Present-Day

In 1986, Corazon Aquino was elected President of the Philippines following the infamous and nonviolent, EDSA Revolution (People Power Revolution). Since then, another female president has held office (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) proving the female empowerment and importance of their role in Philippine culture.

The role of women in the Philippines today proves a distinct contrast to the subjugation of wives to their husbands. The women play the part of the head of the family, while similarly controlling the money and acting as religious and educational advisors to their children. The powerful women surrounding the Philippine culture and society serves as a tool to help their roles in their homes.

Taken from the GPO for the Library of Congress, Philippines: A Country Study by Ronald E. Dolan describes the current affairs of women in the Philippines today:

 Education and literacy levels in 1990 were higher for women than for men. President Aquino often is given as an example of what women can accomplish in Philippine society. The appearance of women in important positions, however, is not new or even unusual in the Philippines. Filipino women, usually called Filipinas, have been senators, cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, administrators, and heads of major business enterprises. Furthermore, in the early 1990s women were found in more than a proportionate share of many professions although they predominated in domestic service (91 percent), professional and technical positions (59.4 percent), and sales (57.9 percent).

 

This is not to say that women in the Philippines do not still struggle with their fight for ultimate freedom. They are still strained by the task of maintaining a professional lifestyle while continuing household chores and raising children. Although these are aided by the help of servants, something very common in the Philippines.

It is clear that the woman plays an extremely powerful role in the Philippines today and pre-Spaniard colonization. It is a country very matriarchal in nature, and it took some fighting and hard work to return to this.