Joi Barrios' works: A reflection on independence and identity

I discovered Joi Barrios' works when Kim showed me Muli, sa Tag-Araw. It was a little poetry book, almost looking like the prayer books my mom stashed at home. I am not a fan of poetry book—girl knew this and showed me the book anyway. I randomly opened the pages, a couple of lines caught me eyes, and then I was sold!

Poetry is sacred to me, not in the religious kind of way, but figures of speech should be there. I want it to play with my thoughts. I want it to show me to discover the secret it holds. There are many poetry books out there, but only a few made me feel something. Joi Barrios’ poetry was one of them.

A dive to the novels

The novels were short—I finished them in one sitting. They carefully reminded me of the 2 PMs when I was way younger, when my auntie would play the AM radio and Tiya Dely would read mails about life experiences of her listeners and voice actors would dramaticize it. The smoke of her unfiltered cigarettes packed in a printed paper, like the way it was done during the late Spanish era was faint, but it was vivid in the picture.

I was supposed to be sleeping, instead I’d listen to the radio drama otherwise reading the PHR books my elder cousin used to collect.

Joi Barrios’ novels—Sintang Malapit, Sintang Malayo, Kung Daratnan pa Kitang Naghihintay and Ang Diary ni Joaquina—gave significant insights into the world of women navigating both personal and professional lives. Each book featured remarkable female leads who embody strength and resilience, and the complexities of independence, which I found extremely relatable.

Relatable female leads

The female leads weren’t just relatable—I like the fact that they were also inspiring, especially to the new adult audience. There’s a teacher, theater director, and a freelance writer, careers that during the time they were written, defied the social norms that usually dictated how their lives should unfold.

Most parents (at least in the Filipino culture) were not supportive of their kids’ passion. We should take college courses that were relevant in the job market, something that could guarantee us a spot in the workforce. Taking courses related to creative arts are hugely frowned upon because “Mapapakain ka ba niyan?” and, “Ano naman ang mararating mo sa A.B.?” and there’s essentially no money in these industries.

Nostalgia and cultural commentaries

The books also touches on nostalgia through the concept of penpals, and how I would always think of it as the retro version of Tinder. LOL! I remember my elder cousins sharing stories about finding connections in newspapers and magazines and they’d buy scented papers and stationeries and I used to think it was a requirement that everyone should adhere to.

As I grew older, the term mail-order bride emerged which, in my young mind, sounded like they were being bought by foreign men. The term complicated my understanding of these relationships, that even genuine connections could be clouded by societal perceptions.

The freelancer’s journey

I could barely remember how freelancers were viewed… historically. Many people used to think that freelancers were a “joke” to the workforce. People thought freelancers weren’t serious about what they were doing, that perhaps, they are just trying to pass the time, and that they didn’t have the right amount of will the society wanted from them to be productive and be taken seriously. Fast forward to the digital era, many of us are freelancers and they run the economy for the most part.

On independence and decision-making

Women at twenty-seven should be at the peak of their careers, otherwise they should be at home, married and taking care of their children. Fely received a lot of criticism on this, being a bachelorette at that age. Again, when I was younger, I used to think twenty-five is too old, but here I am.

But Barrios expertly demonstrated that being an independent woman didn’t mean they are immune to bad decisions. That even strong characters make questionable choices, which made me think of the reality that independence comes with its own set of challenges. This realistic representation suggests that each woman’s journey is different, and that their path is full of both triumphs and heartbreaks.

Highly recommended!

Joi Barrios' works are a celebration of women’s journeys, filled with relatable struggles and triumphs. They challenge the societal norms that often limit our ambitions while encouraging us to embrace our paths, no matter how unconventional they may be. These stories not only resonate with my experiences but also ignite a broader conversation about independence, career choices, and the changing roles of women in society. I highly recommend these books to anyone who wants to understand the complexity of womanhood. Get them here!