By Mary Rose S. Cadiente Organized by Sentinel Times, Ugnayan ng Kababaihan sa Quezon and PGAD in Lucena City, the “Women Lead the Way” summ...
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| Organized by Sentinel Times, Ugnayan ng Kababaihan sa Quezon and PGAD in Lucena City, the “Women Lead the Way” summit brought together trailblazing women leaders to inspire lasting empowerment. The event celebrated purpose and resilience, actively engaging teachers and students from Quezon National High School’s Special Program in Journalism, who gained valuable insights on leadership and gender equality. (Mary Joy Maralit) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Sentinel Times, in partnership with the Ugnayan ng mga Kababaihan ng Quezon, successfully held the Women’s Summit 2025 last Friday, June 20 at 10:30 AM at Pacific Mall, Lucena City. With the empowering theme “Women Lead the Way,” the summit brought together trailblazing women leaders across various industries to inspire, uplift, and ignite action toward lasting women empowerment.
This year’s summit was not just an event—it was a movement. A celebration of purpose, resilience, and impact, the gathering served as a platform for women to share how they integrate their personal missions with professional ambition, all while navigating careers, entrepreneurship, motherhood, mental wellness advocacy, and community leadership.
Presented by Sentinel Times, the summit honored the strength and influence of women who are shaping a more inclusive and equitable future. The stories shared during the event highlighted how authentic leadership, rooted in courage and compassion, continues to break barriers and redefine success in every role women take on.
Students from Quezon National High School (QNHS) Special Program in Journalism and members of the Mount Banahaw Assembly No. 22, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls were among the active participants. They engaged in meaningful conversations and gained inspiration from the diverse experiences and wisdom of the speakers—leaving the event with new insights on leadership, gender equality, and self-empowerment.
The Women’s Summit 2025 served as a powerful reminder: when women lead with purpose, they lead the way—for communities, industries, and generations to come.
Empowered. Unstoppable. United.
Rezza Mhay Javier Maaño
"I was scared to say yes. But I did it anyway, because dreams don’t wait for perfect timing. And this is a reminder that leadership begins with courage, not certainty.”
Rezza Mhay Javier Maaño took the stage for her first-ever inspirational talk — an opportunity she initially hesitated to accept, but ultimately embraced with her signature “do it anyway” spirit. With confidence and heart, she shared her journey of stepping out of her comfort zone and urged others, especially the youth, to pursue their dreams relentlessly. Rezza’s message was clear: having a dream is not enough—you must believe in yourself and have the fighting spirit to chase it, no matter the odds.
Passionate about hosting and acting, Rezza draws strength from her voice and refuses to settle for mediocrity. A Magna Cum Laude Psychology graduate, voice artist, orator, actress, and leader, she lives out her belief that “okay na ito” will never be enough. Her story is a testament to the power of courage, authenticity, and purpose-driven action.
Charmaine Amoloza Odong
"When women take the lead in media, we don't just tell stories. We shape society’s understanding of truth, equity, and empowerment."
Charmaine Amoloza Odong, Media Production Specialist at PIA Calabarzon, highlighted how women in media are now empowered to shape narratives and influence public perception—especially in today’s digital age. She emphasized the importance of responsible storytelling and representation, noting how women communicators can lead conversations that inspire change and foster inclusivity. Her talk is a bold reflection of how women's leadership in media drives transformative narratives and champions inclusive representation.
Drawing from her rich experience across entertainment and public service broadcasting, Charmaine exemplifies how women in media can be both powerful storytellers and agents of transformation. Her message reflects her commitment to delivering truth, promoting gender equality, and using media as a tool to uplift communities and challenge outdated norms.
Elenor Mansion Jetomo
"When women lead with passion and purpose, healthcare becomes more than a service—it becomes a healing force for the entire community."
Nurse Elenor Mansion Jetomo shared her inspiring journey through the healthcare field, spotlighting her leadership during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as head of the Health Navigation and Referral Unit (Refer Quezon). She empowered the audience by revealing how purpose-driven leadership and compassion can drive consistency, effectiveness, and resilience in public health service.
Elenor also introduced the services of Refer Quezon, encouraging women to utilize available resources to improve community health. Her talk served as a reminder that when women lead with purpose and heart, they don’t just manage systems—they heal communities and elevate lives.
Siningning Aly Reynales
"Even the smallest voice, when rooted in faith and purpose, can echo loudly enough to move hearts, build culture, and lead generations."
