2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 17
Available Online: 23 July 2026
Author/s:
Guzman, Rodel
Isabela State University, Philippines (rodel.b.guzman@isu.edu.ph)
Abstract:
In traditional Filipino society, husbands have long been designated as the haligi ng tahanan (pillar of the home), expected to serve as primary breadwinners. However, socio-economic shifts have produced an increasing number of families where women assume the role of primary provider. This descriptive-qualitative study examines the lived experiences of female Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) depicted in literature, analyzing selected poems by Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo through a feminist framework. The analysis reveals that financial precarity forces Filipinas into overseas employment, where they frequently endure severe challenges, including labor exploitation, sexual abuse, and profound isolation. Despite these vulnerabilities, their resilience persists, driven by a commitment to their families’ welfare. Furthermore, Mabanglo’s poetry underscores a critical shift in female agency, showcasing how contemporary Filipino women actively drive both household survival and national economic development. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the potency of Mabanglo’s literary works as rich sites for feminist inquiry and textual analysis on female migration.
Keywords: literary criticism, feminism, Overseas Filipino Worker, Filipino literature
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26311
Cite this article:
Guzman, R. (2026). Ang babae bilang haligi ng tahanan: Femistang pagsilip sa mga tulang makababae sa panitikang Filipino. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(17), 247-262. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26311