Written by JR Cajilig
Introduction co-written
by Joy Reyes
❜
Japan’s Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and complete the Seven Summits. In the early 90s, she established the Himalayan Adventure Trust of Japan to address pollution and degradation caused by the growing number of mountaineers.
American marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle set the women’s depth record for a solo, untethered dive, and founded Mission Blue. This non-profit organization focuses on creating marine protected areas and aims to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
If I could sit down with someone within reach in the country, journalist Kara David would be my instant choice. While we enjoy her adventures in her TV programs and eye-opening documentaries (one of which earned her a Peabody), David founded Project Malasakit, a foundation that sends poor Filipino children to school.
A note before proceeding: It’s important to remember that women’s ability for multifacetedness is nothing new. For centuries, women have long been the bedrock of change, often pushing boundaries of what’s corporeally possible while juggling the immense responsibilities of family and societal expectations. They have demystified what strength means, far beyond its conventional notion of brute force, and have brought into the conversation that softness, grace, and resilience are attributes of strength, too. Whether above the mountains like the Sherpani of the Himalayas, beneath the sea like the Haenyeo of Jeju, or everywhere in between—wasn’t the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist a woman herself in a sport that was historically male-dominated?, women’s strength has been integral, and their stories have redefined history. Women have always been trailblazers. Now more than ever, the world is starting to listen and celebrate the multifaceted power they’ve carried all along.
From a mountaineer defying gravity’s pull to a freediver’s exploration of the ocean’s depths, from a world-class creative pushing the limits of artistic expression to a content creator who emphasizes that care underpins conversations on strength, these are the women who inspire us. Let’s take a closer look at their stories and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
AYEN DELA TORRE | @ayenonlife @wtn_wheretonext
Storyteller, Community Leader
Where To Next is no stranger to travelers. The planner might be their staple and an annual highlight, but it’s the conversations they ignite and the stories they co-create that make the brand not your typical aggregator of travel photos on Instagram.
“Looking back, I think that was my early expression of wanderlust,” Ayen dela Torre, one of the founders, reminisced. She grew up as an asthmatic kid who was rarely allowed to spend much time outside. It wasn’t until university that she discovered her love for nature by joining field trips and choosing classes with outdoor excursions. “In many ways, it’s still with me now at 35, just in a different and more grounded form.”
Into womanhood, traveling has shaped her into someone more open, both to the world and to herself.
“Being in unfamiliar places has taught me to sit with discomfort, trust my instincts, and adapt with grace, for there isn’t just one way to move through life. As a woman, travel has given me both independence and discernment—knowing when to be open and when to protect my space.
“Nature doesn’t just exist outside of us—we are part of it. What the ‘outdoors’ looks like may vary depending on your context, but whatever form it takes, let it be a space for reconnection. Beyond memories, it offers a deeper understanding of yourself.”
It was also through traveling that she crossed paths with Rachel Halili Aquino, her creative partner and co-founder. Years later, they reconnected to create what we know now as the #WTNPlanner.
“I realized that my next step wasn’t to rush forward,” she shared, “but to return—to the things that made me feel most like myself: documenting the world through words and images. I’m grateful she said yes. What started as a small project became a space we could grow and play in—a kind of creative home that eventually became Where To Next.”
Community is another Where To Next ethos, strengthened by their workshops and gatherings. And Ayen believes women play an integral role in shaping her community.
“We value the perspective of the female gaze, and many of our collaborations have been with women founders who truly believe in what we’re building. There’s a shared understanding—they hold space for our struggles and celebrate our wins with us. In the creative industry, being in community with women feels less like competition and more like collective growth, where there is space for everyone to flourish.”
This year will be Where To Next’s twelfth year. Building such a long-running community in the outdoor space has taught her to trust her pace and take up space, especially in places where women are sidelined.
“There’s often pressure to move fast or fit a certain mold, but I’ve learned that growth can be steady and intentional. Part of that has meant making difficult but honest choices. We want Where To Next to support the life we’re building, not the other way around. Sometimes, that means stepping back, like discontinuing our planner after a decade of creating it.”
