When I was 6 years old, an article in The Manila Bulletin caught my eye. The new prime minister of Pakistan was only 35 years old,  intelligent, Harvard + Oxford educated, and a Muslim woman! A first for an Islamic state that was rocked by armed conflict and racial tensions. It was the year of the Dragon and I spent most of my time reading whatever newsprint I could salvage from my dad's morning routine. It was the same year when Lolo Ismael, my maternal grandfather, came to visit and tell us how young women were supposed to behave.

At age 6, when people ask little girls what they'd want to when they grew up, the standard responses include secretaries, nurses, teachers, doctors and lawyers. Since the Ghostbusters was my favorite TV cartoon, I'd tell everyone that I  wanted to be like Dr. Egon Spengler. Secretly, I wanted to be the Prime Minister, just like Benazir Bhutto. Of course, my family would have none of that, so I chose to just read and read and read about the lives of all these gifted and gorgeous women who were making history all over the world.

Growing up throughout the '90s, news reports of the alleged corruption charges against her, mismanagement, her fall from political grace (twice!), and the melodramatic ways her family members were murdered, fueled my curiosity. Was it because legalistic traditions frowned on her defiance of gender stereotypes? Were her detractors taking advantage of her husband's non-involvement in Pakistani politics? Was it a generational curse for the Bhutto clan to always end in bloodshed?

As a law student, the beautiful Benazir Bhutto made me devour pages upon pages of The Wall Street Journal the moment she arrived in Karachi last October 2007. Even in the shower, when Deutsche Welle Radio would broadcast news about her, I would stop and listen. I'd raise a soapy fist, rooting for her Party, worried over Nawaz Sharif, silently annoyed with Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

She was definitely a charismatic leader and, like the Pakistani masses, I was smitten. I've never even been there! The closest brush I've had with that country is the cuisine served at Khas Canteen at the UP Arcade! Still, I was definitely a fangirl who could identify with everything from her being president of the Oxford Union (student leader!) to dental aberrations (butterfly upper central incisors!).

So it was that I found myself weeping in front of BBC and CNN footage of the Rawalpindi assassination. While critics say that she had several shortcomings during her term of office (inaction regarding adultery and rape laws, lack of socioeconomic reforms), the way she pressed on for democracy was really asking for reactionary forces to make a martyr out of her. The spontaneous rioting of the people reflects the dark side of how a nation in mourning can also be a nation clamoring for justice.

My mother said that Benazir Bhutto made a lot of enemies. That's what Time magazine also says. Different camps from terrorists to government conspiracy theorists are said to be under suspicion for her death. While I personally believe that the concept of terrorism is still quite nebulous at this point, the mere fact that someone could inflict that much damage for political/ideologically motivated reasons is enough to warrant a cry for meting out punishment where punishment is due. The perpetrators of such a heinous act are indeed liable -- but so should those who were negligent in their security duties.

In the Philippines, and other countries where assassinations can either galvanize a nation towards frenzied mass actions or fracture an already divisive system, Benazir Bhutto's death also made headlines and triggered a rash of commentaries. I wonder how the same situation with a similarly magnetic, almost demagogic politician, would turn out if it happens here, just before the 2010 elections? Or even the ARMM elections in August 2008?

The best soundbite so far was from the UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown: "Benazir Bhutto may have been killed by terrorists but the terrorists must not be allowed to kill democracy in Pakistan and this atrocity strengthens our resolve that terrorists will not win there, here or anywhere in the world." Wow. Whoever Mr. Brown's speechwriter is, thank you.

My hope and my prayer is for that nation to be able to recover from their shock and grief. For Benazir Bhutto's immediate family, all I can pray for now is grace, so that they can endure, and faith, so that they may believe. And maybe, other little girls who would pick up the newspaper today or chance upon a news channel's live update would eventually make a choice to cower not in the face of terror and live courageously as daughters of their country

------------------------------------
Happy Rizal Day, dear readers!

last night, I showed my mother a copy of the CEDAW Training Manual produced by my school + UNIFEM after a long day of sembreak gallivanting. Her pleased smile belied a hidden sense of frustration, "hindi kami signatory nito, eh." She was referring to the country she was working for, one of the world's most irresponsible superpowers, if not the most gender unresponsive of them all. "Kahit gaano ko i-push sa office itong CEDAW, they believe that certain provisions on gender equality would threaten the status quo, mahirap ipasa." As the night wore on, we talked about how Islamic cultural beliefs also hindered Muslim states from adopting those controversial provisions.

The worst provision, which also leaves a heavy, squeamish feeling in my stomach, refers to abortion. Personally, no matter how much I'd like to support campaigns for reproductive health, my Christian convictions are still strongly pumping ProLIFE slogans in my conscience. Of course, Roe v. Wade was a landmark decision that freed women the world over from prosecution. Of course, products of rape or pregnancies with life threatening consequences should somehow justify women's choices over their bodies. Still, if it would just be an excuse to let young people bury the fruits of their indiscretions in formaldehyde-filled bottles, then I can't live with that CEDAW provision either. Dear God, I hope my other aunts in the KaWomenan world won't read this.

