University of Philippines Manila

‘Working Women of Manila in the Nineteenth Century’: CAS Hosts Multi-Awarded Author’s Book Signing Event 

Text by Jennifer F. Manongdo

Photos by Tommy Li, Ritch Tomulto, and Jade Murcia (CAS)

(From left) Professor Atoy M. Navarro, UP Diliman Prof. Emeritus Ma. Luisa Camagay, and Prof. Wensley Reyes answer questions from the audience during the open forum.

Multi-awarded author and Professor Emeritus of History at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Ma. Luisa Camagay, Ph.D., discussed the various roles of 19th-century Filipino women in an event organized by the College of Arts and Sciences and CAS Manila Studies Program on Oct. 2, 2024, at the UP Manila Theater.

Dr. Camagay revealed how a bundle of papers titled “Alboroto de Cigarreras de Manila,” which she saw in the archives while doing a research project in 1991, sparked her interest in writing a book focused on the lives of Filipino female workers during the Spanish colonial period. In the revised edition of her book, “Working Women of Manila in the Nineteenth Century,” Dr. Camagay discussed the important role of the cigarreras (tobacco factory workers), whom she calls the country’s first Overseas Filipino Workers after the Dutch sent them to teach the local women of Surabaya, Indonesia to roll cigarettes.

Published by the University of the Philippines Press, 2024, the book reveals the diverse roles of Filipino women in the Spanish colonial history ranging from cigarreras, maestras (teachers), matronas titulares (licensed midwives), criadas (female domestic workers), tenderas and vendedoras (store owners and vendors), costureras and bordadoras (seamstresses and embroiderers), and mujeres públicas (prostitutes).

“Nagsisilbi itong paalala na hindi lahat ng mga Pilipina sa nasabing panahon ay nagpakasal at natali sa tahanan,” Dr. Camagay said. Asked about her advice to future educators in making history engaging to the younger generation, Dr. Camagay said teachers should find ways “to give birth to an interest” in local history to motivate students to seek more information about the past.

Asst. Prof. Atoy M. Navarro, Program Head of the BA Social Sciences (Area Studies) Program hailed the importance of Dr. Camagay’s work in bringing the often-overlooked narratives to light. Trisha Mataac hosted the program and Prof. Wensley Reyes, Ph.D., Manila Studies Program Convenor, Department of Social Sciences, and Neil Kenneth Jamandre, UP Press Assistant Director, delivered the inspirational messages.

UP Diliman Prof. Emeritus Ma. Luisa Camagay signs a copy of her book during the event.

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