S: If you could write one intention for women this year, what would it be?
A: I’m choosing to lean toward curiosity rather than judgment. There are many moments when I’m quick to react—to protect my ego or make sense of things too quickly—but I’ve realized that this often creates distance, both within myself and in my relationships.
I’m learning to meet these moments with curiosity instead. To pause and ask: Where is this coming from? Why am I feeling this way? What is this moment asking of me? It’s not always easy, but creating space between what happens and how I respond has made a meaningful difference in how I relate to myself and how I show up for others.
Now, where to next? We never know, but with its community and two-woman team, the future of noteworthy and purposeful adventures is always forward-looking.
ISABELLE BRAZA | @isabellebraza @tanawanhostel.lu
Model, Fitness Athlete
Isabelle Braza was Miss Universe Philippines - Las Piñas in 2022. She made it into the top 32. But even before that, she’s always put her shoulder to the wheel — she was trained in dance, including ballet and jazz, at the age of 3; in gymnastics at the age of 7; and finally in CrossFit since 2016. She’s no stranger to travel and adventure either.
“[Traveling was] very innate to me,” Bella shared. “My family has always loved traveling. And so, as I was growing up to my adult life now, I’ve always been an island girl.”
Modern women love to travel. Bella believes so because traveling teaches women independence within a patriarchal world. It also taught her to pursue her dream of running her own beach hostel, Tanawan Hostel, in La Union.
“As a woman, you have to be hyper-vigilant and responsible for yourself,” she said when asked what she could advise solo female travelers who tend to stay in hostels. “Choose spaces that are intentional about safety. They should have good reviews, secure entry systems, lockers, and a strong sense of community. Share your itinerary and location with someone you trust and get to know the hostel staff. Stay aware, but also stay open to get the full experience. Some of the best experiences, friendships, and personal growth happen when you take that step to go out and explore on your own.”
Bella led a tourism project for the province of Camarines Sur in 2024, which reignited her love for the outdoors and adventure.
“I discovered that CamSur is not just a destination,” she shared. “It’s a collection of distinct experiences that can actually stand on their own, but become even more powerful when curated together. The real strength of CamSur is in its diversity within proximity. You can go from world-class water sports in the capital to Caramoan’s island landscapes.
“Working with local travel photographers was one of the most important parts of the project. What stood out to me is that these Filipino creatives have a very strong sense of storytelling. There’s emotion in how they frame landscapes and [human subjects]. Our local talents are very adaptive [and resilient] as they can produce world-class [output] even with limitations [and challenges].”
Bella is not just doing CrossFit for workouts, but is also competing nationally. While most women in the sport are seen as big and muscly, and get stuck in that mold, Bella believes strength doesn’t have to look one way.
“What looks strong to me may be different from what looks strong to you,” she said. “You can be powerful and still be graceful and competitive at the same time. And you can still be grounded and strong, but also still be soft. It's just how you carry yourself. That’s how I [flex] my femininity; my composure under pressure. It's not about proving that I can keep up with men because it's also about showing that women don't have to become anything else to belong in a male-dominated area. Femininity shouldn't be a limitation in sports, whether it may be CrossFit, tennis, or Olympic weightlifting. It's just a different kind of strength being a woman. The more inspiring and the more ways it is for us to achieve our goals. So I recommend high-intensity programs to women because it really tests our grit and discipline, and it drags us out of our comfort zone.”
Doing the Miss Universe Philippines pageant was a childhood dream, and her reality check on how to carry herself with intention, how to communicate, to represent something bigger than herself, and to stand with grace under pressure. On the other hand, fitness stripped everything down; no facade.
“I’ve realized that the strongest Filipina in me came from the combination of pageantry and fitness, of my girly self and my macho self,” she said. “Pageantry gave me presence and purpose, while being an athlete built my grit and self-trust.
