#entryexit

I’ve been closely following the rollout of the European Union’s new entry/exit system, as I have five Schengen area entries or exits coming between its launch on Oct. 12 and the end of 2025. I’d seen several articles noting three-hour immigration lines on arrival to some European airports since the Oct. 12 launch, but generally got the impression that the rollout was going smoothly and that…

Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process. The EU’s long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) will launch on Sunday October 12 after multiple delays. It replaces passport stamps with fingerprints and face photos thanks to a series of scanners installed at airports, ports and railway stations across Europe. The aim is to record all entries…

Feminism holds a strong hold in today’s society. The belief of equality between the sexes sparked changes in the world’s long history. But not everyone is open to change. Gender inequality is still prevalent today in more ways than one. Issues regarding maltreatment and harassment due to one’s sexuality hinders the society from maturing. Sexism towards women has occurred along history. To some extent, it decreased but it is still there—at home, work, and in society.

As children in school, we were taught that the mother is the “light of the house,” as the daughters also look up to be like her someday. So growing up, our image of a woman is the “housewife.” That was before. This is the twenty-first century where women can be the breadwinner. The female population are not as limited as before. Nevertheless, there are still a few people who are left with the past generations’ ideals. One of the most-talked about issues is “how” women should wear their clothes. We are not Maria Clara. Suffragettes did not fight for nothing. They went against society’s ideals for the rights we enjoy today. The same goes for our clothes. Trends change with time. So how men should look at that should also be changed and become open-minded. Clothing is an expression as much as dancing us. I often hear male drivers say “ay, babae ‘yan kaya ganyan,” sometimes I hear a few women say the same. What is wrong with a girl driving a car? Nothing. So blaming if one got cut on the road to a woman driver is not her fault. Men and women both have the capabilities to do the same activities that the older generations thought would not work (except pregnancy).

One thing I can be proud of as a Filipina is the fact that we had the first woman President. Even the late Corazon Aquino was branded only a “housewife” and people questioned her capabilities. And today, we stray from that. A good number of the breadwinners in the Philippines are women. From businesswomen to sidecar and bus drivers, we are at it. But the image of the “traditional woman” aka Maria Clara still lingers in the workplace. Some people are shocked to know there is a Filipina pilot. The 21st century’s Maria Claras now work with decency. We are beyond the image of only being secretaries. Choosing men over women when the qualifications are clear as day is disappointing. We deserve an equal chance.

Lastly, our ancestors accepted the norm where women are to be at home, be very lady-like, and do things the way Maria Clara would. Newsflash, we are the new generation. The circumstances are different. Young girls from Africa undergo female genital mutilation in order to be desirable to men. Arranged marriages still happen. The way we act and influence others is different. Traditions have the tendency to be sexist. Sorry, not sorry. Though we respect that, it should also respect our rights as a person.

Feminism is growing. It is also getting overrated. The way it was seen when it first resurfaced was empowering, like it really mattered to most—if not all—people. It is not a bad thing but what makes the concept now overrated is how people use it to boost their image or reputation. Also, it is not that this essay is degrading those who claim that they are feminists but slowly, the more that people claim it only verbally makes it wrong. Why claim something you do not intent to fulfill or commit to? It is selfishness speaking.

Yes, everyone stands for equal opportunities but there are a few who really embodies what they say they want to fulfill or commit to. The thing is, feminism is not something one should use to their own gain. The concept speaks for many people and a lot is at stake once committed to the cause. Though it is good to finally see signs of equality between the sexes, it should not be used to gain revenue or fame. Let the sincere action of staying true to the cause shine more than the person. Today, many personalities speak of the support to feminism just because, there is only a number of celebrities that really speak of feminism and what they intend to do with it. The bottom line is, feminism is not for profit—whether it is personal or not.

Moreover, they say “walk the talk” is a proof of sincerity. If people want others to treat what they believe in with respect and sincerity, they should apply it within themselves first. Feminism opened many opportunities for everyone and it should not go unnoticed but it also should not be used for selfish acts afterwards. The concept is critical and complex enough that it affects a lot of people. Thus, it should be treated without greed. To use it to fuse connections and the like is a shame because it is a beautiful cause that society should honor. Instead of profiting—literally and figuratively—from it, personalities should empower it without something in exchange.