Text by: Ehcel S. Hurna
Photos by: Joseph A. Bautista
A book featuring the triumph of Filipino women in the medical field will soon hit the shelves.
The UP Manila Center for Gender and Women Studies (CGWS) collaborated with the Association of Women Surgeons of the Philippines for a collection of personal narratives and accounts from distinguished female Filipino doctors, titled “Breaking Barriers: Stories of Filipino Women Pioneers in Surgery” which was introduced on March 21, 2024 at UP College of Medicine.
Filipino Women Breaking Barriers in the Field of Medicine
In retrospect, women have been subjugated to men in various fields and societal roles but they did not let their gender dictate their fate and purpose. The gender stereotypes faced by the women venturing in medicine is parallel to the old socio-cultural conditions on gender. College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Associate Professor Mary Dorothy Jose explained why the authors of the book decided to add the historical context of women’s struggle since the pre-colonial and colonial times up to the rise of women in the field of medicine, particularly in surgery.
“Sa halip na maging kalipunan lamang ng mga talambuhay ng mga unang women surgeons sa bansa, minarapat po namin sa akdang ito, na talakayin ang mga namamayaning kundisyong sosyo-kultural sa panahong kinapapalooban ng mga tampok na kababaihan, nang sa gayon ay magkaroon ng mas malalim na pagsusuri ng kanilang ambag at hamong kinaharap sa larangan ng medisina at surgery,”
Jose said.
“Sa pamamagitan nito ay inaasahan na mas mabibigyan ng karampatang pagkilala ang mga unang babaeng nangahas na pumasok sa larangan ng surgery – isang larangan na kasanayan ng pinangungunahan ng kalalakihan,”
she added.
From the primitive communal era to Spanish Colonialism, only during the American Colonization did women have the chance to study medicine.
“Dahil mas pinalawak ang oportunidad na pang-edukasyon sa kababaihan, hanggang sa pagpasok ng ika-dalawampung siglo ay nagkaroon na tayo ng unang babaeng doktor na si Dr. Honoria Acosta-Sison. Si Dr. Olivia Salamanca, na itinuturing na pangalawang babaeng doktor na Pilipina. At si Dr. Maria Paz Mendoza-Guazon, na unang babaeng Pilipinang doktor na nagtapos dito sa University of the Philippines College of Medicine,”
Jose shared.
From 1915 until 1944, Filipino women had no involvement in surgical practice. But this has changed, currently, the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) pegs the number of women practicing in surgery at 412 as of December 2023.
Women as Trailblazers in Surgery
The book features Isabel Jugo, the first female surgical resident in Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and in the Philippines; Teresita Tongson, a pioneering Filipina plastic surgeon and was the first woman to graduate from the general surgery residency program and Teresita Altre was the first female orthopedic surgeon.
Also in the book are Camellia Posoncuy, the country’s pioneering female neurosurgeon and the first woman to successfully complete the surgical residency program at PGH; Josefina Almonte, the first woman president of the PCS in 2011; Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete, the first female transplant surgeon; and Marie Carmela Lapitan, the first female urologist.
Despite the gender stereotypes and status quo, the grit and determination of these women surgeons led them to overcome the inequalities in society at the time.
The authors felt that it is a good endeavor to write the book to prove that women could achieve their full potential if doors of opportunities and possibilities are provided. While gender gaps and challenges persist, the achievements and victories of these pioneering women in the field of medicine is a continuing testament of their unrelenting drive to prove that they can also be vanguards of excellence.
“Through the lens of these women surgeons, let’s create a beautiful narrative that will enshrine their strength. Because that’s the only way we learn – from their stories,”
co- author Dr. Esther Saguil noted.
Struggles and Victories
Though patriarchy is still reflected in our society today, it is imperative to recognize women’s struggles and victories in society.
“We want to make sure that our stories are heard. The barriers that our foremothers endured and went through, hindi na dapat ‘yun ma-experience ng kabataan ngayon.There’s a lot more awareness now. At mas may boses na tayong mga kababaihan ngayon,”
CGWS Director Leilanie Apostol-Nicodemus remarked.
National Scientist and former UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla expressed her heartfelt regards to the people behind the book and reminded the audience the importance of writing women’s narratives.
“Para mag-succeed ang isang proyekto, talagang mayroong magbibigay ng impormasyon at may matiyagang magsusulat at ilalagay ito sa isang kwento. Kahit na maganda ang kwento, kung hindi naisulat, ito ay hindi nangyari,”
Padilla said.
The book is set to be published in April 2024. ■
