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How Women Leaders Influence and Effect Change in Our Country

Ms. Maria Montserrat Iturralde-Hamlin, FICD

Supervising Trustee and Chairperson 

Board Diversity and Inclusion Committee


The spirit of Women’s Month soared to new heights on March 26, 2026, as the Institute of Corporate Directors' Board Diversity Committee and the NextGen Organization of Women Corporate Directors (NOWCD) co-hosted a powerful event: “How Women Leaders Influence and Effect Change in Our Country.”


Conceived just a month prior—a true passion project hatched by Atty. Euney Marie Mata Perez, FICD, Debbie Namalata, and I—the forum brought together five extraordinary women. These phenomenal leaders, hailing from the fields of military, energy, policy, governance, and aesthetics, shared their journeys of impact. Debbie beautifully set the stage by grounding our conversation with compelling statistics on the state of women’s participation in business, covering the triumphs, the challenges, and the potential yet to be unlocked. It was an honor for Euney and me to co-moderate the heart-to-heart discussion that followed, as each panelist shared her incredible life story.


Five women. Five completely different stories. Yet, they are all connected by a single, powerful trait: the unyielding grit that allowed them to conquer every challenge.


Julie Abad’s excellence shines in both high-level government service and academic leadership. Despite her youth, the Executive Director of the FEU Public Policy Center and the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment is actively shaping public policy and championing good governance. She credits her success to the phenomenal role models in her life: her mother, former Presidential Management Staff Dina Razon-Abad, and her aunt, the renowned visual artist Pacita Abad.


Coming from a political family, Commissioner Atty. Geraldine Marie “Gigi” Berberabe-Martinez of the Governance Commission for GOCCs was already excelling in politics and had even earned a prestigious Galing Pook Award for Balayan. However, a mother’s love is a force that supersedes all else. She chose to become a full-time stay-at-home mom to dedicate herself to caring for her specially-abled child. Later, when the opportunity arose to serve the country as a GCG Commissioner, she embraced the chance to continue her parents’ legacy of public service.


Dr. Vicki Belo, M.D., a household name in medical aesthetics, bravely shared the root of her entrepreneurial drive. As a young child, bullying led her to feel unloved, unwanted, and fixated on feeling "fat, ugly, and adopted." This early trauma ignited her lifelong mission to ensure every woman has the power to feel beautiful. She pursued dermatology, studied relentlessly here and in Thailand, and specialized in cosmetic surgery. Inspired by the advent of lasers, she became a true pioneer, bringing the technology to the Philippines and establishing her first 40 sqm clinic with just two machines. Her groundbreaking spirit and marketing genius revolutionized the Philippine aesthetic industry, transforming the Belo Medical Group into the powerhouse it is today.


Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, initially faced resistance after her father's death when her brothers tried to dissuade her from studying at the Philippine Military Academy. Her defiant response? She cut off her waist-long hair and entered PMA, excelling both in school and in the military. Her exceptional performance led to special assignments, including serving on the security detail for the Pope, the Spanish Queen, and the head of the Korean delegation during APEC. Life dealt a major blow with the sudden death of her pilot husband in the plane crash that also killed Archie King, leaving her with two young children. Seeking a fresh start, she applied for a scholarship in Australia. General Brawner eventually chose her as the AFP Spokesperson, and despite having zero prior experience, she discovered a profound truth: she could not only do the job exceptionally well, but she loved every minute of it.


Energy maven Ruth Yu Owen, President of Upgrade Energy Philippines and Chair of the Management Association of the Philippines Energy Committee, humbly admits she started life poor, but that never stopped her from dreaming big. When her father could no longer afford their education, an aunt stepped in—a moment of grace that allowed Ruth to continue her studies. She took on humble jobs, worked incredibly hard, and vividly recalls hanging onto the "estribo" (running board) of the bus, rain or shine, just to ensure she was on time for work. When she was fired from a job and faced a crossroads, she decided to forge her own path as a tech entrepreneur, diving into the renewable energy industry. She shared the exhilarating ups and downs of that journey, crediting her education with ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty.


Truth be told, I resonated deeply with Ruth’s story. I, too, grew up poor after my father’s death when I was only ten, leaving my Spanish mother with five children. We relied on scholarships to get through school, and I also experienced running after the jeepney or bus and hanging onto the "estribo" just to be punctual for work. My own journey involved working my way up to associate publisher, only to be dismissed by new owners. It was that moment that launched me into entrepreneurship, leading me to set up TeamAsia 33 years ago in Hong Kong. We truly are kindred spirits!


When asked how women can collectively help curb graft and corruption, alleviate poverty, and address the current national crisis, the panelists delivered a resounding message: it starts at home, with values, and with personal example.


Gigi Basco Berberabe-Martinez emphasized that living one's values of integrity in an environment where graft and corruption thrive can be a lonely and unpopular path. Yet, she has never wavered, consistently saying "no" despite pressure, because it is simply the right thing to do.


Julia Abad highlighted the importance of celebrating the fact that not everyone in government is dishonest. We have many honest, trustworthy public servants who deserve recognition. This underscores a crucial call to action: we must educate our countrymen to vote for capable and honest candidates to lead our nation.


Dr. Vikki Belo inspired guests to “always trust in God’s plan,” as He lights the way forward. She ended with a powerful reminder for all women to support each other. She passionately lamented her own experiences of women being the first to tear other women down, declaring: "This needs to stop." This highlights something I’ve always espoused: when women unite and support one another, truly great things happen.


It was an absolutely wonderful and profoundly inspiring forum! The guests left with hearts full from the powerful stories they heard.


A huge thank you to Sharon Dayoan for KPMG’s generous sponsorship of the beautiful venue and delicious snacks; to Debbie Namalata’s sister for the thoughtful Ginger Farm giveaways for our guests and speakers; and to the ever-supportive ICD team led by Catz Jalandoni and Nelljay Kahlil Tuppal! Our speakers loved our gift of tongue-in-cheek Pinoy fans and gamely posed for a picture with them.  Our gratitude also goes to ICD Chair Atty. Benedicta Du-Baladad and NOWCD Chair Boots Garcia for sharing their insightful views on the critical importance of women leaders.


And finally, congratulations to my brilliant co-conspirators, Atty. Euney and Debbie Namalata, for conceptualizing and flawlessly organizing this impactful event. You rock!





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