CEDAW Reservations can be accessed here.
Source: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for the Advancement of Women.

THE POWER OF WOMEN IN ATENEO LAW SCHOOL

From: The Dean's Corner, Dean Cesar L. Villanueva
http://www.law.ateneo.edu/

24 August 2007

Last Tuesday (21 August), The Manila Times came out on its front page with the news item Women Outpace Men in Executive Derby, confirming previous news that “WOMEN are now outnumbering men at the top of the corporate ladder in the Philippines and the trend is set to increase over the coming years,” confirming previous report in Malaya (03 August) that “Women are slowly dominating in Philippine offices. . . . [where] Filipino women have been steadily outnumbering men in executive and supervisory positions in the past five years. . . [which] also noted the steady ‘widening gap’ between the two genders since 2002.”

The source of the report is no less than Ateneo Law alumnus, DOLE Secretary Arturo Brion (valedictorian, ALS Class ’74), who happens to be married also to Ateneo Law alumna, Tonette Brion (ALS Class ’82). According to the news item, the key to the state of things is “access to education, with one in three of the estimated 12.8 million working women having reached college compared to only one in five of 20.1 million working Filipino males.” “With higher education, women have better chances of also getting better paying and higher positions,” Brion said.

Even in the Supreme Court today, of the fifteen Justices, five are lady justices, more than in any time in the history of our Judiciary. There is no doubt that with more lady lawyers being appointed to the Judiciary, it will not be long before we have the more women Justices and shortly our first Lady Chief Justice.

We in the Ateneo Law School, have long come to an often gut-feel consensus that women now rule the Law studentry. The urban legend has it that on average 55% to 60% of the student population would be women, that women students tend to be more studious and conscientious in their school work and consequently, the survival rates and the honor role achievements of women in the Law School is better than for the male population.

We looked at the statistics since School Year (SY) 2001-2002 up to the first semester of the current school year, and found the following facts relating to these gender issues, as follows:

1. Student Population – The student population is reasonable divided almost equally between female and male students over the periods covered, thus:

School Year	Semester	Female	Male	Ratio
2001-2002	First	337	336	50%-50%
	Second	311	280	53%-47%
2002-2003	First	373	330	53%-47%
	Second	355	309	53%-47%
2003-2004	First	372	339	52%-48%
	Second	364	322	53%-47%
2004-2005	First	409	353	54%-46%
	Second	378	318	54%-46%
2005-2006	First	431	342	56%-44%
	Second	402	318	56%-44%
2006-2007	First	367	364	50%-50%
	Second	354	335	51%-49%
2007-2008	First	379	369	51%-49%

 

In any given semester during the period in review, it would be an exaggeration to conclude that female student dominate the male students in numbers. However, that student population in any given semester in slightly in favor of women is a testimony of how public perception of the legal profession has changed since my generation’s time as student in the Law School where then in a class of say forty students, only about eight to ten of them would be women. There is no doubt that the law profession is considered to no longer be a “masculine” undertaking, and that each year the law profession is considered by the best and brightest women of our society to be a premium choice that competes with other preferred professions, like medicine and accountancy. Although women do not dominate the student population, there is no doubt that women power and influence has come a long way in the Law School.

There are two dominant theories on why the “fairest and the brightest” have been attracted to the legal profession. The first theory posits that it is television programs like Ally Mcbeal and other lawyer program which show women lawyers who not only look and dress well, but show both courage and intelligence, that have attracted the new generations to the legal profession. The other more plausible theory, is that the growth of the legal practice from pure litigation, to alternative practices, like special projects, IP and cyberspace law, media and entertainment law, and family law, has allowed many well-motivated and highly intelligent women to find a niche in the legal profession for the full expression of the women’s role in society.

2. Survival and Attrition Rates – The figures in Law School in the past recent years, do indicates that women tend to be more disciplined and more dedicated to the study of law, and therefore tend to achieve better survival rates. The urban legend in Law School is that from a 60% dominance in the freshmen years, the women students survive better to bring the women component in the graduating batch to 70% in their favor, with men constituting only 30% of the graduating population.  The actual figures do not support this.

The Freshman Batch SY 2001-2002 started with 128 women and 149 men (46%-54%), with ratios in favor of men, but graduated four years later, as ALS Batch ’05 (at the end of School Year 2004-2005) with the following number: 78 women and 76 men (51%-49%) — indicating a much higher survival rate for the women members of the batch (61%), compared with the men (51%).

