Powerful Insights, Purposeful Leadership In Focus At The Manila Times Women’s Circle Forum 2025

Beautypreneur PH | Powerful Insights, Purposeful Leadership In Focus At The Manila Times Women’s Circle Forum 2025 | The Manila Times – Since its launch in 2017, The Manila Times “Women’s Circle” forum has served as a dynamic platform for influential women across various sectors to exchange insights, share experiences, and champion strategies for nation-building. Now on its seventh edition, the 2025 forum carried the theme “Ladies Who Lead: Serving, Inspiring, Empowering Nation Builders” and was held on March 20 at Hotel Okura Manila in celebration of International Women’s Month.

The event brought together an esteemed roster of women leaders from government, the diplomatic corps, and the business community for a day of powerful discussions on women’s vital contributions to politics, commerce, and social development toward a more inclusive and progressive society.

During the program’s opening segment, newly appointed The Manila Times CEO Anna Marie Ang Thompson took a moment to acknowledge the forum’s distinguished guests while formally introducing herself in her new role, which she assumed late last year. The Manila Times President and COO Blanca Mercado, who pioneered the “Women’s Circle” initiative, warmly delivered the welcome remarks while sincerely thanking valuable and esteemed partners who contributed to making the event possible.

Hosted by The Manila Times Lifestyle, Entertainment and Sunday Times Magazine Editor Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, the forum unfolded with an engaging and upbeat energy, as participants shared personal narratives and strategies for overcoming a multitude of gender-based challenges — all aimed at encouraging more women to step confidently into roles of leadership and nation-building.

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote address delivered by the highly regarded legislator, Sen. Grace Poe, who acknowledged that the country’s political arena — particularly the Senate — remains a traditionally male-dominated space. She underscored the need for greater female representation, citing women’s capacity to become transformational leaders, and pointed to the upcoming midterm elections in May as a pivotal opportunity to effect change.

One of the few gentlemen in attendance, the dynamic and well-respected Harold Brian Geronimo — vice president and head of Public Relations and Media Affairs at Megaworld Corporation — delighted guests when he shared that nearly 60 percent of the company’s workforce is composed of women, underscoring the importance of gender diversity in the workplace. He also spotlighted the exemplary leadership of Megaworld President Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, who brings over three decades of experience to one of the country’s top property developers. Gutierrez-Alfonso has been named among Forbes Asia’s 20 Outstanding Women Leaders in 2024 and included in Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Asia — recognitions that reflect her trailblazing impact in the industry.

Setting the tone for the day’s in-depth conversations was lawyer Lia Badillo-Crisostomo, host of The Manila Times online program “Prime Times with Atty. Lia,” who moderated all three of the forum’s riveting panel discussions.

The first, titled “Leading with Purpose: Women in Government and Foreign Affairs,” featured a distinguished lineup from the diplomatic corps, namely Netherlands Ambassador Marielle Gerae-dts, Romanian Ambassador Räduta Dana Matache, South African Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe, Australian Ambas-sador H.K. Yu, Israeli Deputy Ambassador Ester Buzgan and the Vietnamese Ambassador’s spouse Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, along with the Philippines’ Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez.

Their discussion shed light on the rising participation of Filipino women in politics and business, as well as the progress the Philippines continues to make in advancing gender equality and inclusive leadership.

At The Top: Leading From The C-Suite And Beyond

The second panel discussion, “Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies: Women in the C-Suite,” featured a roster of prominent female executives in Marites Dagdag, president and general manager, Clorox Southeast Asia; Danielle Del Rosario, chief operating officer, PHINMA – Union Insulated Panel Corp.; Jenny Lin Maaño-Ngai, co-found-er and president, SunSmart Solar Power Technology Inc.; Mharicar Castillo-Reyes, president and CEO, Asticom Technology Inc.; and Anna Marie Pabellon, assurance leader and financial services leader, Landicho Abela & Co.

