As well as reclaiming a visual vocabulary from the Philippines, I like to champion the good, beautiful and true elements of my culture. In this case, I focus on the kind, resilient, and down-to-earth 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘢 – a woman from the provinces. From these women come the ya-yas (nursemaids), domestic helpers, overseas foreign workers and professional nurses roles that are not only valued not nationally but in many countries around the world.
In this image, I exaggerate the size and strength of her feet and hands to emphasize her capabilities. I also include the ubiquitous scapular, symbolizing her strong faith and a Walkman with earphones to highlight that she also keeps up with the modern world.
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