Halika, Hija by The Lakambini

BEHIND “HALIKA, HIJA” BEHIND “HALIKA, HIJA” - BEHIND “HALIKA, HIJA” - BEHIND “HALIKA, HIJA”

Gillian Navarro COMMITTEE HEAD

Nicola Jade Caparas

Erin May Cochanco

Aidrielle Reymundo

Nicole Abenoja

Olivia Santos

Gabrielle Mabazza

Soﬁa Ynez Bederi

Julianna Montenegro

CONTENT HEAD

CONTENT WRITER

CREATIVES HEAD

ARTIST

“Halika, Hija”? What is it? What’s it about?

Women & Vanity

Beauty Standards • Shiny • Poems of Allure

Purity Culture e Virginity Myth • Break Free

e Vaginal Economy Are You Lost, ABG? • Anyong Tubig

WHAT’S “HALIKA, HIJA”?

Words by Nicola Caparas Illustration and Layout by Gillian Navarro

“WOMEN — they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty.” - Jo March

The possibilities that women can achieve surpass the boundaries that society has imposed on them (i.e. expectations for how to look, act, and react). Women are notably on the receiving end of various noxious constructs that shape the “beauty” myth, an ideology of femininity that recasts over time to create new parameters, and aims to frustrate any attempt to gain power. They have been exhorted and expected to behave with only as much leeway as society permits.

Stereotypical Standards Nowadays, the system by which people gain social recognition hinges erroneously on physical appearance. Gaslighting, in this case, manifests in the ways women question their worth, believing that physical attractiveness is one of life’s most significant assets. That being said, it is often misconstrued that looking like what society portrays as “beautiful” actually equates to being empowered. An “ideal” woman often correlates with exhibiting the following: hourglass figure, narrow shoulders, clear and fair skin, and strong bone structure. This also enables different body types to be cataloged under negative connotations. Aside from these, their acceptance in society is frequently gauged by the relationships they form with others. Especially in underdeveloped countries, women are viewed as mere objects created for the sole purpose of childbirth and domestic activities.

Social Media: A Springboard for Self-Consciousness Coupled with the rise of social media, intoxicating criteria for which people often strive, unknowingly damaging their self-esteem, also mushroom. Especially

among the youth, beauty trends surfacing on Instagram and other similar platforms build labyrinths, imploring them to constantly be in the loop to be “trendy” while being oblivious to the fact that it all circles back to having heightened anxiety, depression, and self-consciousness. Such platforms also cause distress through competitive market fields, pressurizing women to give in to the whispers of what more they can do to “enhance” their beauty by means of indulging fabricated necessities through products and services under the guise of aiming to correct any imperfection. It can even be argued that beauty no longer lies in the eyes of the beholder, for, in this age of narcissism, people strive to maintain a standard which may be attained at the cost of mental well-being and health (among others).

A Global Movement Towards Inclusivity and Diversity Despite stigmas that have stood the test of time, it is important to acknowledge shifts from the archetypal narrative of beauty to stories of body positivity, as well as selfand peer-empowerment. Combating perennial structures that have plagued the notion of what it means to be beautiful, women across the globe are denouncing objectification and concern for trolls who cause derision whenever they do not conform to unrealistic and elusive beauty standards. This global fight towards the genuine acceptance of all kinds of body image and self-expression, however, does not happen overnight. Rather, this is a continuous movement that requires tremendous engagement, participation, and cooperation from those willing to stand up with women.

Words by Aidrielle Raymundo Illustration and Layout by Nicky Abenoja

“Shiny girls have it all!!” The advertisement outside the Clinic looks shiny and new, but you know that it’s been there for years. You’ve been seeing it ever since you were a child. You walk in. A Shiny woman with an emotionless smile welcomes you. “Are you Of Age?” “How can I tell?” you ask. “Hmm,” the woman thinks. “Do you hate your body?” “Yes,” you answer immediately. “Then you are Of Age,” she says, and then leads you to another room.

This room is packed with dozens of smiling, Shiny women. One asks you if you are ready for the Procedure. You pretend to think for a moment, but you’ve already decided. It’s been decided for you. A Dull girl is a worthless girl. That’s what everyone always says.

