The system of patriarchy has been gradually reaching its dissolution since the time women started to realize their rights, worth, and importance. Through the years, the fight for acknowledgment in society brought women to exercise their right to vote and hold a position, stand on equal footing with men in the workplace, especially in terms of wages, and decide over their bodies.
In the age of business and entrepreneurship, women are also asserting power in the business industry and economy.--a challenging battle with the same hurdles, men and their patriarchal ideologies and social stigma. Yet, women business owners and entrepreneurs are not backing down hence stepping up their game.
According to the Women and Entrepreneurship report for 2015 of Investing in Women Asia, 51% of business owners in the Philippines are women. 20% of major leadership positions such as CEO, COO, President, and Vice President comprise Filipinas, while 30% of board directors in different businesses in the Philippines are also composed of women. In 2020, the Philippines topped 31 other countries in terms of the most female executives with high-ranking positions with 47%. A significant improvement in figures is shown from the 35% in the previous year with the country at the 5th place on the list.
Here are 5 inspiring Filipinas shaping the business industry in the Philippines:
Teresita Sy - Coson
Banco De Oro (BDO) Unibank Chairperson and SM Investment corporation (SMIC) Vice-Chairperson Teresita' Tessy' Sy - Coson is a member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council. This delegation strengthens the economic integration of the region. Aside from heading one of the country's largest universal banks, Sy - Coson was responsible for increasing their corporation's retail merchandising and mall development.
The eldest and first daughter of the late Henry Sy Sr., Sy - Coson finished her undergraduate degree from Assumption College.
Robina Gokongwei - Pe
Robinsons’s Retail Holdings Inc. President and CEO Robina Gokongwei - Pe continues her family legacy in the business industry. Aside from the RRHI, Gokongwei - Pe is the senior vice president and group general manager of Robinsons Retail Holdings. She also serves as the Director of Cebu Air, Robinsons’ Bank and Land Corporation, and the non-executive director of JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Gokongwei - Pe is also the first female board member of the educational institution, Xavier School.
Daughter of late John Gokongwei, Robina attended the University of the Philippines - Diliman and New York University (NYU), where she obtained her degree in Journalism.
Angeline Tham
Angkas Founder and CEO Angeline Tham is beating traffic and beating the norm. Tham is a former JP Morgan banker and also inclined in the tech industry with sold.sg, Singapore’s top online auction platform, and Gamers.PH, the country’s first online marketplace for video game titles and gears.
Tham has been providing livelihood to 27,000 Filipinos registered in their database as riders and helping many Filipino commuters arrive at their destinations safely and fast with her company.
Doris Magsaysay - Ho
Magsaysay Group of Companies President and CEO Doris Magsaysay - Ho has been leading the Philippines' shipping and maritime transport industry. She also deals with the logistics and tourism sector of the company.
Aside from the family legacy regarding business and entrepreneurship, Magsaysay - Ho obtained her master's degree in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, carrying talent in visual arts inherited from her mother Anita, a famed modernist artist.
Felicia Hung Atienza
Not just its President and CEO, Feli Atienza founded the Chinese International School Manila. She is also the current President and CEO of Domuschola International School, former Board Director in Rappler, and former Vice President of Merrill Lynch.
Aside from being a world-class businesswoman, Atienza is also busy volunteering with the Philippine Eagle Foundation, Move.org Foundation Inc., and Urban Program for Livelihood Finance and Training.
Her impressive educational background reflects her victor as a businesswoman. Atienza completed her economics degree with a double major in Finance and Multinational Management as a cum laude.
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Written by: Julie Anne Duyongan
Layout and Design by: Adrian Nabua
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