The
March 2021 Special Women’s Month Issue
orefront
9 | BALITA
“We need to Come together - Miss USA Ni: John Ian G. Marquez
8 | FEATURES
A Woman of Exellence, Character, Service By: Ray Mark Samson Espiritu
10 | PANITIKAN
Istorbo sa Siesta Ni: Aila Nicole H. Sario
EDITORIAL | 2 Burning at the Stake
EDITORIAL
THE FOREFRONT
The Official Student Publication Unit of Gordon College Editorial Board and Staff 2021-2022 Executive Committee
RAY MARK SAMSON ESPIRITU Editor-in-Chief
AILA NICOLE SARIO
BURNING Cartoon by: Eugene Seguiban Editorial by: Ray Mark Samson Espiritu
M
en praise women like that of Angel Locsin and Liza Soberano and exclaim “Pinoy Pride” whenever they bring the Philippines a point of honor in whatever they do—may it be multiple acting accolades and/or unmatched beauty. But the moment they speak against the inutility of the government and amplify the voices of the masses, the marginalized, and the oppressed, critics, with their rakes and pitchforks, will come knocking on their doors.
/@theforefrontgc
Many years ago, the culture of witch hunting, when torch-carrying angry mobs hunted down who they deemed fringes of society, has thrived even without concrete proof. They are said to be pawns of the devil himself; taking power from him, carrying his will; known as the witches.
“
The hunt began after they spoke—whether for the truth or out of spite, when women speak, the words they utter may possibly be the ones that will be engraved on their epitaphs, if given the luxury of burial.
”
People thought that the horrors of this culture have long been forgotten in the helix of time. Little did we know that it is still ubiquitous even in the 21st century and does not go far from its origins, especially 2
AT THE STAKE in a misogyny, sexism riddled country, wherein the man elected in the highest office himself spews derogatory remarks, further normalizing hate speech against women. What’s worse is the reinstitution of witch trials—the killings. On March 8, during the International Women’s Day, irony paid a visit when President Rodrigo Duterte released a statement, possibly written by his staff, reiterating the need to “create an environment where women’s rights are respected.” It was from the same man who, with all his might, obsesses on silencing women. It was he who made sure of: the continuous red-tagging against Kabataan representative Sarah Elago; securing the guilty verdict of Maria Ressa; detaining Senator Leila de Lima; and discrediting the efforts and actions done by Vice President Leni Robredo. It was also the same man who wanted to eliminate Gabriela Women’s Party from Congress. More than hate speech and tactics of muzzling dissenters are events that resulted in the accounts of Zara Alvarez, Ina Nasino, Baby River, Sonya Gregorio, Fabel Pineda, Jennifer Laude and narratives similar to theirs—many of which go unreported. All have transpired because of the impetuous macho-feudal/fascist system the Philippines has continued to carry upon its lands, cementing the hierarchy of power and gender divide, for the men, without their iron thrones, are nothing but terrified of women who only speak the truth. With the anti-terrorism law in effect under this bloody regime, who knows how many more “witches” will be hunted
Associate Editor
ANGELO TAMAÑO Managing Editor Section Editor
CLARISSA MAE BERJA News Editor
EARVIN JON ARSUA Features Editor
EMMANUEL JOHN GACAYAN Sports Editor Arts Unit
VLADIMER LAGUISMA Graphics Editor
ARDHEE DONATO Head Photojournalist
SIMON GERARD GRANIL Web Designer
DANIELLE LEWIS DIONISIO Illustrator
EUGENE SEGUIBAN Cartoonist
Staff Writers
ANNA MARIE DONATO PATRICIA ROSE LACORTE GENE EZECHIEL LUCERO JOHN IAN MARQUEZ REGGIE BOY VARGAS MR. GUILLER TIOSING MARILA Technical Adviser
Member of College Editors Guild of the Philippines INFORMING AND EMPOWERING
down. Even so, at all fronts, the women have never cowered in terror and continued to fight for their democratic rights. It would not be much of a wonder if one day, a Filipina, after being burned at the stake while the world is drowning in the flaming sea ignited by the wars of men, emerges—unfazed—triumphant; and as the men who scorched her stare in terror, she says valar morghulis.* * Taken from Game of Thrones, a phrase which translates to “all men must die”
#StopTheAttacks #StopTheKillings
T HE L A DY BEHIND T HE S TORY
Lady Ann Salem by: CLARISSA MAE BERJA
Lady Ann “Icy” Salem, an editor of the red-tagged alternative publication Manila Today, had been released from detention on March 5, 2021, after the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court branch 209 issued the release order. Salem was detained for the accusation of illegal possession of firearms and explosive devices during The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) crackdown operation on firearms and criminal gangs. Salem is a journalist and a leader of the press freedom campaign that gives workshops to women journalists from many countries. She was also the Communications officer of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) that aims to enhance women’s role and participation in media. During the commemoration of Human Rights Day, last December 10, 2020, Salem and six other trade unionists, was arrested for supposedly violating Republic Act No. 10592 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and R.A. 9516 or the Law on Explosives, after the police accused them of being involved in a gun-running syndicate. In a statement released by Manila Today, Salem was said to have been denied legal counsel during her arrest and was forced to turn her back during the police raid, which allegedly allowed authorities to “plant fake evidence such as firearms, ammunition and grenades.” The authorities had also improperly used contradictory witness testimony to obtain the search warrant. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines 3
also released a statement as call for Salem’s release. “Proof that this administration is bent on silencing the independent and critical Philippine media so it can manipulate the flow of information to the detriment of our people and of our democracy.” On February 5, 2021, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 209 dismissed the baseless trumped-up charges against her but was not yet final, denying Salem her freedom, but their motions to revoke the search warrant, suppress the evidence, and declare illegally seized items inadmissible were granted. “All told, there being numerous inconsistencies and contradictions, the testimonies of the foregoing witnesses cannot be given full faith and credence. And since the sole basis of the issuance of Search Warrants were their sworn statements and testimonies, the Court finds that probable cause was not sufficiently established,” Presiding Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio said. “Considering that Search Warrants Nos. 6044(20) and 6045(20) were issued in violation of the Constitution and Rules of Court, all the items seized in Esperago and Salem’s condominium unit/premises are inadmissible in evidence, being fruits of the poisonous tree,” Ignacio added. A month after charges and accusations against Salem’s illegal possession of firearms and explosives was dismissed, Journalist Lady Ann Salem was finally released from wrongful detention after the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 209 issued a release order on March 5, 2021.
