Panel Discussion Topics

Anna Coren asked a range of questions covering the following topics:
– how hard is it for women to succeed in business in your country?
– please share a story of the challenges/obstacles you have faced and how you overcame them?
– what are the benefits of a female CEO compared to a male CEO?
– how has the #MeToo movement affected the lives of women in your country?
– how important has education been in your rise to the top?
–gender equality
– many of you have been educated overseas; what lessons & skills have you brought back to your country?
– majority of ASEAN countries are still in the lower/ middle-income trap; what do you believe your country needs to do to break this cycle?
– how has the US/China trade war affected business; is there an opportunity for ASEAN countries to benefit in the current climate?
– how has technology impacted your business?
– what is your greatest success and how did you achieve it?
– many of you are mothers; how do you achieve a work/life balance? What secrets can you share?
– for young women graduating from school/ university this year … what advice would you give to them?

I wanted to answer some of the questions but others were called instead. I raised my hand at least twice but Anna called someone else. I thought she wouldn’t call me anymore so my mind started drifting. I was distracted by the spotlights trained on us. I was making usyoso how big the cameras were. Ang the huge timer in front of us. I stopped paying attention to the discussion when suddenly I heard Anna calling me. It was like “huh?” I said “I don’t know. I don’t know.” Eh kasi naman I had been waiting for her to call me. All her questions were very relevant to my life and I would love to answer them all “impromptu”. I think she asked what motivates me or what keeps me going. I said I don’t know, I don’t know. I took my time to answer while they were all waiting in bated breath. The audience, my co-speakers, Anna, and the cameramen, were all quietly waiting for me to say something.

I wanted to share the advice I gave to my daughter when she was still in college. I also raised my hand twice because I wanted to share my views but the others were called instead. I no longer remember what the topic was about.

The giant timer went 00:00.

A Q&A followed. Several questions came from the audience. One was about gender equality. Anna Coren called someone to answer the question.
After her, sumingit ako, I added my own views to the subject matter.

I am so forgetful. I no longer recall what I had said. I’ll tell you when it comes back to me.

After the self-introductions, I immediately got a text from the coffee guru and princess, Pacita Juan. She and my colleagues from the WBCP were so supportive.

After the panel discussions, several women approached me and said that in the two days summit, they would remember what I said the most. It was unrehearsed, candid, and sincere. Anna Coren also complimented me. I forgot na her exact words. She thanked me and she said my answers were sincere and came from the heart.
Two women told me I was so composed and relaxed. Nay ko po. If they only knew, I peed at least a dozen times that morning. I was so worried they would ask me about digitalization and technical revolution. I know nothing about tech-techs.

All the speakers were given an envelope bag as token of appreciation from the organizer.

Anna Coren towered over us. My eye level was her super white and perfect teeth.