Maria Clara: why I won't wear her shoes

The name Maria Clara has since become a byword for the traditional, feminine ideal.

It has long been inculcated in our minds that to be the perfect Filipina, you should be like Maria Clara, the female protagonist behind the famous Novels of Dr. Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. This mestiza heroine is known to exude that “classy”, prim and proper vibe that everyone adores. Whenever you hear her name, you recall a young woman who is religious, upright, submissive, and most of all, obedient to society.

If you think about it, these are, of course, admirable qualities. But if you ask me to try to fit into her shoes, I would boldly say NO without hesitation. And, here’s the reason why

Growing up, I was raised to believe in certain ideas about women.

First, it is that women are expected to graduate from school, find a financially capable man, and settle in to be a good wife to her husband, and a loving mom for her kids. And second, it is that women are expected to be meek, modest, and conscious of their actions.

This is also the exact image of what most of society would want us to be.

Without having to say, women are forced to wear the shoes of Maria Clara.

And the shoes that we’re talking about? These are no flats. But a 5-inch hard-to-wear bakya (Filipino wooden shoes), a force to be reckoned with.

The bakya, though a symbol of our culture, has become so obsolete for the modern Filipina to use. The reason being is the rise of rubber-made sandals that threw them out of fashion.

I can’t deny it, I even once owned a pair. The wooden shoes look irresistibly good on the outside but a massive pain to the feet. They’re heavy and hard to fit in.

And, what I hated about them is that constricting feeling that I have to endure whenever I have them on my feet. I literally need to try to “walk on clouds” just to avoid the loud tapping noises they bring. Basically, all the burden that a traditional Filipina would have to carry.

But if you ask me, what does it really mean to be a woman in this generation?

Well, in this generation, empowerment is a big thing.

And as much as we want to be, women are no longer the housewives that are stationed in the kitchen to cook the daily almusal (breakfast).

Women have surpassed this norm and are now set to be stronger members of the community.

Most run businesses of their own. Some show corporate prowess by managing teams in the office. And others empower younger women by doing talks and sharing their experiences.

We have become more vocal about our rights and capabilities. Our ideals and aspirations for nation-building have transpired from the “mahinhin” (modest) type of Filipina to a “masigasig” (keep) type of Filipina.

Women of this generation are no longer victims of violent extremism. Thus, becoming beacons of hope for generations to come.

Women of this generation are no longer labeled as “pedestals of male honor”. We’re no longer the trophy wives but we’ve managed to rise above it and become “progressive wives”

They strategically run the household with keen eyes for excellence. They raise kids to become better citizens of the nation. This is the reason why women can become great leaders.

Women are now encouraged to participate in community activities, take part in dialogues on the peace process, lead various sectors of the society, and basically have a voice on relevant issues.

This article was not written to devalue or strip off the novelty from Maria Clara. She’s become a good role model for the Filipino youth, a devout Roman Catholic who is true to her beliefs.

And she has done no harm to the current generation.

Her values helped shape the morality of Filipina women. And up to now, her character has been an icon that many kids look up to. She has always been the inspiration behind the famous byword “dalagang Pilipina” (Filipina teen).

If there’s one thing that I really admire from her, it is her firmness to virtue. She has become, nonetheless, unwavering in all of her pursuits.

What I want to point out here, it is that this new generation of progressive Filipina women should not be boxed into the shoes of one ideal.

Women are multifaceted. We fight for different principles, follow different values, and identify into different communities.

We can be what we want without pretentiously trying to walk in the shoes of other people. Capacity knows no gender. And women, equal to men, can become leaders, teachers, engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, and dreamers of their own dreams.

Women are not the clothes that we wear and the makeup that we put into our faces.

We are no less or above men. We are women. We are empowered. And we can wear any type of shoes that our hearts desire as long as it fits. Whether it’s gold killer heels, a bejeweled pair of sneakers or furry mules, go ahead and allow yourself to have that special pair that will make you smile every time. You know you want it, and you definitely deserve it.