Globe is setting a new trend with women outnumbering their male counterparts in leadership positions. This comes at a time when most Philippine boardrooms are still dominated by men.

Some 52% of Globe’s executive roster are women, with 49 holding the top two ranks in the corporate hierarchy, compared to 45 men as of end 2022. This marks the first time in at least five years that there were more female executives in Globe’s core business.
Women ranked managers and directors have also been increasing in the last five years, rising from 958 in 2018 to 1,193 as of end 2022. Even while there are still more men in middle management, the female population is catching up.

These figures buck the trend as cited in a March 2019 study by the Makati Business Club that was supported by UN Women, the European Union and Women Empower Asia.
The study “Women in the Philippine C-Suite” found that only about three percent of C-Suite positions in business across the country are held by women.

In Globe, an increasing number of women are taking charge, among them Chief Commercial Officer Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Chief Finance Officer Rizza Maniego-Eala, Chief Customer Experience Officer Rebecca Eclipse, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer Yoly Crisanto, and Chief Compliance Officer Marisalve Co.
“This is a milestone for Globe as we mark this special month to celebrate women. The women of Globe are pillars of our business, looking after our operations, finance, communications, sustainability, marketing, customer care and governance. Their diligent, meticulous, innovative and compassionate leadership have been crucial to our success as an industry leader,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.

“We at Globe are proud to be home to women leaders who shape and steer our business towards industry leadership through innovative and inclusive services and a unique brand of care,” said Cabreira.

Female leadership at Globe goes beyond the core business, with women holding top positions in the Globe Group’s portfolio companies as well.

GCash, the country’s top mobile wallet, is led by President and CEO Martha Sazon. Globe’s corporate venture builder Kickstart has been supporting global startups with Minette Navarrete as President, while Rush, the loyalty and e-commerce enabler of Globe’s 917Ventures, has been making waves in e-commerce under the leadership of CEO Stephanie Kubota.

Meanwhile, IT solutions provider Yondu has been scoring wins with President and CEO Joan Peñaflorida on the saddle, and shared services provider Asticom Group of Companies has seen staggering growth with its President and CEO Mharicar Castillo-Reyes at the helm.
“Giving equal opportunity for our people to develop as leaders, regardless of gender, is part of Globe’s DNA. We are proud of our healthy corporate culture which has spawned an inclusive leadership roster, ultimately leading to a dynamic and progressive work environment,” said Cu.(PR)

PALO, Leyte– At least 1,500 Catholic faithful and priests from the Archdiocese of Palo took part the annual ‘Walk for Life’ to fight for causes supporting the dignity of life held last March 19, 2023.

The event was a pro-life gathering participated by parishioners from the vicariates of the diocese–Abuyog, Burauen, Palo, Tacloban, and Carigara, while the Ormoc and Palompon vicariates conducted the event in their respective areas.

In his homily, Archbishop John Du said, “God is there to accompany us, to walk with us, it is in his mercy that we will be able to overcome all problems in life”.

The activity was also held simultaneously all over the country where Catholics walked the streets along with placards showing pro-life advocacies.

“It aton attendees yana haros 60% mga kabataan ngan alarming iton ihap hini nga mga edad nga nagsusuicide. It problema ada la ito, parte hit aton kinabuhi and never take your life because of problems”, said Fr. Erlito Maraya in his spiritual talk.

The diocese’s Council of the Laity headed by Edna Ayaso organized the event which carried the theme, “Clergy and Lay Faithful Called to Walk Together for Life”.
(MARCO JEMSBOY E. ARCENA, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

Manila-On March 14 and 15, the United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), launched new activities to help improve the quality of education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and strengthen the region’s adaptation to the effects of climate change.

In Cotabato City, USAID Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks joined BARMM officials—led by Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun and Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) Deputy Minister Haron Meling—to launch a P15-million ($273,000) technology-based education program in pilot areas in the Bangsamoro region. The Beginning Reading Program will use tablets to deliver reading instruction to students in Kindergarten through Grade 3. The tablets contain early grade reading materials including video-based beginning reading instructional modules in Hiligaynon, Central Bikol, and Magindanawn.

“USAID works with national and local government partners to introduce innovations that will ensure learning continuity and improve literacy, including reading proficiency of early grade learners,” said Deputy Mission Director Eubanks. “As a friend, partner, and ally, the United States will continue to support BARMM in providing learners with quality education and the competencies that will enable them to thrive and have successful futures.”

MBHTE Deputy Minister Meling described USAID’s interventions as “valuable tools to improve the learning of the Bangsamoro children.” “We welcome the Beginning Reading Program as it will ensure the learning of children through portable video devices that can work even without the internet,” he said. “We will work together to ensure that no Bangsamoro child will be left behind by providing inclusive and sustainable education.”

“We want to express gratitude to USAID for their support to the whole Bangsamoro region. We will continue to serve with pure hearts and sincere intention to give Bangsamoro children a brighter future,” added Cabinet Secretary Pendatun.

Deputy Mission Director Eubanks also launched the Education Sector Mechanism with Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali dela Cruz Matabalao. This mechanism will allow education stakeholders in the government and private sector to identify challenges and areas of collaboration to improve the city’s quality of education.

Through its ABC+ project, USAID provides early grade reading materials for students and supports teacher development to improve basic education outcomes in literacy and social and emotional learning for all Bangsamoro children.

In Cotabato City, Deputy Mission Director Eubanks also handed over Automated Weather Station (AWS) equipment to Mayor Matabalao for the city government to collect weather and climate data and provide real-time weather monitoring and assessment. This equipment will help enhance the city’s disaster management and mapping capabilities which will contribute to the region’s climate resilience.

“Building a resilient city requires sharing of experience within and among our communities,” said Mayor Matabalao. “I look forward to more joint cooperation and positive progress in mainstreaming climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction actions in our respective local land use plans, local development plans, and zoning ordinances.”

Through its Climate Resilient Cities project, USAID is improving the resilience of six cities in the Philippines, namely, Batangas, Borongan, Cotabato, Iloilo, Legazpi, and Zamboanga, to adapt to, mitigate, and manage the impacts of climate change and other disasters. (PR)