W H AT L IE S AT T HE END OF T HE
R A INBOW ? by: EARVIN JON ARSUA
Watching cartoons and reading storybooks were my type of entertainment when I was a kid. I have encountered various topics about sciences, lifestyle, or even mythology. One day, I stumbled upon this particular mythology about rainbows. Did you know that at the end of rainbows you can find a pot of gold? I was so innocent back then, but after all this time, maybe it wasn't a myth after all. Rey Valmores-Salinas is a molecular biologist, former Lumad school teacher, political organizer, an advocate for women and gender equality, and most importantly, a transgender woman. She is the spokesperson of Bahaghari, a national-democratic organization of militants and LGBT patriots in the Philippines. Salinas and other LGBTQ+ advocates went for a peaceful protest last June of 2020, where they would not only address gender equality but also free mass testing, consistent Social Amelioration Program (SAP) subsidies, their disapproval for jeepney phase-out, and Anti-Terror Law, but even after following safety health protocols, they were arrested by the police. #FreePride20 broke the internet after the news of the detention of 20 advocates, including Salinas, after allegedly disobeying the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern Act. According to her, “We endured five days of violence: of maltreatment, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, and various forms of torture from the Manila Police District. Violence that we will, of course, not let pass with impunity.” Many of our netizens and local artists expressed their anger, questioning the authorities as to why this is happening. Continued on next page...
NEWS
/@theforefrontgc
/@theforefrontgc
Rey Valmores-Salinas grew up in a conservative family where she was forced to act and be masculine, just to have a family and home to go to. The time came when she fully realized who she was, Salinas began transitioning in her college years into a transgender woman, but it never went easy. "I faced the very real threat of becoming homeless, abandoned, and even almost forced into prostitution to make ends meet," she said in her article for PhilStar. Eventually, her mother accepted her transition. She then found her real home in the name of Bahaghari, where she found herself transitioning again. This time around, she transitioned from an innocent child, with an abusive and discriminating past, into a grown woman who found her voice with the community she loves. All of them learned to fight, be vocal, and resist in a country and its government where the LGBTQ+ community is still discriminated against. Salinas said in an interview with Bulatlatan, "Bilang kabataan, tayo ang pag-asa ng bayan. Tayo ang lilikha ng kasaysayan," in hopes of kindling the spirit of those who are still unable to speak and raise their flags. Golden are those who chose to be brave in this oppressing community. They will resist, fight back, and protest for the welfare of everyone. Bahaghari became the reason we have a strong woman like Rey Valmores-Salinas now. As I have said, maybe gold being at the end of a rainbow was not a myth after all; that maybe, at each end of a band of colors, there lies more kindred spirits, who have their arms raised and fists clenched, with their hearts up their sleeves—unshaken and golden. 4
“Spring Revolution” is what the residents call the ongoing protest in towns and across the cities of Myanmar since February 1, 2021. The forms of protest were non-violent and peaceful as a way of resisting the military seized control staged by the commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw armed forces, General Min Aung Hlaing. Kyal Sin, also known as Angel, was a 19-year-old woman from Mandalay and was one of those who participated during the protest against the military coup in Myanmar. She expressed her support as a call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, a civilian leader who has been detained since militaristic dictatorship started. During the protest, the security forces set in motion a systematic crackdown that results in brutal events, shooting and killing innocent and young protesters. Sin participated in the protest and reported to have broken water pipes to help other protesters to wash their eyes from the tear gas and have also encouraged fellow
protesters to take cover when live rounds were fired. She was also shot dead on that day, March 3, 2021, while she was on the front line. According to the United Nations Human Rights office, there have been at least 138 people who have been killed during the military coup in Myanmar. “It also includes 2,100 individuals comprising of journalists, protesters, activists, government officials, trade unionists, writers, students and civilians that have been detained during nighttime raids,” said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
IN WOMEN WE TRUST Kyal Sin’s sacrifice is known, among the people of Myanmar and across the globe, as an act of martyrdom as she offered her life to fight for their country’s freedom and democracy. Through Sin’s valiant fight in Myanmar, she was able to take part in the protest with no doubt and fear. This kind of act by her can show an interrelationship between many women leaders and younger women across the world for the best armor a woman can wear
wear the courage to speak their minds and a responsibility to let their voices be heard. Her life and sacrifice for her country is a testament of how younger women can and may have dreams to change, develop and lead not only to express their capabilities as a woman but also to create a peaceful and harmonious environment for everyone; moreover, this is also a testimony on how many women trailblazers are pushing boundaries, set by the bloody war, to utilize their capabilities, sometimes leading to even an even bloodier result. Every woman has the aptitude to fight for what is right and just. May the sacrifice of Kyal Sin not be forgotten and become an eye-opener to end the Myanmar protest.
