Reader Sofronio Fermin does a disservice to those Filipino women in non-traditional roles when he describes them as "Katipuneras" (Midday, May 10).

This name has been pre-empted by some three dozen alumnae of Maryknoll College who formed the "Katipuneras" after getting teased for doing nothing by their "concerned" contemporaries from Assumption (who had MARIA), Holy Spirit (Spirit of Mendiola), St. Theresa’s (Teresa Makabayan), etc.

Mr. Fermin fails to recognize that very many women today MUST assume non-traditional roles because under the present economic system, only very few men can assume the traditional male role of being the sole breadwinner for the family.

Also, more and more women today recognize the reality of the danger that their loving husbands may junk them one day and go off with someone else.

Let us not confuse heroism with economic necessity.

ALICE MORANAS