- October 16, 2025
ASEAN Month Celebration Showcases Empowered Women Leaders
By: Pearl Stephanie D. Ulep
As part of the ASEAN Month Celebration 2025, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL), through the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE), hosted a powerful panel discussion titled “Beyond Boundaries: Women Pioneering Change in Every Field” last September 16, 2025. The event placed the spotlight on empowered women leaders from diverse industries whose journeys of resilience, innovation, and leadership embody the spirit of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality.
The program opened with a keynote address by Atty. Maria Eloisa Gan, Mapúa MCL’s Senior Vice President for Administration and Legal. With three decades of legal experience, Atty. Gan drew from her professional journey to underscore the importance of SDG 5 and ASEAN’s shared vision for gender equality. She emphasized the role of education, policy, and community leadership in breaking systemic barriers, while inspiring students to see themselves as catalysts for change.
The panel featured a remarkable line-up of women from various fields:
- Therese Macasaet, representing the Media and Creatives industry, is a proud Mapúa MCL BA Communication alumna who is making her mark in the events industry as a dynamic host and trusted voice-over artist for leading brands.
- Kristine Joy “KJ” Aguinaga, representing STEM and Manufacturing, is the first female Factory Manager of Nestle Philippines. Beginning her career as a corporate trainee in 2006, she has since taken on key leadership roles in the Philippines and abroad, including Japan and China.
- Master Mariner Jean Pontila, representing the Maritime industry, is an alumna of Mapúa MCL’s BS Marine Transportation program. She holds the distinction of being the institution’s first female Chief Mate, currently serving at PTC–Exmar Ship Management.
- Imelda Cariño, representing the Education sector, brings nearly three decades of teaching experience and now serves as a faculty member of Mapúa MCL’s College of Arts and Sciences, continuing her commitment to shaping young minds and advancing community development.
- Ma. Lorenza Sioson, representing Health and Medicine, is a pediatrician with more than 20 years of service. She has held various leadership roles at The Medical City South Luzon while continuing her work as a practicing consultant dedicated to child health and wellness.
Guiding the discussion was Ms. Carol Poblete from the College of Computer and Information Science, who served as the panel moderator. With thought-provoking questions, she steered the conversation to highlight both the professional journeys and personal insights of the panelists, ensuring a meaningful exchange for the student audience.
The panel discussion explored what inspired each leader’s journey, and how they overcame gender-related challenges. Panelists shared stories of resilience and leadership across various fields, from classrooms and clinics to factories, ships, and stages, highlighting the interconnectedness of gender equality (SDG 5) with quality education (SDG 4), decent work (SDG 8), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and underscoring the vital role of women in driving progress.
The event was attended by students across all programs, who gained valuable perspectives from women leaders blazing trails in their respective industries. By featuring real-world stories of courage and vision, “Beyond Boundaries” succeeded in inspiring the next generation of ASEAN youth to embrace leadership, pursue excellence, and champion gender equality in their own careers.
