Major changes have been brought about by the shift from analog to digital technology. Social media platforms are now dominant, serving as the most influential purveyors of information and new ideas. One of the beneficial outcomes of these changes is the emergence of influential women and youth leaders. When the Manila Bulletin launched earlier this year its Newsmakers of the Year awards, seven out of 10 honorees were youthful leaders.

Indeed, the global movement toward enhanced diversity, equity and inclusion has produced tremendous beneficial outcomes. It has raised awareness on the abundance of talent waiting to be tapped and harnessed with the breaking down of traditional age and gender barriers in major spheres of endeavor.
Earlier this week, seven Filipinos were cited in Forbes’ 30 under 30 List for Asia in 2024. Thirty outstanding achievers were selected from thousands of online nominees in 10 categories which include Arts (Art, Style, Food, and Drink); Entertainment and Sports; Finance and Venture Capital; Enterprise Technology; Media, Marketing, and Advertising; Consumer Technology; Industry, Manufacturing, and Energy; Social Impact; Retail and Commerce; and Healthcare and Science.

One of the seven honorees was Amanda Cua, 22 years old, the founder of Backscoop, a media startup that offers a free newsletter on the business and startup scene in Southeast Asia. Instead of pursuing a college education, Cua bravely traversed through an untrodden path—starting her company at only 19 years old. In her column for Manila Bulletin, the young founder shared that she spent ₱3,000 to kickstart Backscoop’s website and weekly newsletter. Backscoop has since become a go-to source for rising startups in the region, earning tens of thousands of subscribers. According to Forbes, her content and One More Scoop podcast have been invaluable to startup founders in their efforts to find investors.

Four other Forbes honorees are women. All of them were commended for the creative use of technology for propagating excellence in various fields, including culture and arts, history, cuisine, medicine, and financial technology.

In today’s graduation ceremonies of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), seven out of the top 10 graduates, including class valedictorian Jeneth Elumba, are female. She is the seventh female topnotcher of the PMA graduating class. Since the enactment of Republic Act 7192, Filipino women have been allowed to perform combat duties within the Philippine Army. Latest figures show that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has 2,414 female commissioned officers and 7,843 enlisted personnel.

One broadsheet projected that within the next 25 years, the country may yet see the first female AFP chief of staff. Considering that there have been two females who have served as President and Commander-in-Chief, this may yet be a conservative prediction.  

In the analog era, the predominant role models among the youth were political leaders and captains of business and industry. Today, the youth themselves are gaining early recognition – and providing inspiration to their elders. Hopefully, more of them would also involve themselves in the political mainstream, just like the late Mayor Jesse Robredo and incumbent Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.

Indeed, Filipino women and youth are prime movers in the nation’s continuing march toward the fulfillment of its loftiest aspirations.