It’s International Women’s Month and we turn the spotlight to Rowena Walters who continuously breaks barriers and remains steadfast in accomplishing more life goals and adventures at 55. Rowena built her life around discipline, consistency, and commitment. She stays active, loves the outdoors, and travels often for both work and adventure.

As secretary of the Ford Everest Club of the Philippines (FECP), she helps organize offroad treks to Mt. Pinatubo, while making time for family, even when her calendar fills quickly with responsibilities that take her far beyond the comforts of her Metro Manila home.

Walters found her niche in the world of competitive bodybuilding at a crucial point in her life. More than physical strength, overcoming the intense training and rigorous nutrition program helped her find inner strength and an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.

“I took on bodybuilding while I was trying to find myself after a divorce and the passing of my mother. When I started working out, I met several bodybuilders who saw my potential. They encouraged me to try joining events and when I won my first competition, the rest became history. Back then, going international was the only way to go, as there were only a few of us female bodybuilders here,” Rowena recalled.

Throughout her 11-year career as a competitive bodybuilder, she won several titles locally and internationally, including the Ms. Asia Pacific crown in 2008 in New Zealand and Women's Physique Champion at the 2015 Shawn Rhoden Classic held in Manila.

In 2017, after placing fifth overall at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, Rowena set her sights on a new goal: growing the sport locally. She made the decision to retire from competing and was appointed as International Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB) Federation Philippine president, a role that reflects both her credibility in the sport and her commitment to building opportunities for others.

As IFBB Philippines president, Rowena organizes bodybuilding events around the country. Some local governments also trust her to mount competitions as part of their festivals or celebrations, including Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo, Masskara Festival in Bacolod, Capiztahan in Capiz, and Anilag Festival in Laguna. The work involves constant coordination, long planning days, and frequent travel with staff to make sure events run smoothly from set-up to awards night.

That travel-heavy routine shaped how Rowena approached everyday logistics. She previously drove a smaller vehicle and often rented an additional car for her team during out-of-town events. Over time, she looked for a simpler way to keep her staff and her schedule moving together, especially during peak months when events stack up and turnaround time gets tight. She knew it was time to make an upgrade to her vehicle of choice. It wasn’t a question of if, but rather of what.

So in 2022, she gave in to her son’s suggestions to check out the Ford Everest. “True enough I instantly liked it because of the features, power, and good looks. Even better, it’s a seven-seater, which is definitely what I need,” she shared.

For Rowena, the choice is both practical and personal. She needs space when she travels with her staff for competitions, and she also wants the flexibility to bring family along for small breaks between work runs. With her son AJ now fully grown and living independently in Isabela, she assumed the role of the quintessential fun aunt and often takes her nieces and nephews out–whether that means a mall day or a quick swim, and she prefers a setup that makes those plans feel easy instead of complicated.

Above everything, Rowena loves driving, and she often chooses the road that brings the long distances. This also led her to join FECP, a group composed of like-minded individuals who celebrate their choice of vehicle. She first joined in hopes of picking up some practical know-how when it comes to maintenance and making the most out of her Everest.

But within a year or so as an active member and contributor within the community, she was invited by the group admins to take on a more hands-on role as club secretary. With her professional background and network, she is well-equipped to help organize regular ride outs and FECP’s annual charity drives – from scouting venues and locations, to securing necessary event permits.

Rowena found a positive outlet to destress and indulge her passion for adventure and the great outdoors with FECP. She deeply appreciated the sense of community within the club so much that when some of her fellow members decided to establish a new group for the more offroading-inclined, she did not hesitate and signed up to be a founding member of the Ford Off Roaders Club of the Philippines (FOCP).

Together, FECP and FOCP travel far and wide not just to hangout, but also to extend help where help is needed. Being a member of two owner clubs that combines the love of driving with worthwhile activities, Walters knows this is where she belongs.

On her own, Rowena regularly drives from Manila to Isabela, a route she estimates at around seven hours, and she often does it with only one stop. She recalls spending Christmas of 2023 on the road, traveling to Sagada, visiting Vigan, and then heading to Santa Ana in Cagayan, which she describes as a 13-hour drive from Manila. Looking ahead, she plans to drive to Legazpi City in Albay in April and travel again in May for events in Boracay.

“The right car will always be a reliable and fun travel partner for me, my team, my family for the past 2 years, and I’m already looking forward to our new adventures for 2026!” she said.

Her years spent on instilling discipline in everything she does taught Walters to value reliability over hype and function over image. That thinking carried into her choice of a companion vehicle. The right vehicle made her days easier. With the busy life she leads, that kind of simplicity turned out to be just the upgrade that a certified superwoman needs.