Reconstructing Maria Clara: An empowered contemporary interpretation on the undervalued characteristics of Filipino women through analyzing Maria Clara in the Carinosa

• Main Author: Conlu, Calista Loriana L.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2022
• Subjects: stereotype; media; sociocultural; dance; contemporary; Arts and Humanities; Dance
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2022/arts_dnc/2; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1123&context=conf_shsrescon
• Institution: De La Salle University

Throughout decades of progress, gender stereotyping remains a social dilemma in the Philippines. Particularly with the media's continued portrayal of Filipino women as a part of society. These societal constraints on women date back to the postcolonial era, which continues to have an impact on women's life, robbing them of their independence, self-expression, and rights. This artwork aims to give a perspective that empowers the various qualities and roles of Filipino women that society deems as ‘undervalued’. In this study, Cultural Feminism was used as the basis of understanding the social dilemmas and other factors concerning gender roles, specifically for women. Moreover, the use of Semiotics was applied in analyzing the body language of Filipino women being represented in the Carinosa. Maria Clara upholds a character that is often unattainable. Filipino women have been accustomed to live up to this standard, even up to this day. While there is no harm in that, there have been misinterpretations and misconceptions that led to limiting women’s roles in society. The contemporary interpretation of the Maria Clara character through dance shows a concept that disregards society’s limits.