Slowly, you begin to forget what you looked like before, too. Was your skin darker? Your body rounder? You can’t remember. You run to the bathroom and look at your reflection. The face that stares back at you is your mother’s. It is the face of every woman back at the clinic. Shiny.

You only have one question. “What do I have to give up to be Shiny?”

There’s a panic clawing at your chest. You look for your framed childhood photos, taken years before your mother became Of Age. You just want to see what she looked like--what you looked like--before you both turned Shiny. In all of them, your mother’s Dull face is nothing but a blur. You watch in horror as your face begins to blur as well. You drop the photos in shock, the glass prickling your new, Shiny skin.

“Oh, nothing much,” another woman says, or maybe it’s all of them--they all sound the same. “Just all your time and money.” “And a piece of your Soul,” a woman adds. “But we promise it’s worth it!” The Procedure didn’t take much time at all. They say it went by so fast because you’ve been preparing for it all your life. They give you a bottle of Shine, with instructions to reapply every hour or else you’ll go back to being Dull. “What happens when I run out?” you ask. “That’s easy,” one woman says. “With a small piece of your Soul, you can just buy another one!” You go home to your Shiny mother. She tells you how proud she is, and when you look at her, you realize she looks exactly like the women from the clinic, smiling emotionlessly. Has she always looked this way? She only became Of Age a few years ago, but suddenly you can’t remember.

You rush back to the bathroom and grab your bottle of Shine. It cost you a piece of your Soul you’ll never get back, but maybe you can still hold on to the Soul you have left. You try to look at the mirror but can’t, can’t even stand the sight of your new Shiny self. You watch as the Shine spirals around the sink and eventually goes down the drain. The now-empty bottle sits on top of your trash can. Tomorrow you will wake up duller, but at least you will be yourself.

Poems of Allure Words by Olivia Santos Layout by Erin Cochanco

Guns and Lipsticks Guns are menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weapons Lipsticks are womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s armours Both guns and lipsticks alike Yield power but bring fright

Beautifully Jailed You would think beauty fazes all ordeals But beautiful women face tiresome trials It holds them prison in pain Jailed pretty and vain

When the Mirror Talks

As you stare into your eyes And as you ask “Who’s the fairest of them all?” It is I who see It is I who hear Let it be known, That you only see what you want to see But I see what you need to see For the fairest need not to be known For fairest has always been your own

Purity Culture /ˈpyoorədē ˈkəlCHər/ noun.

Purity Culture is the perpetuation of conservative ideals that society expects women to conform to. These ideals include being prim, proper, modest, graceful, puritan, among other things that they consider “pure”. Not only does this hinder them to express themselves in their own ways, it also forces women to maintain their purity as to not tempt men into being sexually attracted.

Conservative

Heteronormative

Liberation

Words and Layout by Gillian Navarro Illustration by Nicole Abenoja Photos by Gayle Belvis and Yvonne Solon

Feminism

VVV

The Virginity Myth Words by Aidrielle Raymundo Layout by Erin May Cochanco

What is Virginity? Virginity is defined as the state of never having had sexual intercourse. But the thing is, it’s not actually real. There is no medical or biological evidence that can prove whether anyone is a virgin or not. A more accurate definition of virginity would be this: It’s a harmful and misogynistic social construct made to oppress women. “A more accurate definition of virginity would be this: It’s a harmful and misogynistic social construct made to oppress women.” Virginity and the Hymen An intact hymen is commonly believed to be the sign that someone with a vagina is a virgin. The hymen is a thin piece of tissue that surrounds or covers the vaginal opening. During one’s first time having sex, the hymen may tear which can result to bleeding. Thus, when someone bleeds during their first time, then people “know” that they are a virgin. However, not everyone bleeds during their first time. Studies have shown that the non-tearing

