Bangon Na, Pinays Rise Up: Reclaiming Pinay Power Dismantled by a Christian Colonial Past and Present

This chapter is about grappling with the effect of Christian colonization of the Philippines upon the Pinay (the Filipina). I argue that she can experience oppression intersectionally, and this oppression is supported and reinforced institutionally, interpersonally, and internally. This chapter is particularly concerned with exploring the third level, in terms of race and sex. The chapter then briefly explores the turn to indigenous “Babaylans” as a form of feminist pinay re-empowerment and model for decolonizing. It lays out the possibilities and critiques of embracing “Babaylanism”, and rather suggests Jesus Christ as “Christa”, as possible alternate Christian feminist-pinay decolonizing model of liberation and empowerment.