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University of Wollongong Thesis Collections
2003
Filipino women and their citizenship in Australia:
in search of political space
Glenda Lynna Anne Tibe-Bonifacio
University of Wollongong
Recommended Citation
Tibe-Bonifacio, Glenda Lynna Anne, Filipino women and their citizenship in Australia: in search of political space, Doctor of
Philosophy thesis, School of History and Politics, Faculty of Arts, University of Wollongong, 2003. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3109
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University of Wollongong Thesis Collections
University of Wollongong Thesis Collection
University of Wollongong
Year 
Filipino women and their citizenship in
Australia: in search of political space
Glenda Lynna Anne Tibe-Bonifacio
University of Wollongong
Tibe-Bonifacio, Glenda Lynna Anne, Filipino women and their citizenship in Australia: in
search of political space, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of History and Politics, Faculty
of Arts, University of Wollongong, 2003. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3109
This paper is posted at Research Online.
CERTIFICATION
I, Glenda Lynna Anne Tibe-Borufacio, declare that this thesis, submitted in
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor Philosophy, in the School of
History and Politics, University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work tmless
otherwise referred or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for
qualifications at any other academic institution.
GLENDA LYNNA ANNE TIBE-BONIFACIO
26 August 2003
Ill
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapters
I
Page
Infroduction
A.
Background of the Study
1. Objectives
2. Significance of the Study
B.
Review of Related Studies
1. Filipino Women and Migration
C.
2. Migrant Women and Citizenship
Methodology
1. Research Instrument
2. Research Locale
3. Respondents
4. Short Biographies
D.
Chapter Summary
25
1
4
12
II
Theoretical Premises: Gender, Race and Citizenship
III
Stracturing Citizenship: Philippines and Australia
A.
Constmct of Filipino Women: East-West Paradigmatic Mix
1. Women in Pre-colonial Philippines
2. Women and Spanish Colonialism
3. Women and American Rule
4. Women m Post-Independence Philippines
B.
Migration and Citizenship in Australia
1. Racial and Gender Biases in Immigration
2. Ausfralian Citizenship
C.
Conclusion
89
Becoming Australian Citizens: In Search of Political Space
A.
Filipina Migration to Australia
B.
Shaping the Practise of Australian Citizenship
C.
Reasons for Becoming Austrahan Citizens
D.
Conclusion
92
98
103
121
IV
V
Practising Ausfrahan Citizenship at Home
A.
The Home
B.
Relationships with Husbands
1. Filipmas in Bi-cultural Homes
2. Filipinas in Filipino Homes
3. Domestic Violence
C.
Relationships with Children
1. Discipline
2. Formation of Values
D.
Conclusion
27
41
74
123
125
134
139
VI
VII
VIII
Practising Ausfrahan Citizenship at Work
A.
Immigrant Women and the Australian Labour Market
B.
Filipinas and Work-Related Issues
1. Recognition of Overseas Qualifications
2. Underemployment
3. Racial Discrimination
C.
Other Constraints
1. Gender Roles
2. Social Constmct of 'Filipina'
D.
Conclusion
Practising Australian Citizenship in the Community
A.
School Participation
B.
Community Organizations
1. Role of Community Associations
2. Type of Activities
3. Issues
C.
Voting Choices
D.
Conclusion
Australian Citizenship and Filipino Identity
A.
Multiculturalism, Citizenship and Identity
B.
Filipino Identity and Australian Citizenship
1. The 'Filipino' and 'National' Identity
2. Filipino Identity and Becoming Australian Citizens:
'Practising My Filipino Way'
C.
IX
142
144
160
168
170
173
196
203
205
214
Conclusion
230
Summary and Conclusion
232
Bibliography
241
Appendices
282
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
APA
BIMPR
BIR
CFI
DIEA
DIMA
IFWG
NESB
Australian-Philippine Association
Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research
Bureau of Immigration Research
Club Filipino lUawarra
Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Illawarra Filipino Women's Group
Non-English Speaking Backgrotmd
VI
ABSTRACT
This research examined the meaning and practise of Australian citizenship in
the lives of migrant Filipino women in Australia. It utilized the life story approach and
participant observation in Sydney and Wollongong. The narratives were analysed using
a combination of feminist theoretical models of women's citizenship to underscore the
different ways they constmct a political space in negotiating their subject position as
wives, mothers, paid workers, volunteers, electors, and members of community groups.
