Filipinos are from the Orient. When the Spanish came to the country, they named the Philippines after King Philip II (1527-1598) of Spain. The word Filipino is derived from the country’s name. When you speak Filipino, it can mean the language or the race of those in the Philippines. However, Filipino people have a specific term for male and female Filipino. Pinoy is for males, and Pinay is the female counterpart of it.
Pinay means a Filipina, a term for Filipino women. Pinay is the colloquial term for a woman who resides in the Philippines or of Filipino origin living outside the country. Most of those who migrate to another country still use the term Pinay to recognize Filipinos by blood.
Several historical accounts refer to a Filipina as a woman of virtues, wisdom, character, and winning personality. Over the years, many Filipinas have played vital roles in the country. Not only as of the light of the house but also as of outstanding contributions in any field. Filipina plays a significant role in society.
5 Influential Filipinas Who Made A Difference In The Philippines
Miriam Defensor Santiago
Miriam Defensor Santiago is a politician, lawyer, and law professor known as the “Iron Lady of Asia. Santiago made a big name in politics as she fought against corruption. Santiago is not just a typical Filipina, but she is exemplary in many fields. She was the first Filipina and first in Asia to be elected to the United Nations as the International Criminal Court judge. She has served the three branches of the Philippine Government, including the legislative, judicial, and executive.
Catriona Gray
Catriona Gray is the fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines. She was crowned last 2018. Catriona is beautiful and talented and has a heart for helping the community and promoting the Philippines’ culture. She is a philanthropist who supports local charities, and she became a volunteer in her teenage years. She has a love for art, and she showcases her talent in painting through auctions. She uses the fund she gathered to support local charities.
Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga is a renowned international broadway performer. She is known to play Kim in Miss Saigon. She is also famous for singing “A Whole New World” in the classic Disney story “Aladdin.” She also sang “Reflection” in the Disney story Mulan. Lea Salonga brought recognition to the whole world due to her excellent voice. She brought honor to the Philippines as she showcased her talent on broadway.
Angel Locsin
Angel Locsin is an actress and a philanthropist. She is widely known for beauty, extreme acting skills, and love for helping. Over the years, she has been present in helping calamity victims all over the Philippines. In 2019, she earned recognition in Forbes magazine as “Asian Heroes of Philanthropy.”
Angeline Tham
One of the most famous and convenient motorcycle taxi services in the country is Angkas. The woman behind this is Angeline Tham. The Angkas app now has millions of downloads as it is one of the country’s helpful motorcycle services. Angkas helps most Filipinos to beat the traffic to get to work or at school.
5 Filipina Heroins Who Contributes To The Philippine Freedom
Gabriela Silang
Gabriela Silang is, in fact, the most well-known Filipina heroine in the country. She is known as “the first Filipina to lead an uprising against a foreign power.” After her husband, Diego Silang, was assassinated, she took over the command of the troops who rebelled against Spanish colonizers.
She led the attacks against the Spanish garrison, which caused Spanish soldiers to fear her name. She made a significant contribution to Philippine Independence. She contributed a lot to the fight against Spanish colonizers.
Tandang Sora
Melchora Aquino or mostly known as Tandang Sora, is called the Mother of the Philippine Revolution. She is a single mother who raised six children when her husband died. Tandang Sora took care of the Katipuneros and Andres Bonifacio as they rebelled against Spanish Rule.
Tandang Sora risks her life as she nurses and provides food for the Katipuneros. When the Spanish Government caught her, she did not expose the location of the Katipuneros and remained loyal to the group. She was then exiled in Guam as a mandate by Governor-General Ramon Blanco.
Teresa Magbanua
Teresa Magbanua is considered to be the Visayan Joan of Arc. She has the skill in horseback riding and marksmanship. During the uprising rebellion against Spanish rule, she persuaded her uncle General Perfecto Poblador to join. She stated that her talent in horseback riding could be utilized as she helps the guerilla.
She joined the troops fighting against Spanish rule, making her the first and only woman to lead troops in the Visayas. After the Spanish Rule, she also helped troops to fight against the Americans. Moreover, to gain independence against the Japanese, she sold her properties to help fund the guerilla movement.
Josefa Llanes Escoda
Josefa Llanes Escoda is a social worker, suffragette, civic leader, and war heroine. After graduating from the University of the Philippines, she went to America for further help with her social work. She represented the Philippines in speaking engagements in the International House and the Women’s International League for Peace as she stayed there.
She revisited America to train for Boy Scouts, and she used that training to teach young women from private and public schools to become Girl Scouts leaders. When World War Two arose, she helped aid prisoners of war and stranded women and children. Later she was arrested, tortured, and eventually executed at the hands of the Japanese. She made such an impact in promoting skills to Filipina and helped war victims through her social works.
Takeaways
Filipina is a colloquial term for a Filipino woman. It is also used to refer to Filipino women of Filipino origin who reside in foreign countries. Moreover, Filipinas have a significant contribution to the country through political, civic, and voluntary works. Indeed a Filipina is not only a term referred to the person; however, it speaks volumes of the capabilities of what a Filipino woman can do and contribute.