Uncategorized

The Woman Unboxed: Defining and Celebrating Womanity

How did these women writers define and celebrate Womanity for International Women’s Day?

There hasn’t been a word that properly captures all of women’s experiences until women writers Gayle Certeza, Carissa Singson, Dina Pecaña, Edlyn Ng Cha, Gina Verdolaga, Kat Gomez-Limchoc, Maureen Sandejas, Rose Marie Yenko, Sonia Roco, and Tweet Sering gathered together for a book launch and art exhibition to reveal the word: womanity. Whether as a maiden, a mother, or a wise woman, womanity captures the collective history of womanhood.

From the superstitions that molded a woman’s self-esteem to the realities that challenged and broke it, The Woman Unboxed by Gayle Certeza regales its readers with what it means for a woman to grow out of the old traditions and embrace the new. Alongside the launch was an art exhibit by Mimi Tecson, where strips of paper were formed into portraits and structures of the experiences of womanity.

Gayle Certeza, Carissa Singson, Dina Pecaña, Edlyn Ng Cha, Gina Verdolaga, Kat Gomez-Limchoc, Maureen Sandejas, Rose Marie Yenko, Sonia Roco, and Tweet Sering gathered together for a book launch and art exhibition

Adding a new layer to the maiden, mother, and crone

Many women are familiar with the representation of the “maiden, mother, and crone.” A mystical interpretation of the lifecyle of womanhood, it fails to capture the entirety of women’s experiences. The adage has undergone many transformations to make sure it becomes more inclusive, especially for those who are woman in mind and spirit. But the term “womanity” allows women and their allies to unbox the other experiences beyond the female lens.

A maiden of today is not demure but a woman willing to be ambitious to put “God in the box.”

A mother of today is not just one with blood-related kids but also one who has adopted kids or cares for her colleagues in the workplace.

And a crone is not someone who just passes the stories of the past to the new generation. She preserves their authenticity and makes sure it stays in the memories of those today.

Womanity encompasses all that. Whether it’s “I Do” or “I Don’t,” it empowers those with the lived experience of being a woman.

The Woman Unboxed by Gayle Certeza

Celebrate Womanity!

As women’s month continues throughout March, we celebrate womanhood alongside motherhood. The fight continues everyday as we continue to constantly deal with the unsolicited despite well-meaning advice, mom-shaming, the inner battle of mom guilt, and the anxiety of never being good enough for anyone — whether it’s from our own families or our in-laws. But sometimes, the solutions to these battles can be found in a book especially when it’s a woman who wrote it.

Gayle Certeza giving speech at The Woman Unboxed book launch

For more about The Woman Unboxed and her books, please visit the website: Home | gaylecerteza (certezandsons.com).

More about womanhood and womanity?

#IAmWoman: Celebrate Womanpower With Lactacyd and Buscopan Venus
Long or Short, Hair Is Every Woman’s Crowning Glory
Katarina Rodriguez on the Essence of a Woman Following the Birth of Her Son

Shop for Modern Parenting's print issues through these platforms.
Download this month's Modern Parenting magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]