REFLECTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT

This page contains the reflections gained by the students from the process of crafting a research project for the International Schools Cyberfair 2006.

- Reflection on "Urban Heritage Heritage and Development"
- Reflections on "Role of Filipino Women in Society"

Heritage architecture in urban districts may have high heritage value but to the residents, it is where they live, work, go to school or pray. They have always been a part of their every day life. Most importantly, these old neighborhoods give the place an identity, a reflection of the rich culture and history of the people. It is a proof that despite the rapid expansion and modernization, traditional ways of living as seen in old houses, can still be applied in today's lifestyle. 

Urban heritage conservation and development in other countries have proved to be successful. One example is Xintiandi, a shopping destination in Shanghai, China. The old houses have been restored and reused. They have become one of the most popular attractions to the locals and tourists. This proves that conservation of heritage in urban settings really works. It does not freeze a city to its past but actually carries it to the future.

The Philippines is full of heritage sites. As you can see, the Filipino culture is a melting ot of the cultures of countries from the East and the West. One concrete example is the Walled City of Manila, the Intramuros. 

"Calles de Cebu: Gateways To A Nation's History" focuses on the streets of Cebu City, its history, and to whom they were named after. By showing the origin of the streets' name, not only does the project satisfy the curious by providing information, but it also gives a brief summary of Philippine history and consequently promoting the city as a tourist destination. Not much has been done to document the streets and educate the people about their historical significance. This project is our humble contribution towards achieving that goal of educating the community in order to grasp their significance and initiating a heritage conservation movement that creates collaborations between different sectors of the Cebu City community.

ROLE OF FILIPINO WOMEN IN SOCIETY
by: Sigrid

Our country which was once plunged in a chaotic era of struggling katipuneros and freedom fighters turned revolutionary heroes owes much of its bravado to Filipino women as much as to the male ego portrayed greatly in our superflous fight for independence. But in a society where women are viewed as individuals of lesser value compared to the men, it then comes as of no surprise that women's achievements and their contribution to the revolution are overshadowed by the male's staggering forrays in history.

Women's duties are not only confined in the four walls of the house which includes cooking food, sewing tattered clothes and nursing wounded soldiers back to health but it also includes fighting along with other male revolutionist. An exemplary figure is Gabriela Silang who took after the work of her husband when Diego Silang died.

The lack of streets named after women clearly depicts the gender discrimination rampant in our country. It was and still is among the the barriers that further divides the people and aggravates the problems plaguing the country. People should learn to recognize greatness and pay their gratitude and honor the people to whom such is due regardless of colour, gender and even race and thus in the process learn to finally regard women at par with men.

Our project aims to contribute to the effort of engendering the Filipino culture and recognizing the role of women by promoting the works and achievements of women in different fields, not only in the historical part but also in the present times where women strive hard and somehow emerge victorious in areas where masculine traits are prized the most.

The city government should honor the people who have contributed greatly to the Cebu's foundation regardless of gender and thus ensuring a transparent of full account of Cebu's history. This new way of naming streets would revolutionize the view of people on our history and also give emphasis  on female counterparts of male heroes and that this may act as inspiration to all cebuanos , men and women alike, that history was made possible by the joint efforts of both gender thereby proving that women are indeed behind man's victory and success.

THE ROLE OF FILIPINO WOMEN IN SOCIETY
by: Ranyah

The Philippine society is male dominated. Just look at the roster of past presidents; only two were female. In a typical Filipino family, the father is usually the one who works to make a living for the kids while the mother stays at home. It is usually the brothers who have to take care of the siblings rather than the sisters. It is common thought that women are the weaker gender. In this eternal battle of the sexes, the men are still on the leading side. Society has reduced the concept of a woman as a weakling.

And yet at these present times, women empowerment in our country has slowly been coming into focus. Women are no longer content to take the beating but to join in the clash of all society's conflicts. Women are no longer required to sit at home, they are now in the forefront of the nation. Our current president is a woman and there are many women leaders in our country right now. But it is only NOW that an egalitarian society is taking shape.

In the Philippines' history, women have been held in low regard. The typical image of a Filipina is that of Maria Clara, the heroine of one of Rizal's undying masterpiece, the Noli Me Tangere. Demure, softspoken and gentle: that is what a Filipina is supposed to be. However, in these troubled times, women refuse to be kept in the shadows but to fight for themselves. The concept of a Filipina has evolved over the centuries.

But the question still remains, what is then the role of a Filipina? Simple. A Filipina is a preserver of life. A mother, a friend, a sister, a worker and a fighter. A Filipina can be all those things. Look at the likes of Melchora Aquino, Gabriela Silang and Trinidad Tecson. They were women yes, but they fought for freedom like men. Look at Lea Salonga and Lydia de Vega. They are women yes, but they brought glory to our country like men. Look at Corazon Aquino and Gloria Arroyo. They are women yes, but they prove to be as able as men in holding the reins of our nation.

In this light, this researching into the origins of the streets of Cebu has made us realize that women are underestimated in Philppine society. By the name of the streets alone, one can tell that. Is this fair to all the Filipinas? Of course not. Through this research, we have realized that women are important in society. If it is a question of the better sex, then women are definitely hard to defeat.