I glanced some of the old pictures from our photo albums and I saw how people, especially women were into fashion though I certainly am aware of that three decades ago, there were a lot of street protests and dispute because of what was happening in our country.

I was amazed on how women dressed up their hair as a reflection of their inner emotion like anger or objection against the administration’s governance. I consulted my mother who knew a lot when it comes to hair trends. She told me that I was right in what I was thinking. Hair styles can give as much definitions as how people see it. During the ‘70s, there were hair styles such as choppy layers and bangs. Women also made use of hair ornaments as additional artful stuffs on hair. This was actually the time when women were demanding for obtaining power as women, as citizens and not merely as housewives and mothers. They wanted something extraordinary out of themselves. They did express themselves… somehow.

Nowadays, we see that people are into hairstyles in as much as they are into personalities that come out from these hairstyles. I am, in fact, one of these people. I make sure that what I do with my hair reflects something on the inside. When I feel light and happy, you can see me in a sporty, outgoing hairstyle. I use hair bond of loud color and pair it up with my shirt and jeans. When I feel a little sad, I just let my hair run down my face.

I notice that people do care about how my hair looks like, and it usually follows that they tell how they perceive my day or my mood.

It’s pretty amazing that with just my hair, I learn how to express myself as a Filipina and as a person.