawalang pag-ibig ng lalaki sa babaeng minahal niya at sa babaeng hindi na niya kayang mahalin. Isa si Paz Marquez-Benitez sa mga kababaihang nagkaroon ng karapatan na matuto sa ilalim ng sistema ng edukasyon ng mga Amerikano. Isa rin siya sa mga prominenteng miyembro na nagtatag ng Philippine Women’s University. Naging maimpluwensyang guro siya sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas na nagtuturo ng pagsulat ng maikling kuwento. Isa sa kanyang mga tinuruan ay si Paz Latorena, kilala sa kanyang mga likha na pinamagatang “The Small Key” at “Desire” na nakasulat din sa wikang Ingles. Isinaad sa kwentong “Desire” ang buhay ng isang babaeng nagnanais ng pagmamahal at respeto
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sa kabila ng hindi katanggap-tanggap niyang itsura. Ang kwentong “The Small Key” naman ay patungkol sa isang mag-asawa na kung saan ang kanilang pag-ibig ay sinubok ng nakaraan. Si Latorena naman ay nagtapos sa Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas at doon nagturo din siya ng mga kurso na kaugnay ng Panitikan. Naimbitahan din siya ng kanyang guro na si Marquez-Benitez na magsulat para sa Philippine Herald Magazine, kung saan ang kanyang alyas ay “Minna Lys”. Isa rin si Latorena sa mga nagtatag ng UP Writer’s Club at Literary Guild. Pangatlo naman ay si Liwayway Arceo, na sumikat sa kanyang mga nobelang “Titser” at “Canal de la Reina”. Ang “Canal de la Reina” ay patungkol sa dalawang ginang na naglalaban sa kanilang karapatan sa isang lupain na pagmamay-ari nila. Samantalang ang “Titser” naman ay tungkol sa isang guro na mas ninanais maghatid ng pagbabago sa kanyang maralitang bayan imbis na ang kanyang sariling pag-asenso sa buhay. Si Arceo ay isang manunulat, tagapaghatid ng balita sa radio, at isa ring aktres. Naging bida rin sa pelikulang “Tatlong Maria” na patungkol sa mga pangyayari noong panah on ng Hapon sa ikalawang pandigmaang daigdig. Tumanggap din siya ng mga parangal para sa kanyang iba’t ibang nilikhang pampanitikan. (CONTINUED ON P. 12)
LAYA!
ISSUE NO: 1
DATE: 05-30-2016
Matam-is nga Kabuhi The Sweet Life! By: Allen Suating
Sa inyo anu ayhan ang kabuhi sa probinysa? Mataw-hay? Mabud-lay? Ukon Matam-is? Ari may istorya ko sa inyu. May isa ka isla sa Pilipinas nga pinasa –hi tungod sang iya hugis. Daw parehos sa isa ka Medyas. Ang ina nga isla ay ginatawag nga Negros. Ari ini nahamtang sa tunga ka Panay kag Cebu Island. May Duha ka probinsya sa sini nga Isla. Ang Negros Occidental kag Negros Oriental. Ini nga isla ay isa na subung ka rehiyon. Ina ang Negros Island Region ukon Region Mula sa: philippineinternment.com XVIII. Ang daan nga pangalan sang sini nga isla ay Buglas nga gin islan sang Negros tungod sa mga Negritos nga gaistar diri sang una. Sa diri nga lugar madamu gatubo nga Tubo.
take ka mga hapon ang negros pero wai man nagpaperdi ang mga taga diri. Daw tubo man nga ga bato sa malaw ay nga tiempo para mabuhi ini. Nagsuko ang mga hapon sang 1945. Pagkatapos sang gyera nagbagon man ang Negros. Sang mga dekada sang 80’s nagka crisis diri, may atabu diri nga malala nga drought tapos masudlan pa sang duwa ka bagyo. Pero nagtindog ang mga tawo diri nga daw tubo nga gadaku para maging kalamay. Bisan anu nga crisis makaya. Sa ina nga dekada naimbento ang Maskara Festival. Isa sa mga kilala nga pyesta sa Pilipinas.
Litrato, kuha ni Allen Suating.
Ang tubo parehos man sang Negros, ginapilit nya magtindog biskan anu nga kalamidad ang mag agi. Tugod dira matilawan ta ang isa ka matam-is nga kalamay.Tungod nagtindog ang Negros natilawan man namun ang matam-is nga kabuhi. Dapat kita mangin parehas sa isa ka tubo nga biskan madamu natilawan nga crisis sigi lang tinog kag bagon. Mag bagon kita para matilawan ta man ang isa ka matam-is nga kabuhi. 10 Hiligaynon words and phrases you need to know Hiligaynon is a language spoken in the Western Visayas Region and Negros Island Region.
Litrato, kuha ni Allen Suating.
