Mona lisa Smile and Feminist Criticism

Last Tuesday we had a discussion and a reporting regarding the Feminist Criticism. The reporters discussed to us the nature and the aspects regarding the said topic. As we all know that in our history, women were viewed as marginalized, oppressed and we have this kind of patriarchal society where in women were submissive to their husbands or partners. The reporters also shared clips from the internet that even our very own shows on TV features the women negatively like the female dancers who are almost naked from Willie Revillame’s game show Willing Willie. Also, commercials and teleseryes gives the idea or stereotype  that women should be at home taking care of their children, cleaning the house, serve her husband and her family  while men should work and provide the needs of his family, Sad to say but these things are actually present in our media just to attract viewers and to gain ratings. I hope that stereotyping will end in order not to degrade women in general. On the other hand, It’s good to see that some women are already empowered and believes that what men can do women can do it too.  

When our professor told us that we are about to make a blog about the movie Mona Lisa Smile, I remembered that I’ve already watched the movie because during our women’s study way back in third year first semester Ms. Becky required us to watch the said film as part of our requirements to complete the semester. Basically, the story is about the women in their College studying in an exclusive for girl’s school (Wellesley College) who believes that women should get married after graduation and have a family of their own but this professor named Katherine Watson played by Julia Roberts who was belittled at first because she came from a state university imparted to them that there is more to life after college and not just to be a housewife. She wanted to share the things she believes in and break the culture they grew up with. I definitely agree to her (Katherine Watson) she was a perfect example of an empowered woman. She wanted to make a difference and make a change. I also believe that women should not be afraid of trying new things instead be courageous to break the so called stereotypes and try to do things that are unusual for women but in a positive way.

Graduation is fast approaching and I believe that there is more to life after it. Some will say and joke that I can marry but for me I still have lots of dreams to reach and before I settle at the right age I will make sure that I am already an accomplished woman and already make a difference.  

Manila Art Exhibit 2012

It was last Friday (October 7) and it was raining very hard when we (Monique and I) visited the Manila Art 2012 held at SMX convention center featuring/exhibiting the talent and creativeness of the Filipino artist through their artworks and masterpieces. It’s a good thing that Manila Art open its exhibit yearly to showcased the talent of our local artist and give them a chance to share the God-given gift they received from above. With the many paintings and drawings presented in the exhibit I really admire the artist who fearlessly expressed what’s on their mind and paint for the sake of passion. The wonderful paintings I’ve seen last Friday somehow helped me to escape from the stress I’ve gained from school since we are exhausted from all the things that needs to be accomplished especially our thesis and through attending the exhibit it helped me to lessen the stressed level I’ve accumulated.

I have plenty of thoughts playing inside my mind as I looked at the paintings inside the 4 walls of the venue. I realized how blessed they are because they can expressed their thoughts, feelings and emotions through painting but now I’m a bit worried since freedom of expression is one of the hottest topic in our society nowadays and it might affect the freedom of these artist to express the things they have in mind. Also, I envy them since I was not lucky to have the hand for it. Ever since I was a child I envy the people whom I saw painting especially my other siblings. I once asked God why did He not gave me the skill in painting or drawing whatsoever and I accept that  maybe it’s really not for me.

Indeed, Filipino talents are truly the best and one of a kind and even if the weather seemed to be uncooperative during that morning truly I say that it was all worth it to see the different artworks of our fellow Filipino. Through attending this kind of event we are showing our support and our respect to them so even if I am working in the next Manila Art I promised that I would visit again and check another one of kind pieces from these talented local artists. Kudos to the people behind the exhibit! J

    

                                                                                                                  

HINDI AKO BAKLA, DJ BUMBAY AND WAG NA WAG MONG SASABIHIN

At first, I was laughing very hard while watching the three music videos performed by one of the best and funniest comedian here in the Philippines none other than Michael V. or commonly called as “Bitoy”. The first video we've watched was him performing and singing Hindi ako Bakla, Babae ako. At the beginning he was dressed like a man  and he was claiming that he was not a gay well in fact, it was obvious that he really was. In the second video, Michael V. played an Indian man or what we call “Bumbay”. The last video was Michael V. imitating Kitchie Nadal and singing her famous song Wag na Wag mong Sasabihin”. Basically, the three videos showed how we view gays and Indians or the so-called Bumbays in our society. Sad but true but we have to admit that some of the Filipino people loves to make fun of others. We tend to ignore the feelings of our subject just to have something funny. As I analyzed the lyrics of the song Hindi ako bakla babae ako and Wag na Wag mong Sasabihin I felt bad and sad because where is respect in that concept?! Let's admit that in our society or in our culture  third sex is still unacceptable simply because many people think that gays are "salot sa lipunan". Though we are living in a different way now because of the modernization and liberalization in our culture but we still can't deny the fact that some are still attached in the culture we used to believe in. 

While in DJ Bumbay,  I found it a bit offensive and I kind of feel offended too even if I’m not one of them and I don’t know why I’d felt that way.  It may be funny to some who watched the video but we have to keep in mind that we should respect them and not make fun of them because if the same thing happens to us, like other country would make a video like the one we have watched I am pretty sure that we will react negatively. I think it is in our culture that we love making fun of others but we should know our limitations even if it is intended for pure entertainment only. 

 We should accept one another despite the flaws we have and show our respect to them because I believe that if we want others to respect us we should show our utmost respect to them also.