Empowered Women: Stories of Modern Filipinas on Roads Less Travelled

What does Women’s Month mean to you?

For one, it’s a celebration but while champagne toasts, greetings, and retail discounts are great—Women’s Month is not just a celebration. It shouldn’t just be a mere afterthought, a number in the calendar that helps people decide to celebrate the women in their lives. Much like mothers and fathers shouldn’t just be celebrated during their “days,” or we remember to practice our religion during the holidays, March as Women’s Month is not — or should not be — just a festivity.

It’s proof of decades of advocacy, of a long line of women all around the world who dared to challenge traditional social expectations and fought for their rights. Because of their sacrifice and grit, women nowadays have options.

While women can choose to be homemakers (or as the TikTok trend calls it, ‘a tradwife’), they also have the agency to define what kind of women they want to be. For all forms a woman can take and ways they can be, there is no single answer to the question: “What does it mean to be a woman?”

This March, The Beat Asia features four extraordinary Filipinas who’ve taken their lives by the reins and forged their unique paths — a National Geographic Explorer slash archaeologist, an artist-entrepreneur, a modern women seafarer, and a multi-hyphenate content creator.

Their stories of resilience, independence, and creativity teach us about the fulfillment in choosing the road less travelled, the empowerment in refusing to be boxed by expectations, and the joy in finding passions that positively impact their communities.

Llenel de Castro: Archaeologist and Science Communicator

"I don't like digging."

This is what Llenel "Ellie" de Castro says about her work as an archaeologist. It seems a strange pronouncement to make, especially as most would equate her specialty to the act of digging — we’ve all watched Indiana Jones, right? But de Castro confesses, it’s one of those things about the discipline that gives her “no joy.”

"[What] I actually really like doing is finding ways to bring whatever [information] we have in archaeology and use it to get kids more excited about their own places," she adds.

As a lover of stories, she appreciates the narratives that follow after an artifact or item is dug and finding meaning in the telling thereof.

"You get to connect it with everything else that happened. So, when you get to tell a story about something and somebody can connect to it, to the present, then that's when it's nice for me."

De Castro has always loved history and the social sciences ever since she was a child, but as a graduate of Philippine Science High School, she was mandated by law to major in the pure and applied sciences, engineering, or mathematics.

She was accepted into the accelerated Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) program of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine, which shortens the entire medical education by two years. Deep inside, however, she knew that being a medical doctor was not for her.

"I did INTARMED for four years and hated it every day. It was awful and then kasama pa dun 'yung na-guilty ka kasi (there was the guilt), 'Oh that slot could've been somebody else's slot.' I'm so sorry, it's really not me, so I quit after the fourth year,” de Castro reveals.

Upon leaving the INTARMED program, de Castro applied to the master's degree program in archaeology at UP Diliman – and she's been forging her own path since then. Her passions lie at the intersection of archaeology, heritage education, and community building, her journey marked by excavations and heritage projects in the Dewil Valley in El Nido, Palawan; Kiangan, Ifugao; and Olongapo, Zambales.

The Dewil Valley Community Museum and Ecotourism plan, her project as a National Geographic (Nat Geo) Young Explorer, was formed when she joined the Palawan Island Paleohistory Research Project in 2015 as a master's student. At the time, de Castro wanted to know what the locals thought of their work as archaeologists after watching them excavate in the community for more than 20 years.

De Castro says the museum, which is alongside the limestone Ille Cave where the archaeologists have been excavating, serves as a long-term project to ensure that the youth in the community will always have access to all the information they may need about the archaeological site.

"They already like Ille as a physical space, they cut classes to go there, it's already turning into a park, but we just wanted to make sure [that] the 'science-y' stuff ay nakikita rin nila (is also accessible to them)," she shares. "Wala ngang equipment 'yung school para mag-experiment eh (their school doesn't even have equipment for experiments), but here it is. You don't need to go far."

Another project, Handi, is a cultural heritage education program that brings Ifugao students in Kiangan on field trips to the Ifugao Museum, Peace Museum, and World War II shrine. The tour guides, who belong to the Ifugao community themselves, lead their kids throughout the tour, sharing stories about their own heritage and history.

Finding Nellie, her latest heritage project funded by Nat Geo, is one that's close to home. It was a mystery that began in her father's elementary school, the Nellie E. Brown Elementary School, in Olongapo. A single question –— "Who is Nellie E. Brown?" —– has since grown arms and legs and taken entire communities to solve. “Finding Nellie” has compelled not just de Castro and the locals of Olongapo but also students, librarians, archivists, and scholars from the United States (US) to investigate the identity of Nellie and their historical significance.

As a science communicator, de Castro recognizes the responsibility that comes in democratizing knowledge and sharing it with the public —– something she hopes they can achieve with “Finding Nellie.” It takes a village to learn about one’s own history, and the project is evidence of this.

“Hopefully [Finding Nellie] helps a bit [in] sort of giving access to people to information that is within, na nasa kanila din naman (that is already with them). Hindi mo lang alam na nasa iyo (you just didn't know you had it),” she shares.