All the women out there, especially Filipinas, trust me when I say that your strength has never been one-dimensional. We've always carried so many roles, so many expectations, and yet, we continue to show up with resilience, with heart, and with quiet courage. So, this Women's Month, I think it's also important to remind ourselves that we don't always have to be strong for everyone else. I believe that there is no single way to be a Filipina. You can be soft and strong, ambitious and grounded, and traditional and evolving, all at the same time. We're allowed to take up space and define our own paths. If you love the outdoors and adventure, go for it. Look where I am today, living my best life, pursuing my dreams, because I choose to believe in myself.”
DESA TAYTING | @destayting
Mountaineer, Content Creator
With the consistent thousand views on her Instagram reels, Desa Tayting has become one of the prominent creators in the country with content centered on adventures and the outdoors. Her videos alone about her journey to Nepal, her dream destination, were viewed over 900,000 times, which attracted comments mostly from inspired female followers.
A 2025 NatGeo article stated, “From deciding which destinations to visit to booking the trip, women make 82% of all travel decisions, according to Skift Research’s 2024 The Woman Traveler report. Women also travel more frequently than men — the same Skift report stated that 64% of travellers globally are female.” Desa agrees.
“I think women are naturally decisive and experienced leaders,” Desa said. “Mothers at home, for example, do most cognitive work like managing the family schedule and remembering due dates. Also, a lot of itineraries and guides for solo female travel are already everywhere on the Internet, which makes it easier for women to plan and travel.”
Speaking of mothers, her best travel hack for women is to find a mother. “If you need help and you are solo traveling, 90% chances, [a mother will],” she said.
Desa started her love for adventure in college when her friends and cousins tagged her along to their hikes. Over the years, hiking has become more than an acquired leisure interest.
“I want to grow old telling stories of going over boundaries and of the places I visited rather than telling everybody I was scared doing it,” Desa said.
The outdoors is often seen as intimidating and, at times, treacherous for some women. For Desa, this fear was overpowered by her passion for the outdoors.
“I did a Fukuoka-Busan trip last year, which felt really liberating because I did it alone and my plans actually worked,” she said. “I also hiked alone in Seoul and had a great time.”
“We used to think outdoor activities were just for men, but the game has changed,” she added. “Now more than ever, women are proving they belong out there, too. Connecting with nature is empowering, but conquering your fears and pushing past your own limits is what truly fuels that power.”
In spite of being a content creator with over 19,000 Instagram followers and 1 million likes on TikTok, Desa does not really impose traveling.
“They don’t have to be pressured to go on an adventure just by what they see online,” Desa said. “I just share my stories and my personal take on things, and if they get inspired by it, I am glad to help them by sharing information or tips.”
But if she could encourage more women to try just one outdoor activity, to no surprise, she put hiking forward, “It teaches people a lot of things mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
For Women’s Month, Desa has a message to her fellow Filipinas: “There’s no one way to be a woman. You can be whoever you want to be, and how much you want to be. Celebrate your wins all the time. In the great outdoors, the world sees us all as equals. You don’t have to be the strongest, the smartest, and the most influential, or have the highest followers online; you just have to be you as a woman with nature.”
CHICKLE DE LA ROSA | @chckl.dlrsa @evermoodcreates.ph
Photographer, Business Owner
She used to borrow her high school friend’s digital camera and capture candid photos of her friends for Facebook. That, and with YouTube tutorials, Chickle De La Rosa had laid the groundwork to do what she does so well today.
“I’ve always looked up to Hannah Reyes Morales,” the Tuguegarao-born professional photographer shared. “It’s her remarkable ability to tell stories through images. There’s a deep sense of immersion in her work that draws me in every time.”
“I’ve always found it interesting how a ‘big’ camera can seem more impactful simply because of its technical power,” she added. “But what about the story? The right moment? The meaning it holds for others? In the end, it’s not just the gear that matters, it’s the perspective behind it.”
Chickle believes that resilience and strength in the face of strong opinions make a female photographer stand out.
