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| Photo from Jyruz Hilbero |
Women have come a long way in their struggle against patriarchal systems in society. In the past, women were oftentimes not given equal opportunities as men. However, with progress, they have been able to overcome the restrictions of patriarchy, smashing through glass ceilings to make great strides in society and become significant influences to a great number of people. Nonetheless, as columnist Celine Cooper perfectly stated, “Women have come a long way, but there’s a long way to go.”
With that being said, UST-CASA Chronicle is capping off the celebration of Women’s Month 2023 by reaching out to several CASAns from different year levels and blocks to share their answers to the question, “Who is the most influential woman in your life and how does she impact you?” Here’s what they have to say:
Parpati Chelsea Derla from 1COM2: Parpati April Derla
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| Photo by Parpati Chelsea Derla |
My mother is without a doubt the lady who has had the largest impact on my life. She's not just my mother and the one who raised me, but as I've grown up and watched her, I can see that all she did was give all of herself and not be selfless. Being very understanding with us and taking care of the entire family, even if it meant she didn't have time for herself. She preferred to remain calm and disregard the negative comments she heard from others around her.
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| Photo from Parpati Chelsea Derla |
She even managed to smile and hide the troubles she is dealing with on her own. My mother is such a blessing because she knows how to handle her emotions and doesn't allow her rage to consume her. With that, I was able to adapt to some of her attitudes, which I frequently express, especially to my family. These attitudes vary from being strong to being compassionate. My mother and I share an unbreakable bond, and I am very privileged to have her as my mother. You are and will always be our brave and devoted superhero, and I love you so much, mama!
Lois Margaret Cayetano from 2COM1: Aurora Magno
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| Photo from Lois Margaret Cayetano |
I was practically raised by my lola. Since my mom took the responsibility to work and provide for us, my lola was the one left to take care of me and my younger brother. She taught me most of what I know about today-- the silly little things, why do I need to eat healthy food, what medicine should I take when I'm sick, and even how to sew which I have mostly forgotten about.
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| Photo from Lois Margaret Cayetano |
My lola (whom I call "Iya" because for some reasons I couldn't say "lola" when I was a kid) is my greatest confidant. She taught me how to be a woman, like her: full of love, wisdom, faith, and beauty inside and out.
Lilly Bianca Chen of 2COM1: Betty Chen
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| Photo from Lilly Bianca Chen |
As Bart Jackson named his book, “Behind Every Successful Woman is Herself.” If I were to put it, she has made her own name and provided for our family. My family was never one which had generational wealth, nor were we wealthy to begin with. My father used to be the sole breadwinner of our large extended family; unfortunately, he passed away early. From being childish and rebellious, she stood up and took the responsibility to go above and beyond to rebuild our family dynamic.
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| Photo from Lilly Bianca Chen |
This made me get attached to her more to the point that she got an irreplaceable space in my heart. Her transformation and dedication serve as a reminder for me that women are resilient, powerful, and limitless, given that we are beyond competent, qualified, and experienced. I want to take this time as well to send a short message to her if she is reading this. “You did well, achi! I hope the time comes that what you have invested bears fruit. You are my role model, and I hope one day I could repay all the good you did.” Thus, I am more than proud to introduce my one and only sister, Betty Chen.
Xavier Ignacio of 2COM2: Oprah Winfrey
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| Photo by Cyrene Molina |
"Everybody has a calling and your real job in life is to figure out as soon as possible what that is, who you were meant to be, and begin to honor that in the best way possible for yourself." Abiding by Oprah’s sentiments, I recall never going amiss in what is yet to come. In days worth of neglect, one must truly remember to navigate one's existence to a certainty that goes way beyond of their capabilities. Threading a path that leads your desires and passions into becoming a greater thought rather than a simple idea. Everyone has a calling, and we must abide by that.
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| Photo from Walt Disney Archives |
That alone resonates with why I considered Oprah Winfrey as my symbol of prime. I’ve seen her bridge uncertainties to certainties. Encapsulate a sense of prowess that leads to the leadership of humanistic ideals. Which is supported by compassion, ethics, inspiration, and justice–which are all deeply rooted in her life experiences. She may not be the greatest at reaching out to every living human to exist, but her heart’s ability to move people and serve as one's single match to ignite a fire of self-motivation makes her my most influential woman.
Marionne Raquedan of 2COM3: Cristina Raquedan
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| Photo from Marionne Raquedan |
A lot of women greatly influenced my life and helped me grow into the person I want to be. However, the woman who has the most impact on my life would still and always be my mom, Cristina Raquedan.
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| Photo from Marionne Raquedan |
Throughout the years, she provided me wisdom, guidance, and she gave me everything even if it meant leaving nothing for herself. I will always be grateful for my mom and everything she has done for me and I am proud to say I was raised by a strong woman. Ma, you deserve all the good things in the world. If there truly is a next life, I would still wish to be your daughter.
Jyruz Jaycel Hilbero of 2COM3: MAMAMOO
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| Photo by Raymond Pambuan |
For me, the most influential woman or rather group of women is the Korean idol group, MAMAMOO. Considering I discovered them during the not-so-pleasant times of my junior high school experience, their bubbly personalities and soothing music really helped me pull myself out of that dark rut I found myself trapped in back then. Many personal things happened then, but their music really gave me hope to stand up again and become a better version of who I was back then. As they say in one of their lead single, Wind Flower, “Like petals that will bloom again, get better day by day, get better day by day."
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| Photo from Rainbow Bridge World Ent. |
They impacted my life so much that I even did a presentation about them, their core beliefs, and the advocacies they stood for such as body positivity, female empowerment, non-gender conforming stances, awareness of social issues such as providing queer representation in one of their music videos and female genital mutilation, and many more. I vividly remember one time I was so proud for having their music be featured in a playlist Malala Yousafzai especially made in honor of International Women’s Day. Truly, one of the most important people that have influenced my life as life for me truly did get better.
Romayne Humiwat of 2COM1: May Humiwat
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| Photo from Romayne Humiwat |
I honestly don’t think I’m strong and independent enough. However, every time I look at my mom and seeing her continuously smile and still having so much love to give despite going through so much, I feel like I need to be more firm. But at the same time, she also cries and gets angry.
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| Photo from Romayne Humiwat |
She influenced me by making me realize that I can be strong while also learning to accept that I can be vulnerable. This deeply affected my growth and how I wanted to be as a person and how I wanted to be seen by others.
Jemina Rose Macasaet of 3COM4: Margarita Macasaet
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| Photo from Jemina Rose Macasaet |
As women suffer from a long line of history of oppression, we strive every day to better ourselves and to stand up for what is just and right. One must be equipped with a different kind of courage and strength in order to face what the world has to offer.
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| Photo from Jemina Rose Macasaet |
In my case, my mom serves as the number one support system who helps me realize my fullest potential. I wouldn't be half the woman I am today if it weren't for her unwavering love and patience. She proves that I was not just born to be an empowered woman, I am also raised to be one.
On behalf of UST-CASA Chronicle, we join everyone in capping off the celebration of Women's Month as we reflect upon the influential women in our lives—those who strived to break barriers and make impacts in society. As we conclude this article, we leave you with the same question, "who is the most influential woman in your life?"
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