Maria Clara, and why she is not the face to represent young Filipinas by Jerrold Villamin
When asked to describe a Filipina, most would answer a Filipina is soft-spoken, elegant, charming, and graceful. The characteristics said are derived from the character Maria Clara. Maria Clara is a character from the famous novel "Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)" written by Jose Rizal. To many, Maria Clara is the epitome of purity and innocence. The representation of Maria Clara as demure and self-effacing posed an ideal "image" of what a Filipina should be. And conforming to these ideologies is the ill and the challenges that young Filipinas face today, and we should completely eradicate this stereotype.
One may argue that to become a true Filipina. One must possess the qualities of the Maria Clara archetype. Although, there's nothing wrong with declining to the standard. In the labor market, a study conducted by Sierminska, E., and Liu, X. in 2015 shows that fitting to the "beauty standard" hugely increases the chances of being employed and getting high wages. Moreover, there is no denying that Maria Clara is an embodiment of a resilient woman. As seen through the pages of the novel, she endured the abuse of Padre Salvi until her demise.
However, the problem arises when the Maria Clara archetype is used against young women to discriminate and perpetuate slut-shaming. The establishment of this colonial mentality sets a standard and values for young Filipinas to follow. And those who fail to comply with these standards will face discrimination and abuse. These created an environment that was dangerous for young women to express their true selves.
It is not a hidden fact that women are already a target of prejudice merely for their gender. What more if they are politically aware, a person of color, or identify as part of the LGBTQIA+? A survey conducted by the Plan International Organization stated that “More than half of the girls surveyed, from around the world, have been harassed and abused online.”. We must acknowledge that Maria Clara is a symbol but not a symbol for everyone. We must empower women far from the typical submissive, prim, and proper stereotype the colonizers imposed on us.
One of the notable revolutionary women that made history is Gabriela Silang. Remembered to be the leader that commenced the resistance against the Spanish colonizers, Gabriela Silang is a woman who proved that she is more than just the label the society tells her to be. She is not an extension of a man. She is her own person. And she is who she wants her to be.
In conclusion, being conservative and adhering to the Maria Clara mentality is not wrong. However, generalizing Filipinas to solely one beauty standard and values creates a toxic environment for young Filipinas to repress their true selves. What makes a true Filipina is her ability to decide, express, and make choices for herself.