r e h t e g o t e m co n Ni: John Ia
Marquez
Hinikayat ni Abena Appiah, Miss Grand United States of America (USA) at itinanghal na Miss Grand International 2020, ang lahat na magkaroon ng pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa sa paglaban sa pandemyang kinahaharap ng mundo ngayon, sa kaniyang mensahe at adbokasiya, Marso 27
ang pandemya bilang third world war.
Mula sa 64 na kababaihang sumabak sa gintong korona, nahati sila at nagkaroon ng Top 10 Finalist na silang nagbigay ng mensahe't naglatag ng kani-kanilang adbokasiya. Kabilang dito sina Miss Grand Argentina, Brazil, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Thailand, at USA.
"We cannot change the past but we can create a future we all dream of. Together, we have strength. If we join together, we can rise from the ashes that this pandemic has left behind...", wika ni Miss Grand Guatemala.
Samantala, napuno ng pag-asa at positibong pananaw ang mga adbokasiya mula sa kinatawan ng iba't-ibang kababaihang nagrepresenta sa kani-kanilang bansa mula iba't-ibang panig ng mundo.
Mahihinuha sa mga mensaheng kanilang iniwan ang pagpapatibay ng isang nasyon at pagiging sama-sama o iisa sa pagsugpo't paglaban sa pangdaigdigang pandemya.
Sa pagtatapos ng patimpalak, nai-uwi ni Miss Grand USA ang titulong Miss Grand International 2020, Miss Grand Philippines bilang 1st Runner Up, Miss Grand Guatemala bilang 2nd Runner Up, Miss Grand Indonesia bilang 3rd Runner Up at Miss Grand Brazil bilang 4th Runner Up.
"We need to be able to come together as one despite our race, our religion, our culture; we are one people," ani Miss Grand USA.
Patuloy pa rin ang adhikain ng organisasyon sa pagsulong ng 'humanity' bilang kanilang core value.
Kaugnay nito, pumukol din ang salitang 'unity' o pagkakaisa sa mga mensaheng inihatid ng sampung kababaihan.
Kaugnay nito, binuksan ng Miss Grand International Organization ang pagkakataong maisaboses ni Miss Grand Myanmar ang problemang kinakaharap ng kanyang bansa ngayon at ang demokrasyang kanilang hinahangad.
Ayon kay Miss Grand Philippines, ang pandaigdigang digmaan ay nagbago sa panahong ito na mula sa paglalaban ng mga armas ay nag-iba sa kadahilanan ng Coronavirus disease 2019 o mas kilalang COVID-19. Karagdagan, inihalintulad ni Miss Grand Indonesia ang pandaigdigang pandemya bilang isang 'invisible war' na siya ring paglalarawan ni Miss Grand Thailand na inilarawan
5
- Miss USA
NEWS
by: Clarissa Mae Berja
o T d e e N e W
Matatandaang dagsa ang pagprotesta't pagpatay sa bansang Myanmar dulot ng hindi pagkakaunawaan. Sa tulong ng organisasyon, patuloy na umaasa si Han Lay, Miss Grand Myanmar. na magkakaroon ng pag-asa ang kanyang mga kababayan sa krisis na kanilang nararanasan.
Liko sa Diretso s
AILA NICO
Malakas na paghalakhak. Napupuno ng galak ang buong abandonadong bahay hindi dahil mayroong pagdiriwang - kundi dahil may mamamatay.
“Kumusta ka dyan? Nasaan na ‘yung pagiging pagkamatuwid mo?” saad sa akin ng lalaki bago ako tinanggalan ng busal at bigla akong sinakal.
“Pakiusap, pakawalan niyo ako! Nagmamakaawa ako sa inyo,” sigaw ko sa karimlan kaalinsabay ang pag-agos ng mga luhang binabasa ang panyong nakapiring sa akin. Hubo’t-hubad sa lamig ng alas-dose. Habang tumatagal, umiiksi na ang natitira kong oras sa mundo. Sinubukan kong gumalaw pero mas lalo lang nitong dinagdagan ang pagmamanhid na nararamdaman ko dulot ng mahigpit na pagkakatali sa aking mga kamay sa isang kahoy na upuan.
“Bitawan mo ako. Hindi ako makahinga, pakiusap,” pagmamakaawa ko habang naghahanap ng hangin para ipasok sa dibdib ko.
At sa mga sandaling gumagawa ako ng paraan para makawala, biglang humampas sa aking tiyan ang isang tubo, dahilan upang kumawala ang impit na sigaw ko habang nilalabas ang pulang likidong nalalasahan ko– dugo. At muling napuno ng halakhak ang buong paligid.