When asked about a strong female figure she had growing up, de Castro did not have to look far. Being the daughter of professors, she practically grew up on the UP campus where she'd often stay in her dad's office. But it is her mother, whom she rarely mentions, that she shares she's most alike. Her mom never stopped working as a professor even while raising her, and it was a reality that de Castro thought was always normal: for a woman to be a mother and a wife, and have a thriving career, and other things going for her.

"'Yung persistence ko nanggagaling sa kaniya (my persistence comes from her). I think that trait actually comes from my mother, but she's never talked about," she admits. "She was naturally a strong figure, but then, [since] it was natural, I didn't notice it."

As de Castro continues to embark on this path she's created for herself, she is anchored by her positionality as an archaeologist and science communicator, but also as a community member, daughter, and friend. Her goal? To use archaeology as a tool to get more communities to be excited about their history and homes.

"You always think, archaeology, [it's in] Egypt. We always think nothing ever happens here but maybe if you look through a different lens [you'll] see, 'Ah okay, something is happening here,’” she said. “And maybe archaeology can contribute to that, as well as all the other sciences, right? You just need to find that lens for you to make a place worthwhile."

Christine Ariadne Reyes: Modern Woman Mariner

The maritime industry is one of the male-dominated fields with a disproportionately low number of women in its workforce. This case has been running long to this day due to gender bias, stereotypes, and fear of physical harassment, violence, or verbal abuse.

Fortunately, as the world evolves, more women are encouraged to break these barriers and come aboard this competitive career path. Notably, there are over 70,000 women seafarers, or nearly 10% of approximately one million Filipino seafarers with Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book recorded by Marina in 2018.

Among these women who are courageously developing their careers in the maritime industry is Christine Ariadne Reyes from Taguig City, who has been navigating the vast seas for more than a year now.

Witnessing her father, a Navy skipper, commanding a vessel alongside his crew ignited her passion to become a seafarer. On top of this, Reyes also loves to travel the world, meet new people, and explore diverse cultures, all part and parcel of the seafaring ways.

When she reflected on her daily life as a mariner, Reyes highlighted its dynamic nature, as the ocean brings forth new challenges and responsibilities each day.

“As an overview, a seaman’s day can change immensely from port to port due to different situations faced throughout the voyage and the different requirements of that day. Therefore, an officer may struggle to have a set routine. At sea, a list of my duties includes maintaining ship areas, making sure that lifesaving equipment is available and functioning, performing necessary repairs, navigation or driving the ship, mooring and anchoring, and handling various port operations,” Reyes shares.

Navigating through turbulent waters and safely maneuvering a vessel into port is what she’s most thankful for every day, as these challenges strengthen her bond with fellow crew members. However, during extended voyages, she admits that a common challenge in their work is when they long for connections with loved ones left at home.

As the sole woman on their ship, Reyes admits that she feels the weight of expectations to prove her capabilities and expertise, as well as to gain acceptance and respect within a male-dominated crew.

“[But] the key is to focus on your own success and growth, rather than trying to validate yourself through the perceptions or opinions of others. By demonstrating your value and competence consistently, you can challenge stereotypes and biases, and earn the respect and recognition you deserve.”

Having spent considerable time working in the maritime industry, Reyes believes that it is essential to have a supportive professional culture for everyone, regardless of gender. She advocates for a workplace where discrimination and harassment have no place, and women are consistently valued and respected. She also aspires for shipping companies to ensure that all genders have equal opportunities for employment and advancement in the industry, fostering a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

For everyone who dreams of a successful seafaring career, Reyes highlighted the reality of life that the journey to success isn’t always rainbows and butterflies.

“Most of the time, it is made up of long, hard, boring, and repetitive days. Just keep going and without you even knowing it, you're already there.  You [must] strive for excellence because if you work hard, take responsibility, and never settle for the status quo, you can have just about everything."

Apart from her father, Reyes also looks up to Captain Maria Kristina B. Javellana, heralded as the Philippines’ first female master mariner. As her fellow alumna at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Reyes was amazed by Javellana’s trailblazing spirit and for inspiring many women with her achievements in the industry.

“I think we all hope for a society where women are truly seen and treated as equal, with the same opportunities, rights, and respect as men,” she said. “Hence, we must also do our part in promoting a culture of respect and equality.”

Marz Aglipay: Artist and Entrepreneur

Flooded by a sea of stamps swimming in her room, artist-entrepreneur Marz Aglipay began pondering how to make space for other stuff.

Her fascination with stamps began around 2013 when she started attending art workshops to keep her skills sharp. Around this period, she was also about to start a job at an art publication. Being involved with all kinds of artists for her work as an art journalist then, she dared to imagine if she could also make being a full-time artist a reality for herself.

Despite learning different disciplines, such as paper cutting and bookbinding, she ultimately found joy in stamp making through a breakthrough discovery in the book “Print Workshop” by Christine Schmidt — that she can make stamps from erasers.

And so, the dilemma began: she had more stamps than she could handle. However, Aglipay turned this around by trying to sell her stamps, which eventually led her to establish Marz Today.

