The moment Gabriela is mentioned, a dramatic, Latin-inspired rhythm pulses in the background.
As society convinces women to fit in the mold, there opens a curated wardrobe—not of red dresses, seductive makeup, and pointed heels, but of roles to play, precautions to heed, and expectations to uphold. Hats of different colors and weights land on a girl’s head as soon as she attempts to lift her head: crowns of thorns that bleed women dry to flawless, submissive dignity.
What was once a resounding symbol of the revolutionary Filipina spirit has now evolved into a femme fatale who runs the world with boldness and unapologetic strength. But, amidst the striking differences, one thing remains true across generations of girls who have ever existed: within every woman lies an iron-willed Gabriela who chooses to fight, persist, and defy!
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, let the rose petals fall through the spotlight as women realize that togive is to gain, honoring the achievements and contributions of every Gabriela as leaders, changemakers, and most importantly, as human beings worthy of rights, recognition, and respect.
Unwavering Love, Unwearying Hand
It takes a village to raise a child—and in many villages, that strength often takes the form of women. Mothers who quietly give pieces of themselves for the people they love. Ate Ann is one of them. A mother, a wife, and a worker, she helps bring food not only to the plates of her own children but also to the many hungry Viscans who pass through their busy days.
Beyond the meals she helps place on the table, Ann carries a quiet conviction: women deserve to be heard just as much as men. Their ideas, she believes, hold the same power to shape the world. It was this belief that led her to join the women’s association Forward in 2007, where she has remained an active member for nearly two decades. Through the organization, she found empowerment and a purpose—to remind others that a woman’s place is not confined to the home.
For Ann, education has always been a powerful form of empowerment. Although she herself reached only her first year of college due to life’s obstacles, she worked tirelessly to ensure her children could finish the journey she could not. Today, both of them are college graduates and professionals—an achievement she carries with quiet pride.
What stands out most about Ann is her determination to keep going. Even after many years of working, she refuses to stop as long as she still can. “Mintras kaya pa nako ganahan jud ko magtrabaho,” she says with calm certainty. Through her perseverance, she hopes to show her children something simple but powerful: “kaya ni mama.”
She believes that women must have the courage to pursue the opportunities they deserve, even when society hesitates to offer them. Trying, for her, is never a loss—the real loss is never discovering what one is capable of.
When asked what makes women unique, Ann points to patience. The patience to endure, to nurture, and to keep moving forward despite life’s hardships. For her, being a woman means carrying dignity, independence, and the strength to shape one’s own destiny.
A Voice that Fills Voids
Being the loudest in the room is often misunderstood. Many see it as a sign of insecurity, something irritating rather than meaningful. But for Lyca Mae, it can mean something else entirely. When a voice carries conviction and purpose, being the loudest can also mean being the bravest.
Lyca Mae, a first-year Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management student, believes that being a woman means being vocal. For her, a woman’s voice is a powerful tool—one that can inspire others and turn personal experiences into lessons that uplift those around them.
Her time working in a BPO company allowed her to witness how women have increasingly taken strong roles in the industry, reflecting how modern women are steadily claiming their place in spaces once dominated by men.
She believes women’s ability to adapt, multitask, and lead has always existed, even if it was not always recognized. To Lyca, when women lead, their voices become a kind of “superpower,” capable of empowering others not only through action but also through words.
Growing up in a family of thirteen children, Lyca draws her greatest inspiration from her mother, whom she considers the strongest woman she knows. Despite life’s challenges, her mother continued to stand firm and care for her family, shaping her children into individuals capable of standing on their own.
Her own experiences—working in the city and helping support her family—have taught Lyca the importance of knowing what she stands for and having the courage to speak up. It is a lesson she carries with her and hopes to share with others: to remain grateful, keep growing, and use one’s voice to inspire.
Bolder, Braver, Breaking Barriers
Success takes many forms. For some, it is counted in the stamps on a passport; for others, in the numbers written in a bank account. Yet for many, success is far simpler and more meaningful—being present for the people they love and building a life that supports both family and purpose.
For women, however, success is often measured across many paths at once. They care for their homes and families while also contributing their skills and passion to society and their chosen fields. In doing so, they learn to carry multiple responsibilities, redefining what it means to live a full and meaningful life. Miss Gayle embodies this reality. Her life is shaped by the many roles she carries with quiet determination. In the academe, she serves as an educator, sharing her knowledge and industry experience in tourism, hospitality, and events management with her students at VSU. Teaching, for her, is a way of preparing young people for the careers they hope to pursue while allowing her to pass on the lessons she has learned along the way.
