Get to Know the 15 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn in 2021 — and Stay Tuned for this Year's List

“When women support other women, great things happen.” —?Maria Montserrat "Monette" Iturralde-Hamlin

The idea of searching for the most influential Filipino women on LinkedIn started when I met Gina Romero , the co-founder and CEO at Connected Women , in 2019.

We met in a conference, Why Remote Workers Need to Build Their Personal Brands on LinkedIn , where we were both speakers.

Gina and I were also in the same panel discussion focused on women empowerment, along with Jennette Cajucom, Kari Javier and MK Bertulfo.

At the time, I already knew that Gina genuinely believes in the power of women in empowering fellow women. After just a few exchange of messages, we decided to collaborate and launch the list of 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn.

“I’m so happy to collaborate with Virginia on this meaningful project, to showcase some of the many outstanding Filipino women on LinkedIn.?Raising our online profile and building a digital presence is important, but leveraging our influence to create a positive impact is the most important thing we can do.

This list highlights exemplary Filipino women who are not only successful, but consistently pay it forward by lifting up others.?I hope this encourages and inspires other women to leverage this powerful platform to share, connect, work and learn.” — Gina Romero

In this newsletter edition, I'd like to review and introduce to you the top 15 in our very first list of 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn .

From the overall list of 100 women, we ranked the?Top 15 most influential Filipino women on LinkedIn?based on the number of nominations.

Follow or connect with them on LinkedIn to find out how they use LinkedIn to amplify their messages through stories, advocacies, inspiration and expert advice in order to make a difference in other people’s lives.

We asked them what they thought was the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country and what they would advise fellow Filipino women to achieve success. Here's what they shared with us:

#1: Wandalyn Tan-Calupig

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Women have the power to positively impact generations down like how my mom have raised me to become a big dreamer and goal achiever.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Success is personal and unique to every individual. Stop conforming to society’s or your parents or friends’ definition of success. You need to define success in your own terms and conditions so you can convince and call yourself successful.

Success is all about success in all areas of your life – physical, intellectual, emotional, mental wellbeing, character, spirituality, relationships, parenting, social, financial and contribution to community.

#2: Jennette Cajucom

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

That true leadership can be empathetic and nurturing; that it can be about giving; and that it can be about lifting up other people.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Success is best achieved when we give value and help other people.

#3: Charlene Lucas

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Being a voice to those who are voiceless and afraid. Being an agent of change and inspiration that anything is possible regardless of gender.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Be true to who you really are, don’t be afraid to follow your heart and to find your voice. Focus on giving value to other people and create your own definition of success. Be compassionate not only on your work and other people but with yourself as well.

#4: Roselle Munsayac

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

By being themselves.. being true to their identity and character. I summarized it all in a simple poem:

I am a female

and I will use it

to let others know

what a female can do,

how she is special and beautiful

How capable and powerful

how love can abound

With her presence

and how the world is better

With her in it.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

To always use their power of presence: to know that we can turn our lives around by managing our thoughts; by choosing those we allow to enter our being and converting negatives to positive ones. I have shared in one of my posts the ways to counter negative thoughts to positive, only those that will serve our purpose to integrate such into our emotions, actions and see how it changes our mood, our day and ultimately our lives.

When we use this power, we will not think or react negatively but with compassion and understanding of everything and everyone. Our presence will enable us to feel the love and share, first love of self, others and also enemies, and this will all glorify Him and make Him feel our love for Him. This is the reason I am always happy and grateful.

#5: Maria Korina Bertulfo

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Resilience and creativity. With women rising and getting noticed recently, we have proven our great contributions to the situation that our country is facing. Women stepping up has provided new approaches and perspectives, may it be in business, politics, media, or simply in daily life.

Our country’s resilience to different unwanted events, women were trusted in keeping things together may it be in work or within their family, and I believe, we’ve been doing a good job.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

We are in a different era now. Women have more opportunities to explore and more platforms to excel in. Cultures and traditions are changing that we’re now encouraged to go out and voice our opinions; so go out there, explore, learn, and succeed.

#6: Laraine Zyreen Marcelo

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

‘Malasakit’ — “care for something (someone) like it were one’s own.” I believe this has been the greatest contribution of the Filipino women to the country — just like how a mother takes care of her child, we move beyond just showing care, rather we take actions, we move to uplift each other’s lives.

We see.

We own.

We solve.

We do.

From community pantries to free mobile swab testing — women have been changing the country — without the need for titles or formal support — just true ‘Malasakit’.

