By Atty. Farah G. Decano

 

WHAT with the historic Olympic gold medal win of weightlifter, Hidilyn Diaz, whose femininity is still apparent, perhaps we may now accept the idea of a muscular Filipina without assaulting her womanhood?

I remember an article of fellow Sunday Punch columnist, Virginia Pasalo, that pre-hispanic women along coastal areas in Pangasinan such as Dagupeñas were famed shipbuilders.  I, therefore, imagine them to be brawny females whose positions in society were respected because of their economic contribution to their families and society.  I surmise, most women in the Philippines, had the same standing during those times.  The three hundred years of Spanish conquest of the Philippines changed much of this female role in society. The task of the Filipina was relegated to the home with traits that must approximate a frail European virgin.

Decades ago, women were frowned upon for participating in combat sports. They were jeered at as tomboys or pultaki. Few females engaged in these sports due to   fear that their sexuality might be questioned. Our society, however, has evolved and has become more accepting of women involved in these events. Because the present times are probably more dangerous, women are encouraged to be capable of protecting themselves. Nowadays, it is usual for women to be involved in karate, judo, aikido and whatever combat sports for self-defense purposes. Being able to guard themselves from harm has become an additional female charm.

Yes, it is time our society puts an end to limitations on what women can do.  The populace must be tolerant of females performing masculine activities and not discriminate against them as being less-woman. Hidilyn Diaz is proof that being muscular and being capable of traditional masculine activities do not mean the devaluation of her chosen gender expression – feminine.

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In courtship, there is this interesting theory about the “female energy.”  This pertains to the aura exuded by a woman or transwoman to her suitor or lover that makes the latter chase her.   Since the idea of a chaser is ascribed by society as a masculine function while the subject of the pursuit is a feminine one, then the energy that makes her “hunted” is better called as a feminine vibe.

To manifest this feminine energy, the woman or transwoman must be able to obtain a playful balance between resistance and provocation, or a.k.a. flirtation. Is this energy met positively by people with masculine traits, males and females alike?

Not all manly persons welcome this kind of feminine vigor. It takes a tougher kind of person to accept the “resistance” part of this energy. While the confident masculine person takes this as a challenge, the weaker ones retreat to the memory of their mothers for comfort and unintentionally reflect the female energy of the latter.  I need not explain what happens. We know the science behind two like energies. They repel.

I am not saying that the theory is entirely correct – that only women and transwomen must deliver challenges to their objects of affection. The truth is, females also desire some amount of unpredictability in men. They are eager for the same uncertainty, too, in romance but only up to a certain point when security and stability are not compromised.   Ah, this feminine energy, if exuded properly, has magnetic pull on those who are in for a better game of pursuit.

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