Saglit na namayani ang katahimikan at dumaan ang ilang minuto, pinakawalan na niya ang kamay niyang nakasakal sa’kin ngunit hindi rito natigil ang impyernong kinahaharap ko. Nagsalitang muli ang lalaki habang iginagasgas ang tubo sa sahig, “Alam mo? Wala ka nang gampanin dito sa mundo dahil paulit-ulit ka nilang binabalewala, inaabandona, inaapakan at higit sa lahat, pinapatay,” naramdaman ko ang hininga niya sa tenga ko. “At paulit-ulit ka rin naming papatayin,” bulong niya. “Lagi mong isaksak dyan sa kokote mo na ang mga tao ay may sariling pagka-uhaw na tanging kayo lamang ang nakakatugon,” saad niya kasabay ng pag-dila sa aking tenga at pag-dura sa akin. Nagsitawanan ang mga kalalakihang nasa paligid. “Hindi mo kami mapapasunod sa mga gusto mong mangyari kaya magsimula ka nang manalangin ngayon pa lang kung makakalabas ka ng buhay dito sa impyerno habang kasama kaming mga demonyong papatay sayo,” saad niya at kumuha ng kutsilyo sa lamesa at bumalik sa akin. Liko sa kanan, diretso sa kaliwa at doon mo madadatnan ang dilim na naghihintay sa iyo. Binibilang ko ang hakbang pauwi at kapag narating ko na ang kinatatayuan ko ngayon, hindi ko na maalala kung saan ako nagtapos– o sa madaling salita, baka ito na rin ang huling pag-bilang ko. Sa puntong ‘yon, hinawakan ko nang mahigpit ang bag na nakasabit sa balikat ko habang ramdam ang takot na namamayani sa daan ng eskinita. Hindi lamang sapat ang ilaw para punan ng liwanag ang buong daan na isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit napupuno ito ng pambihirang
a Kanan, sa Kaliwa
OLE SARIO
dilim.
lot sa buong bahay ang saya ng mga demonyo. Liko sa kanan, diretso sa kaliwa. Room 3-4C. Nakasalampak ako sa sahig sa ilalim ng habang nakatakip ang mga kamay sa aking bibig at mahinang nagdadasal.
“Saan ka pupunta, babae?” Nanginig ang buong sistema ko nang marinig ang boses na ‘yon. Ang taong ‘yon…
“Diyos ko, patawarin niyo po sila sapagkat hindi nila alam kung ano ang ginagawa nila,” mahinang tugon ko sa malamig na hangin. Unti-unti kong naririnig ang pag-apak ng isang tao sa kahoy na sahig at ang palarong boses nito.
Inaasahan ko na wala pa sila sa mga oras na to dahil karaniwan, alas-nuwebe sila tumatambay sa gilid papasok ng eskinita kaya napa-buntong hininga ako at tuluyan nang lumakad.
“Sa susunod na mag-kita tayo, papatayin kita.” Akmang tatakbo na sana ako nang harangan ako ng mga mahahabang braso ng dalawang lalaki habang bakas sa kanilang mga mukha ang totoong dilim. Napa-lingon ako sa kaliwa at kanan, ngunit wala nang iba pang daan. “Sabi ko, saan ka pupunta?” Tanong niyang muli. Walang ano-ano’y sumigaw ako ng pag-tulong ngunit bago pa man ako maka-ulit ay tinakpan na ng isa pa nilang kasama ang bibig ko at bumulong. “Wag kang maingay, miss.” Pilit ako kumawala ngunit nadadala ako ng higpit ng pagkakakulong sa’kin hanggang sa nawalan ako ng pag-asa dahil sa unti-unti nilang pag-hubad ng aking mga dinala mula sa bag, sa aking pang-itaas at pam-baba. At sa huling pag-sigaw, nakita ko muli ang ngisi niya sa maliit na liwanag. Isang ngisi na galing sa demonyo. Napa-balik ako sa reyalidad dahil sa sinabi niya. “Pero may kaunting awa pa naman ako kaya, sige. Papakawalan kita at magtago ka kahit saan ngunit kapag nakaabot ako ng tatlo,” sambit niya habang nakalagay ang punyal sa leeg ko. “Ako mismo ang magtatarak ng kutsilyong ito sa dibdib mo,” ani ng lalaki bago putulin ang tali sa mga kamay ko at tinulak ako. “Tagu-taguan, maliwanag ang buwan. Pagkabilang kong tatlo, nakatago ka na. Isa!” pabirong wika nito habang nagkakatsyawan ang ibang mga kasama. Nakahandusay pa rin ako sa semento dahil sa labis na panghihina. Unti-unti akong tumayo. “Dalawa!” “Tumakbo ka, pakiusap, kaya mo yan,” bulong ko sa sarili ko habang hirap pa rin. Paika-ika man at minadali kong tinakbo nang mabilis ang hagdan papunta sa ikatlong palapag bago ko narinig ang pinakahuling bilang. “Tatlo! Magtago ka nang mahusay kung nasaan ka man dahil ito na ang huli mong tagu-taguan,” buma-
“Babae, nasaan ka na? Hinahanap ka na ng kutsilyo ko!” kasabay nito ang pagpikit ko. Ilang minuto ang lumipas, bilang umalingangaw ang langitngit ng lumang pinto sa kwarto, tanda na nandito na siya. Nag-dasal ako sa isip ko sa huling pagkakataon. “Alam kong nandito ka, lumabas ka na!” muling saad ng lalaki habang nililibot ang buong paligid. Binuksan nito ang mga aparador na mas lalong nagpakaba sa akin. Nang mahalubog nito ang lahat, huminto ito saglit. Napapikit ako nang may biglang humatak sa buhok ko at iniluwa ako sa kama. “AAAAAAAAAAAA!” “Nandyan ka lang pala, sabi ko galingan mo sa pagtatago,” bulong niya habang sinasabunutan ako at nakatutok na ngayon ang kutsilyo sa leeg ko, hinang-hina at hindi makapang-laban. “Mga huling salita?” wika niya habang nakatutok sa akin ang leeg. “Ang mga nanghuhubad ng pagkatao ay mas masahol pa sa demonyo. Ang mga lumalabag sa karapatan ay mga tuliro sa katotohanan. Sa pagbalik ko para maghiganting muli, mag-handa kayo. Kamatayan na ang parusa sa mga taong tulad niyo,” saad ko na nagpa-paskil sa kanya muli ng ginawa niyang ngisi bago tuluyang binaon sa aking dibdib ang kutsilyo. Napaluhod ako habang umaagos ang sariling dugo sa sahig. Sa huling sandali, namatay ang isang babaeng dahilan ng kaayusan. Isang babaeng simbolo ng pantay na pakikipaglaban ng mga babae. Isang babaeng nakapiring. Ang babaeng iyon– pinatay nila ang hustisya para sa mga kapwa niyang babae.