Beyond the classroom, Miss Gayle moves between several responsibilities with remarkable balance. She is a wife and a mother of two young children, while also helping manage Luyo BBQ & Booze with her husband and building her own event management venture. Her passion for organizing events traces back to her student days, when her experiences in events management classes and student leadership first sparked the dream she is now turning into reality.
For Miss Gayle, entrepreneurship is not only about building opportunities for herself but also about creating livelihoods for others through the businesses and events she helps organize. Balancing her many roles requires teamwork and clear priorities, something she manages with the support of her husband and the understanding that balance does not mean doing everything perfectly at once.
She believes true empowerment begins with believing in one’s ability to make a difference—often through quiet perseverance and compassion. This outlook was shaped by her mother, whose determination and hard work, despite not finishing college, showed her that resilience and dedication can overcome many limitations.
What keeps her going is the purpose behind each role she fulfills. As Miss Gayle reflects, "Everything I do—whether for my family, my students, or our business—contributes to building a better future.” Her ability to manage many responsibilities at once reflects a quiet strength—one rooted in dedication, perseverance, and the belief that a woman can nurture a family, lead a career, and pursue her passions all at once.
Women’s Lore to Spaces and Strength
What used to be male-dominated, rooted in the traditional belief that only men can sustain the household, is now being redefined by women to prove that they are just as competent and reliable, or even far greater. But, for Ms. Loregin S. Pugosa, it’s more than just a clapback against regressive norms; it’s a mission of the eldest daughter’s heart.
Working as an Instructor III at the Visayas State University (VSU) with a master’s degree in Agribusiness Management, Ms. Loregin helps students grow in knowledge and character, building confidence within themselves. Extending her commitment to the community, she spearheads VSU’s National Service Training Program—Civic Welfare Training Service (NSTP-CWTS).
Once the class is over, Ms. Loregin transitions into the ever-reliable ate who takes charge of her family’s budget. Despite the weight of being a female in male fields, she perseveres by grounding her conduct in her values, purpose, and aspirations, because, as she prioritized, “Being the eldest daughter and the breadwinner means taking on big responsibilities, and I do my best to support my family in all ways.”
However, there are times when responsibilities get too overwhelming to handle alone. Heavy academic workload, exacerbated by financial hardships, can take a toll on one’s mental and emotional health. Hence, Ms. Loregin strives to pursue things at her own pace with a dependable support system—demonstrating the innate ability of women to be in control of their own lives.
As society continues to restrain women in a pigeonhole of conformity, Ms. Loregin emphasized the value of self-empowerment by improving oneself intensively; evinced by her diverse range of seminars, workshops, and professional endeavors. By setting goals and establishing boundaries, Ms. Loregin asserts, “I don’t let stereotypes limit me; instead, I show through my actions that women are strong and capable.”
Under the care of a loving mother, Ms. Loregin witnessed how a woman carries the family with grace and a quiet conviction. As she trailblazes her own destiny, she realizes how far women’s standing in the society have progressed. Today, women have easier access to education, giving them more freedom to pursue careers and leadership; notably different from what her mother had navigated. And so, Ms. Loregin continuously draws inspiration from how her mother remained strong for her family despite the lack of opportunities in her time.
A woman’s lore is marked by the decisions, principles, and sacrifices that mold her identity. Ms. Loregin’s journey of stepping up—wearing the hat of a daughter, a teacher, and a breadwinner altogether—proves that women are essentially capable of taking on huge responsibilities. Adversities may have evolved, but she believes that women are now gaining the power to exercise utmost autonomy in their lives, occupying more rooms and playing more roles that used to be exclusive for men.
Because, for Ms. Loregin, “Being a woman today means having more space to grow and more strength to face the world.”
Gabriela, Driving the Course of Life
In every generation, the name Gabriela finds its core meaning—not only in history books or catchy melodies that echo resistance, but in the innate grit of women who continue to wear the many crowns placed upon them. A modern-day Gabriela is a beacon to behold, a force that carries change, and a legacy that inspires.
She embodies many forms at once—a selfless mother, a compassionate leader, a responsible older sister, and a dutiful daughter. In each role, she carries a quiet strength that reflects the resilience of countless women before her. Time and time again, women have proven that they are just as capable of shaping the world around them, fighting for equal rights, equal respect, and equal opportunities. They refuse to be silenced and, through their courage, ignite a lasting fire of strength and bravery.
Here’s to every Gabriela who incessantly commits to the passionate dance of building oneself for the community, reiterating what it truly means to be a woman—wearing chosen hats with pride, in the face of inequality, as heels clack in broad daylight.