A celebration of Filipino women leaders and mentors
The Inquirer Group marked Women’s Month by honoring women who have broken the glass ceiling, blazed new trails and set examples for others to follow.
In simple ceremonies held at the Sheraton Manila Hotel, 25 accomplished women were acknowledged in the fourth Inquirer’s Women of Power (WOP) awards.
The diverse group of women – from activists protecting the Philippines’ natural resources to corporate board room warriors – had not only excelled in their respective fields but were preserving the legacies of their own mentors and role models and helping raise a new generation of outstanding women by example.
Alexandra Prieto Romualdez, chairperson of the Inquirer Interactive Inc., described the event as “a celebration of courage, brilliance and purpose”. The women, she said, “broke barriers and redefined the roles of women”.
The awardees, she pointed out, did not just prove that women were exceptional but that they were also essential. They demonstrated persistence and resilience and their leadership was transformative, opening paths for other women.
Romualdez pointed to the Inquirer group’s recognition of women’s talents and abilities by having a staff that was almost equally divided between men and women. She added that there was no gender disparity in compensations for employees.
Juliet Javellana, PDI associate publisher and opinion page editor, underscored how the media group had always respected and championed women. She pointed out that the publication was founded by a woman, Eugenia Apostol, and had a long-term woman editor, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, who had courageously stood up to bully politicians and government officials.
Romualdez and her own mother, Marixi Rufino-Prieto, Inquirer chair, continued the legacy of those two women in their leadership roles at the Inquirer.
“Women empowerment is in the Inquirer’s DNA,” Javellana said, and the media group would always seek to uplift Filipino women.
Paolo Prieto, president and chief executive officer of Inquirer Interactive, Inc., underscored the vital role women played not just in their own fields but in shaping communities through the responsibilities they undertook and by amplifying women’s voices.
Volt Contreras, PDI executive editor, explained that the WOP awardees were chosen from women who had been newsmakers and whose accomplishments were reported by the Inquirer.
Coming from various fields covered by the Inquirer, what they had in common were their stories of empowerment that had an impact in the bigger communities.
After breaking the glass ceilings in their respective fields, they set the bar higher, he said. The women overcame challenges with flair, grace and courage and made positive changes that brought growth for everyone.
Responding on behalf of all the winners, Rossana A. Fajardo, chair and managing partner of the auditing firm SGV and Co., said the diverse group of women WOP award recipients had “proven that leadership can be exercised with grace, integrity and purpose”.
Power, she added, was about the impact it made and the influence it could create. She encouraged women leaders to use the power they wielded “to incite love of country” and to mentor, educate and inspire the next generation of women leaders”.
The awarding ceremonies were preceded by the second Women in Power Summit with the theme “Guarding Legacies, Guiding Generations”.
Cathy Casares-Ko, who was the keynote speaker for the first panel discussion and a 2024 WOP awardee, told the audience that people “do not need a title to be a leader”.
Evelyn Ng, Chief Finance Officer of Mynt Inc. (GCash), delivered the second keynote address, emphasizing how digital finance can be a powerful tool for inclusion. In her talk, “Business with Purpose: Engineering an Inclusive Digital Future for Every Filipina,” she highlighted how GCash is enabling more women—particularly micro-entrepreneurs and those in underserved communities—to access financial services through innovation. She underscored that true leadership in fintech goes beyond profitability, focusing instead on creating opportunities, dismantling barriers, and empowering women to take control of their economic futures.
Panelists in the session on Stewards of Impact: Women Building What Endures were publisher Karina Bolasco, former director of the Ateneo de Manila University Press; Lisa Ongpin-Periquet, co-founder of Art Fair Philippines, Art in the Park, and Salcedo Market and 2023 WOP Awardee; Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, past president of Museo Pambata and 2025 WOP Awardee; and Evelyn Ng, chief finance officer of Mynt Inc.( GCash).
Javellana moderated the discussions.
Casares-Ko, chief executive officer (CEO) of Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation, said “leadership is about inspiring and influencing others.
Ng said GCash aimed to be the “leading platform for empowering women”, as she pointed out that 55 percent of the e-wallet’s (electronic wallet) users were women and majority of the merchants doing business through it were women.
Ongpin-Periquet said, in the art field, there was no disparity between the sexes but she noted that women were good at dealing with people.
Women had a higher EQ (emotional quotient or emotional intelligence) than men, Bolasco observed, and were more open about what they wanted. Inclusion, Mañosa-Tanjutco, said was not difficult to achieve. It was a matter of mentoring young people, both boys and girls.
In the second panel discussion on “Stewards of Impact: Women Building What Endures”, keynote speaker KD Dizon, vice president and head of Globe Business, said the most powerful technology was humaneness. Leaders had to have intuition, empathy and a clear sense of purpose.
Panelists were Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Wilcon Depots senior executive vice president and chief operating officer and 2023 WOP Awardee; and Aurora Geotina-Garcia, president of Mageo Consulting, Inc. and founding chair and president of the Philippine Women’s Economic Network.
Moderator was Doris Dumlao-Abadilla, Inquirer assistant Business editor.
Dizon said, at Globe, women’s contributions were sought-after and their leadership celebrated.
Passing the torch, Dizon said, involved mentorship and giving advice, among other things.
Bosch-Ong told the audience “don’t just pass on the torch” but also present opportunities for women to advance. Values women needed to succeed should also be passed on, she said.
Mentorship, she stressed, also meant leading by example
There should be a match between mentor and mentee, Geotina-Garcia stressed. Women should accept that they would make mistakes but they should not doubt they had the courage. Carrying a baby for nine months and raising it after it was born took a lot of courage, she pointed out.
Geotina-Garcia added that, if women were not given a seat at the table, they should bring their own chair. She said more women in corporate boards would make them more gender sensitive.
Dizon said digitalization was “a great equalizer”. Women were getting the same opportunities as men in the digital age.
Inquirer Interactive COO for print Rudyard Arbolado, in closing the summit, said the featured women took or brought their own seats at the table. They mentored and shared spaces with emerging women leaders.
The Inquirer, he said, was passionate in telling the stories of Filipinos, especially those involving women. It was committed to build and uplift Filipino women and help them endure.
Anchored on the theme “Guarding Legacies, Guiding Generations,” this year’s Women of Power underscores the importance of honoring leaders who uphold enduring values while empowering the next generation—reflecting the Inquirer’s continuing mission to celebrate impact, inspire progress, and shape a more inclusive future.
The event is held in partnership with Globe Business, with the support of GCash, SM Supermalls, and TDCX Philippines, and in collaboration with valued industry partners: Business and Professional Women Philippines, Filipina CEO Circle, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Retailers Association, People Management Association of the Philippines, and Women’s Business Council Philippines.
