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Here’s to women empowerment!
Actress-TV host-and philanthropist Angel Locsin continued to inspire women by giving a few motivational words in a vlog series titled Paano Ba ‘To. In the show hosted by Bianca Gonzales, the Locsin dived deep into the stigma against women who are more vocal in expressing themselves and their opinions.
She stated that the stereotype has prevented other women from speaking up because of the fear of not fitting in the qualities that are constructed by society.
“Hindi ‘to issue kung ano ‘yung kayang gawin ng mga kababaihan, kung hindi ‘yung kultura na natin. Merong stigma. Ito ‘yung mga namana na natin unconsciously sa mga ninuno pa natin, sa society, sa kultura natin, kung papaano ba ‘to talaga ang behavior ng isang kababaihan,” she said.
The actress mentioned that society seems to limit women into specific traits that they think are more appropriate.
“Tapos kapag hindi ka nag-conform doon, ‘pag hindi ka sweet, ‘pag hindi ka soft, ‘pag hindi ka caring, ‘pag hindi ka tahimik, ‘pag hindi ka mahinhin, ‘pag hindi ka masunurin sa asawa mo, ‘pag hindi ka, ‘yes, sir, yes, sir’ lang, hindi ka na ‘likeable’.”
Locsin then encouraged everyone to stop minding the opinions of other people and focus more on what they believe in.
“Puwede bang tigilan nating isipin kung ano ‘yung opinyon ng ibang tao. Mas i-value mo pa ‘yung opinyon mo kasi dun tayo nai-stuck, eh. Hindi puwedeng gagawa ka ng isang bagay na nagma-matter lang ‘yung opinyon ng iba kasi ang pinaka-importanteng tao dito is ikaw,” she said.
“Sa lahat ng mga naririnig natin — noises sa social media especially, bakit mo ipo-focus lahat ng energy mo dun sa mga bagay na hindi naman kasing importante ng sarili mong opinyon tungkol sa sarili mo. Doon tayo magsimula.”
She shared some words of guidance to women who want to speak up but are currently afraid to do so. The first is to stay truthful about what they believe in.
“First, kailangan totoo sasabihin mo. Hindi puwede ‘yung magsasalita ka ng mga bagay na ikaw mismo hindi naniniwala o hindi mo ginagawa. Hindi ka magkakamali kung nasa katotohanan ka. So maging totoo ka sa sarili mo, totoo ‘yung sinasabi mong facts ‘di ba?”
The second piece of advice is to fight for it. She added that not everyone will agree to everything one would say but if one is confident, then whatever people will say won’t affect her.
“Pangalawa, kailangan mong panindigan. Maraming challenges sa ‘yo, maraming tutuligsa sa ‘yo, maraming magba-bash sa ‘yo, pero kung maniniwala ka naman sa sinasabi mo, hindi ka maaapektuhan, eh. Mahirap kang maapektuhan dahil mas secure ka. Sure ka sa sinabi mo.”
In December 2020, Locsin got included in Forbes Asia’s 100 Digital Stars list. She also earned the name Tatler Asia’s 2020 Leaders of Tomorrow that listed down individuals who help shape Asia’s future.
