This is my second book published in 1985. I put it out as a compilation of the articles I had written for the Inquirer and other magazines, as well as the speech I delivered in Nairobi, Kenya during the celebration of the End of the UN Decade for Women,under the sponsorship of the Canadian International Development Agency and the coordination of Pilipina, the women's group of Ging Deles (former head, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Rina Jimenez (Inquirer columnist now), Penny Azarcon (executive editor, Sunday Inquirer Magazine, and Dina Abad (Congresswoman), among others. I delivered the speech, "Alternative Forms in Media" to an international gathering of feminists. One attendee said that my speech was the most relevant among the rest. What a great compliment, indeed.
The journey to Kenya was made memorable by trips to see the Masai ethnic tribe that makes beautiful trinkets and yet they live in clay houses, as well as our vehicle a passing through highways lined with giraffes, lions and other animals from afar. What a great trip that was. I would do anything to go back there again.
By the way, I published this book to encourage other women to put out their own books, to start a series of Women Only Bookshelves at bookstores. I was tired of reading historical accounts then that only feature men as heroes and blinding us about the participation of our great and grandmother-martyrs.
I think gauging from the course of events nowadays, the objective has been reached. Many bookstores now specify "Women's books" rather than lumping them together with generic subjects.
May our tribe increase.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
PHILIPPINE WOMEN IN THE WORLD OF WORK
I published this book in 1982 right after I arrived from London where I had stayed for 18 months. The book contains twin articles: about coconut workers and overseas Filipino workers, specifically women. It is now out of print but I could make reprints if there are substantial orders.
The first article on coconut workers is based on my research on the coconut industry from 1979 to 1981 after which I produced a documentary of 55 minutes tracing the production of coconut from the farm to the factory. I went to four different coconut factories incognito in some and shot scenes of workers in the farm as they pick the coconuts fresh from the trees, then unhusk them, and then bring them to the roadside for pick up by the factory trucks. Then I shot inside factories of male and female workers in robot-like jobs, cracking coconuts, pouring out the juice, removing the white meat, which then is dried and transformed to desiccated coconut for export to Europe. There in the big factories of Mars and Cadbury, the coconut is mixed with chocolate to make candies which our workers would not probably be able to buy for themselves because of their high price.
The second article is based on my interpretation of the European societies as they contrast with the perspectives of our female compatriots, how the latter are alienated from the very culture that they prop up by their contribution of their physical energies, and how the radical group agitating them there seemed to have been so detached from the realities and are only after the propagation of their ideology.
In the end, the book leaves the message the women's liberation shall be the answer to all the problems besetting us as a people.
The first article on coconut workers is based on my research on the coconut industry from 1979 to 1981 after which I produced a documentary of 55 minutes tracing the production of coconut from the farm to the factory. I went to four different coconut factories incognito in some and shot scenes of workers in the farm as they pick the coconuts fresh from the trees, then unhusk them, and then bring them to the roadside for pick up by the factory trucks. Then I shot inside factories of male and female workers in robot-like jobs, cracking coconuts, pouring out the juice, removing the white meat, which then is dried and transformed to desiccated coconut for export to Europe. There in the big factories of Mars and Cadbury, the coconut is mixed with chocolate to make candies which our workers would not probably be able to buy for themselves because of their high price.
The second article is based on my interpretation of the European societies as they contrast with the perspectives of our female compatriots, how the latter are alienated from the very culture that they prop up by their contribution of their physical energies, and how the radical group agitating them there seemed to have been so detached from the realities and are only after the propagation of their ideology.
In the end, the book leaves the message the women's liberation shall be the answer to all the problems besetting us as a people.
BOOKS, FILMS, ETCETERA
Dear Folks, Compatriots, I have started this blog to showcase all my written and other works for the past 40 years. I am very happy that I will be able to share with you these works which have been written and produced through happy and dire times in our country and abroad. I hope that you would help me disseminate information about them and help my volunteer work in three organizations now: Makabayang Kababaihan ng Masa (1984), an urban poor-based loose and informal organization of women; Kalipunan ng Malalayang Pilipina (1988), a media literacy productiong group; and Diwata Society of Women in Philosophy and Education (1996).
I have written books, made films, videos, a songtape and pamphlets all for educating the readers and viewers on issues of equality, development, peace and justice. Pray, pardon my mistakes if you find any.
So be it.
I have written books, made films, videos, a songtape and pamphlets all for educating the readers and viewers on issues of equality, development, peace and justice. Pray, pardon my mistakes if you find any.
So be it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)