Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit

The University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) formally opened its 2026 National Women’s Month celebration with a vibrant program that honored women’s leadership in history, research, governance, and nation-building, while challenging the community to deepen its commitment to gender equality beyond the month of March.

Organized by the UP Manila Center for Gender and Women’s Studies (CGWS), the opening ceremony gathered university officials, faculty members, staff, and students in a collective affirmation of women’s contributions to the institution and to society. The celebration also laid out a full calendar of activities anchored on the National Women’s Month theme “Lead Like the Babaylans, Filipinos!” which draws inspiration from the pre-colonial babaylan as a symbol of women’s leadership and collective care. 

A babaylan is a Filipino indigenous spiritual leader, healer, and mediator between the human and spirit worlds, traditionally recognized for their wisdom, healing abilities, and community guidance.

Honoring Women Trailblazers in Medicine and Science

CGWS Director Professor Dorothy Jose highlighted the historic role of women in shaping Philippine health sciences, particularly within UP. She cited pioneers such as Dr. Paz Mendoza-Guazon, the first Filipino woman doctor to graduate from UP in 1912; Dr. Fe del Mundo, proclaimed National Scientist in 1980; Dr. Perla Santos-Ocampo; Dr. Marita Reyes; and Dr. Carmencita Padilla, who was named National Scientist in 2023.

She underscored that the presence of women in key leadership positions across UP Manila today reflects this enduring legacy. According to her, women heading major offices in the university serve as “patunay ng pagkilala sa kakayahan at ambag ng kababaihan, isang katibayan ng pagpupunyagi para sa women empowerment at gender equality sa universidad.”

Professor Jose also traced the origins of National Women’s Month to early 20th-century labor movements and feminist organizing, later institutionalized globally through the United Nations. She emphasized that dedicating a month to women is a response to historical underrepresentation and marginalization, and a call to recognize women’s continuing contributions to nation-building.

Leadership Shaped by Strong Women

Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Dr. Johanna Patricia Cañal delivered a personal and reflective message about growing up surrounded by strong women. She shared that her sense of confidence stemmed from the women in her family, great-grandmothers, grandmothers, and her mother, who pushed boundaries within the limits imposed by their times.

Dr. Cañal also praised UP Manila for fostering women leaders across campuses. “Our role is so recognized here… pinangalagaan ang role ng mga babaeng leaders,” she said, noting the strong presence of women deans, directors, and administrators within the university.

Women at the Forefront of Research

Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio highlighted the significant leadership of women in research at UP Manila. “Out of the 148 ongoing research projects in UP Manila, 92 are female-led, or 62% of our ongoing projects are led by women,” she reported. “This highlights that women are continuously at the forefront of research in UP Manila.”

She pointed out that women have historically led the National Institutes of Health and have served in key research leadership positions in the university. Beyond representation, Dr. Dalmacio emphasized the importance of embedding gender perspectives into research through the Gender and Development (GAD) score, especially in proposals submitted to funding agencies.

“Dapat conscious tayo,” she stressed. “Ano ba ang magiging partisipasyon ng mga kababaihan? Dapat inclusive ang ating mga ginagawang research.” She added that UP Manila research agenda: Advancing Health through Research Utilization and Global Alliance (ARUGA) reflects values of care and inclusion, qualities long associated with women’s leadership but essential to the entire academic community.

Freedom of Choice

Chancellor Michael Tee framed his message around the concept of freedom and informed choice. While acknowledging existing gender gaps, he encouraged the audience to move beyond statistics alone. He reflected on the complexities of gender equality, emphasizing that statistics on income and labor participation tell only part of the story. He noted that many women make choices based on personal or family priorities, such as caring for children or managing the household, which may not align with conventional metrics of economic success.

“We have to make sure that everyone is given that freedom of choice,” he said. “Equality kasi thinks about the measure that society thinks is important. But in your own choice, what is important to you?” he said, highlighting that empowerment is about freedom of choice rather than forcing women to match men’s income or career paths. He encouraged everyone to recognize not only women’s contributions in the workplace and society but also the quiet, often invisible work they do at home, reminding us that strong families are the true foundation of a resilient nation.

He also emphasized that empowerment means enabling individuals to pursue paths aligned with their values and circumstances. 

A National and Global Context

In a video message, Philippine Commission on Women Chief Gender and Development Specialist Kim Harold Peji, put the celebration within the broader national agenda on gender equality.

Citing the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum, he noted that the Philippines ranks 20th out of 148 countries and remains Asia’s most gender-equal nation. Still, he pointed out persistent gaps, particularly in political empowerment.

“Reclaiming the spirit of babaylan is therefore not merely symbolic,” he said. “It is a pre-colonial act. It is about restoring women’s rightful place as leaders, knowledge holders, and agents of change.” He added that women’s empowerment is not only a social agenda but also “a public health agenda, a development agenda, and a human rights agenda.”

He concluded with a powerful vision:

In closing, Prof. Jose expressed hope for a future where such commemorations would no longer be necessary. “Nawa’y dumating ang panahon na hindi na kailangan ang Women’s Month o ang Women’s Day, dahil tunay nang nakamit ang gender equality at wala nang diskriminasyon at pang-aapi batay sa kasarian,” she said, underscoring the vision of a society where equality is not merely celebrated, but fully realized.

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