Maria Clara Turns into a Modern Independent Filipina.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Here in the Philippines, it has become a tradition to call Maria Clara a woman whose character is almost perfect. A beautiful, modest, loving woman who seemed to obey only what was commanded to her. In the old days, all women who resemble or symbolize Maria Clara were always just indoors or inside the house, they could not work and had nothing to do but serve their families. Only men can work for their families.

Who is Maria Clara?

María Clara, whose full name is María Clara de Los Santos, is the mestiza heroine in Noli Me Tángere, a novel by José Rizal, the national hero of the Republic of the Philippines. Her name and character have become a byword in Filipino culture for the traditional, feminine ideal.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_Clara

Maria Clara is just a fictional character from the novel of Dr. Jose Rizal "Noli Me Tangere". Maria Clara is the woman who is said to have the perfect qualities who become the basis of Filipino women. On the other hand, there are also negative traits that Maria Clara has inherited from women in the present era, and it is being weak. Weak in a way that she was just enduring all the suffering around her. But even so, Maria Clara is still considered a symbol of being a true Filipina because of her good qualities that have made Filipinas unique in the eyes of everyone. For a long time, Filipinos, especially women, have followed this kind of tradition or custom.

But as time goes on, this kind of Filipino culture is gradually disappearing. Especially now that we are in the modern world and time. A lot has changed already now. The Maria Claras in the old days who were very modest are now able to keep up with men. They can fight for themselves now, they are no longer the Maria Clara back then who was just quiet and put everything aside.

Maria Clara Turns into a Modern Independent Filipina.

Now in the modern age, we have completely lost the image of Maria Clara in our culture (well not complete because she will always be in our history). But nowadays women already know how to fight and stand on their own feet. Modern Filipinas today have their own life decisions and are no longer submissive to what others have to say. We Filipinas are now independent on our own. We can no longer simply be dictated or instructed on what we should do. Because today everyone has equal rights already.

Some Differences of Filipanas Before and After

• Before: Women are considered weak and useless to the society that only Men can lead our country.

  After: Now even women have the right and the ability to lead our country.

• Before: Women or maiden daughters are not allowed to leave the house unaccompanied.

  After: Now they can do whatever they want to do. They're also helping their parents earn a living now, some are even breadwinners of the family.

• Before: Housewives were only indoors, doing the house chores and serving their husbands and children.

  After: Now even wives are helping their husbands earn a living for their families. They are already working hard together for their future.

• Before: Women just seem to be submissive to everything they are commanded to do. They have no right to speak or complain even if they are against what they are told.

  After: Now women have unique courage, they have their own life decisions and self -determinations already and no one can dare to step on their identity again.

I Am a Proud Independent Filipina.

I am proud to say that I am an Independent Filipina. I can say I am independent because of my courage and ability to stand on my own feet. I learned to fight every challenge of my life without relying on the help of anyone other than my mother. And now that I have a family of my own I continue to take risks in life. I don’t just rely on my husband. I don't know but it feels better when you have your income. Aside from helping with household expenses, you can also pick up something for your own needs or when you want to buy something for yourself or even for your children. You don't have to depend on your husband for everything.

In today’s era being independent is something many women can be proud of. Because of this, no one else can judge and trample or step on them. Being independent is also a symbol of being a brave and resilient woman. They no longer have to rely on the help of others, because they can now stand on their own feet. You can't just threaten them with any words or threats. Because time itself shaped their personality already. They have been strengthened and encouraged by every trial they have gone through in their lives. Just like the saying "A strong woman knows she has enough strength for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong."

Closing Thoughts:

Every woman must learn how to be Independent on their own. I'm not saying to forget "Maria Clara" who used to symbolizes women before. We can still be her being the modest, kind, loving, and beautiful woman but stronger and braver to resist every challenge of life. Be that independent woman who's never afraid to be on her own. 🙂

How about you? Are you still a Maria Clara or A Modern Independent Filipina? 😊 Anyway while writing this Article my husband's having fun with me too. He said Maria Clara now knows how to Trade Bitcoincash, lols. Seems funny but he's right, Maria Clara invaded Crypto World now too, hahaha. That's all for today, thank you guys for dropping by. 😉