March is globally recognized as International Women’s Month. Here at SunFish DataOn Philippines, Inc. – GreatDay HR PH, we acknowledge the extraordinary and significant role that women play in promoting their rights and inclusivity in the community.
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March 8 is International Women’s Day and is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements, regardless of division, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political, while pushing for inclusiveness and equality.
This is greatly celebrated and promoted by individuals and groups that have paved the way for local and international programs that serve to promote women’s rights and their unique potential.
We at SunFish DataOn Philippines, Inc. – GreatDay HR PH are fully supportive of this advocacy, and would like to grab this chance to acknowledge women who emanate the strength and willingness to fight not only for their rights and relevance but of others as well in terms of different social issues. These are some of the many headstrong women who have used their expansive influence to keep on #BreakingBarriers.
Hidilyn Diaz
Quick facts: First Filipino Olympic Gold Medalist. Humble Beginnings
Hidilyn Diaz is a Filipina weightlifter and Air Force Staff Sergeant. A popular figure in Filipino weightlifting, she has gained further recognition after winning an Olympic Silver in the 2016 Summer Olympics, ending the Philippines’ 20-year Olympic medal drought.
In her illustrious career, Diaz has shown great passion and love for her sport and her nation. This drove her into exerting more effort and thereby winning an Olympic Gold for the country in the 2020 Summer Olympics – being the first Filipino to achieve the feat. She also holds multiple records to date.
Hidilyn came from humble beginnings which made her a relatable figure for most Filipino women and children aspiring to achieve more and make a better life out of their situation. Although proving to be a challenge, she never let stereotypes limit her from breaking barriers and went above and beyond instead in the face of adversity.
Although Diaz is fully aware that while some Filipino traditions prevail, she is never afraid to point out that women can go above and beyond through their own free will and determination.
Kylie Verzosa
Quick facts: Mental Health Advocate. Founder, Mental Health Matters PH (@mentalhealthmattersph)
Kylie Verzosa is a Filipina actress, model, and beauty queen who garnered great recognition after getting crowned as Binibining Pilipinas International 2016 and Miss International 2016.
Getting crowned in these prestigious pageants has allowed her to be a resounding influence on many Filipinos and has used this to make her advocacies heard.
She is a well-known advocate of mental health, not afraid to share her experiences, and assures everyone that “being honest about how they feel does not make them weak, when in fact it makes them more human.”
Being a popular figure in social media, she has gone on to establish Mental Health Matters (@mentalhealthmattersph on Instagram) – an online support group geared towards promoting awareness and inspiration in terms of tackling several Mental Health issues to remove the stigma. The page has close to 45,000 followers already at present.
Aimee Carandang
Quick facts: First-ever Filipina Commercial Pilot
Aimee Carandang is a Filipina aviator and had flown exceptionally high in 1993 when she became the first Filipina to ever grace the skies as a commercial pilot and Captain in the Philippines’ flag-carrier, Philippine Airlines.
In the present, women pilots are now rapidly increasing in number and earning their seats in the cockpit in the male-dominated airline industry. The demand for pilots around the world has seen a continuously rising trend through the years and the needs are felt even more in the country.
According to the Civil Aviation of the Philippines (CAAP), with only less than 3% of the total pilots in the country comprised of women, figures such as Carandang have inspired more women to continue transcending stereotypes and breaking borders in order to achieve their dreams.
Maria Ressa
Quick facts: First Filipino Nobel Peace Prize Recipient. Jornalist and CEO of Rappler
Maria Ressa is a Filipina journalist, author, co-founder, and CEO of Rappler.
She has received numerous awards around the world for her stance on the Freedom of Expression. Such recognitions include being named Time’s 2018 Person of the Year and being one of the 25 leading figures on the Information and Democracy Commission launched by international NGO Reporters Without Borders.
Just recently, she became the first Filipino recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for “her efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”
Ressa has also ventured into writing and teaching which has allowed her to expand on her spheres of influence not only in the Philippines, but the entire world.
Monique Wilson
Quick facts: Theater and Film Actress. Women’s Rights Activist. Director of Gabriela Women’s Party and One Billion Rising
Monique Wilson is a Filipina theater and film actress. She has been sharing her art in the industry for over four decades already.
Wilson was previously an understudy in the original London West End production of Miss Saigon, later taking the place of Lea Salonga in the main role. Since then, she has taken part in more involved roles in the theater arts through production as well as in directing plays and musicals. Wilson also got into acting stints and music recordings in the span of her career.
Outside the performing arts, Monique has been a devoted advocate of women’s rights in the Philippines. As a women’s rights activist, she has been serving as Director of International Affairs of the Gabriela Women’s Party as well as Director of One Billion Rising.
She has amassed deep support from the community with her genuine mindset of giving back especially to the marginalized Filipina youth, after all the success she has achieved in her career.
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT
As we celebrate International Women’s Month, we challenge everyone to be introspective and to challenge their current notions about women and their significant role in the community.
Whatever their background or stature, women continue making their voices heard and their presence felt. They endure in shaping the Philippines in several industries, making sure that their voices are heard louder than ever most especially on behalf of those marginalized.
As a company that fully supports the human resources and people of our partners, we cannot help but acknowledge the extraordinary role that women play in this professional world that we are in. We at SunFish DataOn Philippines, Inc. – GreatDay HR PH are fully supportive of this advocacy and will continue fighting the good fight to pave the way for lasting inclusivity.
Happy International Women’s Month to every headstrong Filipina out there! We support you in your pursuit of #BreakingBarriers.
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