Women who lead, Women who empower
Progress for women is often measured in milestones—firsts, titles, and glass ceilings broken. But real change often happens quietly in everyday decisions, workplace culture, and the allies who stand beside women.
At the #Women2026: Ladies Who Lead Forum organized by Robinsons Department Store and Spark! Philippines, five women leaders explored how subtle, powerful actions create opportunity. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Belo Essentials managing director Cristalle Belo-Pitt, Halia CEO and founder Alexa Jocom, and Masungi Georeserve director for advocacy and board trustee Billie Dumaliang shared reflections from public service, justice, wellness, entrepreneurship, and environmental advocacy— showing that advancing women’s opportunities is as much about reshaping systems as breaking barriers.
“At Robinsons Department Store, empowering women is not just a day or a month—it is a commitment we uphold all year long,” said Carmina Quizon, Robinsons Department Store Group general manager. “May today’s conversations inspire us to lead with purpose and confidence.”
QC Mayor Joy Belmonte: Change happens when we work together
For Mayor Joy Belmonte, conversations about women’s empowerment often begin with something familiar: the stereotypes women continue to face, even in positions of authority.
She recalled a moment when colleagues were surprised to learn that the head of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office was a young woman. At just 32, the department head challenged many people’s assumptions about what leadership in disaster response looks like—a field traditionally dominated by older men.
The reaction, Belmonte said, was telling. Many were surprised not only that the role was held by a woman, but that she was also young, confident, and unapologetically feminine. For Belmonte, these moments reveal how deeply ingrained expectations about gender still shape public perception.
But representation, she emphasized, must be matched with policies that protect and empower women.
During her term as mayor of Quezon City, the local government introduced several initiatives aimed at creating safer and more inclusive spaces. Among them is the Bawal Bastos Ordinance, a landmark measure passed ahead of the national Safe Spaces Act (Philippines), which penalizes gender-based harassment in public spaces.
The city also established the Quezon City Protection Center, a one-stop facility where survivors of abuse can access medical, legal, and psychosocial services without having to relive their trauma across multiple offices.
Beyond protection, Belmonte highlighted the importance of economic empowerment. Since 2020, the city has invested in livelihood and entrepreneurship programs such as Pantawid Pangkabuhayan QC and Proudly Original Products of QC (POP QC), many of which support women entrepreneurs, single mothers, and survivors of domestic abuse.
Technology has also become part of the city’s response to gender-based violence. Initiatives like the Safe City App and the Sophia chatbot allow women and girls to report harassment, access support services, and safely store evidence when seeking justice.
Ultimately, Belmonte said the goal of these efforts is simple: to ensure that every woman and girl grows up knowing she has the freedom—and the support—to pursue her ambitions.
“It is not easy being a woman, but this experience can also be beautiful and fulfilling,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to take up space and lead. And if you feel there is no space for you, create that space for yourself.”
Margarita Gutierrez: Justice requires systems, not just laws
For Margarita Gutiérrez, advancing women’s rights is more than passing laws—it requires a functioning justice system. She shared the story of “Anna” (not her real name), convicted of murder after allegedly defending herself from rape. Procedural delays kept her in prison for 23 years before her sentence was reduced to 30 days, highlighting that rights without access exist only on paper.
Under Gutiérrez’s leadership, the DOJ Action Center brings justice to women and vulnerable populations through programs like Katarungan Caravan, which delivers legal services to communities and correctional facilities. Last year alone, over 25,000 individuals received support, with total services since 2023 surpassing 50,000 Filipinos.
She also emphasized broader protections, including Safe Spaces Act seminars for the LGBTQIA+ community and campaigns to raise awareness of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act and Magna Carta for Women.
“We should not aspire only to be women who lead. We should be women who reform, women who enforce, women who deliver,” she said. “The true measure of leadership is not the position we hold, but the system we leave behind.”
Cristalle Belo-Pitt: Wellness is power
Cristalle Belo-Pitt emphasized that empowerment begins from within. Self-care, she said, is not a luxury—it’s the foundation for confidence and leadership.
“Behind every confident woman is the decision to take care of herself,” Belo-Pitt said. She encouraged carving out “me time,” practicing positive affirmations like “I am powerful. I am beautiful. I am purposeful,” and investing in holistic wellness, from movement and nutrition to skin care.
Belo-Pitt shared practical examples from her own brand, showing how everyday rituals can reinforce confidence, signal self-respect, and inspire others. “When you honor yourself, you give others permission to respect you, to honor you, to look up to you,” she said.
Alexa Jocom: The Power of a beginner’s mind
Leadership, Alexa Jocom argued, is not about experience or titles—it’s about curiosity, learning, and courage. Frustrated by traditional plastic pads, she founded Halia, a sustainable period care brand.
Her lessons for aspiring leaders: learning is a superpower, inexperience can be an advantage, and action creates the “how.” Curiosity and persistence allowed her to uncover insights, collaborate with unexpected partners, and turn ideas into action.
“I’m still an intern,” Jocom concluded, “and I’m just getting started.”
Billie Dumaliang: Courage in conservation
Billie Dumaliang was exposed to nature preservation and rehabilitation at a young age, watching how Masungi went from a barren forest to thriving rainforests that now protect over 800 species.
Her path has been risky: the Philippines is among the most dangerous countries for environmental defenders, and women face harassment and threats to credibility. Yet Dumaliang’s conviction remains steadfast. She stressed that progress requires collective action and community support, citing efforts like protecting the Upper Marikina Watershed, which safeguards Metro Manila from flooding.
“Each woman who speaks, each woman who breaks barriers, creates the space for other women to do so,” Dumaliang said. Her story embodies the courage and persistence needed to challenge societal norms while safeguarding both natural and human communities.
A shared lesson
From governance and justice to wellness, entrepreneurship, and environmental advocacy, these women show that leadership is multidimensional. Progress isn’t just about breaking ceilings—it’s about building systems, habits, and communities that empower women to thrive. Real impact comes from persistence, courage, and leaving the world better than you found it.