“Women are often perceived as less ‘technical’, as if we operate only on emotion, but we are so much more than that,” she added. “We are capable, intuitive, and deeply perceptive. We know how to listen, to connect, and to create with intention. When we lead with both skill and heart, it shows, and it has the power to move others.”
Her passion project, Evermood Creative Studios, Baguio’s largest media space and creative community, was established in 2021. It offers services on media solutions (advertising and commercial, event coverage, etc.), social media management and content creation, and studio services.
“If I could shoot a portrait of one Filipina, I would pick my mother. She serves as a pastor in a small village in Benguet, and I’ve had the privilege of witnessing her quiet, unwavering dedication to others. In many ways, I see myself in her who strives to uplift others, help them find their light, and believe in their potential, especially when they need it most.
As a founder [in general], it’s impossible to make everyone happy all the time. What matters more to me is creating opportunities for those who need a strong foundation to begin their own creative journeys. [On the other hand], as a [female] founder, there’s often an unspoken expectation always to be understanding, to give endlessly, and to pour into others without hesitation. But alongside that comes the responsibility to own your mistakes, stay accountable, and continuously learn and grow. Balancing all of this isn’t easy, but it’s part of the journey and part of what shapes you into a better leader.”
Chickle wishes to create space for emerging female creatives and to see more open gatherings meant to bridge pros and new creatives.
“[Girls], put yourself out there,” she added. “Meet people. Stay open to opportunities and to new ideas. This is the best way to learn and find your creative calling. People will doubt you a lot; it’s important you prove them wrong and continue to learn. Your vision and intentions will [resonate with] people who also strive for the same.”
A testimony to her own words, just last year, she brought Evermood with her to the land down under.
LERIZZE DIZON | @lerizzedizon @komunidadsiargao
Brand Strategist, Business Owner
Her deeper appreciation for traveling developed after her first solo trip and doing volunteer work in different places. This went on for years until she had gone to four countries solo.
“As a woman, it made me more confident, compassionate, responsible, and independent,” Lerizze Dizon-Casel said. “I saw what life is like outside my own bubble and witnessed what my fellow Filipinos deserve, as well as what we should do to protect the environment.”
Navigating her Filipina identity while traveling was a challenge. She faced this especially during her solo travels.
“Some people weren’t used to the idea of Filipinas traveling alone, as we usually travel in groups with family or barkada,” she added. “It’s also harder for Filipinos to apply for visas, but I think it’s a common challenge regardless of gender. Either way, I’m still proud to be a Filipina.”
Lerizze was born in Manila. She is now living in Siargao with her husband, with whom she co-founded branding and content studio, Seek Studio, and island lifestyle store, Komunidad.
“I try not to focus on what looks ‘aesthetic’ but on functionality and impact,” she shared about how she balances creativity with profitability. “I always go back to my ‘why’, which is to identify needs that have not yet been met — whether that’s quality, affordability, or something else.
“My biggest purpose is to keep creating with compassion and to keep empowering through meaningful collaborations, whether through a simple conversation, business venture, volunteer work, passion project, or whatnot.”
“Having to pass my ideas to someone else just to make them sound more credible if they come from a man is one of my pet peeves,” she added. “Women are often not taken seriously and are sometimes labeled as ‘emotional.’ But emotions can also be a strength—they drive passion and push us to do more. I always believe that our greatest strength as women is our ability to nurture or to show compassion. It’s an overlooked skill in the business/creative landscape, but it’s so powerful that our impact goes beyond numbers, sales, and the usual key success metrics. We empower, we nurture, we collaborate.”
Women are often misconstrued as bossy when they are just strong-willed, passionate, and caring — from Beyoncé, Kris Aquino, and Greta Thunberg to fictional characters like Daenerys Targaryen and Olivia Pope.
“This makes us seem bossy because we’re too confident with what we believe in and are willing to do what it takes to succeed. Honestly, you rarely hear the word ‘bossy’ to describe men,” she added. “Women are natural leaders and nurturers, which is why we speak up and take action.”
