Sexuality and the Filipina

by Lilia Quindoza Santiago

This book marks significant moments in the evolution of gender relations, sexual practices, and notions of sexuality among Filipinos through a reading and re-reading of historical and literary texts from earliest times to the present. Subjugation to Spanish colonialism succeeded in demonizing many of these sexual practices so that today, behavior considered taboo are some customs and rites which are deemed necessary and pleasurable by men and women among Philippine indigenous communities. The discourse in this book is a necessary first step in recuperating what could be a liberating sense of sexuality and gender relations especially for Filipinas in the modern-day world. It is hoped that the discussions will contribute to a sound and healthy discourse on gender and sexuality in the Philippines and finally lead to making sexuality a public discourse—one that can be lived, experienced, and narrated by the men, women, children, and the elderly all over the archipelago, whatever their sexual preferences or orientations.

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Lilia Quindoza Santiago (1949–2021) was an acclaimed Filipino writer, academic, and feminist activist known for her influential literary works and scholarly research. As a multilingual author who wrote in both Filipino and Ilokano, she made significant contributions to Philippine literature and gender studies.

Reviews

[Allen Limos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I started reading this, I couldn't put it down. "Sexuality and the Filipina" was well-written. Santiago successfully analyzed the sexuality and gender relations in the Philippines and how they changed during colonization. It encourages its readers to do an "unreading" of the texts to understand the narrative better. This is a great book for those starting to delve-deep into gender studies in the Philippines as it decolonizes what we know of gender and sex.