In the story of “Summer Solstice,” I have seen that the character of Dona Lupeng desires for deeper sexual relationship with her husband, Don Paeng. This idea of Dona Lupeng was brought up by Guido who adored any girl in town even the fat and old Amada. I think the cause of this Dona Lupeng’s desire is Don Paeng’s too much respect for her; too much respect that he does not show much more love and affection for her wife.
In short, he bores Dona Lupeng but she did not try bringing the topic up with Don Paeng until what happened to her in Tadtarin---she had the courage to fight with Don Paeng and tell him what she really wanted. Since this story may have shown the situation during the old days, it could be related to our current relationship issues between couples. Before, women might have kept their feelings and complaints about their husbands but now women are likely getting more open about what they wanted to happen or they could easily voice out their yearnings.
While the story of “Love in the Corshusks,” it was discussed in my class that women do not have much choice when it comes to relationship with other sex. It seemed like Tinang would go and live the rest of her life with Amado if she only had a choice. In the first place, it was Amado who got away and left Tinang and she didn’t know what to do until a rich Bagobo asked her to marry him. In order to make living easier for Tinang and the baby in her womb, she chose to live with the Bagobo. This is a sad story for Tinang but if she will be able to live in our present time… she would run and find her real love, Amado. Nowadays, women are more liberated especially regarding with their rights and roles in the society.
The current points or issues that were discussed above may have shown strong belief for women regarding the relationship they wanted to commit. As a matter of fact, women nowadays do not fight only for their relationships but for a lot more aspects in life. There are getting more and more women organizations which stand for different desires and needs.
Open this link to see some women organizations: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/phil/philorgs.htm
Despite these some sort of “gladiatorial moves,” Filipinas could still be sweet and tender! ;)
