THE VIEW FROM RIZAL
Last Sunday, the 8th of March, the Nation and the rest of the world marked the annual celebration of National Women’s Day. In our country, the 8th of March is also International Women’s Rights Day and International Peace Day. The rest of March marks the Philippines’ celebration of the Month of Women’s Role in History.
Recent incidents of apparent “disrespect” toward prominent women, widely discussed on social media during this month’s women-focused celebrations, prompt us to reflect as a nation on the true value of “respect” — particularly for women, and especially for the Filipina.
We must recognize that our past was marked by what sociologists call “sexual objectification.” This is the act of treating a person — female or male — only as a commodity. Such acts see a woman or man as an object, disregarding their dignity.
Many societies have worked to rid themselves of this mentality. For instance, laws and ordinances in several parts of our country penalize words and actions with sexual overtones directed at women. Likewise, slapstick comedies with sexual innuendoes about women are now out of style. Furthermore, “bastos” jokes against women rarely elicit laughter, and whistling and ogling at women are no longer acceptable.
While sexual objectification of women persists, it is no longer the societal norm. Women are no longer labeled as “the weaker sex.” Society now gives them the respect they fought hard to earn.
Today, the Filipina has more than proven that they must be held in high regard. Not only do they occupy key positions in business, but they are also successfully steering their respective companies — making a name for themselves and earning the esteem of their male counterparts in the boardroom.
Marquee names in the corporate world today include Tessie Sy-Coson, vice chairman of SM Investments Group and chairman of the largest Unibank; Martha Sazon, the first woman CEO of a financial technology company; and Robina Gokongwei-Pe, chairman of one of the country's largest retail store chains.
This group also includes Lorelei Quiambao Osial, the first woman president of the Philippine arm of a major petroleum company; Anna Margarita Dy, CEO of the country’s largest real estate developer; Lynette Ortiz, president of Land Bank of the Philippines; Cosette Canilao, president of a top infrastructure firm; and Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, president of a leading property developer.
The list is by no means complete. Many women are now in key leadership positions in the corporate world. They have made an impact and brought their own unique brand of visionary leadership to the business sector.
As we honor the present women leaders in business, we must also remember Mercedes Gotianun, the first Filipina to ever sit at the president’s desk of a large banking institution.
Together with Helen Yuchengco-Dee, chairman of a major holding company, and Evelyn Singson, former executive vice president of a respected bank, current hotel president, and first woman president of the Management Association of the Philippines, Mrs. Gotianun paved the way for women leaders in a field once dominated by men.
In saluting the Filipina, the list must include Alexandra “Alex” Eala. She is the first Filipino to break into the top 50 of the World Tennis Association. She earned this honor by defeating champions and capturing the admiration of the international tennis community.
Before there was an Alex Eala, there were Filipinas held in high esteem in the international athletic community. That list includes the likes of Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz; the late Lydia de Vega, a multiple Asian Games gold medalist; long jump queen Elma Muros; and sprinter Mona Sulaiman, dubbed the fastest woman in Asia in the 1960s.
The Filipina shines and continues to shine in other spheres of our nation’s life: Government, the civic sector, the military, and nongovernmental organizations. In recognition of their remarkable contributions, we salute them this month, set aside to honor them.
They are the worthy daughters of Filipinas who pioneered the courageous display of grit, intellect, and giftedness among Filipino women. To clarify, this list includes the icons of our history: Melchora Aquino, Gabriela Silang, Princess Tarhata Kiram, Teresa Magbanua, Trinidad Tecson, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Nieves Fernandez. Furthermore, it also recognizes pioneering Filipina political leaders such as Carmen Planas, Elisa Ochoa, Geronima Pecson, Tecla San Andres Ziga, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Magnolia Antonino, and Antipoleña Corazon Aquino.
These women cannot be objectified. Any man who tried to shame or dehumanize them would fail. In many ways, they achieved what men did not.
By remembering these names, we reaffirm the sterling character and intellect of the Filipina, who deserve the full respect of our nation.
(The author is a Doctor of Medicine, an entrepreneur and the mayor of Antipolo City, former Rizal governor, and DENR assistant secretary, LLDA general manager. Email: antipolocitygov@gmail.com)
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