2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 8
Available Online: 3 April 2026
Author/s:
Adigue, Andrea Padre*
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan City, Philippines (andreaa@ineust.ph.education)
Sumili, Charlie Job Debuayan
City College of Cagayan De Oro, Philippines (sumilicj@gmail.com)
Abstract:
This study examines the semantic evolution of terms used to describe women in Filipino literature, tracing the shift from the traditional “dalaga” to the contemporary “Marites” through the lens of feminist stylistics. It aims to analyze how meanings and applications of these terms have transformed across Philippine history, identify the historical, cultural, and social factors that shaped their development, and evaluate the implications of these changes for the representation and identity of Filipino women. Employing a qualitative design with a descriptive-analytical approach, the research examined selected literary texts from three major periods: the Colonial Era, the Transitional Period, and the Digital Era. Works analyzed include Nick Joaquin’s The Summer Solstice, Lualhati Bautista’s Bata, Bata… Pa’no Ka Ginawa? and contemporary short stories published in online literary journals. Findings reveal that in the Colonial Era, the term “dalaga” carried connotations of chastity and modesty, confining women to domestic roles. During the Transitional Period, depictions became more complex, highlighting women’s agency and decision-making power. In the Digital Era, the emergence of “Marites” reflects a modern form of social discipline imposed on women, particularly those who assert their voices in public spaces. From these observations, the study proposes a “cycle of semantic discipline on women” model, illustrating how each period produces positive terms for women who conform to expectations and negative ones for those who resist them. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that language is not neutral but an ideological construct and a contested site for women’s representation and power.
Keywords: discourse, semantics, gender, Filipino Literature, feminist stylistics
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26115
Cite this article:
Adigue, A. P., & Sumili, C. J. D. (2026). Diskurso at kasarian sa panitikang Filipino. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(8), 51-63. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26115
* Corresponding Author