Photo by Moira Manilao
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Vogue Philippines gathers empowering female entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and influential figures for the first Vogue Philippines Afternoon Tea.
As Karen Davila said in the March 2024 issue of Vogue Philippines, “We are at a time when women have to pave the way forward for more women.” For the first Vogue Philippines Afternoon Tea, this sentiment rings true. With sunlight softly illuminating the Skypark Terrace at SM Aura, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and influential figures gathered together in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Rhoda Campos-Aldanese warmly welcomed the guests with an empowering speech: “Let’s all continuously and vigorously cheer on and support all of the women here, and we all continue to encourage each one as we go through each of our journeys together. Let’s keep this fire burning and keep this movement tonight, fostering a future for innovation, mentorship, and mutual support to continue to thrive,” Campos-Aldanese says.
Following Campos-Aldanese’s speech is Leanne Robers’, co-founder and CEO of the female-led startup platform, She Loves Tech. “One thing that really has gotten me is the energy, the passion, and the drive for change here, and I’m so inspired. Somehow I really feel, even though I’ve been here for a short two or three days, I really feel that I’m being called to the Philippines. And I hope that this will be the first of many, many, many trips and more collaborations,” Robers says. Robers had just come from delivering a talk at the Philippine Commission on Women’s IWD celebration, where she detailed her experience as a woman working in tech.
The event was also attended by empowering women leaders, such as She Talks Asia co-founder Bianca Gonzalez, Len Mesina of UN Women Philippines, and Grace Magno, VP Corporate of SM Philippines. Over pastries and tea served by Est Japanese Café, attendees discussed, learned, and were inspired by the stories, contributions, and achievements of women.
As the afternoon fades away in the evening, another sentiment of Davila rings true: “It’s so important to mentor another woman, to spot a woman you can develop, whom you can share your learnings with. As you move through life, support women who want to climb and succeed like you did.”
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