Ang kabuhi sa Negros macomparar ko sa Tubo ukon Sugar Cane. Ang tubo ang gapanguna nga produkto sang Negros Occidental. Sugar Capital of the Philippines bansag di. Pero amu ni, ang tubo may mga stages guid nga gin agyan para maging matam-is sa. Sang tiempo sang mga espanyol nagdamu diri ang mga katubuhan kag hacienda. Nag boom ang industria sang kalamay diri. Pero nag aklas gyapon ang mga Negrense kuntra espanyol tungod sa indi maayo nga pamalakad ka mga espanyol. Natabo ang Negros Revolution kag sang November 5, 1898 nagsuko ang mga espanyol. Gintatag sang amu man na nga tyempo ang “Cantonal Government of the Republic of Negros” upod diri ang Negros Occidental kag Oriental. Pag abot sang mga Amerikano ginbuwag ang Cantonal Government kag gin isa liwat ang Negros sa Pilipinas. Sang WW2 gin at-
Hiligaynon
Tagalog
English
maayong aga
magandang umaga
good morning
maayong gab-i
magandang gabi
good evening
guapa/matahum maganda
beautiful
dira
doon
there
diin
saan
where
wala
kaliwa
left
tuo
kanan
right
ano takna na?
anong oras na?
what time is it?
tag-pilá iní/inâ?
magkano ‘yan?
how much is that?
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LAYA!
ISSUE NO: 1
Alamat ng Kansilay By: Allen Suating
Noong unang panahon, bago pa man dumating ang mga Espanyol sa isla ng Buglas (dating pangalan ng Negros), may nakatirang isang magandang “lin-ay” (dalaga) sa isang baryo sa tabing dagat. Siya’y si Kansilay–napakabait, napakaganda, gustung-gusto ng mga tao sa kanilang baryo. Siya rin ang kaisa-isang anak ni Pinunong Bubog, ang pinuno ng baryo. Ang kanyang kasintahan ay si Lawa-an, isang matipuno at masipag na “ulitao” (binata) at mahal na mahal nila ang isa’t isa. Nagkasundo ang mga kanilang mga magulang na magkakaroon ng sa isang “tambe-palad” (kasal) kapag sumapit na sila sa hustong edad.
Habang wala ang kabinataan, dumating sa kanilang baryo ang isang pangkat ng mga tulisan na pinamumunuan ni Lunok. Sinunog nila ang mga kabahayan, ninakaw ang mga gamit, at ginahasa ang kababaihan. Pinulong ni Pinunong Bubog ang mga nakakatanda at nilabanan nila si Lunok. Sa kasawiang palad, nagapi nila Lunok ang pinuno ng baryo pati na ang mga kawal nito. Kaya naman pinulong ni Kansilay ang mga kababaihan at inarmasan nila ang kanilang mga sarili upang ipaghiganti ang kamatayan ng kanilang mga kababayan. Humingi siya ng tulong sa isang diwata na di nag-atubiling binigyan siya ng isang espadang walang mahika.
(CONTINUED FROM P. 10) At ang huli’t higit sa lahat, si Lualhati Bautista, na sumikat din sa kanyang mga nobelang “Dekada ‘70” at “Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa?”. Ang mga ito ay naisabuhay din sa pelikula at siya ring nagsulat para maisadula ng pelikula. Ang “Dekada ‘70” ay patungkol sa isang ina na patuloy na lumalaban para sa kanyang pamilya na namulat sa panahon ng diktadurya. Ang “Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa?” ay nagsasaad ng kwento ng isang babae na gumaganap bilang isang ina sa makabagong panahon.
Isang patunay ng katatagan ng kababaihan
Isang araw, nangayam (nangaso) sila Lawa-an at ilang kabinataan ng kanilang baryo na tumatagal hanggang sa kabilugan ng buwan. Bago umalis, nagpaalam pa si Lawa-an kay Kansilay. Hindi nila alam na may mangyayari palang hindi maganda sa kanilang lugar.
DATE: 05-30-2016
Litrato, kuha ni Allen Suating.
Kinalaban ng mga kababaihan sila Lunok at kanyang mga kawal. Naging matindi ang labanan at malubhang nasugatan si Kansilay. Mabuti na lang at biglang dumating sila Lawa-an at ang mga binata para matulungan ang pasukong kababaihan. Nagtuos sila Lawa-an at Lunok sa isang mahabang duelo kung saan napatay si Lunok. Dali-daling niyakap ni Lawa-an ang kanyang naghihingalong kasintahan. Sa huling pagkakataon, nagpalitan ng matatamis na salita ang dalawa bago nawalan ng buhay ang dalaga. Sa loob ng mahabang panahon, nagluksa ang mga tagabaryo matapos ang libing ni Kansilay sa ibabaw ng isang burol. Isang araw, may tumubo na halaman sa burol na ito. Di nagtagal, lumaki ang halaman at naging isang matibay ang puno na pinapalamutian ng mga bulalak na kulay lila at rosas.