Together, these accomplished women shared les-sons from their leadership journeys, offering both inspiration and practical strategies for thriving in competitive and often male-dominated industries.

Dagdag highlighted the importance of fostering leadership opportunities for women through inclusion, diversity, equity, and allyship programs. She shared how Clorox embodies these principles and cited her CEO, Linda Rendle, as an inspiration.

“Our CEO, Linda Rendle, is 42 — very young. She is the first female president of Clorox, a Har-vard graduate, happily married, intelligent, and beautiful, making her my idol. However, beyond these personal attributes, she is highly competent and has risen through the ranks as an internal leader at Clorox. Her success is largely due to her skills, dedication, and expertise,” she said.

Dagdag encouraged companies to integrate similar programs into their cultures, while recognizing the support that male allies provide in professional growth.

“Our company strongly emphasizes inclusion, diversity, equity, and allyship, a program that fosters leadership growth and benefits everyone. If you have the influence to integrate these pro-grams within your organization, I encourage you to advocate for equity and inclusivity. Finally, we must also acknowledge and appreciate the support of our husbands, partners, brothers, and fathers in our professional journeys,” she added.

Del Rosario, on the other hand, framed women’s leadership around three key values: perfection, excellence, and kindness.

“First, perfection — something we all strive for. While it may be attainable, the real question is: is it sustainable? It takes tremendous effort. Second, excellence — not only attainable but also sustainable. As women, we work hard to achieve excellence in everything we do. Third, kindness — definitely both attainable and sustainable. And guess what? It’s not optional,” she noted.

Del Rosario stressed the importance of allowing women to lead without unnecessary obstacles.

“The best way to help women grow is simple: let us. If you want us to lead your company, run your country, or raise your children — let us. Don’t stand in our way. Of course, we are always open to listening. Women go the extra mile: we listen, accommodate, and seek to understand. And yes, we ask a lot of questions — not to be ‘makulit’ but to get to the root of issues, solve problems efficiently, and get things done. The best way to make women succeed is to trust us — let us do our thing,” she continued.

Beyond leadership roles, she called for proper recognition, appreciation, and fair compensation for women.

“Women should be recognized, appreciated, and fairly compensated—not because we are women, not just for the sake of diversity, but because

we excel at what we do. We earn our roles and successes through hard work, valuable ideas, and intelligent contributions. Women bring a unique perspective — in both appearance and thought. We add curiosity, creativity, and fresh ways of seeing the world. By being open to women’s leader-ship, organizations and families thrive. And this isn’t just about women supporting women — it’s also about men supporting women, and women supporting men. It’s about working together,” del Rosario added.

Meanwhile, Castillo-Reyes shared her experience of juggling corporate leadership with family responsibilities.

“For me, leadership is about influence, empowerment, and inspiration. Balancing these while being both a CEO and a mother has been a tough journey. When I started Asticom 10 years ago, it was a challenge — not only because it was a startup but also because I was raising a two-year-old daughter at the same time. Juggling both responsibilities was overwhelming, but I credit the people around me — my team, who provided incredible support, and my husband and family, who encouraged me and allowed me to grow as a leader,” she related.

Castillo-Reyes underscored that balance does not mean equal time for everything but rather prioritization.

“At one point, we had to make a difficult decision as a family — my husband chose to put his career on hold so I could pursue mine. It wasn’t an easy balance, but I always tell my team that balance isn’t about dividing time equally — it’s about being fully present where you’re needed most. When you’re at work, focus on your responsibilities; when you’re at home, be fully present for your family. It’s not about giving everyone equal time, but about giving the right time to the right people,” she added.

Maaño-Ngai, on the other hand, emphasized open communication with family and the importance of self-care.

“I have three sons—my youngest is 10 years old, my middle child is 12, and my eldest is 21.

