Sentinel Times stages 3rd Women’s Summit, centers voices redefining womanhood

By Nimfa L. Estrellado Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) students, together with teachers and guest participants, engage speakers during ...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) students, together with teachers and guest participants, engage speakers during the Women’s Summit 2026, as Nimfa L. Estrellado, organizer of the Women’s Summit 2026 and owner of Sentinel Times, leads discussions with Dra. Honey Alvarez, Graciellah Tori Tolentino, Mercy O. Desaluna, Mhae Villasín, May Escarieses Himor, and Haidee D. Papa on leadership, resilience, and inclusive growth. (Sentinel Times)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Who gets to be called a woman today, and who decides when definitions are no longer fixed but contested, politicized, and constantly rewritten? Is society truly redefining womanhood, or quietly enforcing new boundaries that determine who is recognized and who is excluded?

Sentinel Times underscored women’s empowerment and leadership during its 3rd Women’s Summit, “Her Story. Her Voice. Her Power.”, held March 23 at the Pacific Mall Lucena Activity Center. The event gathered participants from across the province for discussions on women’s rights, health, and leadership.



The summit, conducted in partnership with the Quezon Provincial Gender and Development (PGAD) Office and the Quezon Provincial Health Office (PHO), formed part of the broader observance of National Women’s Month. Beyond celebration, the discussions surfaced deeper tensions on who defines womanhood and how those definitions shape access to opportunities, rights, and recognition.

At the Women’s Summit 2026, those questions moved beyond theory into real-life experiences shaped by identity, personal stories, and social expectations influencing how people are seen and accepted. Raised by Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) students, they reflected participants engaging not as observers, but as active voices on issues affecting representation and inclusion.



Their exchanges during panel sessions pressed speakers on issues of inclusion, identity, and representation across sectors such as media, health, and governance. These questions revealed not only a shift in perspective, but a growing refusal to accept inherited definitions without challenge.

In his welcome message, Von Aldrin Quintillano honored the women whose strength and contributions continue to shape communities. He emphasized that empowerment must extend beyond symbolic recognition and translate into sustained and measurable action.

“This month reminds us not only to celebrate the achievements of women, but to continue ensuring that women are respected, protected, and empowered in every space,” Quintillano said.

Arlene Aurin-Aliento, SPJ coordinator of Quezon National High School, affirmed support for the initiative and highlighted the role of media in shaping public understanding. She noted that storytelling does not merely reflect reality, but actively influences how society defines identity, inclusion, and belonging.

“Hindi lamang tagamasid ang media—ito ay katuwang sa pagpapalakas ng boses ng bawat babae. Ito ay sandigan sa paglalahad ng katotohanan at puwersa sa pagbibigay-lakas sa mga kwentong may kakayahang magbago ng pananaw at lipunan,” she said.

Julie Cox, Eloisa Markel Briones, and Atty. Cryzal Lyn B. Guese-Rosales discussed women’s health, legal awareness, and personal development across different situations. They emphasized prevention, early detection, and informed choices as essential to long-term well-being and autonomy.

Maria Jennifer Babat, a tourism and culture advocate, and Marlene Ayen Galit, an artist, highlighted the role of culture and creative expression in shaping identity and community. They emphasized that cultural and artistic platforms do not only preserve stories, but also challenge dominant narratives and expand representation.

Aira Mae Davila, Community Affairs Officer II of the Quezon PGAD Office, highlighted empowering communities through inclusive and gender-responsive initiatives. Dr. Lorelie G. Salonga, Chief of the Health Services Delivery Division and Obstetrician-Gynecologist of the Quezon PHO, led discussions on breast cancer awareness and proper breast self-examination (BSE), emphasizing early detection for effective treatment.

Dra. Honey Alvarez, a medical professional, Graciellah Tori Tolentino, a youth and sports advocate, and Mercy O. Desaluna, a sports leader, shared insights on personal development, youth empowerment, and sports across different stages of growth. They noted that women’s emotional strength, often dismissed as weakness, is increasingly recognized as a defining element of leadership and resilience.

Mhae Villasín, May Escarieses Himor, and Haidee D. Papa, entrepreneurs and advocates for financial literacy, discussed leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial education in building sustainable careers. They emphasized that empathy, adaptability, and vision are not secondary traits, but central to redefining leadership itself.

Estrellado, organizer of the Women’s Summit 2026 and owner of Sentinel Times, emphasized the importance of voice and purpose in journalism and community engagement. She highlighted that storytelling carries responsibility, especially when it shapes who is heard, who is believed, and who is left out.

“Ang journalism ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagsusulat. Ito ay tungkol sa katotohanan, pananagutan, at pagbibigay ng boses sa mga taong kailangang marinig. Ito ay paninindigan na gamitin ang salita upang magmulat, magbigay-lakas, at magdala ng tunay na pagbabago.”

She emphasized that individual voices can influence broader change and public awareness. She noted that when women speak, they do not only tell stories—they shift possibilities.

“Kapag ang isang babae ay nagsalita, hindi lamang niya binabago ang kanyang buhay—binabago niya rin ang posibilidad para sa ibang kababaihan. Sa bawat kwentong ibinabahagi, may nabubuksang landas para sa mas maraming boses na marinig at mas maraming pagbabago na mangyari.”

The Women’s Summit 2026 reaffirmed the importance of community-driven platforms in advancing conversations on empowerment and inclusion. It also revealed that these conversations remain unsettled, shaped by competing claims over identity, recognition, and belonging.

It did not resolve the question but sharpened it through dialogue and lived experiences shared during the event. It made clear that defining womanhood is no longer a neutral act, but one that carries social, cultural, and institutional consequences.

In the end, the summit did not offer a single answer—and perhaps that was the point. If womanhood is still being defined, then the real issue is no longer who fits the definition, but who holds the power to define it—and who is left out in the process.