Open Talk Episode for Women’s Month Tackles “Ang Kababaihan sa Wika at Panitikang Filipino”

As part of the celebration of Women’s Month, the University of the Philippines Open University’s OPEN Talk explored the advancement and role of women in Filipino literature, their achievements, and challenges, and the continuous fight towards gender equality. This OPEN Talk episode titled “Tindig sa Tinig: Ang Kababaihan sa Wika at Panitikang Filipino” was a collaboration between UP Open University (UPOU) and Sentro ng Wikang Filipino – UP Diliman (SWF-UPD). The episode was aired live on 15 March 2023. 

Dr. Glecy C. Atienza, Professor, Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas, UP Diliman, shared that women have an essential role in society which has started from home and has been proven by the COVID-19 pandemic during lockdowns. Women’s resourcefulness is impeccable especially when confronted with challenges. 

Dr. Pia C. Arboleda, Professor, Filipino Language and Culture, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, furthered that women, while there are still some challenges, have already advanced and developed through the years in history. 

Dr. Atienza shared some milestones of women in theater and literature and organizations that focus on women like Women Playwrights International which empowers women playwrights, theater workers, and scholars to attain equity. Philippine literature has already made space and recognizes women’s literary works and arts. She furthered that women are creators of society and play a great role in honing a community through proactive visioning. 

In the past, the patriarchal views of society have affected how women were perceived; thus, it is essential that society should be transformative. Literature and women in it have changed the narrative. Women are seen to be independent, and gender-neutral labeling of roles was promoted. With these, scholars of language and literature have a considerable part to partake in, highlighted by Dr. Arboleda.

Both Dr. Atienza and Dr. Arboleda also emphasized the late Lualhati Bautista and her works which largely influenced the importance of women’s role in society, and how her voice can dictate and change one’s anecdote, especially in a patriarchal culture. 

The OPEN Talk was moderated by Ms. Elfrey Vera Cruz-Paterno, University Researcher, Sentro ng Wikang Filipino – UP Diliman. Know more about this topic through the recorded video that can still be viewed on UPOU Networks Facebook Page. 

Written by  Alessa Shainne Hostalero

Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas