Long hair, unyielding skirts that almost reach the grounds, silent giggles, and fans on their hands trying to cover the mysteries of their very soul: this is what the Filipinas have been for the past centuries. They are like fireflies that love to fly, showing its grace and beauty to everyone; their prowess, leaving even our capturers in total awe.

Unbeknown to these strangers is the hidden passion behind these women. Their long hair is only a proof of their non-ending care and patience. The stiffness of taking care of such everyday is not a sign of their vanity but that of their belief of what a woman should be. They wash it patiently, brushes it gently and ties it neatly, all good qualities that mold their personality. Their long skirts in the past that hid their precious skin is all for the sake of dignity and respect for their family. They did not speak ill if it is not needed or asked. They contained themselves in front of gentlemen… some for fear but more for the sake of courteousness. They used their fans to conceal their anger, for a sudden outburst without thinking will only be useless. They veiled their smiles and blushes because they knew that when they show their weakness, it will cause their downfall.

Now countless years have gone by, stories have been passed, people changed. The long hair has been made into various funky hairdo or atypical looks and the clothes that hid everything now became less and less strict. The Filipinas who were once like fireflies, that show its glitters but always soars away, now finally learned how to alight itself for someone’s clearer view.

They learned to overcome shyness and work their heart out. The mean things that other people say or the unpleasant names they were being called were never able to stop them from their hard works and efforts. Some decided to tie their hair not ... Read more »