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Si Bautista ay tumanggap ng malalaking parangal sa kanyang mga likha bilang isang nobelista at manunulat sa pelikula at telebisyon. Naging Bise Presidente din siya ng Screenwriters Guild of the Philippines at siya lamang ang nagiisang Pilipina na nakasamang naihayag sa International Women Writers na nailathala sa Japan. Naisalinwika na rin ang kanyang mga likha sa iba’t ibang linggwahe. Tunay nga na maraming kayang gawin ang kababaihan. Batid man nila ang panganib na maaaring mangyari sa kanila, hindi ito nagbigay hadlang na maipahayag ang kanilang mga saloobin ukol sa kanilang mga karapatang pantao. Iba’t iba man ang kanilang pamamaraan sa mundo ng panitikan, iisa pa rin ang kanilang hangarin, at ito ay ang ipakita ang kahalagahan ng kababaihan sa lipunan.
Inialay nila ng kanyang mga kababayan ang puno sa babae na namayapa, isang mandirigma na kanilang minahal at tiningala. Sa kasalukuyan, kinilala ang lugar bilang Silay, isang parangal at pagpupugay sa isang magandang dalagang nagbuwis ng kanyang buhay para sa kanyang kinasasakupan.
LAYA!
ISSUE NO: 1
DATE: 05-30-2016
Makata rin po pala kayo? AGUILA ni Sellena Gonzales talampad ka ng mga bituing bumubuo ng iyong imahe.
kung saan mo nais. kung kailan mo gusto.
o di kaya’y isang ibon:
ang siyang tinitingala sa asul na langit habang ang mga ulap sa iyong likuran ay tagapagmasid lamang.
malaya, mandirigma, naghahari sa himpapawid hanggang di ka na masilayan sa abot-tanaw. sino ka sa kanila? sino ang binatang inilapat ang patalim sa kanyang balat upang dumanak ang dugo at ang hangaring sumapi sa rebolusyon? PILIPINA ni Jedidiah Kirsten Guzman Tunay na maipagmamalaki sa buong mundo Mga kababaihan nitong lahing Pilipino Sa ganda at talino, hindi magpapatalo Sa mga hamon ng buhay, hindi susuko. Dakilang ina, ilaw ng tahanan at pamilya Mapag-arugang asawa, katuwang sa pagtanda Tapat sa sinisinta, bayani sa kanyang kapwa KaSAYSAYan nila, tatak Pilipina talaga.
sino ang binatang ito na mula sa isang talampad ng mga bituin ay umusbong ang dalawang pakpak, ang kapangyarihan, at ngayo’y nakakalipad ka na kung saan-saan?
Isang paalala sa ating, mga kapwa kalalakihan Respeto at pagmamahal ang kanilang kailangan Upang manatiling buhay, taglay nilang katangian Mula noon, ngayon, at magpakailan pa man. Winning piece from the recent FEMnomenal: Poetry Writing Contest hosted by Heneral Luna Memes
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siguro nga’y ikaw na ito:
ikaw na ang minsang talampad ng mga bituin na ginuhit ng imahinasyon at binigyang-buhay pagsapit ng banaag. tawag nila sa iyo ay batang heneral. ngunit ito ang katotohanan: ikaw pa rin si aguila.
ISSUE NO: 1
LAYA!
DATE: 05-30-2016
Crossword Puzzle PABABA 1.) Isa sa mga bansa sa Pasipiko na bahagi noon ng Pilipinas sa ilalim ng Espanya 2.) Bayan kung saan nabuo ang pinakaunang encomienda sa Pilipinas 3.) Gitnang pangalan ni Pangulong Jose Laurel 4.) Pangulo ng Komonwelt na isang beses lang nangampanya at natalo 5.) Unang pangalan ng pangulong sumulat ng tulang “Babang-Luksa” para sa kanyang namayapang asawa 6.) Pangulong “maka-mahirap” 7.) Punong Ministro noong panahon ng Batas Militar 8.) Ang Ahas ng Katipunan 9.) Boksingerong nanalo sa “Thrilla in Manila” noong 1975 10.) Guro na naging pangulo mula sa lalawigan ng Bohol 11.) Bachiller en _____, katumbas ng high school diploma noong panahon ng mga Espanyol PAHALANG 12.) Manunulat at opisyal ng pamahalaan na sumulat ng aklat na “The First Filipino” 13.) Unang pangalan ng Chief Justice ng Supreme Court noong nagsimula ang World War II 14.) Arkitekto na nagdisenyo ng Manila Post Office Building at iba pang pre-war buildings 15.) Unibersidad kung saan nagtapos ng abogasya ang unang pangulo ng Ikatlong Republika
16.) Nahalal na pangalawang pangulo sa Tejeros Convention 17.) Gobernador-Heneral na nagpatupad ng Greenwich Standard Time sa Pilipinas 18.) _________ de Tavera, isang prominenteng pamilya noong panahon ng mga Espanyol 19.) Tagapagtatag ng Tagalog Republic at nagpatuloy sa sinimulan ng kaibigan niyang si Andres Bonifacio 20.) Anti-imperyalistang Amerikano na sumulat ng “To The Person Sitting in Darkness”
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21.) Isang pandaigdigang ahensyang nakabase sa Los Banos, Laguna at nag-eeksperimento sa iba’t ibang binhi ng palay 22.) Isang kontrobersyal na pangkatetniko na pinatunayang peke ng ilang banyagang mamamahayag 23.) Huling gobernador ng buong lalawigan ng Davao 24.) Ama ng TESDA