Magdalena Jalandoni

Daughter of Gregorio Jalandoni and Francesca Gonzaga, Magdalena Jalandoni was born in a time when social and political upheaval is occurring in the country. She witnessed how the Philippines gained its independence from the Spaniards and lost it at the hands of the Americans. Just like how her fellow Filipinos struggled to gain their independence, Magdalena Jalandoni also struggled to go against the prevailing tradition of her time. Her talent in writing could be said to be second to none among her peers. Even when her mother vehemently opposed to her entering a profession dominated by men, Magdalena never cowered and let society dictate what she can and cannot do. She challenged the prevailing tradition that men dominated the filed of literary writing, and won; however, even with such achievement she did not let it go to her head, but instead remained humble. If one talks about woman empowerment, then Magadalena Jalandoni surely needs to be discussed.