Women.....

It is All About the Women in the Society

Women Are Everything
A book review on Jessica Zafra’s WOMENAGERIE
Done By Rellen Ami Gequillo Macaraig


Jessica Zafra (born 1965) is a fiction writer, columnist, editor, publisher and former television and radio show host. She attended St. Theresa’s College, Philippine Science High School, and the University of the Philippines, where she majored in Comparative Literature. Jessica is a three-time Planaca Award Winner. She is known for her sharp and witty writing style. Her most popular books are the Twisted series, a collection of her essays as a columnist for newspaper Today (now Manila Standard Today). She currently writes a weekly column for The Philippine Star. She resides in Metro Manila, Philippines, where she is working on her first novel. She also managed the Eraserheads during the 90's. Her work has been the subject of academic study. Content analysis of the Twisted series reveals Zafra's disdain for men in general, and Filipino men in particular, whom she finds "stupid and weak". Most of her positive descriptions of men were reserved for foreign celebrities like Mel Gibson, David Duchovny, Goran Ivanisevic and Sting.

The book was published by Anvil Publishing in Modern English on 1995. The book tackles on the different characteristics of women not only today, but ever since, any where and everywhere. The book is actually a collection of Jessica Zafra’s columns that talk about women she encounters. The interesting parts of each women in the society was also talked about in the book which is dedicatedly made to know about women power and logics.


Journal I : Profile Of A Modern Woman

The journal started on talking about the main character of this first journal, Monica, a very unique woman whom her actions are very unusual for a traditional woman which only proves of her being a modern woman. She is described as a hardworking woman and one who is good on public relating. But then, as the journal goes on. Monica’s negative side was a little tackled by the author. And as the journal ends, Monica’s soft-hearted and very positive side is talked about. Wherein she was said to be very thoughtful, kind and a very loving person. Not only to her family, but also to her friends.


Journal II : Smells Like The Chess Olympiad

The journal was started as the author, and also the main character states her condition and all she was doing one summer vacation after she graduated from high school. She actually made a list of what stuffs does she want to learn and do as she was entering college in some few months coming to her life. And as a part of her point of view about a smart person, she added to her list the process of learning ‘chess’ which she believes that smart people know how to play. And as a part of her eagerness, she bought a manual of chess and a chess set. But then, months came, go, came and go again, only a few on her very long list were done compliance by her. But then, she still wasn’t able to learn chess. And as an eager person, she went into a Chess Olympiad. To find some answers to the bugging questions in her mind about chess. And as the journal ends, she realizes that on a Chess Olympiad, where not only players were there, but also, fans, media and organizers, the smell, at times become smelly because of sweat.


Journal III : A Few Things You Should Know

The journal talks about the stuffs one should know when a woman decides on getting married. It doesn’t actually have its characters though. It was said in the journal that before getting married, there’s still a process to undergo. And for a woman, before having her final decision on getting married, she should think deeply and much logically about the action first. And throughout the journal, the author emphasizes on the must-understand and to-be-considered facts about getting married. And through the ending of the journal, the author gives a talk which a woman should understand as she decide on getting married.


Journal IV : Strange Creature and Mythical Beasts

This journal here doesn’t actually acquire its own characters though. This journal talks about old superstitions about scary creatures that are being made up by old people to scare children and thus, these superstitions are being passed through generations and are being believed by many people. But then, by the middle part of the journal, thru the ending part, some of these superstition creatures which are definitely true are being described and talked about in the journal. Some of the creatures are: Amphisbaena(a two-headed snake), Fastitocalon (a medieval lore) and Catablepas(a large black buffalo).


Journal V : Bad Boy, Robin, Baad, Baad Boy

The journal stars Robin Padilla as its main character. In this journal, Robin acts a lot of different roles. Roles that he had already played in his life. Both in his personal, and in front of a camera. Throughout, the journal talks about these different roles Robin played or portrayed and of course, his experiences and feelings towards his roles and portrayals. And another topics talked about in this journal are some of the issues that are being thrown to him and some other questions asked by interviewers and his fans.



The author had made the book very interesting in her way of writing which made the book very the book very appealing to the readers. The readers of the book can actually like the book as they read it for it talks about real-life stories and facts about women and some other stuff that happen around the world today, and on some other times. The author had made the book in a very clear manner that readers could understand the book and the messages it wanted the readers to understand. Another styles used by the author were its being realistic and logical. But then, there were no symbolisms used by he author since she wanted this book to be easily understood by the readers.

The book is a very ideal book that tackles on the strengths and weaknesses of women. This book is a book of real happenings in the society. It actually carries out the real happenings that happen on the life of a woman in this world of constant changes. The book has talked about all the possible traits and characteristics a woman could possess. I can say that the book is really complete for it has everything a reader should know about women in this world revolving around the sun. I can say that every woman reader of this book has a personal experience to connect with any of the journals written in this book because as I said earlier, everything about women is in her already. As for my own personal experience to relate on one of the journals here was on the journal about Strange Creatures and Mythical Beasts. I am one of the people who constantly believe on these creatures even now on this modern society.
Again, this book is a success and a very good, ideal and realistic book. This really is a must-read collection of Jessica Zafra. This is very interesting.