Abstract

The establishment of the Tobacco Monopoly in 1782 by Gobernor General Jose Basco y Vargas had repercussions on the Filipino woman as she entered the factory system. Called cigarrera (woman working in cigar factory), the Filipina left home and was subject to factory rules. A working schedule was followed and factory regulations were applied. The cigarrera in effect became the first woman factory worker and first urban worker as cigar factories were based in Manila and its environs.

The modernization efforts of Spain reached the Philippines and allowed women to pursue a career such as being a maestras (teacher) and matron titular (licensed midwife) or found in her place in the service sector by becoming a criada (domestic servant). Job opportunities for the Filipina became available as the Philippines was opened to world trade. The Filipina found herself engaged in occupations such as buyera (vendor of the betel nut chew), lechera (vendor of milk) and sinamayera (vendor of textile). Some women from the wealthy class become entrepreneurs.

The Filipina at this time became very much a part of the vibrant colonial society of the Philippines by the nineteenth century.

Dr. Ma. Luisa T. Camagay is Professor Emeritus in the Department of History, University of the Philippines. She is author of the book Working Women of Manila in the 19th Century.