Filipino women have a high valuation of Australian citizenship. Their
motivations to become Australian citizens are not only based on the practical benefits
derived from that status vis a vis retaining thefr Philippine citizenship but also the idea
of belonging to the Australian community. They have employed their understanding of
Australian citizenship to empower themselves in their personal and professional lives.
This research explored three spaces where Australian citizenship is practised the home, the workplace, and the commtmity. Women in both Filipino homes and bicultural homes have made use of their knowledge of Australian citizenship in their
relationships with their husbands and children. Those tmdertaking paid work have
actively sought to participate in the economic benefits of citizenship although their
entry into the labour market has been marked by stmctural and social constraints such
as non-recognition of overseas qualifications, racism and sexism. In the community, the
women are engaged in citizenship practice as volunteers in local schools and in
community associations. Their participation in varied activities is mutually beneficial enhancing their personal confidence and potentials and at the same time contributing to
the needs of others.
Filipino women have dual identities- a Filipino identity and an Australian
identity as citizens. These two identities coexist in their lives. A Filipino identity is
directed towards a particular social unit, the family; while an Australian identity is
directed towards an abstract state perceived to be multicultural. They embrace an
'Australian' identity through shared experiences such as language and democratic
practices.
Vll
In a racially structured society, Australian citizenship offers a common political
identity by which immigrant Filipino women equalize their racialised status with
'white' Australians. Becoming an Australian citizen provides them with the means to
become active agents of change in thefr own way.
Vlll
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The University of Wollongong through the International Postgraduate Research
Scholarship has made this research project possible. But, completing it in a span of
three years is a collective enterprise.
I am greatly indebted to my supervisors, Rebecca Albury and Catriona Elder,
for thefr untiring support and guidance without which this thesis would not have foimd
form. My sincere gratitude to Kathleen Weekley for reading and commenting on the
draft thesis; to the staff of the Faculty of Arts, especially Robyn Foster whom I
incessantly approached for technical and administrative assistance.
This research owes its depth to the Filipino women in Wollongong and Sydney
for their ideas on becoming Australian citizens. I am most thankful to Lilia McKirmon
for her warmth in welcoming me to their community activities.
Undertaking an academic project in another country is doubly hard without the
support of family and friends. I am fortunate to have found new friends and family
relations in Ausfralia who have made both research and leisure a possibility. To the
group of Efleda and Nelson Logro, Susan and Edwin Villanoza, Doric and Gordon
Gifford, Zenaida and Brian Mardon, Rogee and Ed Pe-Pua, and Pat Carter - for the
wonderfiil memories.
I am grateful to my friends, Emlou Tansingco and Leizl Sagliba somewhere in
the Philippines for their help in confirming some library sources. Also, a million miles
away, I am privileged to have Professor Emeritus Josefa Saniel and Dr. Carolyn
Sobritchea as mentors in the University of the Philippines with whom I owe my
research 'abilities' and interest on women's studies; that even after formal years of
instraction they have never failed to write a recommendation.
DC
To my family in the Philippines, my parents, Dr. Samuel Rogelio P. Tibe and
Louides Bercero Tibe; my parents-in law, Engr. Walderico Bonifacio, Sr. and Balbina
Ruiz Bonifacio; other members of the clan, Charito and Francisco Uy; Yoyoy and Joy
Bonifacio; Butch and Adelfa Bonifacio; Gemma Lour Tibe-Nayra, Geraldine Joy Tibe
and Edna Espos for their encouragement and invaluable assistance in our sojoum to
Australia.
To my own family in Australia without whom I would not be able to undertake
this research: my husband, Ike, and the little women in my life whom I noticed have
grown so much since I started writing the ffrst sentence of this research - Charmaine,
Czarina, Charelle, Czyna and Charithe - for helping and bearing with me through the
days and nights.
Lastly, up above the heavens, is the spirit that guides me.
To all of you, thank you.
G.L.A.T.B.