Women's Month in the Philippines was a virtual fiesta celebrating the creativity and productivity of our sisters. Following is a partial listing of March's dizzying assortment of activities.
BOOK LAUNCHINGS
A double book launching of Aida F. Santos's Dobol Helix: Mga Piling Tula 1971-1991 (E)oublc Helix, Selected Poems 1971 -1991) and Estrella A.Consolacion's Mga Bagwis ng Pangarap (The Tender and Delicate Wings of Hope) was held March22 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Film Center foyer in Diliman, Quezon City, northeast of Manila. The books were published by Katipunan ng mga Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan (KALAYAAN or Association of Women for Freedom).
Santos, writer, researcher and teacher, is an advocate of women's rights. She is a founder of KALAYAAN GABRIELA, Women Involved in Creating Cultural Alternatives (WICAA), among others.
The late Consolacion was a "child of the First Quarter Storm," the student-activist period of the early '70s, and a feminist. She was also one of the founders of KALAYAAN. Consolacion died of complications from cancer in 1989. Flor C. Caagusan edited and translated Consolacion's poems from Filipino to English.
Over at Our Lady's Court in Miriam College, Quezon City, the Women's Resource and Research Center, KALAYAAN.the Institute of Women's Studies and the Women's Studies Consortium launched three publications March 25. These are: Spring book: Readings on Women and Society edited by Marjorie Evasco, A u rora Java tedeDiosand Caagusan; Proceedings of the First Teacher Training (Seminar Workshop on Women's Studies) edited and introduced by Javate de Dios; and Ugat (Root), poetry by Noemi Alindogan Medina.
EXHIBITS
The group Kababaihan sa Sining at Bagong Sibol na Kamalayan (Women for the Arts and a New Consciousness) held its annual exhibition, featuring the works of artists Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Brenda Fajardo, Ida Bugayong, Aca Versoza, Charito Bitanga, Veronica Lim-Yuyitung, Sally Carillo, Lisa Perez, Karissa Villa and Paz Abad Santos. The show was held March 8-14 at the Vargas Museum, UP Diliman, Quezon City. The exhibit was sponsored by the UP Department of Art Studies, Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center and the Women's Coalition.
Artists Vilma Lee, Carol Degelet, Cathe Malabanan and Esme de los Reyes had a group show March21-ApriI26 at the Institute of Women's Studies, Nursia Building on Estrada St., Malate, Manila. The four artists exhibited portraits, still life and nudes using charcoal or oil on canvas/wood.
"Walong Filipina" (Eight Filipinas), a group exhibit, was held at the Liongoren Art Gallery at 111 New York St., Cubao, Quezon City, March 23 - April 16. Oils, fine prints, photographs, ethnic-inspired weavings, trapunto, terra cotta jewelry and drawings were created by participating artists Pacita Abad, Remy Boquiren, Ida Bugayong, Anna Fer, Jearuiie Javclosa, Charito Bitanga, Lita Puyat and Veronica Lim-Yuyitung.
At the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Roxas Boulevard, Manila, a selection of paintings by women artists was showcased at the fourth-floor museum hallway March 1-31. The paintings are part of the CCPs permanent collection of artworks.
The CCP is also honoring the Philippines' first National Artist for Dance, the late Francisca Reyes Aquino. Aquino pioneered in the development of Philippine dance research and folk dance presentations. 1991 has also been declared Francisca Reyes Aquino Commemorative Year.
Meanwhile, an exhibit on the life, works and achievements of Aquino was recently held at the Philippine Normal College in Manila and at UP Diliman. Photographs, books, awards and memorabilia made up the exhibit.
A photo-and-poster exhibit on the theme "The Changing Images of the Filipina" opened March 16 at the Quezon Memorial Circle, Elliptical Road, Quezon City. It was sponsored by several women's groups in coordination with the National Commission on Women. Also at the Quezon Circle, the Philippine Muslim Women's Association sponsored a month long exhibit in March on Muslim women's textile craft.
FILM FESTIVALS
The Concerned Artists of the Philippines' Women's Desk sponsored the Second International Women's Film Festival from March 4 to 8.
Participating countries included the Philippines ("Brutal," directed by Marilou Diaz-Aba ya, and "Salome," directed by Laurice Guillen); India ("Parama," written and directed by Aparna Sen);France("Love a tFirst Sight," directed by Diane Kurys); Canada ("Loyalties," directed by Anne Wheeler); People's Republic of China ("The Season for Love," Wu'er Shana); and the United States ("She-Devil," Susan Seidelman).
All screenings were preceded by documentaries from the United Nations Information Center: "Woman power: The Hidden Asset" and "Women power: International Women's Year Conference."
PLAY
Manuel Puig's play 'The Mystery of the Rose Bouquet," with a Filipino translation by Joi Barrios, was staged March 1-3 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Noted cinema actress Gina Alajar and stage veteran Angie Ferro essayed the lead roles. The play was directed by Tony Mabesa and sponsored by Dulaang U P .
LECTURES/SYMPOSIA
Prominent film personalities and academicians participated in a symposium on "Creating an Alternative Image of Women in Cinema" held March 1 at the UP Alumni Center multipurpose hall in Diliman, Quezon City. Sponsored by the UP Film Center and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines - Women's Desk, the symposium was held in line with the Second International Women's Film Festival.
A cooking demonstration featuring 'Tilipino Recipes in Times of Crisis" was held March 16 at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon C i t y.
Five hundred government and 500 non-government organizations sponsored a National Women's Congress March 25 at the ballroom of the Philippine Village Hotel in Paranaque, Metro Manila.
A nationwide Women's Prayer for Peace, a joint project of women government and non government organizations, was held March 1.
Another joint project, "Araw ng Kababaihan" (Women's Day), included a walk for peace, a program, exhibits and booths last March 8 at the (Quezon Circle. The Philippine Information Agency also launched its mini-information center at the Circle on the same day.
Product demonstrations (fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, laundry and herbal soaps, vinegar, infant food processing, seed production, compost-making, storage procedures, embroidery, garments-and bag-making) were held March 6 and 7 at Quezon Circle. Other activities during the two-day affair were a bazaar and rolling stores selling women's products, a case presentation of successful women's programs, projects and leadership, and distribution of seeds. Sponsored by various women's groups.
A rally was held on March 8 at Mendiola, Manila near Malacanang Palace to mark International Women's Day. It was participated in by various women's organizations.
A student conference on women's studies was held last month at the Ateneo dc Manila University in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. The sponsoring schools and universities were: Ateneo, De La Salle University, Miriam College, Philippine Women's University, Saint Scholastica's College and UP.
The Philippine Women's University (PWU) and the women's group Diwa (which means "thought") recently sponsored a "Gender Sensitivity and Assertion Training" at the PWU campus on Taft Avenue, Manila.
MILESTONE
Adul de Leon (1931-1991), poet-artist and activist, passed away on March 17. She will remain in the memories of those who have known her as a woman warrior.
— compiled by Marie T. Dimapilis