k a b a b a i h a n

---by: Maez Estrada

Laughs and smiles I managed to come up everyday.

Jokes and stories I tell you anyway.

Memories and events that made me stay.

Efforts and sacrifices you've done as I lay.

But now, it's all done.

I already have enough of fun.

For I see how I bring nothing to everyone.

And with my absence, the change is none.

In my rest, you'll still be in my heart.

For you colored my world that was falling apart.

Thst you were with me ever since the start.

I hope you know thay you're this broken dream's part.

Don't be sad because you'll no longer hear,

my walls, cries, even my heart beat near.

This maybe a new thing but I'm still here.

Equal rights is not synonymous with special treatment 

I am demanding for my fundamental right, 

Im not being a damsel in distress.

I want you to stop assuming things 

My intention is peace.

— by: Maez Estrada

We live in a third world country where equality is accepted, but discrimination is still tolerated. 300 years ago, Filipinas are as low as the ground. Dressed divinely but treated differentlly, as if they are home ornaments; displayed but does nothing but to bring pleasure to the eyes. Does it changed? I can say, barely.

“You should act like ‘dalagang filipina’!”, “Where are your manners? You are a lady!” These are some of the phrases you might heard before (or often times). I know, they choke you and tie you up to do the things you are “supposed” to do. But what can they do if you act less feminine? You are free, my honey. You can sit on that chair without having your legs crossed. You can be tough. You can wear your sneakers instead of heels. You can hangout with boys. You can hide your arms under those sleeves. Yes, you can have a girlfriend. It’s not always “pink” for you. You can be “blue” if you want to. That cross can be an arrow. Don’t hold back, show yourself.

Showing thy true self had always been the problem of Filipinas. Everyone thinks that wearing short and revealing outfits that match the make-up on their faces represent covering up. But what if that’s you all along? Those clothes are your courage, those powders are your bravery and those colors are you confidence. There’s nothing wrong with it. Just work it! Don’t mind the other. You are you when you feel comfortable at what you’re wearing. Conservatism is not just about not showing too much skin, it is also preserving your own belief of being true.

And when you walk on the street, rocking that armor you made out of your own fashion, do not listen to those whistles and shouts. You can accept respectful compliments but do not fall into catcalls. You deserve better than being called out on streets. If they blame you for making them do such things, tell them that it’s not your fault that they do not know how to praise decently. Don’t be scared to fight back, you have a aright to. It’s not you, it’s their lack of knowledge on chivalry.

— by: Raniellyn Delos Reyes

Misogynist human beings be dead.

The world rebels unto something new. An equal world. Our voices will echo.

Malala Yousafzai was 14 she was shot in the head for trying to go to school for being an activist for female education. She survived.

Beware world, there will be more Malala Yousafzai. More Gloria Marie Steinem. More Audre Lorde. More Kate Millet.

Gising.

 Hindi lang babae ang hinuhubaran ng dignidad,

 Hindi lang mga bababe ang nakakaranas ng karahasan,

 Hindi lang ang mga babae ang nagiging biktima ng kahayupan.

 Bata. Lalaki. Matanda. Sino man.

 Lahat tayo biktima.

 Imulat ang mga mata.

 Gising.

—by: Raniellyn Delos Reyes

Can you be a male and a feminist at the same time?

Hello people,

fem·i·nism

ˈfeməˌnizəm/

noun

the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.

So yes, you can be a male and a feminist at the same time.

Feminism is not about being a female supremacist.

It about knowing that there should be equality.

That men are powerful,

but women aren’t just “women”.

We can be super, just like you.

And the only thing that we want is the equality that everyone is thirsty for.

No above. No under.

You’re welcome for the clarification.

Now go be a feminist and rebel from this rotten society.

Ayokong 

Ngitian 

Ka 

Dapat 

 Sapat 

Na

 Yang

 Dahilan 

Para 

Tigilan

 Mo 

Na

 Ang

 Kakapilit 

Sa 

Akin.

 Bibig Ko. Desisyon Ko.

 Layas. 

FEMINISM IS EQUALITY. DON’T GET IT TWISTED.

Growing up, I was told that males were the ones who are capable enough to lead and be superior.

Kids should not grow up with that kind of mindset. 

Stop the fascist fuckery of this patriarch-fueled world.

Male. Female. Lesbian. Gay. Bi. Trans. Queer. HUMAN. 

We are all the same. We are equal. 

When I was 9 years old, an older man intensionally touch my butt and I got scared. I speak up but a woman told me that it was my fault because I was wearing shorts that time. 

When I was 14 years old, a guy at school catcalled me and says "ang sarap mo naman" and I was so afraid. I speak up but my teacher told me that it was my fault because I was wearing tight dress. 

When I was 16 years old,  a middle aged man hold me and grab my breast and I remember how terrified I am. I was furiously asking myself what is wrong with my clothes that time when was simply wearing jeans and t-shirt but I get to experienced that horrible situation. 

17, and I realized that my clothes is not the problem but their way of thinking. And I stand that it is the rights of every woman to wear whatever they want without being labeled as "she was asking for it."

by: Erica Bianca Ricarte

No, I am not that innocent. 

No, I am not a submissive. 

Your dominance isn't going to work for me. I am not intimidated. 

You cannot control me. I can break your set of rules. 

I don't aim to please you. 

I was born to contribute to charity, to inspire people, to make my dreams come true. 

I am not your piece of object for your darkest pleasures. 

I can defy you, Mr. Grey. 