/@theforefrontgc
Excellence, character, service
FEATURE
A WOMAN OF
by : R a
One would mistake her for a singer-superstar, but she is a familiar face for a reason. 22-year-old Katrina “Kat” David from Olongapo City shines bright (see what I did there) with her curly hair, brown skin, and white lab coat.
y Mark Sa m s o n Espirit u
Graduated on 2019, Kat not only enjoyed her time studying but she also left her alma mater with more than just flying colors, she carried with her the very mantra of her institution: her academic excellence proved to be more than enough that she was awarded Maternal and Child Care Midwife of the year; her flamboyant and generous character has earned her the titles Ms. Iconic and Ms. Gordon College 2nd runner-up both in 2018; and not only did she serve as the Midwifery Student Buddy’s President during her stay in college, she now devotes herself in service of her fellow Filipinos as a medical frontliner. On top of all that, she was under the scholarship of the Department of Health (DOH) She revealed to us that midwifery was not her first choice, not even second, for she had and still has a lot in her mind—cooking, animal keeping, camping, traveling. But she learned to love the path she had chosen, as she learned how to appreciate how fulfilling it is to be the one bringing a newborn life into the world.. For Kat, an empowered woman is of many things: being defined by her own understanding of confidence, embracing her capabilities, and having the charisma to encourage and empower other women. She further emphasized that an empowered woman is “someone who [will] do everything [to] fight for her worth and what is right.”
Katrina “Kat” David
Mountaineer, hiker, surfer, swimmer, adventurer, scholar—she is of many things, a multi-hyphenate, but among all that impressive list is what she was and is first and foremost, a woman.
MOXIE Ray Mark Samson Espiritu
Sick and tired of her school’s sexist traditions, Vivian stirred a revolution. It all started with how a transferee, Lucy, responded to her advice about simply ignoring a boy who harassed her, that he was not just being annoying—this was a head-scratcher for Vivian. But she fully understood the context after being inspired by her own mother, Lisa, who was rebellious and temperamental during her teenage years; definitely not a regular mom (pun intended). Vivian’s actions were initially thought of minor and trivial as she instructed everyone to draw hearts and stars to show support to the feminist cause of ending the ranking of women’s bodies in their school. But what started as something small sparked an action that led to changing the very system that has been silencing and harassing women.
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FILM REVIEW
The film could easily fall under the white savior narrative of cinema tropes but this was more than that—it depicted how white privilege can be used to break the status quo; more so, she did not drown the voices of the mistreated by stepping up and becoming their voices; she instead gave them a platform to speak with amplified voices. And all this started because of a doodle on their hands. Society still has a long way to go to end the patriarchy but it could start from the simplest of things. Maybe a hashtag, or a simple symbol—women spark change. However she may start, or participate in it, the place of the modern woman, nay, girl is in the revolution. Stars: 3/5 #MeToo #HijaAko
KULTURA
BAGONG PAMAMARAAN NG
NLINE SELLING sa lente ng
N
gayong panahon ng matin ding krisis—kahirapan, korupsyon, at pandemya—kinailangang maging malikhain ang mga mamamayan upang malamnan ang mga kumakalam na sikmura. Marami ang nagtungo sa Facebook upang magbenta, online selling ‘ika-nga, ng kung anu-ano; maaaring sapatos, relo, alahas, laruan, atbp. Pero kung ito ang bagong normal sa panahon ng new normal, paano nga ba magiging matagumpay kung halos pare-pareho na ang taktikta sa paghahanap-buhay? Dahil sa hamon ng e-commerce ngayon, may mga nagsulputang online seller na tila nasa partikular na bahagi ng katawan nila ang sagot sa ating katanungan.
Got ‘em? Flaunt ‘em! (Strengths) Si Steffania Alvarez, o mas kilala bilang Steff, ay nag-viral kumakailan dahil umano sa pagiging revealing. Siya ang host sa FB page na Need for Kicks. Ayon sa 18 taong gulang na online seller, maliban sa kasanayan sa pagsuot ng revealing na mga damit, naisip niya tinuturing niyang “asset” ang kanyang dibdib. Tama nga naman—alamin ang strengths upang masigurado ang success rate ng isang negosyo. Pero sa konteksto ng danas ni Steff, hindi naman daw talaga layunin na gawing marketing strategy ang pagpapakita ng cleavage, ito’y nasa manonood na lang din talaga kaya siya nag-viral.
Men and their audacity (Weaknesses) Ang tanging kahinaan na nabunyag ng estilong ito ay ang mga kalalakihang butthurt sa tagumpay ni Steff. Marami sa comment section o ‘di kaya’y kanya-kanyang FB post ang bumatikos kay Steff, na, kahit walang ebidensya ng panloloko o pandaraya, hindi raw patas ang kanyang pamamaraan. Bakit hindi kaya atakihin ang
9
SWOT ANALYSIS by: Ray Mark Samson Espiritu
kapwa-lalaki na sa dibdib tumitingin? O ‘di kaya’y pagtuunan ng pansin ang sariling negosyo at alamin ang sariling SWOT nito upang malaman kung bakit mahina ang bentahan? Sino ba ang makapagsasabi ng patas sa hindi? Sino ba ang may monopolyo sa kung paano dapat ang online selling? Hindi ba’t pare-pareho lamang na biktima ng pandemya at gusto lang din maghanap-buhay? Kung sakaling apektado ang ego ng mga kalalakihan, edi gumaya sila—gayong wala namang pumipigil sa kanila kung anong estilo ang gusto nilang tahakin.
Pa-mine, please! (Opportunities) Dahil stay at home and work from home pa rin ang ganap kahit isang taon na ang pandemya, mas marami ang nahuhumaling sa online shopping. At lalong maraming mga mata ang nakatuon sa mga live selling dahil ito ay interactive dahil sa share at “pa-mine” na bahagi nito. At dahil mahilig makisawsaw ang mga Pinoy sa kung ano man ang trending, mas mabilis dumami ang target audience ng pagbebenta online. Minsang umabot ng isang milyon ang mga naghalong mamimili at manonood ni Steff. Dahil dito mas lumakas ang kanyang negosyo at nagkaroon pa ng pagkakataon magbenta ng higit pa sa mga relo at sapatos.
Catfights and Catcalls (Threats) Kasama sa isang milyong manonood at mamimili ay ang mga mapanghusga at mapang-alipusta. Dahil sa pagiging trending, laman na rin ng reaction videos ang live selling ni Steff kung saan pinapakita ang mga na-engganyong reaksyon ng mga kalalakihan na sila ring nasa relasyon. Dahil dito,
magagalit ang kani-kanilang mga nobya, hindi lang sa mga lalaking nahuling nanonood at nagma-mine kundi pati na rin kay Steff. Kaliwa’t-kanang pambabatikos ang natatanggap ni Steff dahil dito, na siya raw ang dahilan ng pag-aaway o pagtatampuhan, minsan pa nga ay paghihiwalay, ng mga nasa isang nobyo’t nobya.
Overall analysis
Sa suma total, malakas at epektibo itong bagong estilo ng online live selling ngunit sa kabila ng libo-libong manonood ay ang libo-libong mapanghusgang mga mata. Una na nga rito ang kultura ng catcalling, na matagal nang sinusubukang bakahin hindi lang ng mga babaeng aktibista, mas lalo ng komunidad ng kababaihan na naniniwala na dapat nirerespeto ang bawat babae ano pa man ang suot nila. Sunod naman ang pagsugod ng mga kababaihan upang hilain pababa ang kapwa babae. Isang araw lang ba ang women’s empowerment? O isang buwan lang? Hindi ba dapat araw-araw nating pinaglalaban ang kababaihan lalo sa bansang lugmok sa daan-daang kaso ng rape at iba pang klase ng pang-aalipusta? Sa huli, wala sa dibdib o sa kahit anong parte ng katawan, may balot man ng damit o wala, ang problema; ito ay nasa pag-iisip ng tao at kung paano niya tingnan ang isang babae.