Siningning Aly Reynales delivered a heartfelt message titled “The Power of Small Words/Voice Become a Loud Success.” Drawing from her personal and artistic journey, she emphasized how gratitude, visualization, and affirmations—no matter how small—can create ripples of transformation in one’s life. She encouraged the audience to release limiting beliefs, trust in divine timing, and take inspired action toward their dreams, reinforcing that greatness begins with humble steps and faithful hearts.
Her insights reflect her identity as a spiritual, award-winning artist and community leader whose voice uplifts others through visual art and advocacy. She reminded everyone that words and thoughts, when aligned with purpose and courage, can become powerful forces for change—not just in art, but in life.
Von Aldrin Quintillano
"We cannot support others if we don’t know ourselves. Real change begins with self-love, then extends outward to uplift every gender, every voice."
Von Aldrin Quintillano delivered a powerful and inclusive message on the importance of support systems for women, emphasizing that gender inclusivity means men must also take an active role in empowering women. Drawing from pop culture references like the Barbie movie’s “you can be anything” message, he championed self-worth, authenticity, and collective advocacy.
He also addressed the alarming rise in HIV cases in the Philippines, particularly among the youth, urging the audience to practice responsibility, awareness, and compassion. Von concluded with a profound reminder: true advocacy begins with knowing and loving oneself—because we cannot fully support others without first understanding and caring for ourselves.
Hon. Marife Veluz Hari
"Just as a phone needs a manual, our lives need the Bible. Because true leadership begins with wholehearted trust in the Lord."
Hon. Marife Veluz Hari drew a heartfelt comparison between a cellphone manual and life’s true guide—the Bible. She emphasized the importance of anchoring one’s life in scripture, sharing that just as gadgets need instructions, our lives need God’s word to stay on the right path. She reminded the audience that whatever we do, it must be done wholeheartedly and with faith.
Quoting Proverbs 3:5–6, she highlighted the need to trust in the Lord completely and not rely solely on our understanding. Her talk reflected her journey as a faith-driven leader, blending public service with spiritual conviction, living out her personal and political motto: “Love and Serve.”
Mayne Herrera Delmo
“We cannot give what we do not have. So as women, we must grow through uncertainty to lead with passion, uplift others, and inspire with grace.”
Mayne Herrera Delmo shared her powerful journey of personal growth and entrepreneurship—from leaving the security of her office job to building multiple beauty businesses, all while embracing the challenges of motherhood. She emphasized that personal development is the foundation of leadership, reminding everyone that “we cannot give what we do not have.” As natural nurturers, women must invest in their own growth to truly empower others.
Drawing wisdom from her experience and the inspiring women around her, Mayne urged the audience to keep going and keep growing, because success in business and in life begins with showing up for yourself first.
Atty. Hanna Desembrana
"Resilience is a woman’s power. And when we challenge the status quo, we don’t just break barriers, we build the path for others to rise."
Atty. Hanna Desembrana delivered a compelling talk centered on hard work, resilience, and the evolving role of women in law and leadership. She reflected on her own journey in the legal profession—one marked by persistence in a field where women have long been overlooked. Drawing inspiration from trailblazers like the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and former Vice President Leni Robredo, she emphasized that despite the odds, women continue to rise and lead with integrity and strength.
Her story is not just about professional achievement, but about challenging the status quo and paving the way for others. Atty. Hanna’s message made it clear: leadership is earned through grit and fueled by the courage to stand tall in systems that weren’t built for you—but are being changed because of you.
Nica Valdeavilla-Velarde
"You don’t have to pretend to succeed— because in digital marketing and in life, authenticity is your most powerful brand."
Nica Valdeavilla-Velarde shared her inspiring journey from content writer to award-winning digital marketing strategist, showing how authenticity and consistency are key to building a personal brand that converts. She emphasized that in digital marketing, you don’t need to pretend to be someone else—being yourself is your greatest asset. She encouraged women to explore various paths within the industry, focus on adding value, and embrace the power of repetition to build recognition. She shared a powerful reminder that true leadership isn't about perfection or pretense, but about showing up consistently, with honesty, purpose, and the courage to be yourself. Authentic leaders inspire trust, build real connections, and pave the way for others to rise with confidence.
Recognized as one of LinkedIn Philippines’ Top 100 Most Influential Filipino Women, Nica’s story is a testament to how women can turn influence into income while staying true to who they are—balancing ambition with motherhood, and strategy with sincerity.
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