GIMSON S. ALEMANIA MMS111 Gender and Multimedia FIC: Dra.

Grace Javier Alfonso July 23, 2013

GENDER ISSUES GROUNDED ON PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE TMA 4a Synthesis Paper on the Interviews of Our Leading Scholars in Gender Issues

Gender and Development GAD Dr Ruby Palma discuss about gender equality based on United Nation Convention, wherein she said that the United Nation officially adopted gender mainstreaming as strategy to fasttrack the development of women and the commitment of governments in funding to help the disadvantage women. She also discuss about the local government must have a certain budget for Gender Budget. Gender Budgeting or Gender Mainstreaming or GAD Gender and Development are the two strategies where you can have good governance in terms of disbursing allocated budget that will answer the needs of men and women. Dr Palma statement is about the project of the government aimed to recognize and addressing gender issues in terms of government programs and development. It is to allowed women to effectively participate in governance, development and budgeting. GAD could help women to learn, to gather and analyze sex-disaggregated data and its implications for gender responsive programs and budgets. Dr Palma said that the 5% GAD Budget is used for women focused programs, GAD in Quezon City are committed to manage GAD programs and women advocacies in terms of gender equality, importance and women empowerment to achieve the city vision aiming to have Quality and Better Community.

Women Empowerment Dr Leticia Tojos discuss about empowerment of women is also about the realizing what are they issues are, and doing something about their situation. College of Social Works and Community Development initiating conscientizing women to know womens problem to increase and enhance women capabilities, she discuss that the women should be protected from domestic violence. Commodification of women says that the women have to be well dressed, stay at home productively or woman can earn but still quite submissive to the husband. Dr Tojos also discuss the productive and reproductive divide, and

where our culture involves because of our beliefs that man is powerful than woman and that the man are more dominant in our society, Dr Tojos states that despite of those cultures and beliefs people have another kind of viewpoint that would be more egalitarian, be more based on equality rather than dominance and subordination. She said that in our society we are more women friendly compared to some other countries, where women are being abuse, she give some examples like dowry system which actually treats women as commodities, and also about women circumcision in India and Africa wherein the women in the Philippines are protected from this type of abusement to women because of the law legislated in our country. The statement of Dr Tojos is also aiming to have gender equality that relates to womens human rights needs and as well as to have equality in terms of economic and political empowerment of women. She also discusses the protection of women against violence and to increase the participation of women in community organizations and movement. As we observed, women are usually the immediate victims of gender violence, in this reason our governments and other countries leaders as well as the society have such laws that will protect women against harmful violence. The laws should give the women the right to life, to liberty, equal protection under law, the rights for equal health treatment, the right to equality and the right to be free from discrimination. In the Philippines women based on the context of the Filipino Culture is Ang ilaw ng tahanan simply explains that the women in the Philippines is the one responsible for caring their children and household obligations. Filipina before the 19th century are depriving from education and power to lead. Filipino women are less dominant than Filipino men. The culture states that the women are weak and vulnerable compared to men. The women in the Philippines today are educated, respected equally compared to men, Filipino women today are strong and educated, and they have given the equal opportunities and they prove the Filipino nations that Women have the ability their own potential to be treated equal as being member of the society. The late President Corazon Aquino gives us an example what women can accomplish in the Philippines society.

Gender Stereotyping Dr Carol Sobritchea discusses what are women and men in our society today. Her interest is emphasizing on young people today on how they represent their identity and how they challenge Filipino traditions. She said that in our modern life, young men and women have their own spaces how they make the best in their lives. She said the changes between men and women in our society, that there are some women who work abroad to support the family as well as there are some men who do household works and have some changes in their gender roles. Dr Sobritchea also talks about the differences of men and women and how young boys and girls construct their sexuality, as well as how they represent their sexual orientation. She also imparted the role of media in terms of gender issues in our society and providing spaces to empowerment and how media can help advance the status of woman. Dr Sobrtichea gives her opinion that media can provide opportunities to expand social network, access to knowledge

and information, promoting gender equality in terms of access to opportunities that multimedia can give, however she also state the danger risk of media and vulnerability of it for women. On her personal standpoint in terms of multimedia opportunities the individual should have the proper guidance for them to have a right decision to identify what would be a risky situation and what is useful and let everyone understand how to use these new technologies and information available for them that brings out from new developments and advances of communication.3 As I have explained from my previous TMAs, though the media is a universal and intensely influence our society, still our culture, our parents and educations edify us to understand the real meaning behind the images we use. Despite of the gender stereotypes that media brought to us, we as an individual must have an option to decide what person you want to be, a choice to present your own gender identity, and most importantly is to express your own fashion. As Dr Sobritchea said about gender stereotype, that boy and girls have their own roles and I agree with her that those roles have change today. There are some women who work and earn to support their family and there are some husbands that do household works and child caring rather performing the role of being the financial provider of the family.

