Nagmamahal, Maria Clara: a Modern-day Filipina's Transition from Fragile to Feisty

 

Nagmamahal, Maria Clara: a Modern-day Filipina's Transition from Fragile to Feisty

LAXA, Aidaine Krishia C.

Photo from PenLab

Nagmamahal, Maria Clara

A Comic by Marian Hukom

Who is Maria Clara and why is she so popular?

Well, in case you missed it, Maria Clara is a fictional character who is popularly known from Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. She is the so-called role model of how a Filipina should think, speak, and behave. That was what my Titas and Ninangs taught me. As she represents how a Filipina should be, women are still expected to be submissive, modest, and traditional even in the 21st century wherein times are changing and conventional norms are already challenged by Filipinas. 

Marian Hukom, Nagmamahal, Maria Clara's Author

Photo from Behance

Marianie or "Marian Hukom," is a Filipina Multimedia Artist who specializes in illustration and design. She is known for her works that express women's empowerment and representation. "Nagmamahal, Maria Clara" – a Filipina feminist platform – and "Komiks Sundays" are two of her own works. Marian is also a member of a Filipino comics collective, where she handles social media and distributes print and online products.

Nagmamahal, Maria Clara was first published on August 22, 2020, on PenLab, an online platform for Filipino comics and illustrators. Chapter 8, the last chapter, was published last May 20, 2021. This work is part of the author's thesis for her undergraduate degree which is why this story is significant to her. The story tackles Filipina feminism which aims to enlighten and educate readers on this matter. The story does not only highlight social issues, but it also displays artistic illustrations that will surely get the readers hooked. Maria Clara encounters unusual personalities, she enters show business and she begins to challenge her own beliefs after being suddenly brought to modern-day Manila. What if Maria Clara grows into something more than how we depict her to just be? Was this the start of her being more than was expected of her? 

The Modern-day Dalagang Pilipina

The story starts with Maria Clara de Los Santos from Noli Me Tangere, Clara for short, being magically teleported to the 21st century Manila City. She suddenly meets a stranger named Jenny, the personal assistant, who was finding for possible people to play "Maria Clara" in a film. She was dragged by Jenny to the audition site wherein she was instructed to act like Maria Clara for the film, even though she was the real-life Maria Clara herself. Clara was confused, overwhelmed, and scared, all sorts of emotions rushing to her as it was a place and time that she did not know of. At the end of the first chapter, she got accepted to act as Maria Clara. Needless to say, the director was amazed to see how she channeled her emotions and delivered the film Maria Clara so well.

As the story progresses, Clara was introduced to all sorts of things that she was not accustomed to. She was amazed how women can wear shorts and sleeveless clothes. She was shocked to know that men and women are able to work in the same place. And she was disconcerted how Mark, his leading man in the film, touched her during the rehearsals and shooting. Everything was certainly new to her. Then, she discovered libraries. She read Jose Rizal's novels, only to find out how tragic the ending of her life would be. 

Now, I won't be spoiling more of what will happen in Clara's journey in modern-day Manila. But what is clear is that this story has the potential to become world literature. The story is pure, true, and revolutionary. Both Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are known worldwide, this story can be too. Not only Filipinas could be empowered, but all the women around the world. Even several powerful women in Philippine history were mentioned such as Gabriela Silang, Tandang Sora, and Kumander Liwayway. 

Now I invite you to join Clara in her journey to defy the "Mayumi, Mahinhin, at Maganda" archetype. Us women are so much more than that and no one can dictate us as to who we want to be in this world. 

Read the story here: https://penlab.ink/titles/nagmamahal-maria-clara-marianie/