The Freshman Batch SY 2002-2003 which started with 152 women and 118 men (56%-44%), graduated as ALS Batch ’06 (at the end of School Year 2005-2006). with the following number: 100 women and 58 men (56%-41%) — indicating that over the four years of studies the women had a higher survival rate than the men:  65% for women, 49% men.

The Freshman Batch SY 2003-2004 started with 107 women and 126 men (46%-54%), and graduated last April as ALS Batch ’07 (who are taking the Bar Examinations this September) in following numbers: 73 women and 80 men (48%-52%) — indicating that over the four years of studies the women had only a slightly higher survival rate than the men:  68% for women,  63% men.

The Freshman Batch SY 2004-2005, started out in the following ratio:  138 women and 118 men (54%-46%), and have reached the senior first semester in the following numbers: 98 women and 68 men (59%-41%) — indicating that women component of the batch will have a better survival rate (71%) at graduation in April ’08, than the men (58%).

The figures over the covered period cover do indicate therefore that the women students tend as a group to better meet the challenges of the J.D. Program than the men components in the batch.

3. Graduating With Honors – The statistics for the seven graduating batches, show the following statistics:

Men have outnumbered the women for class valedictorian: 7 to 2

Women have outnumbered the men for class salutatorian: 7 to 2

showing that there has always been an equal battle for the first and second top places between men and women, but with men coming on top more often than their women counterpart.

When it comes to those who graduate with honors in the last seven years, the figures are as follows:

School Year	Female	Male	% Ratio
2000-2001	6	10	38% - 63%
2001-2002	19	6	76% - 24%
2002-2003	17	21	45% - 55%
2003-2004	17	12	59% - 41%
2004-2005	18	14	56% - 44%
2005-2006	29	10	74% - 26%
2006-2007	20	5	80% - 20%

 

Although the tendency in the last two years has been for women seniors to dominate the honors places, the indication over the last seven years do show that the male and female students have about the same intelligence and discipline to outperform one another, in the honors game.

The Law School has in fact acknowledged by action the importance of women in the development of its curriculum. The first and by all accounts, the youngest ever appointed dean, Dean Cynthia Roxas-del Castillo, can rightfully be called the “Mother of Ateneo’s J.D. Program,” for it was during her long tenure (1990-1999), that not only saw the first J.D. graduates from the Law School, but actually nurtured into full maturity and glory the J.D. Program, which undoubtedly is now the gold standard in Philippine legal education.

Although the faculty profile still indicate more male faculty than female (115 versus 19), the last batches of appointment to the faculty were 4 to 1, lady lawyers. There is no doubt that the power and influence of women will continue to contribute to the development of legal education in the Law School, and certainly in the country as a whole, for there can be no doubt that the Atenean lady lawyer is a formidable person to reckon with.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts brings recognition to the achievements of women artists of all periods and nationalities by exhibiting, preserving, acquiring, and researching art by women and by teaching the public about their accomplishments.

To fulfill its mission, the museum cares for and displays a permanent collection, presents special exhibitions, conducts education programs, maintains a Library and Research Center, publishes a quarterly magazine and books on women artists, and supports a network of state and international committees. NMWA also serves as a center for the performing and literary arts and other creative disciplines.

"an astronaut travels to an alien planet to visit her boyfriend but discovers that it's under attack."

cuteness! i don't like bears but this flash animation's just something to land a smile on your face. i like the fact that the heroine is featured as the rescuer of an entire planet. hehe.

Start:	Nov 10, '06 9:00p
End:	Nov 11, '06
Location:	MUSIC MUSEUM, Greenhills

"THE GOOD BODY"
By Eve Ensler
(author of the hit play "The Vagina Monologues")

Synopsis:

Botox, bulimia, breast implants: Eve Ensler, author of the international sensation The Vagina Monologues, is back, this time to rock our view of what it means to have a "good body".

"In the fifties", Eve writes, girls were "pretty, perky. They wore girdles and waist cinchers….In recent years, good girls climb the corporate ladder, go to the gym, wear pointy, painful shoes…..They don't eat too much. They don't eat at all. They stay perfect. They stay thin. I could never be good."

THE GOOD BODY talks about our tortured relationships with our weight, body image and self-acceptance - with voices of women from L.A. to Kabul: A young Latina candidly critiques her humiliating "spread", a stubborn layer of fat that she calls "a second pair of thighs". The wife of a plastic surgeon recounts being systematically reconstructed, inch by inch, by her "perfectionist husband". An aging magazine executive, still haunted by her mother's long-ago criticism, describes her desperate pursuit of youth as she relentlessly does sit-ups.

Along the way, Eve also introduces us to women who have found a hard-won peace with their bodies: an African mother who celebrates each individual body as a sign of nature's diversity, and Indian woman who delights in her curves. Then there is the veiled Afghani woman who is willing to risk imprisonment for a taste of ice-cream. These are just few of the inspiring stories woven through Eve's global journey from obsession to enlightenment. Ultimately, these monologues become a personal wake-up call for us to love the "good bodies" we inhabit.



