PUP CORE celebrates modern HERoines in Women’s Month 2025

Women’s stories of triumph are brought to the fore by the PUP Circle of Research Enthusiasts (PUP CORE) in “Lakbay HERoina: Ang HERstorya ng Kababaihan, Kapangyarihan, at Tagumpay,” a forum held on March 24 via Zoom Meeting and Facebook Live.

It featured two notable women in prominent fields, namely former representative Sarah Elago, first nominee of Gabriela Women’s Party, and Cherry Bayle, Operations Manager of known radio station True FM.

Elago, who was representative of the youth sector in the 17th and 18th Congress, shared that women have already come a long way in fighting for their rights. She also cited significant laws based on provisions under the constitution that protect and uplift women in different sectors.

These laws include the Magna Carta for Women that protects them from violence, abuse, and any form of discrimination especially in the workplace, grants them the right to participation and representation, and guarantees their civil, political, and economic rights.

She also affirms her commitment to pushing legislative measures that will make women and Filipinos realize their rights and ensure that these are for the best interest of the people, especially the marginalized sector.

Meanwhile, Bayle shared a different story about her life and success in the radio broadcasting industry. She recalled stories about her two mothers as she was adopted, and considered them as the heroines of her life. 

She shared how she started working as early as college while studying, emphasizing how life could be unpredictable for it does not always go according to plan, and encouraged audiences to always have their Plan Bs that are as strong as their first plans.

Being in a male-dominated field, Bayle also shared how women thrive in the industry, despite the challenges and norms. She also remembered women who made a significant mark in radio, as they are working to make a place for every woman.

Elago and Bayle both left inspiration and urged the participants to continue fighting and to celebrate women every day, not only in the month of March.

“I'm very hopeful that through the sharing and learning from this event, we can collectively commit to advancing women's and people of diverse SOGIESC’s rights, not just on Women's Month. Not just today, but every single day,” Elago said.

“So I toast all of our women na hindi natakot to break out of the mold and you should too. Not only Women's Month, not only during March, but every month, everyday that we can make history,” Bayle said as an encouragement for women to continually do things differently and make things possible.

Article: Ara Palisoc 

Graphics: Alyssa San Diego