of the hymen is actually more common. The hymen can also be torn in other ways. It can be gradually worn down from doing activities such as dancing, biking, and gymnastics. The use of tampons and menstrual cups may also thin the hymen down over time. Many people are also born without a hymen at all. Thus, the state of one’s hymen--or lack thereof--should not be a basis for virginity. How It Affects Us Virginity is therefore not a medical or scientific issue, but a social one. In many different cultures, including our own, the concept of virginity is forced on women to be considered of “high value.” Women who engage in sexual activity before marriage are often seen as immoral and are constant victims of slut shaming. The concept of virginity is, simply put, unfair. When people have sex, they do not actually lose anything. They do not lose their dignity, their honor, or their self-worth. They are still whole, and they are still worthy no matter their sexual experience--or lack thereof. That’s why we must continuously unlearn any preconceived biases about the virginity myth. Because in the end, that’s all virginity is: a myth.

Are You Lost, ABG? (Asian Baby Girl)

Dark brown eyes, pin-straight black hair, petite frame, small hands. Terms like “Asian fetish”, “yellow fever”, and “Asiaphiles” are often tossed around in modern-day vernacular. The relationship between Asian fetishization and white supremacy needs to be talked about more. It’s rarely explained to us, yet it’s still prevalent in society today. Internalized racism hiding behind backhanded compliments, years of colonization, dominance and control. Its foundation is systematically oppressive and abusive, and directly targets anyone of Asian origin. This notion is largely influenced by Western imperialism, whose manifestations clearly play into white supremacy. Comfort women, rape, and other acts of sexual violence against Asian women during the wars have further proven this. However, the biggest factor that instilled the image of the sexualized Asian female, was the U.S. military presence in Asia, beginning in

World War II and continuing through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. A local industry flared —including “juicy bars” and brothels— created with the sole purpose of servicing U.S. soldiers then. A lot of history, dialogue and stories from Asian countries rich in culture and color are erased when a fraction of them are fetishized. This continues to contribute to further reducing women - Asian or otherwise - to mere sexual objects.

This is not the conversation we want to have, yet it is the conversation we need to start. Words by Sofia Ynez Bederi Illustration and Layout by Gillian Navarro The Vaginal Economy Illustration by Gabrielle Mabazza

Isinulat ni Aidrielle Raymundo | Nilatag ni Erin May Cochanco

Sabi ni Inay dapat akong mag-anyong tubig Nagbabago ang korte base sa kinalalagyan Kayang maging mahinahong ilog O mabagsik na karagatan Sa ganong paraan Hinding hindi ka nila maiisahan Naalala ko ang kaniyang payo noong makilala kita Agad-agad mo akong kinahon Pinili lamang ang mga parte ng aking identidad Na kaya mong masikmura Takam na takam ka sa kayumanggi kong balat Sa buhok kong sing-itim ng gabi Sa baluktot kong pananalita Naalala ko pa rin kung paano mo ipinagbmayabang Sa lahat ng kayang makinig Kung paano ako nahumaling sa bughaw ng iyong mga mata Sa puti ng iyong balat Sa talas ng iyong Ingles (Isa sa pinakapaborito mong bagay tungkol sa akin Ay ang aking katahimikan) Isinabuhay ko ang mga payo ni Inay

Hinubog ko ang aking identidad Ayon sa iyong mga pamantayan Naging mahinhing sapa Imbis na mabangis na alon Ilang daantaon din ang prosesong ito Ang pagpatag ng mga umbok Ang pagpapakinis ng mga galis Ang pagpapatahimik sa mga protesta Ang pagsasawalang-bahala sa lumalalang pagkabalisa Pero mali ang payo ni Inay May mga uri ng tubig na hindi papayag na Magpakahon Unti-unti nitong sinisira ang anumang nagtangkang Palibutan ito Inabot man ako ng sandaang taon Tutubusin ko na ang aking identidad Dudurugin ang kahon na pinalibot mo sa akin At sa wakas Tunay na isabuhay ang payo ni Inay Bilin niya ay dapat akong mag-anyong tubig Kaya tulad ng mabagsik na unos Ng rumaragasang ulan Ng malawak na karagatan Hindi ako pasusupil Ang aking teritoryo Ang aking pagkatao Ay babawiin ko

