Empowered women hold the power to change the world.
To mark women's month, four inspiring Filipinas who come from all the walks of life share what makes them feel empowered.
Writing for fellow IP women
B'laan writer Joy Quijano said the best thing about writing is it allows her to document the present struggles of her fellow Indigenous Peoples (IP) women.
"It empowers me by making me a keen observer, critical thinker, and socially aware on issues that affect us as members of a cultural community. Through my stories, I was able to meet people who have the same advocacy with me. I was able to help IP women and children in my own way," Quijano told the Manila Bulletin.
Quijano's works which can be found in World Literature Today, Words Without Borders, LIT Magazine, and Shenandoah, focus on IP women and children.
"I may not directly show resistance but through my stories and critical insights in writings, I believe that I am one with the people who yearn for genuine change, development, and equality," she added.
As for Quijano's advice to young girls who also want to write but couldn't find their writing voice yet -- read.
"I started reading. My mother was a teacher and she taught us the value of reading to learn about the world, our society, and ourselves. It is valuable to read and arm our mind with knowledge before we can write about anything," she said.
Quijano recommends reading Marry Higgins Clark, Kinsella, Lualhati Bautista, Rogelio Sicat, and Christina Hidalgo.
"It is a fact that every writer and every leader is a reader."
Learning from sports
Two-time Olympian Jasmine Alkhaldi said swimming taught her to be herself.
"Sports empowers me to be who I am as a tool for myself to work on my growth as well as to test what I am capable of," Alkhaldi said.
Alkhaldi, who hails from Parañaque, currently holds the Philippine women's record in the 200, 100, 50 meter freestyle; 100 meter butterfly; and 50 meter butterfly events.
In 2018, she became the sole Filipino to qualify for the FINA World Swimming Championships in Hangzou, China.
Encouraging more girls and women to participate in sports, Alkhaldi said: "Sports is not just for the boys."
"Women and girls thrive and excel in sports; it can also teach you so many valuable lessons you can apply in your life outside of sports," she added.
Pursuing passion
Since going viral because of her unique talent, leaf artist Mary Mae Dacanay has been receiving a lot of commissions that keep her afloat during the pandemic.
Dacanay learned to monetize her hobby -- making leaf art -- after she lost her job as a factory worker last year.
She said that creating more art makes her feel empowered and allows her to push herself to be a better artist.
" innovate more art that will loved by everyone," Dacanay said.
The 23-year-old artist uses jackfruit leaves and avocado laves because they are thicker and sturdy.
For those women who also want to try making art or pursue their passion, Dacanay advised them to "go our of their comfort zone."
"Make yourself proud by pursuing things that you love. No one will be successful unless try."
Being a mother
First-time mom Lyneree Montero-Yodong said that her favorite part of being a mom is "sharing all the beautiful things" life has to offer to her son Jericho.
"As a mom, I have received the gift of being able to completely nurture and influence a person -- knowing that how this little boy will see the world, how he will fearlessly reach for his dreams, and how he will limitlessly love, will all depend on how well I will raise him," Montero-Yodong said.
"It empowers me in a way that I believe that I'm a strong, capable, kind and compassionate woman who can and will raise this child well. here's nothing more empowering that the fact that my perspectives, my words and my actions will all reflect on my kid who will contribute to the society. One day, he will become his own person and it is my job to make sure that he is proud of the kind of person that he turns out to be," she added.
Montero-Yodong was a local model who used to join beauty pageants. She is now a cabin crew who is currently in furlough and owns an online shop.
Jericho's birth gave Montero-Yodong a "different and deeper perspective." Through her son, she has learned to set her priorities straight and to strive to be a better person everyday.
"He made me see that all the things that happened in my past, both good and bad, were because I was meant to be molded to be the exact mother that I am today," she said.
"Today, I am a mother before I am anything else. I am a mother before I’m my husband’s wife, or anybody’s friend, or anyone’s employee, or anyone’s anything. I am a mother first and foremost — anything else and everything else can only come second. I am definitely not the same person I was before Jericho came into my life. Jericho brings out the best in me."