Kartini and Gabriela Silang Day

On February 6th, Women’s Day was celebrated with teachers and friends at the University of Northern Philippines. The event highlighted women’s empowerment and the important contributions women have made to society. From the Philippines, the story of Gabriela Silang was presented. Gabriela Silang is recognized as a national heroine who fought against Spanish colonial rule. As a Filipino military leader, Gabriela Silang became widely known for leading the Ilocano independence movement after the assassination of husband Diego Silang in 1763. Leadership of the resistance continued for four months before capture and execution by the Spanish colonial government.

From Indonesia, the presentation highlighted Raden Ajeng Kartini, a prominent national heroine who advocated women’s rights during the Dutch colonial era. Born into a Javanese noble family in the Dutch East Indies, Kartini strongly supported women’s education and equal opportunities. Attendance at a Dutch-language elementary school provided early educational experience, but social norms at that time prevented Javanese women from continuing to higher education. Despite these limitations, communication was maintained with several influential figures, including J. H. Abendanon, a supporter of educational reform. After Kartini’s death, the struggle for women’s education continued through efforts to establish schools for girls. A collection of Kartini’s letters was later published in 1911 under the title Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang (“Out of Darkness Comes Light”). Today, the legacy of Kartini is commemorated annually in Indonesia through Kartini Day.

During the event, representatives from the Philippines and Indonesia delivered speeches about Gabriela Silang and R.A. Kartini. The session created opportunities for cultural exchange while strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between participants.

Following the presentations, the celebration continued with a live cooking activity. Each country prepared authentic dishes representing local cuisine. Indonesian students cooked Mie Ayam (chicken noodles), a popular and familiar Indonesian dish. Filipino students prepared Ube Biko, a traditional sticky rice dessert flavored with ube and topped with cheese.

At the same time, several traditional games were organized for participants who were not involved in the cooking activity. Indonesian and Filipino students played the Indonesian traditional game Gobak Sodor. The game involves two teams competing on a grid-shaped field where one team acts as defenders while the other attempts to pass through the lines without being touched. The activity requires teamwork, coordination, and quick movement. Another game introduced during the event was Engklek, known in English as hopscotch. The game is played by throwing a small marker into numbered squares drawn on the ground and hopping through the pattern while avoiding the square containing the marker.

Through this event, a strong sense of friendship and family was created among participants. The celebration provided meaningful learning experiences not only through formal presentations but also through enjoyable activities such as cooking and playing traditional games together.