Apart from Cajipe Endaya, ALiWW has Corazon Aquino, Lualhati Bautista, and Soledad Reyes; these are just some of the women whose precious contributions to their respective fields are stored in ALiWW. In an exclusive interview with the said library's executive director, Kristine Michelle Santos, we learn more about what makes the facility a treasure on its own.

Can you take us back to the history of ALiWW?

Kristine Michelle Santos (KMS): It was that thought of ‘why are we having such a hard time finding the writings of Filipino women’. Drs Manlapaz and Reyes had this rich network of writers, this rich network of academics, and prods on the question as to ‘why do we have to go to their families to get materials from them’. At that time, the school was also reflecting on its own gender positioning. ‘Should we give more space to women?’ We were fortunate because Dr Patricia Licuanan, who was one of the administrators here on campus back then, supported the effort of establishing ALiWW. It became an interesting women’s project—inspired by finding a space for women, a space of one’s own, a space of women’s own. The founders tapped into their network, spoke to a lot of writers, reached out to a number of women, and encouraged them to contribute their materials.

KMS: It’s quite an interesting hurdle back then, the women often found themselves asking ‘what if my works aren’t relevant enough for this space?’. For the longest time, we’ve always undermined women’s work. When Dr Manlapaz was going around, encouraging a lot of these writers and artists, many of them were thinking ‘what is my contribution, what will it be used for, it’s not something archival-worthy’. But the founders pushed them, encouraged them, responded with ‘no, your writings have worth’ and reminded them how it will be important for researchers. True enough, ALiWW is almost in its 30th year, and we still have researchers coming in.

How do you source materials for ALiWW? What are the challenges in obtaining these materials?

KMS: Sometimes, some collections are given to us or donated. We also approach the women themselves or their families. Either way, we’re really grateful for all the contributions we’re receiving. It is a challenge because a lot of them hesitate due to the patriarchal downplaying of women which are already ingrained within their system, most think that only the people who are archived are the likes of Rizal or someone of a particular age. But with enough conversation, we’re able to encourage them, though it takes time for them to think about it.

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KMS:  Also, because the collection is still growing, the space is still quite limited. Or we tell them we have a selection of materials that we are getting, and this is a selection that we have developed over time that we think is mostly used by scholars and researchers. These kinds of things, sometimes women overlook it. It takes time for them to process. It’s a waiting game, so to speak. But hence, we patiently wait until they’re ready.

What are ALiWW’s most notable collections?

KMS: One of our biggest collections is from Encarnacion Alzona, the first Filipina historian. She was a pensionada during the American period, and she was pivotal in mobilising a lot of the suffragist movements. Primarily, her heart was in women’s education, mobility, and politics. We are fortunate we have her writings here—books, notes, and communications with different individuals. We have around 90 boxes and that collection is already trimmed down, meaning the family has already sorted through her works. It still doesn’t include her own collections as a researcher on women’s history in the Philippines.

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KMS: Apart from going through history, we also have scientists like Fe Del Mundo. She’s an obstetrician, one of the first few Filipino women who had an opportunity to study abroad and apply what she’s learned in terms of obstetrics to the Filipino people. We have her books here on local inventions, so to speak. And then going further down history, we also have Maria Rosa Henson. She is the first comfort woman who was acknowledged by the Japanese government. We have her diary and letters. And then, we also have the materials of cultural historians like Felice Sta Maria. So those are just some. Again, there are more—and the list goes on.

What are ALiWW’s plans for 2023—new materials, projects, and such?

KMS: In terms of trying to source, we don’t want to preempt the number but we’ve currently received a couple of inquiries from artists and writers who are interested in donating. But I wouldn’t want to reveal their names first, because they’re still in that kind of process of thinking about what to donate, and so on.

And in terms of activities, we have a rich collection of writing such as Edith Tiempo’s, so hopefully, we can do something about that, perhaps a little exhibit. We usually have three events done within a series of years now. One event is related to history writing, and another event is related to arts, and literature.

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As Santos spoke to Tatler about ALiWW and the women’s narratives in their collection, it is evident in her stories how long the women of our society have endured the issues that have been present for decades. Albeit difficult, relief resonates through this archival facility that women are in a subtly better place right now—a space which is rightfully their own, wherein they are fully capable to express themselves and share their magnificent works, a platform where women are recognised and celebrated while they continuously empower other women.

If you feel strongly about feminism, are in dire need of resourcing for research, are immensely interested in Philippine culture, or simply want to know more about the long list of our amazing Filipino women—you may want to pay the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings a visit. Though they’re still adapting to the new normal, it is advised to rather email the librarian or utilise the Finding Aids service on the ALiWW and Rizal Library websites. For their upcoming programmes or events this year, like and follow their Facebook page (facebook.com/ALiWWpage) to stay on top of their updates.

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