Istorbo Sa
PANITIKAN
SIESTA S
/@theforefrontgc
Panulat ni: Aila Nicole Sario
a sistemang ating ginagalawan– ang pananaw ng bawat indibidwal; maaaring suhwestyon sa isang partikular na bagay o kasagutan sa mga tanong na dapat bigyan ng pansin ay kaakibat ng pagbabago. Sa ingay ng paligid, dadagdag ka pa ba? Isa. Dalawa. Tatlo. Isa. Isang prinsipyo ang hinangaan sa babaeng hindi nagpadaig– nanatiling kalmado sa kabila ng tensyon na pilit ibinibigay ng oposisyon. Pinatunayan ng isang mamamahayag na hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay kailangang idaan sa agresibong pananalita ang pagkontrol sa isang sitwasyon, bagkus, pinabulaanan lamang ito at idinaan lamang sa pag-flip ng buhok. O, ha, ‘di mo kinaya! Isang babaeng may prinsipyong hindi nagpapasindak at walang takot na hinarap ang tahasang pag-gigiit sa paratang wala sa konteksto. Kailan lamang, nag-ani ang pangyayaring ito ng samu’t saring reaksyon– at ang pinaka-tumatak sa diwa ng isang dalawapu’t isang taong
gulang na kabataan ay sa kung paano napanatili ng batiking babaeng ito ang kanyang postura– tila ang tugon ay buntong-hininga, pag-ngiti at paghawi ng buhok. Babae, para sa’yo ito. Kung kaya niya, mas kaya ko. At kung kaya ko, mas kaya mo. Dalawa. Dalawang kataga ang binandera– “Babae ako”. Babae, kilala sa pagkakaroon ng taglay na kabutihan at kakayahang magkintal sa puso’t isipan ng katatagan at malawak na pag-unawa. Sa mundong puno ng mapanghusgang mata at mga labing puno ng pagpuna, ang pagkakaroon ng tindig na animo’y walang pakialam– ang siyang mag magsisilbing pundasyon upang magkaroon ng kapangyarihan na maging matapang at hindi magpapaapi sa kahit na sino man. Tatlo. Bawat magdadaang araw sa buhay natin ay mistulang isang panibagong kwento at hindi maiiwasan dito ang tatlong katagang “istorbo sa siesta”– kung saan ang siesta ay tumatayong mga kababaihan– tulad ng mahimbing na pagkakatulog ay hindi maitatanggi ang kanilang pagkakaroon ng kapinuhan at busilak na pagkatao samantalang ang istorbo nama’y ang
mga balakid tulad na lamang ng mga taong mababa kung tayong mga babae ay tingnan. Saksi tayo sa kung paano ang ilan sa kababaihan ay naging biktima ng diskriminasyon, hindi pantay na pag-trato at animo’y isang lampa na dapat pang alalayan. Oras na para tanggalin ang mantyang ito sa ating lipunan. Katulad na lamang sa pangyayaring nabanggit, hindi ito naging dahilan upang magpayanig at naging daan pa ito upang magising ang diwa ng isang babae.
Ako si “Pinky Webb”. Isang babaeng may prinsipyo at handang harapin ang bawat istorbo sa siesta. Tandaan mo, laban natin nitong lahat na kababaihan at sabay-sabay nating i-flip ang ating mga buhok. “Hair flip is life”.
Takbo Ni: Anna Marie Donato
Tumakbo ka na bago ka pa mahuli, Magtago ka na bago ka pa makita, Ilusyon lang ang bawat saya, At ang pinatikim sayo na napakatamis na bunga, Walang lason ang mansanas sa gubat ngunit nanunuklaw ang mga ahas, Bilisan mo na tumakas, Nasa labas ang ruta sa tamang landas, Hindi madaling kalaro ang tadhana, Mas nakakatakot pa ito sa ‘yong inaakala, Kaya kung hindi ka pa handa, Ngayon pa lang ay tumakbo ka na... 10
magmula kay eva Halos lumipas na ang dalawamput isang siglo nang simulan kong hanapin ang aking tribo. Tila nababalot ng malaking misteryo kung bakit ganito kami itrato ng mundo Hindi bulag si Adan upang pagtakpan ang hubad na kasalanan ni Eva! Ang rason kung bakit mag pahangang ngayon mahina pa din ang hatol saamin ng nakararami sakanila. Pilit man namin salatin ang pantay na lakas sa umpisa’y iginawad na kay Adan. Kung sa dulo ng hanggan may patibong na ahas na malayang naghihintay sa marahas naming pagtangan. Nakakabingi ang ugong ng hinagpis mula sa aming mga ninuno na hindi nakalasap ng saliw ng kalayaan! Sapagkat pinutol ang kanilang mga dila na ang tanging bukang-bibig ay ang tuwid na katotohanan!
Ni: Patricia Rose Lacorte
Isa, dalawa, teka! wag mo nang paabutin ng tatlo! Dahil handa na ang bagong henerasyon ng aming tribo, upang wasakin ang nakasanayang sistema ng mapanlinlang na mundo. Hawak kamay naming bubuwagin ang binusal niyong pang-huhusga sa kakayahan naming mamuno para sa bayang aming sinilangan! Sa puntong natapos na namin ang pagbilang ng tatlo, matatanaw niyo ang matayog na bandera ng kasarian na aming kinabibilangan. Natatakot ka na ba?O marahil napagtanto mo na siguro ang nag-iisang hangarin ng aming tribo! Hindi namin hinihiling manguna sa mundo, bagkus ang tanging hiling lang namin ay ang RESPETO! Respeto sa aming angking kakayahan! Respeto sa aming mga sakripisyo! RESPETO! RESPETO! RESPETO! Respeto dahil hindi kami babae lang, subalit BABAE KAMI magmula pa kay Eva!
