AKBAYAN Partylist Representative Dadah Kiram Ismula has filed House Bill No. 5332, or the “Lakambini Bill,” which seeks to institutionalize the teaching of Filipino women heroes across all levels of public and private education in the Philippines.
The authors include Akbayan Reform Bloc members Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene “Kaka” J. Bag-ao, Akbayan Partylist Reps. Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” I. Diokno, Percival V. Cendaña. Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa “Leila” M. De Lima, and Albay Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro also authored the bill.
House Bill 5332, titled the Lakambini Bill, aims to correct historical male-dominance in curricula. It ensures that figures like Melchora Aquino, Gabriela Silang, and Josefa Llanes Escoda are duly recognized in textbooks.
“Ang mga bayaning babae natin ay hindi footnote ng kasaysayan o anino ng mga kalalakihan,” Rep. Ismula said. “Mahalagang ituro sa ating mga kabataan ang kasaysayan ng mga kababaihang bayani.”
“Hindi tayo pwedeng maging bansang kalahati lang ang alam na kwento ng kasaysayan kung ibabaon natin sa limot ang kababaihan,” she said. “Ang kailangan, balikan at itama natin ang kasaysayan at bigyan ng karampatang espasyo ang mga kababaihan na naging haligi ng ating bansa.”
The filing was preceded by a special film showing of Lakambini, a production by Pelikulove, about the life of revolutionary heroine Gregoria “Oryang” de Jesus.
The film screening was followed by a short discussion to solidify the advocacy.
The discussion featured Producer/CEO of Pelikulove Ms. Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, director Arjanmar Rebeta, Women and Gender Committee Chairperson Rep. Ann Matibag, Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. President Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, historian Prof. Fe Mangahas, and Juanna Caumeran of Akbayan Women.
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