On March 22, Insular Life (InLife) marked the third anniversary of its women empowerment initiative, InLife Sheroes, by encouraging Filipino women to be trailblazing masterpieces in their own right. InLife Sheroes’ 3rd Anniversary celebration, dubbed Obra Maestra, strives to establish a nation of masterpieces comprised of trailblazing women from many sectors of society who generate meaning and purpose for others. They are ladies who have made a difference in the lives of others via modest acts of Sheroism. A Nation of Sheroes is made up of these female masterpieces who have paved the route in unique ways.
“Today we celebrate the third year since we launched our ambitious program, the InLife Sheroes, with the goal of helping women to be financially independent, to live healthier, wealthier and meaningful lives. Our target was to reach out to 1 million people in three years. We reached not just 1 or 2 or 3 million, but 7.6 million lives,” said InLife Executive Chairperson Nina D. Aguas in her opening remarks.
“We at InLife and InLife Sheroes will always strive to do good and bring out the good in people through our advocacies. This year and onwards, we see InLife Sheroes as a movement that will flow, and grow even bigger and wider,” she further said.
Empowered Women
Two Filipino women who have shown that they can make a difference in the world shared their experience and insights during the event.
Lorelie Quiambao Osial, the first Filipina to be named President and CEO of Pilipinas Shell and Country Chair of Shell Companies in the Philippines, is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, and digital transformation. She spoke about gender and corporate leadership.
She discussed how, in her line of work, leadership is truly genderless. She talked about her journey and accomplishment as a woman leader in an industry that is often controlled by men, which she attributes to her distinctiveness and multidimensionality—having many facets and wearing numerous hats throughout her life. Her style of leadership is transformational, in which leaders encourage and drive employees to innovate and make changes that will help the company thrive and define the future.
Ana Patricia Non, who founded the Maginhawa Community Pantry that sparked the spirit of volunteerism among Filipinos during the pandemic, spoke about how her love for herself made her realize she has so much more to give to her community. She was the Grand Winner of the 2021 Asia CEO InLife Young Shero of the Year Award.
The Award aims to honor young Filipino women aged 40 and below who have achieved recognizable success in overseeing organizations that advance the country’s economic or social standing in the eyes of the world. Among the young women who make up the first batch of the InLife Young Shero of the Year Circle of Excellence are: Malou Perez of Pawssion Project, Maureen Ledesma of Vesl, Charlene Tan of All Vision Solar, Anya Lim of Anthill Fabric Gallery, Nina Opida of Humble Sustainability, Karen Jane Salutan of Pinoy Indie Films Roadshow, Therese Clarence Ruiz of Rags2Riches, Ray Alyannah Ysabel Lagasca of Youth for Mental Health, Jenica Dizon of Waves for Water Philippines, and Atty. Therese Guiao of Parabukas.
“Para sa mga kababaihan, nasa atin na ang pagmamahal, pagaaruga, lakas at talino. Nasa atin ang mga bagay para simulan ang mga pangarap natin. Dapat ang pangarap natin hindi lang para sa sarili kundi para sa community, (As women, we possess love, care, strength, and intelligence. These things will help us in fulfilling our dreams. We should not only dream for ourselves but our community as well),” Ms. Non said in her speech.
She reminded women that handing out food and things isn’t required, but that they may help by sharing their knowledge and skills to better the lives of others.
“Kung ano yung skill sa pinili nating larangan…pwede tayong magturo, pwede tayong magvolunteer,” Ms. Non wrote in her message. Iba-iba ang paraan sa pagtulong, and tayo din maubusan ng creativity. (Whatever our area of expertise is, we can teach, volunteer, or help in other ways; there are many ways to help, and we will never run out of innovative approaches to do so.)”
A Nation of Sheroes
To encourage more women to participate in creating and multiplying random acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, and make life a little better for those who need help, InLife Sheroes launched the Nation of Sheroes. InLife volunteers recently went to three areas and volunteered their services in Baguio, Muntinlupa and Davao Cities.
In Baguio, InLife volunteers packed and transported vegetables that they donated to the Maginhawa Community Pantry. This was done in coordination with Cordillera Landing On You, a group that helps Baguio farmers bring and sell their produce directly to consumers in Manila. In Muntinlupa City, volunteers helped pack art materials and hygiene kits for the wards of Elsie Gaches Village, a facility that provides care and rehabilitation for children and adults with developmental disabilities. In Davao, volunteers brought food and hygiene kits for the pediatric cancer patients of the Southern Philippines Medical Center who are temporarily sheltered at the House of Hope.
How InLife Sheroes Started
InLife Sheroes arose from the company’s desire to honor and empower women as pillars of strength. The campaign was started in 2019 in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank member.
Financial literacy, health and wellness, women-specific solutions, and access to social and professional networks are the four pillars of the campaign. Women from various walks of life have come together as part of the campaign to learn more about how to better manage their health, finances, and overall well-being.
Visit www.inlifesheroes.com to learn more about InLife Sheroes.
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