Four women, each uses their respective platforms to raise other women and showcase what they are capable of, talk about empowerment and its meaning for them.
Congresswoman Cristal Bagatsing, 38 years old, head of the Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran (KABAKA) foundation that helps alleviate poverty
What women empowerment means: Strength and inclusivity.
A woman’s quality she’s proud to have: Being gentle-hearted; others would say women are emotional, but I think that quality is what sets her apart because feelings often help when dealing with decisions, at least in my experience so far. I think that because a woman has more “feels” that’s where we get that “woman’s intuition.”
Advice to fellow women: Never take things for granted because if 2020 has taught us anything, that would be that life is fleeting; take chances while you still can. Savor each moment with your loved ones and in the things you do.
Frankie Pangilinan, 20 years old, singer-songwriter and one of today’s influential voices on social media
What women empowerment means: It means support. Mutual growth. Lifting one another up when so much of life has been built to tear us down. Embrace the parts of us we’ve been taught to hate. Learn to love fearlessly.
A woman’s quality she’s proud to have: I think it’s my femininity in itself. So much of culture seems to be built upon equating the lack of femininity with strength, and I don’t believe in that at all. I think strength and femininity can coexist; they often do. I’m nothing without my femininity.
Advice to fellow women: I hope we learn to cherish what we truly are passionate about, regardless of anybody’s expectations, including our own. We are often so limited by what we build to be our own standards that we forget what makes us truly ourselves. Wear what you want. Say what you want. Free yourself from the confines of people-pleasing thoughts!
Shaira Luna, 34 years old, one of the country’s most prolific photographers
What women empowerment means: That you can make your own choices, adjust, tweak, and improve yourself as necessary, and find contentment and joy in the journey!
A woman’s quality she’s proud to have: I’m pretty disciplined when it comes to myself, and I’m quite proud of that!
Advice to fellow women: It pays to always gather and retain tidbits of information or knowledge in your head, because they may come in handy someday.
Alexa Kaufman, 12 years old, soprano and the youngest member of the Philippine Opera Company
What women empowerment means: Although my life experiences are very limited, I know from my observations, from people I admire and my readings of biographies of outstanding people, both male and female, that there is no limit to what can be achieved. I do believe this to be true, so it is not a question of female empowerment or girl empowerment, but simply self-empowerment.
Advice to fellow women: I believe that if one is willing to work hard and make sacrifices, with God’s grace, there is nothing to stop you from following your dreams.