“Strength is often characterized by an ability to withstand pain — like continuing a race even through intense discomfort.” (elemental.medium.com)

And even though inequality still exists, we courageously continue to provide ‘Malasakit’.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

“What you think, you become” — Buddha

Know your worth.

Know you’re worthy.

Be fearless — to do, to fail, to learn, to reinvent.

#7: Mikki Sachico

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Filipinas are strong, empowered women who constantly bring light even during the darkest moments – we know this historically speaking and even in our own lives.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Filipinas need to balance being too caring for others and also showing up for themselves. The healthier the tree, the better fruit it can offer. So to unlock more success, she needs to be constantly looking after her wellness too.

#8: Delby Bragais

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, Rules the World! Women are the Nurturers of the country, the connectors and the heart. Whenever there are changes to the world around us (such as what we are experiencing today due to the pandemic) Women take the lead in helping the family adjust to new realities and ways of living.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Never Settle!

#9: Kurly de Guzman

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Filipinas have the natural ability to love in extraordinary ways. It’s that kind of motherly love (regardless of whether the woman is a mother or not) that transcends all boundaries, difficulties and pains.

It’s that love that strengthens us in our challenges, fuels us to keep going, and nurtures the inner child in each one of us. Our country and the world in general is full of so much hate and hurt, and it’s this love that can heal.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Just be authentically you, believe in yourself, embrace who you are and love yourself. There is no need to be someone else or to be like someone else. Your uniqueness is meant for a special space in this world. Someone needs what you do, someone needs you. What you do matters and you matter to. Keep going and just enjoy the journey.

#10: Ruth Yu-Owen

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Filipino Women are strong pillars of the Philippines, successfully running Companies and institutions. We have two women Presidents that were installed in office thru two People Power Revolutions.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Follow your passion. Give everything you got. When you come across difficulties, which you will, assess and proceed. Know that with determination and hard work, you will get there.

#11: Sheena Yap Chan

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Filipino women can contribute by speaking up and building more women leaders. Have more Filipino women in leadership and CEO roles can make a positive impact in the country.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Be your authentic self and know that you don’t have to go through this journey alone. There are other Filipinas rooting for you! Life can be tough but we’re tougher! Keep moving forward.

#12: Bonnie Factor

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Pinays are lucky we are born in a country that has almost the same amount of women executives and same pay rate with men.

Not taking this for granted I have seen women communities’ and leaders’ have advanced career growth of each woman in the Philippines.

Name a skill, name an income-generating activity and you’ll bet there’s a Pinay who has created a community for that.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Evaluate your habits on a daily basis. Improving productivity to achieve and contribute to the country so much will depend on what you focus on everyday.

Combine end goals + daily productivity habits to ensure you are 1% improving everyday. 1% improvement a day will amount to 365% of growth in a year!

#13: Penny Bongato

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Filipino women are strong willed. We, women, play so many roles in our lives – we work, being a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, doing the household chores, being caregivers at times. We can juggle these roles in our lives which make us even stronger. We find ways and means to help our families and it begins with the family and eventually, helping the community and the country.

#14: Doreen Cooper

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Women are the backbone of our society. Women deliver children, nurture children, are the first teachers of their children, help provide for the family, and help lead our country.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Remember that you are beautiful in your own unique way.

• So dream, regardless of the situation you’re in;
• Work Hard, regardless of the circumstance;
• Choose your Relationships wisely, they can help you succeed or be detrimental to your success;
• And choose your Role Models carefully. Compete only with yourself.

#15: Katherine Castro

What do you think is the most significant contribution Filipino Women make to the country?

Filipino women are brave, smart and intuitive.

They provide that feminine strength to battle-tested avenues in business and life, in general. Filipino women continue to inspire growth and change, evidenced by the increasing number of women of influence in many sectors like business and government.

What’s your best advice for Filipino women to achieve success?

Hey Pinay! You have such beautiful strength. Never be afraid to speak your beautiful mind. Never be afraid to be vulnerable to challenges and failures. A lot of miraculous things can happen when you are given the freedom to express both inner strength and beauty. Be a lifelong learner. Start a business. Raise good and God-fearing citizens. Build strong homes. Smile! We are rooting for you!

Coming up in March:

100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn 2022

With the success of our first list in 2021, Gina and I decided to continue to showcase the most influential Filipino women on LinkedIn this year.

We already got all the nominations, and we'd be ready to announce this year's list in March - in time for the National Women's Month here in the Philippines.

Stay tuned!