Continuing their mission of empowering women through ‘The Queens’
It all started with their journey to the crown. Being united by the beauty pageant stage, Binibining Pilipinas International 2014 Bianca Guidotti-Santos, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010 Carla Lizardo, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach developed a bond that mirrors what beauty contests should be about—sisterhood. And while their days of competing are over, their connection hasn’t wavered. In fact, it has even gotten stronger, so much so that they have created an even larger circle.
Through “Between Us Queens” (a podcast dedicated to women-centered conversations), The Queens Facebook Group and Discord, the three beauties were able to connect with over 8,000 women, making these digital platforms safe spaces for sisterhood. As they continue their mission of empowering women, Pia, Carla, and Bianca announce the rebranding of their online ecosystem to “The Queens” with the launch of their first vlog.
To celebrate this virtual milestone and International Women’s Month, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle sits down with the ladies behind the #WeAreAllQueens social campaign about what they love about being a woman and how simple gestures have great impacts when it comes to uplifting Filipinas everywhere.
What are the advantages women have in being a leader? What do women contribute as leaders in their respective fields?
BIANCA: I think one of the advantages women have in being a leader is that we all know what it feels like to be powerless. But we also know what it feels like to fight and regain that power. The constant struggle to be who we are, to fight gender stereotypes, to fight rape culture, to fight to be seen and acknowledged—any person who has to go through so many adversities and struggles builds strength of character. I think, in a leader, one of the most important things is strength of character.
CARLA: Female leaders have so much to contribute regardless of what field they are in. In this day and age, unfortunately, glass ceilings still exist, which means women have to work extra hard every single day in their respective careers to be able to advance. By the time they get to that leadership position, they have already gone through so many challenges, so many hurdles. They were held to a much higher standard compared to their male counterparts. Once they become leaders in their respective fields, they become more inclusive. They have a fuller understanding of the big picture. They are more compassionate, empathetic, and I just feel like they’re just so strong for being able to overcome everything that is thrown in their way to become one of the most respected people in their chosen careers. Aside from that, women leaders do not allow egos to get in the way. People are realizing more and more that we have many styles of leadership. It doesn’t have to be the “macho,” where I have to tell you what you should do and you just have to listen. Women have a tendency to be more open in listening to people and in asking for advice so they can become more effective leaders, and understand what is going on and what is needed to be able to make improvements.
PIA: Women are very compassionate. They have a way of being in touch with their feelings when they make a decision. I know sometimes this can be a good or a bad thing, and more often than not, we try to highlight it as a bad thing because it sounds like you are using your heart over your mind. But, I believe, if you find that right balance that becomes an important tool that women can use as a leader. A leader should be able to give out orders but also know what the people are feeling—being able to put themselves in the position of others and having empathy. There are so many things women contribute as leaders. We know that it's still a male-dominated world, right, and up to now, we’re still fighting for our space, for our position, and our platform for our voice. But once you get there and earn that platform, you also become an inspiration for other women who want to make it there. I think women who are leaders are inspirational. I think they are breaking the glass ceiling. I think they are compassionate. They know how to be logical, but also put themselves in the situation of others. And I think those are some really important tools.
How do women help other women?
BIANCA: There are so many ways, queens! It can start with the simplest things like finding those moments in a day where you can uplift a queen up. Be like, “Hey, I really love that dress” or “That’s a really interesting book. Can you tell me about it?” Having these conversations with different women, even supporting women-led businesses, is a huge deal. Participating in communities and being there for other women to help with some wise words, because all of us need some wisdom in the years that we are here in this world. Being able to share that with other women and learn from them too, I think, is the best way to help each other. Just sharing our stories.
CARLA: “The Queens” is an online community of empowered women empowering other women. I just want to share some advice on how we can support each other. I think that one of the best ways is through the power of shared stories because when we speak up about our experiences, we never know who is going through the same thing, who needs advice or support as they go through their own challenges. When we get to talk to each other more about women-centered topics, then we get to grow together. We should also be cheering each other on. I feel like we are stuck in that phase where people tend to pit women against each other. Even as simple as posting a picture, for example, me, Pia, and Bianca, the comments will be like, “Oh, si Pia parin yung pinaka maganda.” For me, why can’t we just enjoy this photo of three best friends because that’s what it is? I don’t know why we are still stuck in that idea where we think women are supposed to be competing against each other. I don’t think that should be the case at all. It is time to shift that perspective. We have to cheer each other on, we have to be walking together hand in hand because life is hard enough as it is for women across the world, so we might as well uplift each other. Tayo rin naman ang nakakaalam what we are going through. Isn’t it a much brighter future for all of us if we all encourage and grow together. We’ll realize that there is no need to compete with each other, to tear each other down, because there are opportunities for all of us. We all have our destiny and we can all shine together.
PIA: It’s a competitive world that we live in and not just someone like me who has a beauty pageant background. But now is the time to try to highlight the importance of women lifting each other up. I don’t believe in trying to pull each other down just to try to get a step ahead or have an advantage. It feels more rewarding and fulfilling to know that you’re helping somebody out or you’re being an instrument for another person’s success. How do we help other women? I think, cheering them on is one very simple but effective way of helping other women to celebrate their victories, to cheer them on, to be happy for them—like genuinely happy. Even before they make it, even before the success, to be there from the very beginning to see their potential and to cheer them on when things don’t work out. It’s about giving your time and energy to other people, to other women. It can be in the form of very simple things like liking a picture, commenting on their page, complimenting their appearance, congratulating them on a successful project, or just telling them, “Hey, good luck!” I think those are simple but effective ways to make other women feel like they’re being supported.
What do you love about being a woman?
BIANCA: One of the things I love the most about being a woman is fashion. I think that it is so great that nowadays women get to wear all these types of pieces of clothing. We can do dress and skirts, pants and suits, and go a little more boyish with a cap and all that stuff. The fact that we can be so free with our fashion makes it one of the things that I love about being a woman.
CARLA: It does get difficult at times, but I wouldn’t trade being a woman for anything else in the world. I absolutely love it from the little things like getting to enjoy makeup, rocking a red lip for that extra confidence before going out of the house, enjoying a night out with my girlfriends, and having that sense of sisterhood. In the bigger picture, I think that what I love the most about being a woman is that we are strong, opinionated, and unapologetically ourselves. We just go out there and fight. We refuse to accept all these double standards that society imposes on us. With how far women have come, it is something to take so much pride in, and I also hope to use my platform to continue to encourage and empower other women because there is just so much that we can all do together.
PIA: On the surface level, I love just dressing up and glamming up. But I also love being in touch with my feelings. Being a woman has taught me to become an empath, to be madiskarte in life, to be strong. Women go through a lot of things in life. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what your background is, how pretty you are, and whatever advantage you have, it doesn’t matter. We all go through challenges as women period. I celebrate those things. I celebrate the good and the bad. It’s all part of the process. It makes us who we are. It makes us strong. My favorite thing about being a woman is being an inspiration to others and being able to help each other out. We all have different journeys and destinies. Who can say that a woman who is not married and doesn’t have kids isn’t happy or successful? That’s the kind of standard that society has put on us. I believe that the most fun part about being a woman is being among other women who inspire you and make you happy and make you feel like you can grow to your full potential.
Learn more about “The Queens” by visiting their YouTube channel and website.
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