Maria Katrina Paras

Filipinas Life Lessons International Womens Month

Article (news)

<p>There are moments when being a woman feels monotonous, and on darker days, a curse. But then there are moments when it feels expansive, like it’s something inherited and still unfolding.</p><p>Carrying womanhood in our identity means we have distinctive roles, unique characteristics, and a God-given design that’s meant solely for us. This Women’s Month, I found myself asking a question that felt both simple and deeply personal: What about being a woman empowers you the most? The answers didn’t come back in a single voice. They came layered—with softness and strength, with lived experience and hard-earned clarity. Some spoke of motherhood, others of leadership, identity, and reinvention. But threaded through each response was something unmistakable: a kind of power that doesn’t always announce itself, but is always present.</p><p>Here, twelve outstanding women share what empowerment means to them—on their own terms.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774600025487Abby Tabladillo.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“What empowers me most about being a woman is how I’m able to hold so many roles with love and intention—as a mom of three and a wife, I’ve discovered a strength I didn’t even know I had. There’s something so powerful about nurturing my family while still growing into the woman I want to be. I’ve learned that strength doesn’t always have to be loud—it can be in the quiet sacrifices, the everyday routines, and the way I show up consistently for the people I love. At the same time, I’m reminded that I matter too, and taking care of myself allows me to give more fully. Being a woman, for me, is embracing both softness and resilience, and finding balance in it all. I’m empowered by the life I’m building, the love I give, and the strength I carry every single day.” —<strong>Abby Tabladillo, 39, Content Creator, PR &amp; Social Media Manager</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774600160551Ana Amigo Antonio.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“Women today stand in a kind of power that feels both earned and long overdue. We’ve moved beyond the quieter roles our mothers and grandmothers often had to accept… fast forward, and we have built on their strength.</p><p>What I admire most is how women now lift one another with intention. There is a shared understanding that our success is not solitary, but collective. For generations, women have been the backbone of families and communities, steady, resilient, and often unseen.</p><p>Now, we are no longer in the background. We lead, speak with authority, shape industries, and are recognized for the depth of our expertise. And we do so without losing the grace, intuition, and strength that have always defined us.”<strong>—Ana Amigo Antonio, 50, PR &amp; Events Curator</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774600540308Abby Asistio.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“What empowers me most about being a woman is knowing that I don’t have to be perfect or have everything together to show up fully as myself. Part of being a woman is learning to accept every side of who you are—the light and the shadow, your strengths and your weaknesses, your fears and your courage, your resilience and vulnerability. All of these shape who you are becoming, and for me, that’s a beautiful thing. We shouldn’t feel pressured to fit a certain mold of what a woman should be. The real power comes from accepting, loving, and owning who you are. And when we live that truth, we give others permission to do the same. That’s where real empowerment begins, when it creates a ripple effect beyond ourselves.” <strong> —Abby Asistio, 42, Singer, Songwriter, Host, and Alopecia Awareness Advocate</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774602806245Antonette Aquino.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“What empowers me most about being a woman is the ability to create impact while carrying both strength and empathy at the same time. As a financial planner, I’ve seen how money decisions are never just about numbers; they’re about people, families, and futures, and I think women naturally lead with that kind of depth. Building my platform and business has shown me that being a woman in finance isn’t a limitation; it’s an advantage because I can connect, educate, and empower others in a more human way. I’ve had moments where I had to step into rooms where I wasn’t expected, and instead of shrinking, I chose to take up space and prove my value. A big part of that confidence comes from my mom, who showed me what resilience, discipline, and quiet strength look like every single day. She taught me that success isn’t just about achievement, but about how you show up for others along the way. Everything I’ve built is rooted in that foundation. Being a woman, for me, means turning both softness and strength into power and using that power to open doors not just for myself but for others, too.” <strong>—Antoinette Aquino, 26, Financial Planner &amp; Media Anchor</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774601199169Ann Cuisia.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“What empowers me most about being a woman is the ability to lead with both strength and conviction without losing empathy. I have seen that women often carry a deep sense of responsibility not only for their own success, but for the people and systems around them. That has shaped how I lead: with conviction, substance, and a strong sense of responsibility. Being a woman taught me to stand firm in rooms where credibility is not always handed to you, and to let competence speak louder than noise. For me, empowerment is not about symbolism. It is about being effective, principled, and using your voice to challenge what must be changed.” <strong>—Ann Cuisia, 50, Chairman of Qadena Foundation Inc. &amp; Founder &amp; CEO of Traxion Tech Inc.</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774601295469Cham Go.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“What empowers me most about being a woman is the awareness to balance being a people person while still knowing when to stand firm—asserting strength without losing warmth. I’ve learned to choose kindness over simply being right, because protecting relationships often matters more than winning a moment. In my work, I try to steward both the responsibility and the people well—including the families behind them—knowing the work is something bigger than me. Focusing on others keeps it grounded in purpose, not self-glorification, and in the process, shapes me for the better.” <strong>—Cham Go, 42, Chief Marketing Officer for Potato Corner</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774601373190Nicole Asensio.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“What empowers me most as a woman (and as an artist) is being able to celebrate our intricacies, individuality, and resilience–how each of us is handmade in the womb with different God-given purposes in this life, but one truly special gift–women are incredibly strong beings, we are born to turn scars into stars. Whatever wounds and broken pieces our years bring us, we are somehow able to pull together and make it all work, not just for ourselves, but for the people we love around us, we are able to find the fervor to carry on, nurture, put love into our purpose and somehow fill other&#x27;s hearts even when sometimes we are running on empty. It is imperative that we be our authentic selves and revel in our unique traits, while also uplifting the women around us, because the greatest purpose comes from standing for something greater than ourselves. Every woman has a story to tell. As a songwriter and storyteller, I am honored to be a vessel and voice for many of these compelling stories.”