Women Advocacies and Gender Bias Dr Judy Taguiwalo discuss about the study of women which deals with womens situation and conditions. She said that women and development studies focuses on women under condition of poverty and under development, which is appropriate to a country like Philippines where the majority of women lives in a survival situation. The study emphasizes to understand the condition and position of women in society not only in a basis of gender but also in the basis of class and race of Filipino women in poverty. Dr Taguiwalo states that there are some women organizations that advocating to equal rights to land as men, advocating for social services, advocating for child care in a rural areas. She also said that today we have some professional women advocating for equal pay or salaries as well as equal works between men and women. And just like the other statements above, she also said that today we our having a lot of Filipino women who work abroad, but despite of this opportunities and possibilities given to women to work abroad, there are also many problems occur like vulnerability and abuse of women. Dr. Taguiwalo also discuss Gender stereotyping and gender bias, wherein in her viewpoint being women who wants to work and being a man nurturing their children doesnt matter, what matter is we as an individual should be measured not only of our gender but also for the capability and potentials that the person have.

Dr. Taguiwalo statement above is about closing the gender gap, women advocacies based on study of women believes that empowering women is an essential element, the women advocacies aim to support women to promote gender equality to reach the full potential without discrimination. Women and development also help us to have gender awareness that women must have an equal access to education, opportunities, equal pay for work also to prevent harassment and violence.

Gender is a Social Construct Dr Odine de Guzman standpoint in terms of Gender as a Social Construct is that how the society expects men and women to behave and act in our society. That men and women in terms of their biological determinants defines the masculinity and femininity, as an example that she gave is about the family with two children, that a mother as biologically a girl is the one responsible for nurturing the children and a father as biologically a boy will be the provider and responsible for the financial needs of the family and the son should follow the step of his father to be strong and great wherein the daughter should follow the step of her mother to be supportive and I agree with Dr de Guzman that in the Philippines this is the settings of the family and that is because of the culture and beliefs of the Filipino traditions. One of the statement of Dr de Guzman that explain the gender disparity based on Christian literature is that God created Adam a boy and from his rib god created Eve a woman wherein it shows that a woman is secondary to a man and in that plot, it shows that a woman should be submissive to the man and that a man is dominant than woman. In terms of Philippine Mythology Si Malakas at si Maganda Dr de Guzman said that it is an example of Gender Equality because the man and woman appears from the crack bamboo within the same time. However Dr de Guzman has notice that the word Malakas at Maganda is also a gender stereotyping. Dr. de Guzman said that multimedia can also perpetuate gender concepts, because media and multimedia is a big factor that may influence the society to understand the meaning of being a woman and being a man because one way or the other multimedia can form peoples ways of looking at things as well as ways of imagining their selves. In my previous TMA, it was stated there that media as well as multimedia can shape the way men and women should be in accordance to society, just what Dr de Guzman said that multimedia practitioner can somehow illustrates what is for men and women and how to be a man and woman in our society.

References: 1) Dr Ruby Palma (July 9 2013). Youtube: Gender and Multimedia in Philippine Experience., retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2BaekuMQsk&list=PLiqeNUxu5x2EfKw6oL09QGJSFQRT1QYP&index=3

2) Dr Leticia Tojos (July 9 2013). Youtube: Gender and Multimedia in Philippine Experience., retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8idBUJr2cM&list=PLiqeNUxu5x2EfKw6oL09QGJSFQRT1QYP&index=6 3) Dr Carol Sobritchea (July 9, 2013). Youtube: Gender and Multimedia in Philippine Experience., retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4R94cU6j1k&list=PLiqeNUxu5x2EfKw6oL09QGJSFQRT1QYP&index=4 4) Dr. Judy Taguiwalo (July9, 2013) . Youtube: Gender and Multimedia in Philippine Experience., retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwSXCGlbeqM&list=PLiqeNUxu5x2EfKw6oL09QGJSFQRT1QYP&index=5 5) Dr. Odine de Guzman (July9, 2013) . Youtube: Gender and Multimedia in Philippine Experience., retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTNIC9wZfPw&list=PLiqeNUxu5x2EfKw6oL09QGJSFQRT1QYP&index=2

* Below is the Research Paper about Gender and Multimedia.