Aglipay has come a long way since then. From offering her stamps to peers, she started bringing her works to pop-up art markets. With an eye for the arts and ears keen on listening to the art community’s needs, Marz Today was able to gain attention and support that allowed her to later expand to other products, including washi tapes.

Her achievements, however, did not come without challenges. Selling analog products like stamps and tapes, she wondered if her creations were still relevant in a highly technological world. Thankfully, there’s something only handmade stamps can offer.

“When people see the difference [between] using a handmade stamp as opposed to something, say, for example, digitally printed stamps, mapapansin din nu’ng gumagamit na iba ‘yung quality nung print (they notice that the quality of the print is different),” she stresses.

To further show the advantages of handmade stamps and build interest in them, she used social media to educate people on their value and uses. While business and entrepreneurship have always been a man’s world, as stated in an article published in a business journal from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Marz Today has found the sweet spot for her brand.

Her market primarily comprises women and her niche industry of stamp making is also brimming with women, allowing her to leverage her feminine side to push her art and brand forward.

“If you already know what you want to sell to women, better than men, I think that’s something women can leverage on,” she explains.

But Marz Today goes beyond catering to women. According to Aglipay, she also makes sure to design stamp-making workshops for everyone, even young boys with a budding passion for the craft.

Just like how Aglipay began building her brand out of passion and joy, the artist-entrepreneur hopes that others would also give themselves a chance to follow their dreams.

“I think, the world is so much better with people doing happy work. If you feel like you’d rather be working on your business and it’s more rewarding than your current work, [then] I guess [that’s] the sign for you to start working on your dreams,” she shares.

“I’m aware I’m speaking from a place of privilege, but it doesn’t have to be now. I want people to take control of their dreams, make those tiny steps into realizing that dream.”

Ulya Nikita: Content Creator and Multi-Faceted Mama

Parenting is a lifetime commitment, a never-ending process of learning, and a priceless experience. Beyond cute giggles and adorable cooing moments, raising a child is a massive responsibility, not to mention the stigma that single parents continue to face.

A study conducted by Single Parents Right, a UK-based organization dedicated to advocating for single parents’ welfare, revealed that 96% of single parents still face discrimination, seeing them as incomplete individuals just because they don’t have a partner.

Single parenthood often correlates with one's social standing — income, educational level, and job status. As inflation continues to drive up the cost of essentials and job security remains unequal, the Philippine government seeks a solution by extending help to more than 14 million single parents in the country with the Expanded Solo Parents Bill. Under Senate Bill No. 1411, solo parents and elderly grandparents with sole parental responsibility are entitled to financial assistance, cash subsidies, and other benefits.

Despite these challenges, being a single parent can be rewarding in many ways. Just like Ulya Nikita Hagedorn, a content creator and single mother from Palawan, she embodies the resilience of every single mom in raising her five-year-old son Mako.

“Being a mom or a single mom are just sub-categories of what makes me. I’m a daughter too. I’m a singer. I’m a creator. I’m an artist. I hold no titles,” she underscores.

Though Hagedorn admitted that parenting is not a walk in the park, she takes every single day as a chance to learn and experience life.

“Sometimes [my son] does not take me seriously, no matter how stern or upset I try to show him. [In] times like these, I recognize that if I had a partner to share the struggle with, I can sort of like tap out. It takes two [to do parenting]. It really does,” she adds.

Despite everyone telling her to savor the moment of having a newborn, Hagedorn highly anticipates the moment when she can converse with Mako like a grownup, and right now, she absolutely loves having normal conversations with her son.

“The most rewarding part is finding little bits of your favorite parts of yourself in him and experiencing [ordinary] things that are new to him. It is like seeing the world with a new set of eyes; I think it’s one of the most beautiful things in this world to see.”

Raising a child is about having a limitless amount of energy and patience as they explore the world with endless questions. This realization hit Hagedorn as she also discovers creative ways to help her little one understand everything around them. As a TikTok content creator with over 300,000 followers, she is widely known as “Mama ni Mako.” She also emphasized, however, that her utmost priority is her child’s safety above all, by letting him join her videos whenever he’s comfortable doing so.

In the interview, Hagedorn revealed that she finds it challenging to balance her role as a solo parent with her personal aspirations.

“I am glad he is at an age where we can finally converse together and ask each other questions, so even though I’m working on something and he’s on his device, it’s still a bonding moment for us. I am thankful I am in the line of business where I can be with my son all the time.”

Moreover, Hagedorn learned that it is crucial for mothers to keep a "piece of yourself, especially for single moms who are thinking of dating again, because it’s [always] up to you to pull yourself up.”

“If we’re going to be realistic and finding someone is a non-negotiable for you, spend time building yourself first until you are so great again that you may find someone equally as great as you,” she adds.

Her content serves as an eye-opener to people and for single mothers, a gentle hand on their shoulder that lets them know: they are not alone.

“Please know this journey isn’t something someone out there has figured out. We are all figuring this out day by day. But as long as I’m trying every day, and always practicing seeing myself from a different perspective, then I’m perfect [in my own way] because I’m growing. Never stop growing,” Hagedorn ends.