By Fatima Potenciano
According to the Global Gender Gap Index of 2015, the Philippines ranked 7th out of 145 countries for gender equality. The presence of women leaders across all industries in the Philippines is not uncommon, as we have seen from two women assuming the highest position in the land, as well as our current vice president and lawmakers.
The role of today’s Filipina no longer fits into one neat little box. Whether she is scaling the corporate mountain, has reached its peak, navigating motherhood or a combination of all, the Filipina leader is a force to be reckoned with. Being a leader—as well as a Filipina woman—means sometimes having to take on more than one role, and doing it exceptionally well.
Multiple hats
To find examples of women leaders, one needs look no further than in advertising. Merlee Cruz-Jayme, self-proclaimed Chairmom of DM9 Jayme Syfu, has established herself as a creative force in the industry by winning the Philippines its first Cannes Media Lions for “Duct Tape,” a campaign championing women’s rights in 2008. In 2013, DM9 Jayme Syfu bagged the country’s first Cannes Lions Mobile Grand Prix for ‘Smart TXTBKS,’ a campaign geared towards making e-books accessible offline to students.
Matec Villanueva, former CEO of Publicis Manila, part-time lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, consultant for CNN Manila and mother of three, juggles all roles with aplomb, something that must be commended in a society that aspires towards being able to do and have it all.
In the field of retail, Anne Arcenas Gonzalez, managing director of Terry S.A. Inc., brought the iconic Brazilian slipper brand Havaianas to the Philippines in 2003, and revolutionized Filipino fashion by elevating the humble flip-flop into a premier fashion status symbol.
Mich Dulce, fashion designer, milliner, corsetiere and hatmaker, has a list of notable Hollywood clientele, including Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton.
In the food industry, Abba Napa, one of the co-founders of The Moment Group of restaurateurs, turned a passion project that began with six people in 2012 to a company of more than 500 people and more than ten original restaurant concepts and international franchises under their belt.
Margarita Fores, owner of Cibo, Lusso, Grace Park and Alta, was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016.
In publishing, Myrza Sison of Summit Media, who has been with the company for over 20 years, now heads Summit Digital, the company’s digital arm, and oversees Summit’s 15 digital brands.
Standing Up For the Little Guy
On the other hand, women leaders don’t always have conventional 9-to 5 jobs. There are the social enterprise entrepreneurs, fighting for the rights of the people that are not always visible, the forgotten ones that need help the most.
Reese Fernandez-Ruiz of Rags2Riches began her social enterprise of turning rags into bags to help impoverished Filipina women find sources of livelihood. In 2015, Reese Fernandez-Ruiz made it to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs list.
Human Nature, a social enterprise started by sisters Anna and Camille Meloto, focuses on creating cosmetics and personal care products that are cruelty-free and organic, awarding it the distinction of being the only Filipino social enterprise that is a member of the Natural Products Association, an American NGO dedicated to manufacturing products with natural ingredients.
In the Philippines, where the disparity between genders isn’t as pronounced as some other countries, women are free to take on the roles they want. However, as a nation, we still have a ways to go before women can stride equally among men in terms of earning capacity and respect. But women are gaining ground, their voices growing louder, and influence reaching farther than ever before. How lovely to be a woman, indeed.