This is her message to all women and those who aspire to become entrepreneurs:
“People will doubt you, but never doubt yourself. Our patience, compassion, and generosity give us an edge. We can identify deeper problems and lead with care, one that goes beyond the workplace. Keep showing up and never be afraid to speak up or take action. Even when we feel alone, scared, or overwhelmed, there are other women out there ready to do the same.”
Komunidad houses local brands, such as Enya, Sunny Soul, Cloche Flame, Bilad Swim, Ihliarts, Alima, Menina Swim, GoodJuju, Log Co., and Sanka.
EKAI MARAMARA | @ekaimara @freedivetribeph
Freediver, Founder
Ekai started freediving in 2017 out of pure curiosity and the love for the ocean. She went on to co-found Freedive Tribe PH two years later, became a Certified Molchanov Freediver, and trained to be an instructor in mermaid swimming and Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga.
“Freediving is freedom in its purest form,” she shared about what’s freeing about freediving. “It teaches you to trust your body, slow your mind, and let go. There’s also a kind of emotional freedom. You become more aware of your thoughts, your fears, and your limits, and in facing them, you slowly break free from them.
“I think young girls and women should try freediving because it’s a space where they can fully trust their own bodies and instincts. People may assume the challenge of women in freediving is physical, but often it’s social: being underestimated, doubted, or sidelined. It’s a reminder that barriers for women exist everywhere, even underwater. Recognizing these challenges is part of reshaping the culture of diving, just as it is part of challenging broader social norms that silence women.”
If you think she has so much under her belt, think again. Ekai is also a wife and a mother.
“Women shouldn’t be made to feel that pursuing their ambitions is exceptional. Pursue your vision gently but persistently. Women deserve to explore their ambitions without waiting for perfect circumstances.”
Accomplished women still have someone to look up to, and Ekai has the widely regarded greatest freediver in history, Natalia Molchanova. Like her, Molchanova was a mother, a founder, and a testament that strength in the sport is not about gender.
“Women, like anyone, bring a range of skills and qualities into freediving. Often, freediving rewards patience, awareness, and focus. Traits that anyone can develop, and that women sometimes cultivate through their experiences navigating spaces where they are underestimated. The point isn’t that these are ‘unique to women,’ but that freediving is a place where such skills can shine and make a difference.”
Balayan Bay, where Freedive Tribe PH is headquartered, is a critical component of the Verde Island Passage, widely recognized as the center of marine shore-fish biodiversity in the world. Conservation, for Ekai, is a responsibility of every freediver who treats the ocean as a playground, much as it is of everyone.
“The ocean is a shared space, and our choices affect not just nature but communities that rely on it. Protect what you love, and learn to love what you protect.”
Ekai hopes to inspire more Filipinas to explore the ocean and freediving.
“Through my journey and the community we’ve built at Freedive Tribe PH, I want to create a safe and empowering space where women feel seen, supported, and encouraged to try something new, even if it feels scary at first. Representation is powerful. When women see other Filipinas diving, teaching, and leading, it makes the dream feel more real and more attainable.”
Freedive Tribe PH has now grown into one of the largest freediving schools not only in Batangas but in the country.
Once upon a time, women were being overlooked and sold short in achieving corporeal, backbreaking records. Today, these bodies with smaller lungs, shorter limbs, and lower skeletal muscle mass have outgrown the fairy tale. Altitudes and depths are now within reach of a pair of 7-inch, determined hands. Smashing all these while creating societal impacts. Over two years of Sanka, we are fortunate to have met, worked, and been inspired from afar by Filipina leaders from ridge to reef. These women – a multi-business owner, a mountaineer, a world-class creative, a community leader, a functional fitness competitor, and a mother mermaid – embody the spirit of strength and softness that we celebrate this Women's Month.
❜
By JR Cajilig
Introduction co-written
by Joy Reyes
Environmental lawyer and hiker
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