Filipinas: 8 Haikus

On Women's Day

(1) Gabriela Silang

Horse gallops, wind blows,

Tabak in hand she charges:

Revolution calls.

(2) Gregoria de Jesus

A widow's courage,

Fuelling liberation,

Katipunan's light.

(3) Leona Florentino

Ilocano roots,

Verses her truest voice,

Breaking societal chains.

(4) Magdalena Jaladoni

Free from nuptial ties,

Her Ilonggo pen took flight:

A voice for the times.

(5) Paz Marquez Benitez

"Dead Stars" etched in time,

Her pen painted love's heartache,

A literary gem.

(6) Pura Villanueva-Kalaw

The Carnival Queen

Breaking through suffrage's walls,

Her battle cry heard.

(7) Carmen Rosales

Through cinema's lens,

And a rifle on her chest:

A fearless actress.

(8) Atang de la Rama

In vaudeville halls

Led the way with voice and skill

Inspiring all.