I rearranged my schedule just so I could attend the luncheon meeting of the officers of Philippine Women’s Business Council or WomenBiz on December 23 at the Grace Park restaurant on the ground floor of One Rockwell.
I was half hour late. They were done with the appetizer when I arrived. Boots Garcia said “hindi ka nagco-confirm”. Up to the last minute, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to attend. After I was able to clear my sched, I had some dramatic morning and my eyes became red, sore and puffy from crying. I thought I shouldn’t attend the meeting with red and puffy eyes. But after a few minutes, hindi na halata.
Russel (our secretariat), Mylene Abiva (president of Felta Multimedia), Chiqui Escareal-Go (president of Mansmith & Fielders),
Chef Margarita Araneta Fores (Owner of many restaurants, cousin of Mar Roxas), Boots Garcia (Chairperson of BCDA), Chit Juan (president of EchoStore), me,
Seated: Myren, Myrna Tang Yao (owner of Richewell Trading Corporation), Jeannie Javellosa (Echostore and Great Women Project), Sabsy Palanca (one of the founders of Philippine Business Council of the Philippines).
Gaita Fores was complaining about people saying nasty things on social media about restaurants. She said that’s unfair. That’s really unfair. Kaya dapat let’s be more considerate in criticizing restaurants and other businesses. Let’s keep in mind na lahat tayo, pare-pareho lang naghahanapbuhay sa mabuting paraan. Let’s be more forgiving.
There’s a suggestion to launch a women’s alliance. An alliance of women organizations focusing on business. There are many women groups in the country but the activities, motivations, focuses are different and varied. Some, abuse and exploitation of women and children, some on women trafficking, some on health, pregnancy, childbirth, some on livelihood or training programs, etc.
The proposed alliance would focus more on policy advocacy to influence government to come up with programs and reforms to empower women in business. This group aims to be the collective voice of women in business in our country. I hate using the word women empowerment because this is gasgas na. And I’ve always believed that we need not be empowered because we are already powerful. It’s just a matter of using this God given gift of strength and talent.