read my lips

Written by Nicola Caparas Collage and Layout by Gillian Navarro

Read my lips Heed the rivers of intellection Abound with suppressed autonomy; Listen to the rhythms of recurrently silenced voices Of ignored truth and formidable energy; Read my lips As I tell you not to instruct me With your clueless dictations of haughty dispositions, With your attempts to fill the conjured void You tend with band-aid covers of presumption; Read my lips As I refuse to conform to blind obedience, Gales of temerity rattling in my veins, Relinquishing seemingly permissible confines Through staggering deviance from ramrod reins ~~~ I asked for it? The age-old belief that I have no agency Over the beauty that is my body Whose sole purported job entails docility, Blindly accepting the virile sword with no pugnacity; I asked for it? Lecherous invitations plague terrains offline and online, Rejoinder the onset of renouncing norms Encroaching on autonomy and unbridled confidence As vicious as tempests bound I asked for it? Invasive slights, behests, inquisitiveness Intending to capsize the paroxysm of she; The duty to sanitize and nurse the sheath That is believed not to be my property ~~~ Read my lips. Does it have your name on it?

THE LAKAMBINI WHO’S BEHIND @THE.LAKAMBINI?

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Gayle Belvis

Gabrielle Catahan

Daron Gregorio

Gillian Navarro

Kirsten Navarro

Yvonne Solon

EXTERNALS DIRECTOR

CREATIVES DIRECTOR

EXTERNALS DIRECTOR

Chloe Taal CREATIVES DIRECTOR

WRITING DIRECTOR

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

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VOLUNTEER WRITERS

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Nara Altobar Sophia Bantilan Soﬁa Bederi Nicola Caparas Francesca Criseno Monique Cruz Rhiannon Cushing Hateya Damole Kazandra George Xycara Juariza Sophia Lozano Janine Perez Aidrielle Raymundo Camille Reyes Katrina Royong Olivia Santos Julianna Santos Ashley Vicencio Alexandra Villaluz Bernice Zarzuela

Nicole Abenoja Bien Bautista Maria Christie Buenaventura Erin Cochanco Naida Dubongco Jean Denise Duran Gabrielle Mabazza Marian Meris Julianna Montenegro Hanna Morales Danelle Natividad Ma. Estrellita Paderes Aleana Tomas Francesca Ventanilla

REFERENCES Beauty Standards BY NICOLA CAPARAS

Adhya, A. (2019, January 11). Toxic Beauty Standards, When Do You Plan To Leave? Feministaa. Retrieved from https://feministaa.com/2019/01/11/toxic-beauty-standards-when-do-you-plan-to-leave/ Anthony, V. (2019, September 01). Toxic beauty standards? Ceylon Today. Retrieved from https://archive.ceylontoday.lk/features-more/3535 Chew, S. (2020, February 20). We Know at Beauty Standards Are Unrealistic. But What Does It Mean to Opt Out of em? Rice Media. Retrieved from https://www.ricemedia.co/culture-life-beauty-standards-unrealistic-nocompetition/

e Virginity Myth BY ADRIELLE RAYMUNDO

Ferguson, S. (2019, October 25). Does it hurt when your hymen breaks? Retrieved August 09, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/does-it-hurt-when-your-hymen-breaks Heger, A., & Emans, S. (2000). Evaluation of the sexually abused child: A medical textbook and photographic atlas (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. Rogers, D. J., & Stark, M. (1998). e hymen is not necessarily torn after sexual intercourse. British Medical Journal, 317(7155), p. 414. doi:10.1136/bmj.317.7155.414

Are You Lost, ABG? BY SOFIA YNEZ BEDERI

Stephens, S. (2018, April 30). 5 ings You Need To Know About Asian Fetishization & White Supremacy. Everyday Sexism. Retrieved from: https://everydayfeminism.com/2018/04/asian-fetishization-whiteness/ Park, P. (2014, July 30). e Madame Butterfly Effect, Tracing the History of a Fetish. Bitchmedia. Retrieved from: https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/the-madame-butterfly-effect-asian-fetish-history-pop-culture

e Oxford Compact Dictionary & esaurus (1st ed.). (1997). Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Press.

COVER NI ERIN