*Produced with special permission by Eve Ensler www.thegoodbody.com



CAST:

MONIQUE WILSON
PINKY AMADOR
JUNO HENARES

International theatre, film and recording star MONIQUE WILSON, was last seen onstage in the New Voice Company production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical "Aspects of Love" - where she received unanimously rave reviews for both her Manila and Singapore performances. She also recently won an Aliw Award for Best Actress for her theatrical performance in NVC's production of "Cabaret". Monique recently celebrated her 25 years in theatre with a special concert at the Music Museum. Joining her in the cast are critically acclaimed theatre, television and film actress PINKY AMADOR, and theatre veteran JUNO HENARES.

CREATIVE / PRODUCTION TEAM:
Executive Producer Rossana Abueva
Director Rito Asilo
Artistic Director Monique Wilson
Light Designer Martin Esteva

VENUE: MUSIC MUSEUM
Greenhills

DATES/TIME: November 10 and 11 (Friday and Saturday) 9pm

TICKETS: P600.00 (Orchestra Center - Reserved)
P450.00 (Orchestra Side - First Come, First Served)
P300.00 (Balcony - First Come, First Served)

Call:
New Voice Company: 8966695 / 8965497 / 8990630
New Voice Company Actors Studio
8020 Tanguile St. San Antonio Village Makati City
Ticketworld: 8919999 / www.ticketworld.com.ph

Ticketworld outlets: Major National Bookstores, Robinson's Department Store (Malate, Galleria, Festival Mall, Pampanga, Cavite), Tower Records (Makati and Alabang), Music Museum (Virra Mall, Greenhills), Ayala Center, Inc. Greenbelt ticket booth cinema lobby, Glorietta 1 ticket booth cinema lobby.

The NEW VOICE COMPANY is one of the Philippine's premiere theatre companies and was established in 1994 by acclaimed actress and director Monique Wilson. The company has since gained an exceptional reputation for innovative, socially provocative theatre - and has made its' mark as the most political, social and feminist theatre group in the country - dealing with contemporary political and social issues.

The NEW VOICE COMPANY is driven by a vision: to produce theatre that enlightens, inspires, educates, informs and incites to action - to create theatre that becomes a powerful catalyst for change and a necessary tool for social transformation - theatre that awakens.

The NEW VOICE COMPANY is fast gaining a name as one of Asia's most respected and acclaimed theatre groups. Their innovative staging, never-before-seen daring and courage and highly polished and provocative productions have set a new trend in theatre. The exceptional quality of their performers is a testament to the company's commitment to training. The NVC Actors Studio - home to the company - is a professional base where year long theatre training programs in the performing arts, direction and production/ technical management are offered. It is also a base where new and experimental theatrical works are created.

NEW VOICE COMPANY productions - that have dealt with issues ranging from women's rights, sexuality, incest, globalization, gender inequality, sexual harassment, homosexuality, poverty, oppression and violence against women, among others - moves us to act rather than talk. Questions rather than gives answers. Analyses rather than accepts. Inspires theatre that is revolutionary rather than reactionary….and creates theatre as a force of change.

Start:	Sep 12, '06 6:30p
Location:	UP Theater, UP Diliman

Eve-olution: Celebrating Women

A benefit concert for women living with HIV/AIDS and survivors of violence against women...


This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In celebration of this occasion, several women's and international organizations are staging a concert titled EVE-OLUTION (Celebrating Women) on September 12, 2006, 6:30 pm at the UP Theater, University of the Philippines Campus, Diliman, Quezon City. The proceeds of the concert will be donated to survivors of violence against women and women living with HIV.

The primary organizers of the concert are:

CEDAW Watch Network - composed of organizations and women advocates from the academic, legal and service professions, as well as women leaders in governmental, nongovernmental and international development fields

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) CEDAW South East Asia Program

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS)

National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW)

Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) - Miriam College

UP Center for Women's Studies Foundation, Inc. (UCWSFI).



Performers include:

Akafellas, Analog, Brigada, Cambio, Color It Rd, Cynthia Alexander, DJ Myke, Imago, Itchyworms, Julianne, Kadangyan, Los Indios Bravos, Makatha, Mano Mano, Markus Highway, Mayonnaise, Moonstar88, Paolo Santos, Pido, Pinikpikan, Project Fuzion, Pumping Pluto, Reggae Mistress, Sandwich, Session Road, Sitti, Skarlet, Sunflower Day Camp, Susan Fernandez, Syke, and The Brew.

Ticket prices range from PhP 2,000.00 to 150.00.

For more details, please call
the UP Center for Women's Studies Foundation, Inc. at 920-6950.

Or email us at cws@up.edu.ph.