<strong> —Nicole Laurel Asensio, 39, Singer, Songwriter, Host, Actress</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774601567829Julianne.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“What empowers me most about being a woman is the quiet strength we carry - the kind that creates, nurtures, and keeps showing up through life’s changing seasons. As a Filipina, I was raised with the value of “kapwa,” the belief that our humanity is shared. This shaped my deep sense of loyalty and care for others. At the same time, I’m learning that empowerment also means honoring my own boundaries, and that it’s possible to choose myself while still caring for others. Starting over in a new country in my 40s has shown me that resilience grows from learning to extend grace to yourself, especially during difficult seasons. Through my work, music, and art, I’m learning to hold both grief and hope, and to trust that even when certain dreams change, the story isn’t over, it’s still unfolding.” <strong>—Julianne, 43, Artist</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774601663508Anna Meloto Wilk.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“Being a woman helps me to sense things below the surface and probe deeper to get to the heart of the matter. I think this is a special feminine ability that is really empowering. I also love how women know how to get things done, not through confrontation but diplomacy. To understand the real issues that are often unsaid and wait patiently for the perfect timing to get the desired result. Because of our innate nurturing nature, I get a great sense of fulfillment from encouraging the younger generation to pursue their interests, work hard, and be kind. Raising human beings and contributing to their wholeness by providing a safe and stimulating environment, giving my all towards their well-being, then seeing them blossom into rocking adults is one of the most empowering and satisfying things ever.” <strong>—Anna Meloto-Wilk, 46, President and Co-Founder of Human Nature</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774601791886Bernice Piñol-Rodriguez.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“I love that as a woman, I can be very strong but can choose to have a soft heart. It&#x27;s empowering to think of the sheer capacity of our bodies and minds to carry life, endure childbirth, survive sleepless nights, and then show up for work ready to think, analyze, and lead, while being nurturing and deeply loving to our family. It’s a fascinating paradox that I never knew I was capable of embodying. But that’s the beauty of being a woman, and I am truly grateful for it.” <strong>—Bernice Piñol-Rodriguez, 37, Lawyer, Content Creator</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774601895248Lyn Hazel Calawod.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“What empowers me most about being a woman is the quiet strength we carry. I’ve learned over time that femininity isn’t softness versus strength; it’s about having emotional depth and a genuine willingness to hold space for others while still chasing your own dreams fiercely. As a woman who wears many hats—in healthcare, sports, media, entertainment, and advocacy, as well as someone who shows up wholeheartedly in her personal life—I’ve come to realize that each role doesn’t divide me; it deepens me. </p><p>Working as a healthcare professional has been one of my greatest teachers — sitting with persons with disabilities, individuals facing mental health challenges, and families carrying invisible burdens has shown me that compassion and the willingness to truly understand others are not weaknesses; it’s the willingness to extend love in its many forms, to heal others through your presence and the gentleness that comes with being a woman. What truly empowers me is having strong values and principles that were honed through deep work—understanding who I am, what I want to stand for, and where I want to pour my energy. None of it came easy, but I’ve learned that life is what you make it, and that every season of struggle or perceived defeat is part of the formula—shaped by understanding myself, understanding others, and countless hours with books, podcasts, and self-development resources. Most especially the Bible, which holds so much wisdom that when practiced daily, shapes you into a woman of faith, grace, and unwavering purpose. <strong>—Lyn Hazel Calawod, OTRP, 37, Sports Occupational Therapist, Entrepreneur, Actress</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774602013729Cathy Turvill.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>As a woman, I am humbled and grateful to be in a unique position to contribute to uplift and empower women. At Nurture Wellness Village, we work with women in the community who may not have attained high levels of education but show a strong attitude and potential. We provide them with meaningful jobs, international standards, and intensive training that enable them to deliver excellent service to our valued guests. These jobs enable and empower them to discover their full potential, increase their confidence, dignity, and self-worth, and vastly improve their financial standing. All these lead to better health and improved education for their families. It is my small way of contributing to nation-building, which empowers me the most as a woman. <strong>—Cathy Turvill, 68, President and Co-Owner of Nurture Wellness Village Tagaytay</strong></p><div><br/></div><p>***</p><div><br/></div><p>If there’s one thing these voices make clear, it’s this: empowerment isn’t a single definition. It’s not always loud, and it doesn’t always look the same.<strong></strong></p><p>Sometimes, it’s in the consistency of showing up. Sometimes, it’s in taking up space where you weren’t expected. Sometimes, it’s in choosing yourself without losing your capacity to care for others.</p><div><strong>And often, it’s in recognizing that the power we carry isn’t ours alone—it’s shaped by the women who came before us, and strengthened by the women who stand beside us today.</strong></div><p>This Women’s Month, perhaps empowerment isn’t something we have to chase. Perhaps it’s something we remember we’ve had all along.</p><p>Happy International Women’s Month!</p>

<p>Often, it’s in recognizing that the power we carry isn’t ours alone—it’s shaped by the women who came before us, and strengthened by the women who stand beside us today.</p>

Often, it’s in recognizing that the power we carry isn’t ours alone—it’s shaped by the women who came before us, and strengthened by the women who stand beside us today.

What Makes Us Powerful: 12 Filipino Women on What It Means to Be Empowered Today

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What Makes Us Powerful: 12 Filipino Women on What It Means to Be Empowered Today

Danah Gutierrez

Published March 27, 2026 05:00 PM PHT

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Updated March 27, 2026 05:13 PM PHT

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2026

International Women's Month

Women's Month 2026

Abby Tabladillo

Ana Amigo Antonio

Abby Asistio

Antoinette Aquino

Ann Cuisia

Cham Go

Nicole Laurel Asensio

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