RESEARCH PAPER ON GENDER AND MULTIMEDIA

I Am What I Am

Abstract I am what I am I am my own special creation. So come take a look, give me the hook or the ovation. It's my world that I want to have a little pride, my world and it's not a place I have to hide in. Life's not worth a dam till I can say I am what I am.(Owen, M.) This paper about gender related issues aims to identifies and to study the gender differences and how multimedia affects gender. The research is intended to make everyone understand the Gender Issues. In this paper the Gays in our society will feel their importance to the community and to feel a sense of belonging.

By Gimson S. Alemania University of the Philippines Open University FIC: Gender and Multimedia MMS 111 Dra. Grace Javier Alfonso Ph,D. July 23, 2013

OBJECTIVE The objective of this research is to inspire experiential and theoretical gender study in order to understand different gender and to promote gender equality. Gender study and awareness is to ensure that gender concerns and issues in our society are recognised and expounded. The research is focused on Gay and Bisexual Men gender. The purpose of the research was to close the gender gap and to elaborate what the gender bias is all about, the research objective is not only to achieve gender equality but also to deeply realise and understand that being a Gay Gendered is not what matters most, it is not our gender that makes who we are a person, it is on how as an Individual be known as a good person. The gender of a person is not an issue for you to express love and be loved in return as well as to respect and be respected.

INTRODUCTION Gender disparities, gender bias, gender discrimination, gender inequality and other related gender violence are all kinds civil and human rights violation. Most common gender issues of gay men are about morality and decency that the political and religious leaders impose against gay community. Gay persons are still surrounded by unjustified beliefs, religious criticism, humiliation and dislikes and they suffer from negative reactions and acceptance from economy, community and family. The issues of gender and sexualities of being gay is a character that affects the in-depth and personal aspects of a human being in terms of social and emotional being. Any person who is experiencing discrimination can be emotionally and psychologically painful. I Am what I Am, is a song related to a person having different gender as being says by many, it is a person proudly showing his or her identity, a person bravely facing the judgemental world and criticisms of societies by doing and expressing what is behind her biological gender. Every time I heard this song, it epitomises me completely mostly at times that people get me down, this song inspired me to accept and embrace my own gender and identity. Embracing gay gender or coming out of the closet needs help from the people and environment, to let the gay individual feel the sense of belonging rather than making them feel that being a gay should be ashamed of being who they are. In our times now, gay organizations, gay communities and other social groups makes the gay individual have positive stance gay pride against discrimination. Media and Multimedia can also influence our society, in terms of gender. It may encourage people to how they act as being man or woman. It may also inspire bisexual and gay men in our society. Through the use of Multimedia tools like Internet technology, the users have a broad access to information such as text information, images and videos in which this information carries different ideas, thoughts and philosophies to any individuals that may affect the participants outlooks in life.

Because gender as a socially constructed and that can be changed, the media and multimedia is one of the big factors of these changes in terms of social gender roles, responsibilities and powers. These influences of media and multimedia affect the ways in how an individual represent gender.

FINDINGS Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation "Sexual orientation is the preferred term used when referring to an individual's physical and/or emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender. Heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual are all sexual orientations. A person's sexual orientation is distinct from a person's gender identity and expression. The term gender identity, distinct from the term sexual orientation, refers to a person's innate, deeply felt psychological identification as male or female, which may or may not correspond to the person's body or designated sex at birth (meaning what sex was originally listed on a person's birth certificate).1 Some say that sexual orientation and gender identity are sensitive issues. I understand. Like many of my generation, I did not grow up talking about these issues. But I learned to speak out because lives are at stake, and because it is our duty under the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to protect the rights of everyone, everywhere. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon This bill, in enshrining protections against abuse and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, advances the promise of the universality of rights. These are not claims to new rights or to special rights, but rather extend protections for human dignity to include the most vulnerable groups in society, and to publicize and prevent the least visible and most easily concealed violations. - Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr., author of Senate Bill 1738 As you observed the above statement, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in terms of Gender Equality Act and Discrimination Law are frequently comes together. As being defined above, it is a clear statement that they are not the same in meaning but why these two categories often combined? However the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation maybe confusing, this individualism is important to understand because both classifications are protected under state laws. It is important that the United Nations and our country Philippines are having those rules and laws that will protect human rights of everyone such as anti-discrimination act of 2011, although in the Philippines, some of the political and religious leaders are not agree on same sex marriage to legalize. However the senate bill 2814 anti-discrimination act of 2011 is to ensure every individual to have equal protection, equal treatment and equal respect regardless of his gender identity and sexual orientation. Media and Multimedia helps every individual to be updated on the information, and the huge information worldwide may influence every Filipinos who are fighting for having Gender Equality

regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation they represent. Multimedia may encourage our society in terms openness to respect LGBT rights which they entitled to. Gender Equality and Gender Bias The United Nations has the responsibility to ensure that all its actions promote and protect gender equality and womens empowerment. UN efforts to help establish the rule of law for all on the basis of equality are essential to this end. Advancing gender equality and empowering women are widely recognized as ends in themselves as well as means to achieve the UN goals of sustainable peace and security, human rights protection, and sustainable economic and social development.6 Yes it is certainly possible to treat both the genders equally in the society. Not only the gender equality is ensured in the society but also the equity should be maintained. It can be possible by creating awareness among the people of the fact that all the human beings should be treated alike and there should be no discrimination on the basis of gender. Both the genders must have equal rights and opportunities.7 It is true that by having Anti-discrimination, gender equality may be possible. Aside from discrimination, unequal treatment between different gender, prejudices, one-sidedness and unfairness are all kinds of Gender Biases. A gender disparity is also about unequal treatment in employment and unequal opportunities to education. Most of the society is looking on the gender of a person to determine the qualification of a person towards work and task. Closing the Gender gap may need changes, rules and laws not only to achieve gender equality but also to protect the rights of any individual regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Despite of many challenges in striving gender homogeneousness, still there are some political and religious leaders who understand the meaning and importance of equality. To end the gender gap, it is important that every individual must respect the gender identity as well as the sexual orientation of a person aside from the fact that it is the right thing to do. After a long decade, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) individual have made succeeding and securing equal rights. Although there some countries that are not having this equality, I do believe that our international law and the UN organizations will find its way to have gender equality throughout the world. In the Philippines, though we have gender equality, still our state and churches are not in favour to same sex marriage. Many of the Filipino people have positive views of LGBT people most especially in Gay community they become more supportive in many ways including impartiality in terms of civil and political rights. While the Filipino people accepted and understand LGBT gender to be treated equally, the LGBT in the Philippines becomes productive and dynamic. There are so many Filipino Gays for instance who become successful in life and helpful not only to their own family but also to their own community and state. Many of the Filipinos have a great admiration to gay individuals because of the many advantageous of gay people.

DISCUSSION The Gay Community UP Babaylan, LAGABLAB (Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network Philippines), ProGay Philippines, LADLAD Party List and more are all fighting for discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Most of them have same advocacy to promote and intensify human rights, sexual and gender equality, peace and righteousness. The Catholic Church While on the other hand, the Church, Clergy, Missionaries and other Christian organizations said that "homosexuality are considered sinful because sexual acts, by their nature, are divinely intended to be both unitive and procreative"8 However the church is acknowledging a social pattern in our times: more same-sex couples are sharing life together, and their well-being should also be considered. The church is adamant in regards to human rights and their protection, so considering civil unions for the sake of making it easier for gays to live happier lives is a good and Christian thing. The LGBT community should acknowledge the good will of the church, and accept that it simply cannot help beyond this. After all, the word of Christ is one of hope and charity for all human beings regardless of origin, race, background, and even sexual orientation, but the protection of traditional family is one of the churchs main duties, as is the dispensation of the holy sacrament of marriage. Human rights and marriage are two different things. The church has never acknowledged sexual license, whether between homosexuals or heterosexuals. But the human rights of those that give themselves this license is something that ought to be protected and respected. So far the church remains consistent. (Urgelles, T.) As we observed the statement above, the Church has their own set of rules and principles to protect the words of God and the Bible. Maybe our Christian literature may not accept same sex relationship as well as same sex marriage but I do believe that the Church, the members of the Church and Christians organizations respects, understand and love the homosexual persons. I agree that the Catholic church are not against in Anti-discrimination, however we all know that the Church considers that all kind of sexual activity outside of marriage as sinful and immoral, such as masturbation, adultery, pornography and even the contraception, all of these are considered sins in the eye of the Catholic Church. So in this regard, it is not about the gender orientation of an individual that the Church are against for, but the act of immorality that may perform of an individual regardless of gender, race etc. etc. The State Leaders and Governments In the Philippines same sex marriage under the law is still not legally recognized, however our laws and governments are allowing any individual to have a same-sex relationship, homosexual persons are allowed to show their affection with their same sex partner in public. Though same sex relationship

