STAR holds first Women Influence Community–Forum in Asia
Women Today: Innovators and Agents of the Future
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2018, the Philippines has closed about 80 percent of its overall gender gap, ranking eighth out of 149 countries and the first in Asia.
Thus, Filipino women can be considered role models and enablers in the unique niche of promoting gender parity. Realizing this opportunity is the successful run of The Philippine STAR’s first-ever international forum in partnership with the Women Influence Community based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Billed Women Today: Innovators and
Agents of the Future, the event gathered Filipino and foreign personalities and influencers, including five gentlemen, in six key panel discussions at the Manila Ballroom of Marriott Hotel Manila,
November 12.
STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte set the mood with warm welcome remarks, taking pride at bringing the Women Influence Community – Forum (WIC-F) to the Philippines and the entire Asian region for the very first time.
“It’s no surprise that a forum such as this is breaking ground in the Philippines, which has often been described as a matriarchal society and a model for the rest of the booming Asian region. Where other societies grapple with women having to break the glass ceiling in a ‘man’s world,’ in the Philippines, women have long established themselves as pillars of society,” he said.
WIC general director and World Communication Forum Association (WCFA) Davos president Yanina Dubeykovskaya inspired everyone with an opening address on Women’s
Authenticity and Influence.
She said, “We are trying to find grand ideas of influence in values, not in numbers, but in values that we should implement in the present and deliver to the future. We believe that women are very good at that.” Morning keynote speaker Anna Belova, member of the Global Future Council at WEF, spoke about the importance of interpersonal communication and
emotional intelligence — advantageous characteristics of women — in this post-industrial period.
She explained that new disruptive technologies, while making today’s lifestyle more efficient, are challenging the process of human communication. “The adoption of new technologies is a highly risky problem for the whole human kind. What is the problem with artificial intelligence? Who sets the ‘world norms’ inside the machine? How transparent will those decisions be?”
In the afternoon, keynote speaker Maria Yolanda Crisanto, chief sustainability officer and SVP for corporate communications at Globe Telecom, reiterated the six characteristics of women that will enable them to influence the future.
“There are six facets of being a woman — creator, muse, mother, entrepreneur, professional and citizen. All of them are very relevant today, especially when you’re taking a look at what the woman can do for society. This helps in weaving positive influence about the capabilities of a woman. Not everybody can do it, but a woman can.”
Crisanto promised informative and lively discussions for the rest of day. She didn’t disappoint.
The event saw enlightening panel discussions on six key topics: Woman as a Professional (Putting Passion and Professionalism in Workplaces), Woman as a Creator (Handcrafting Masterpieces with Love), Woman as a Citizen (Lighting Up the
Country and Communities), Woman as a Muse (Exuding Beauty and Brains that Inspire), Woman as an Entrepreneur (Leading Business and Creating a Difference), and Woman as a Mother (Rearing and Raising the Future Generation).
“We wanted to pursue the WIC-F as it is conducted globally. We wanted to initiate conversations about carefully crafting the women’s different roles in our ever-changing society,” said STAR EVP Lucien Dy Tioco.
“As newer technologies will continue to impact business, our economy and, most importantly our lives, it should continuously evolve to further positive influence and preserve human values by properly steering woman empowerment and influence.” The successful forum has inspired
STAR to further push boundaries and create more meaningful events in the coming years. The WIC-F 2019 was presented by
The Philippine STAR, Globe Telecom and Women Influence Community. The sponsors were: (Platinum) Insular Life; (Gold) Megaworld and Suntrust; (Silver) Entrego, Skin Magical, Meralco and PayMaya; and (Bronze) Maybank, Wilcon, Richprime, JRS Corp., Acai Organique,
Villar Sipag Foundation, I-Skin, FitFlop, Hedgren and Naturalizer. Partners included One News, BusinessWorld, Marriott Hotel Manila and Fiera De Manila. (From left) Lucien Dy Tioco, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, Sen. Grace Poe, Hands on Manila Foundation founder and president Gianna Montinola, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte-Alimurung, Yanina Dubeykovskaya, Yoly Crisanto and Miguel Belmonte