Cultural Production: Babae

CONTENT:

"BABAE"

Kayo ba ang mga Maria Clara, mga Huli at mga Sisa

Na di marunong na lumaban

Kaapiha’y bakit niluluha

Mga babae kayo ba’y sadayang mahina

Kayo ba ang mga Cinderella

Na lalaki ang tanging pag-asa

Kayo nga ba ang mga ang mga Nena

na hanap buhay ay pag puputa

Mga babae, kayo ba’y sadyang pang kama

Ang ating isip ay buksan

At lipunan’y pag-aralan

Pano nahubog ating isipan

At tanggapin  tayo’y mga libanagan

Mga babae, ito nga ba’y kapalaran

Bakit ba mayroong mga Gabriela, mga Teresa, at Tandang Sora

Na hindi umaasa sa luha at awa

Sila’y nagsipag hawak ng sandata

Nakilabanan ang mithiiin ay lumaya

Bakit ba mayroong mga Lisa

mga Lilyosa at mga Lorena

Na hindi natakot makibaka

At ngayo’y marami ang kasama

Mga babae ang mithiin ay lumaya

Ang ating isip ay buksan

At lipunan’y pag-aralan

Pano nahubog ating isipan

At tanggapin  tayo’y mga libanagan

Mga babae, ito nga ba’y kapalaran

The song is made by Atsushi Kuriyama, Tony Palis, Andrei Tuason, Rica Saturay-Palis, Edgar Castro, Cecile Roque, Cheng Balquiedra, Jake de Luna under Album  Kalantog. And produced by Gabriela and ARTIST, Inc. (1993). Gabriela is a women's group movement that seeks to transform women into an organized political force. It primarily deals with problems of women as women, working to free women from all forms of economic and political oppression and discrimination, sexual violence and abuse, neglect and denial of their health and reproductive rights. It is working towards the liberation of women all over the country. 

ANALYSIS:


The song I chose greatly encapsulates the Feminist Theory, wherein women in society are empowered. The theory suggests that gender equality in order to promote women’s rights, interests, and issues. The song, Babae was created during the Martial Law era wherein people in society were oppressed, most especially the women. In a way, this song created an impact to empower women to fight for what they believe in. The song clearly depicted a resistance to male domination in the society. It implies that women must learn to stand on their own even without a man on their side. It created an imagery wherein women are not taken seriously, and just merely an object and symbolism of sex of the male species.  It is a very catchy song, yet a very liberating and powerful one. The song also mentioned known legendary Filipina icons that extremely made huge contributions for the betterment of the country.  In my point of view, the song “Babae” uplifted the souls of women who were oppressed and ostracized during the Martial Law. It served as an outlet for the women to express their views and sentiments in the midst of a patriarchal society.

Another theory that was raised in the song was Post Colonialism. It basically means gaining a perspective with regards to the future without colonial influences that almost replace the original cultures of a certain place. It is a form of resistance to the blinding effects brought by colonialism and also seeks to analyze how the colonized society will be able to move on a more civil and equal environment. Both Colonial and Post Colonial mentality were present in the song. The first was portrayed in the first few lines of the song wherein the name of women mentioned were from the Spanish-inspired influence – Noli Me Tangere. Maria Clara, Huli, and Sisa portrayed an image of marginalized oppressed and weak women in the time of Spanish Colonization. Back then, it was characterized that women always rely on men; it's as if they cannot live without men. Moreover, women were also treated in an inhumanely manner - harassed, abused and maltreated. Women worked as slaves, and they were not given the opportunity to run for any political related offices just because for the reason that they were women. JUST WOMEN. This was the notion back then. It's like as if women are fated to be inferior, and always under the men's control. In light to this, the latter was clearly manifested through the contradictory lines of the latter part of the song. Filipino women who were strong and brave enough were mentioned, as well as the will of the Filipino women to liberate them from an oppressed society. Through the end of the song, a new perspective was obtained: strong-willed women, who are ready to face the challenge that comes along her way. Without the influence and aid of others, most especially from the men, she dares to conquer everything and take-charge because she is empowered.


IMPACT IN THE SOCIETY:

Obviously, it contributes to the women empowerment movement of the country. It helps women who are marginalized and oppressed to realize their true self-worth and encourage them to fight for their own rights and privileges. It is a power-mover song that inspires women in all ages and walks of life to fully known their capabilities that are vital and essential to the development of the society, and to the country as a whole. The song is worth a thousand interpretations that are most likely depict positive notion and empowerment for women. It promotes the ideology that all people are equal, regardless of gender. Both women and men can do jobs that may be considered by the society as as more "feminine" or "masculine" profession. The realization of these facts will eventually help ullift the lost the dignity and pride of some women who suffered from a terrible discrimination from sexist people. 

Reference:

Album  Kalantog (Atsushi Kuriyama, Tony Palis, Andrei Tuason, Rica Saturay-Palis, Edgar Castro, Cecile Roque, Cheng Balquiedra, Jake de Luna) produced by Gabriela and ARTIST, Inc. (1993)

http://www.artist-inc.org/abante-babae.html

http://members.tripod.com/~gabriela_p/home.html