between two persons in legal age are not a crime, the prohibition in article 200 of the revised penal code imposed any person who will have sexual activity or affection that occurs in public highly scandalous conduct may be subject to the grave scandal Art. 200. Grave scandal. The penalties of arresto mayor and public censure shall be imposed upon any person who shall offend against decency or good customs by any highly scandalous conduct not expressly falling within any other article of this Code. (Robles, C.)

CONCLUSION I am proud to say that I am Gay, and whatever challenges like discrimination will never change my values in Life, to continue facing everyone with pride and dignity that despite of our gender preferences, we the homosexual have our own characteristics that may contribute more positive result in any activity and work that could help our society, our state and our world. We will exist forever and whether we are accepted or not, we will continue our own endeavour to promote gender equality, because at the end of the day everyone will realize that we as a human being deserves to be respected equally, to be treated fairly and most importantly, to be LOVED. As a homosexual facing discrimination is not easy, it needs a lot of courage and humility. Every gay individual stick on hoping that as long as we share and give love to the people and to the world, I do believe that the world will love you back. Reminiscing each moment of my life and making this conclusion makes me cry. I am a father of my three 3 year old daughter gaby and I am proud to be. I have no regrets of being gay in my past coz I am still who I am and I will always be GAY, and despite of my sexual orientation it will never make me less as a person and as a daddy to my beloved daughter. I will do everything to make my daughter grow up being proud of me as his father and I assure her to have a wonderful life with me and standing with me till the end, facing the judgemental world and proudly saying I AM WHAT I AM, THAT I AM A VERY SPECIAL CREATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This is the most important part of my research, to thanks all the people who become a part of life, the people who accepted me and judge me as a person, I also want to thanks my MOTHER, my family, my friends, my wife and the most important person in my life MY DAUGHTER, for being there as my inspiration and guide. Thank you because, every experiences and memories I had with all of you guys is what my research becomes wonderful. I also want to thanks my dear professor in MMS111 Gender and Multimedia Dra. Grace Javier Alfonso, this course really inspire me to become more understanding and bolder facing the different ideology and knowledge in Gender Study.

References: 1] Human Rights Campaign (2011-2013). Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Terminology and Definitions., retrieved from http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/sexual-orientation-and-genderidentity-terminology-and-definitions 2] Owen Mark. Lyrickfreak.com: I Am What I Am, retrieved from http://www.lyricsfreak.com/g/gloria+gaynor/i+am+what+i+am_20060852.html 3] UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (March 7, 2012). United Nations Human Rights: Combatting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity., retrieved from http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Discrimination/Pages/LGBT.aspx 4] Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr. (Sept. 2006). Philippines: Stop Discrimination now!., retrieved from http://lagablab.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/piran-action-asa-35-012-2006-2.pdf 5] Senator Loren Legarda (May 11, 2011) . Senate of the Philippines: Anti-Discrimination Act of 2011 .,retrieved from http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2011/0511_legarda2.asp 6] United Nations Rule of Law: Gender Equality (n.d.), retrieved from http://www.unrol.org/article.aspx?article_id=28 7] IinAsh (n.d.) Debate.org: Is Gender Equality Possible?., retrieved from http://www.debate.org/opinions/is-gender-equality-possible 8] Wikipedia (nd). Homosexuality and Roman Catholicism., retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_and_Roman_Catholicism 9] Thaelman Urgelles (n.d). Policymic: Catholic Church Gay Marriage: The Church Will Never Condone It, But That Doesn't Mean It's Homophobic., retrieved from http://www.policymic.com/articles/24979/catholic-church-gay-marriage-the-church-will-nevercondone-it-but-that-doesn-t-mean-it-s-homophobic 10] Chan Robles (nd). Cralaw: Chan Robles Virtual Law Library Grave Scandal., retrieved from http://www.chanrobles.com/revisedpenalcodeofthephilippinesbook2.htm#.UfU5lY3I19s