Our history is filled with male figures. We remember Lapu-Lapu, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Gregorio del Pilar, among others. When we think of women in history, we may remember Gabriela Silang, Melchora Aquino, and Gregoria Del Pilar. Other than them, a lot of us think of women as victims of war or simply as individuals in need of protection. But Filipinas are strong! This is what Ayala Museum’s exhibit Women and War wants us to know.
Under the Filipinas Heritage Library of Ayala Museum, the exhibit explores the role of women as workers and farmers in times of war. This means to say they played an integral role in the economy during turbulent times. The exhibit also introduces us to female warriors who fought for the country Women’s Auxiliary Service founder Josefa Capistrano. And finally, Women and War is an exhibit of female resilience like that of comfort women’s.
Although women fell—and still fall—in the hands of oppressors, they fought and they still fight.
Women and War runs until March 10 at Ayala Museum.