A soul in flesh, that's what we are. 

We can see. 

We can hear. 

We can smell. 

We can taste. 

We can feel.

We are not an object who are numb to the bones. We can be pained and doomed. 

And we can fight. 

Who are we? 

Yes, we are women. 

— by: Raniellyn Delos Reyes

An 11-year-old girl in Texas was raped by 18 men and the New York Times wrote of how the girl “dressed older than her age”

I was called a whore when I wore shorts. I was called an attention-seeker when I strut it. I was everyone’s “babe” when I wore a sleeveless shirt.

I can wear what I want. The clothes I own doesn’t define what I am. The body-fitting dress, the fitted shirt, the spaghetti strap, and the crop tops. I will wear them because I want to. I will wear them even though it may seem uncomfortable for you. . I can burn my bra and let my nipple free when I want to.

I do not care.

Me showing skin doesn’t make me less of a woman.

Tandang Sora (1812-1919)

Something other than a street in Quezon City, Tandang Sora, whose genuine name is Melchora Aquino, was affectionately called the Mother of the Revolution. She was a single parent who dealt with the homestead left by her expired spouse while bringing up her six youngsters. Tandang Sora earned her moniker in the wake of dealing with Andres Bonifacio and different Katipuneros in 1896, taking a chance with her life as she gave them sustenance and breast fed the injured. Her valiance was best shown after she was captured by Spanish experts, who subjected her to difficult cross examinations with the expectation that she would uncover the area of the Katipunan refuge. She declined to give in and was expelled to Guam under the declaration of Governor General Ramon Blanco.

Trivia:Tandang Sora was the first Filipina to be featured on the Philippine peso. Her portrait graced the ₱100 bill from the English series from 1951 to 1966.

by Shelney Kheannah Magpayo

Illustration by LAZIR CALUYA

— by: Erica Bianca Ricarte

Hindi natin dapat i-underestimate ang kakayahan ng mga babae at lalaki. Kung ano ang kaya mo ay kaya ko rin at isa ito sa mga patunay na pantay-pantay lamang tayong lahat. 

Hindi dahil babae ka, hindi mo na kaya at pwedeng gawin ang mga ginagawa ng mga lalaki. 

Babae ka at kaya mong magwelding. 

Babae ka at kaya mong magbarbell. 

Babae ka at kaya mong magmekaniko.  

Babae ka at kaya mong magsundalo. 

Babae ka at kaya mong umakyat ng puno ng buko. 

Babae ka at kaya mong maging ama. 

Maraming mga bagay ang nagagawa ng mga lalaki na talagang nakakamangha dahil bibihira lang sa kanila ang gumagawa ng gawaing pambabae. 

Kaya kung sa tingin nyo ay puro panlalaki lamang ang ginagawa ng mga lalaki, nagkakamali kayo. 

Lalaki siya pero hindi siya lalaki lang. 

Lalaki siya at kaya niyang maglaba.  

Lalaki siya at kaya niyang magmanicure. 

Lalaki siya at kaya niyang manahi. 

Lalaki siya at kaya niyang mamalengke. 

Lalaki siya at kaya niyang maging ina. 

Sana ang mga halimbawa na ito ay magsilbing eye-opener sa mga tao na naniniwalang ang gawaing pambabae ay para sa mga babae lamang at ang mga gawaing panlalaki ay para sa mga lalaki lamang. 

Sana ang mga halimbawa na ito ay maging susi upang maiwasan ang pagstereotype sa mga kababaihan at kalalakihan. 

Hindi lahat ng babae ay mahinhin, kaya ng mga kababaihan maging masculine katulad ng mga lalaki. 

— by: Erica Bianca Ricarte

Hey girl hey! 

You are a beauty. Not a sexual object for men to fantasize. 

Girl, you are strong. Show them how strong you are. 

Surprise them, 

you may be a sweet looking lady but show them your inner monster. 

Show them that you can defy men. Show them that you aren't weak. 

Show them how you fight back. 

Fight back from people justifying who you are basing on your physical appearance. 

Girl, you are precious. 

Be that woman. 

Be the woman who stares right back at those men looking at you with lust in their gaze. Be the woman who speaks up and does not tolerate this kind of behavior. 

Above all, be the woman who can act more masculine than most men. 

Teresa Magbanua (1868-1947)

Known as the Visayan Joan of Arc, Teresa Magbanua was initially a teacher who got a degree in education from a school in Manila. She wedded a well off businessman who claimed huge plots of land, which she developed. Amid this time, she built up her aptitudes in horseback riding and marksmanship.

After discovering that her siblings joined the uprising against the Spaniards, she influenced her uncle, General Perfecto Poblador, to let her join the Katipunan’s ladies’ part in Panay as an accomplished stallion rider and marksman. The General concurred, making Magbanua the first and final lady to lead troops in the Visayas amid the insurgency. Her devoted soul helped her effectively lead a gathering of bolo troops amid the Battle of Barrio Yoting and the Battle of Sapong Hills, which were instrumental to the freedom of IloIlo City. Later on, she joined the guerrilla powers in battling against the Americans in Jaro, IloIlo. She kept on battling for the nation’s autonomy until the Japanese occupation, when she sold every one of her possessions to help finance the guerilla development.

Trivia: Magbanua is one of the few who fought for the Philippines against all of the country’s main aggressors: Spain, the United States, and Japan.

by Shelney Kheannah Magpayo

Illustration by LAZIR CALUYA