ASK A FILIPINA: #19 DISRUPT Leadership Tip from Isabelita T. Manalastas-Watanabe (Global FWN100™ '13)
Don't be afraid to break barriers. Though tolerance and progress on the gender front seem to be picking up in many areas, there are still new frontiers and domains where barriers to women and Filipinos exist. Don't be afraid to be the first to venture out into new territory. There may be no peers and mentors where you venture, but don't hold back from carving out your turf.
- Isabelita T. Manalastas-Watanabe, Speed Money Transfer Japan Kabushiki Kaisha President & Representative Director Japan
#FilipinaDisrupter
The Philippines Soars, Ranks 7th in Global Gender Equality Index
A statistic we can be proud of. The Philippines climbed to 7th in Gender Equality Index - the highest in all of Asia last year! How? The Philippines recorded more female legislators, senior officials, managers, political ministers, and professional and technical workers which means MORE political empowerment, economic participation and opportunities for Filipina women in the Philippines. Since 2006, the Philippines has been in the Top 10 ranking. But there's still room for improvement in the educational attainment gender gap which has increased slightly. News story from PhilStar.com.
PHILIPPINES: Filipina Trans Beauty Queens Get Political in Fight For Equality
Trans beauty queens are not merely pretty faces. Filipina beauty queens turned trans advocates Maki Gingoyon and Geena Rocero get political in their fight for equality and recognition. Consider this: from 2008-2014, the Philippines had one of the highest rates of murders of transgender people in all of Asia, according to the International Trans Murder Monitoring project. Filipina trans women may be visible but often lack recognition and full legal protection leaving them vulnerable to discrimination and violence.
Watch the video that profiles trans women activists in the Philippines after the jump.
Way to go, Lenore! Art Exhibition Opens February 11th in Makati, Philippines
In her work, as in her life, Lenore Lim (US FWN100™ '09) moves between worlds. Her recent body of prints is the culmination of Lim’s trajectory as an artist, community leader, teacher, and mother. Weaving together an array of materials, these works speak to Lim’s place in a chain that reaches across communities, continents, and lifetimes. She presents her latest work in an exhibition titled "Layered Life" at Altro Mondo Art Contemporanea in Makati, Philippines, February 11 – 28, 2015. The opening reception will take place on Feb 11, 2016 at 6 PM.
Congrats to Arlene Biala, the 2016-2017 Santa Clara County Poet Laureate!
Congrats Arlene Biala, the 2016-2017 Santa Clara County Poet Laureate! The Poet Laureate's role is to elevate Santa Clara County residents’ awareness of poetry, and to help celebrate and promote the literary arts.
Arlene Biala is an award-winning Filipino-American poet and performance artist who has been participating in poetry performances and workshops in the Bay Area for over 20 years.
Filipina Women Outraged, United Against American Military Imperialism: Philippine Supreme Court Rules EDCA Constitutional
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the Philippines declared the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) constitutional. Under the EDCA, US military troops will be able to build and construct facilities in new parts of the country. US military troops will be able to occupy Philippine soil rent-free and tax-free, while the US secures the Asia-Pacific for its own military and economic gains. From GABRIELA USA.
To Infinity and Beyond: A Filipina in Mars by 2026
28 year old Jaymee del Rosario may be the first Filipina woman on Mars. As one of two Filipinas shortlisted of over 200,000 applicants who volunteered to join the ambitious "Mars One" project, Del Rosario, a CEO of a U.S.-based metal company, is making it her mission to encourage more interest in Science, Technology and Space Exploration in the Philippines and worldwide. News story from Manila Bulletin.