I work in the renewable energy industry, which often requires me to travel to rural areas. How-ever, I always make sure that my sons can reach me anytime because they are still young and need my presence. As I’ve said, keeping communication open is essential — being available as much as possible allows you to remain at the core of everything that matters,” she said.

Maaño-Ngai pointed out that women often be-come so immersed in work that they neglect other aspects of life.

“Beyond spending time with our families, we must also make time for ourselves. Prioritizing self-care makes us happier and more fulfilled, which helps us handle any situation with a positive mindset. Ultimately, maintaining balance between family, business, social life, and personal well-being is the key to staying in top shape,” she advised.

Lastly, in this panel discussion, Pabellon called for flexible workplace policies, mentorship programs, and greater support for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.

“I work in consulting and tech an industry that has long been considered a man’s world. Climbing the ladder in this field is tough, which is why it’s crucial to recognize the strong business case for diversity in leadership. A diverse leadership team fosters curiosity, fresh ideas, and innovation,” she said.

She noted that setting diversity targets isn’t enough companies need a comprehensive ecosystem that nurtures women in leadership.

“One growing trend is that many companies are now setting targets for the number of women in top positions. However, simply aiming for 40, 50, or 60 percent representation at the board level is not enough. If diversity is treated merely as a compliance metric, companies will struggle to meet these targets. Instead, we need to look at the bigger picture the entire ecosystem, which includes business, government, and civil society,” she continued.

Pabellon also highlighted mentorship and training programs that prepare women for leadership, particularly in the tech industry.

“Another critical aspect is mentorship and training. In the tech industry, where it’s especially challenging for women to rise through the ranks, support networks matter. We have initiatives like Women in Tech, where women uplift each other, and programs that prepare women for board positions. Through these initiatives, women connect, learn from each other, and undergo targeted training to ensure they are well-equipped when leadership opportunities arise.”

She also discussed a much-needed initiative called “Nanays in IT,” a program supporting women returning to work after childbirth.

“Many women experience career setbacks after giving birth, as they often take two to six months off or even leave their jobs due to a lack of child-care support. This results in a loss of momentum, making it difficult to return to the workforce. Through Nanays in IT, we provide training and opportunities to help them re-enter the industry with confidence. By creating a more inclusive eco-system, we can break barriers, support women in leadership, and drive real change in the industry,” Pabellon averred.

From Beauty To Business: Leading With Heart And Hustle

The third panel discussion, “From Passion to Power: Leading Retail and Lifestyle Brands,” featured Olivia Limpe-Aw, president and CEO, Destileria Limtuaco; Carissa Cruz-Evangelista, creative director, Beatriz Accessories; Louella Scott, general manager, Vogue Concepts; Denice Sy, chief sales and marketing officer, Ever Bilena; and Nikki Tang, CEO, Dermasia and DMark Beauty.

Drawing from the unique demands of their industries — from heritage spirits and high fashion to homegrown cosmetics and wellness — these trailblazing entrepreneurs offered insights on leading with purpose, navigating change, and staying true to one’s creative vision.

Limpe-Aw spoke candidly about her journey as a woman in a male-dominated field. As the head of Destileria Limtuaco, the oldest distillery in the Philippines, she understands the challenges of proving oneself in a traditionally male industry.

“Of course, when you’re entering a male-dominated field and you’re the only woman, you don’t expect to be welcomed with open arms. It’s not the reality. The reality is, you need to prove yourself, and you will have to pass through a lot of tests. Don’t take it personally — know that it’s part of the process. Once you convince them that you are worth being part of that circle, then they will welcome you,” Limpe-Aw said.

She then emphasized the importance of objectivity and strategic thinking in leadership.

“Be objective about it. Don’t be emotional — think like a man, feel like a woman, and act like both as necessary. We have to balance. Remember not to be too emotional but to be empathetic, realistic, and pleasant. We don’t need to be argumentative, but we must always bring our message across — firmly and strongly. And we must know when to use our charm because that’s something they don’t have. It’s a powerful asset, especially when working in a male-dominated space,” Limpe-Aw added.