Buhok mong malago, inahit para sa panandaliang kaligayan, Bulubundukin mong panat na kakasuso ng dayuhan. Perlas mo nang naglalawa at laspag na sa tangis ng sambayanan, Polusyong mapanira pawang isipa'y naging pulpol ang kahihinatnan
Luzviminda Pokpok ng Taon Ni: Reggie Boy M. Vargas
Inang kaakit akit-akit tila siya ang pinaka marikit, Mga kalalakihan ay gigil na sa kaniya'y lumapit. Porselanang kutis, tila'y 'sing kinis ng kamatis, Alindog niyang pamatay, walang kupas at mintis. Sa kaniyang pagsilip siya'y t'yak na pipilahan, Tunay ngang si Inay ay palakabigan. Lahat, lahat na ng lalaki kaniyang maaring maging asawa, Kainaibigan, sinubukan, hinagkan at tinikman ng walang kasawa-sawa.
Basura na kalat-kalat, problema ang kinahihinantnan, Talamak na nakawan at patayan ng karapatan ng mamamayan. Drogang hayup sa lintik, sinira ang marming pamayanan, At ngayo'y na sa'yo ang Korona, koronang hindi nanaisin ng lahat ng kababaihan dahil ito'y hindi nakikitang kalaban. Luzviminda, 'wag magpaka pipi, bulag at tila walang kamalayan! Luzviminda gusto kong ipagsigawan na hindi ka isang babaeng bayaran! Luzviminda, kailan kaba nila lulubayan? Luzviminda, kumakalam na ang siimura ng iyong angkan! Luzviminda, hanggang kaila ka magpapatira sa mga problema at patuloy na uungol sa kasarapan? Luzviminda, kailan ka gigising sa hubad na katotohanan?
Nalimutan mo na ata ang tunay kong Ama, Ang iyong unang minahal sa kasarapan sa kama. Ang aking tunay na Amang malalapitan, Naging kabit na siya ng iba't-ibang problema na kaniyang nakasanayan, O Luzviminda iyo nabang kinalimutan? Ang siyang tunay nating masasandalan sa lahat, Papalit-palit lagi na para bang wala nang kasawaan. Kahit ika'y sagana sa katas o tuyot at salat. Paulit-ulit ang mga tagpo, tagpo ng pag-ibig, Pag-ibig mo sa mga problemang lagi kang sa gabi'y niyayanig. Trapiko na mistulang 'sing bagal ng usad na maabot ang karangyaan, Kalusugan ng 'yong mga anak bakit parang napabayaan. Edukasyon na susi sa tagumpay unti-unti nang kinakalimutan, Kuraps'yong ninanakaw ang mga pangarap ng 'yong anak na si Juan. 11
Inay kong Luzviminda! Gising! Gising! Nandiyan na si Ama, Ang tunay mong asawa at hindi kana iiwan. Manalig ka lang ina at maging tapat, Matatapos din ang mga problema natin — lahat.
SPORTS
But, since the wage gap in the context of sports is baked on fame, this matter is much more convoluted. For example, The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) player average salary is $10 million while the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) athlete only receives $100,658. Most of the female athletes are forced to play overseas to earn substantial income for their family despite the risks of getting injured and anxiety in leaving their immediate family members. Unheeded Because female athletes are being perceived as less exciting and slower compared to men’s sports, the media does not give women athletes enough credit, therefore, only based on gender biases and the unjust physicality of the game’s standards, basketball, football and boxing are the ones being deemed as coverage-worthy. The aforementioned has been argued to be the reason why many are less interested in women’s sports, that the lack of growth of female athletes are also being burdened by this unfair treatment from the media. Furthermore, many fans are thought to hold back in continuing to pursue a different interest in the sports industry because of the same reason—women of sports are unheeded in their call to be fairly acknowledged by the press and media. The unequal coverage of women in sports further extends to their dominance and victory, only giving them the spotlight after obtaining the medals and trophies, disregarding the very sessions of their plays and the very process to their success. This is most notable on the biennial meet (Arnis and Billiards) where women lead, yet networks failed to cover their bouts. The fans, the press and the media, and even the industry always have their eyes on mainstream sports and personalities. Unfortunate In a now-deleted Facebook post by the official page of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), they congratulated Alex Eala after withdrawing out of the 2020 French Open. Other than the support that the organization provided, the congratulatory remark also accentuated that they have allotted a three-million budget for Eala. This was immediately disproved by the athlete’s father, Michael Eala. He said that only him and his wife, Rizza, were the ones who supported their daughter and have not received any monetary assistance from PSC. Filipina athletes have been dominating since the 2018 Asian Games bagging 12 out of 18—including 4 golds—medals from the continental games.
By: Emmanuel John Gacayan The struggle for women’s rights is still visible even today. Receive proper education, earn equal gender pay, obtain the right to vote, and secure spaces in politics—are only among the many things women had to fight for.
Hidilyn Diaz, an Olympic weightlifter, has been amplifying the call for equal support and monetary assistance for women of sports. In her interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Diaz emphasized that she and many other women have been working twice as hard to better themselves. “I want to challenge our sporting community and fellow Filipinos to support our Filipina athletes,” said the gold medalist. Furthermore, Diaz stressed that they are able to “break barriers…and make the Filipina known worldwide.”
In the world of sports, despite the numerous accolades and contribution off the court by Billy Jean King and Naomi Osaka (Tennis), Meghan Rapinoe (Football); in the local scenes led by Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting) and Margielyn Didal (Skateboarding), there are still holes in the system and stigma that needed to address to promote gender equality. Underpaid Since time immemorial, women have been calling for the need for equal pay, on how women should get the same opportunities and compensation just like everyone else. /@theforefrontgc