Meanwhile, Cruz-Evangelista shed light on the economic significance of the creative industry, stressing its potential for further expansion.

“When we look at the creative economy, it has contributed so much to the Philippines — 7 per-cent of the country’s GDP, amounting to around P1.7 billion across different sectors. Art and design are at the heart of this, but it also extends to publishing, digital media, architecture, and more. The creative sector drives innovation across industries,” she detailed.

She also underscored the global potential of Filipino creativity, emphasizing the need to invest in and elevate local talent.

“As Filipinos, we are naturally creative. There are so many opportunities for us to leverage our talents locally and for export. If we identify the next wave in the creative industry and position ourselves accordingly, there’s going to be even greater growth in the Philippines,” she added.

For Cruz-Evangelista, women play a crucial role in shaping the creative sector, making their presence even more vital in this evolving land-scape as she closed her discussion declaring, “Art is relevant. Creativity is relevant. And women in the creative industry are relevant.”

Meanwhile, Scott encouraged women to embrace individuality in fashion and reject societal expectations.

“When you scroll through social media, you’ll find listicles like ‘Fashion for Women Over 40’ or ‘Fashion for Men Over 50.’ And when you open them, it’s boring — that’s real. So don’t let those lists or social media trends dictate your choices. You are an individual. You have your own personality and style,” she enthused.

She emphasized that fashion is not just about self-expression it also shapes how people perceive themselves and how they want the world to see them.

“Fashion is part of your story. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about telling the world who you are. When we talk about self-love, it’s also about owning our narratives, shaping our own aesthetics, and defining our own confidence,” she said.

Scott also challenged the way people view envy, particularly in the age of social media.

“Let’s be real. We all look at others online — who’s dressed better, who’s slimmer, who has what. There’s envy. But if you flip that and turn envy into inspiration, it becomes powerful. Instead of feeling bad, ask yourself: What do I truly want? When used positively, envy can actually help clarify your goals and refine your personal style.”

Sy meanwhile discussed the evolution of the beauty industry, noting how mod-ern consumers prioritize purpose, advocacy, and authenticity over just aesthetics.

“Beauty has transformed. It’s no longer just about superficial looks — it’s about purpose and values. Consumers today want brands that align with their beliefs,” she noted.

She shared how Ever Bilena has embraced these changes by incorporating inclusivity and representation into every aspect of its brand — from product development to marketing.

“At Ever Bilena, we ensure that everyone sees themselves in our materials. Whether through our products, packaging, or campaigns, we make sure our audience feels uplifted, confident, and celebrated,” she enthused.

She also acknowledged how women are now more empowered to speak up and redefine beau-ty on their own terms.

“Women today have the power to say what they like and what they don’t. Female leadership in beauty brands — like what we have at Ever Bilena — allows us to authentically reflect our own experiences and reshape the industry from within. Beauty should uplift, not limit,” Sy added.

Last but not least, Tang also echoed the sentiment that beauty is about empowerment, not superficiality.

“Beauty is often dismissed as superficial, but I strongly believe otherwise. It’s about confidence. It’s about having the power to step into leadership roles and take control of your own life,” said Tang.

At Dermasia and DMark Beauty, Tang champions science-backed solutions that help people gain control over their confidence.

“Confidence allows people to reach their full potential. That’s why we focus on effective, science-driven products that empower individuals to feel good about themselves,” she underscored.

She also emphasized the need to break stereo-types in the beauty industry, promoting inclusivity and redefining aging with confidence.

“The beauty industry should shift its role — not to reinforce outdated beauty standards, but to encourage inclusivity. We need to redefine aging, create safe spaces for self-expression, and allow women to feel good in their own skin. Be-cause when women feel good, they can achieve anything,” Tang ended.

To learn more about Beautypreneur PH, check out Ms. Nikki Tang.