When Bright Minds Meet to Shine in the Big Stage - Looking Back to TedxUPV Women: Anchored in Tech

When Bright Minds Meet to Shine in the Big Stage - Looking Back to TedxUPV Women: Anchored in Tech (A Commemoration for Women's Month)

The Theatre at Solaire, Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines – November 15th, 2024 – TEDx, the inspiring stories of tech, life, and everything we often watch online, has now come to life on the big stage.

March is recognized as Women's Month, a time to celebrate and honor the achievements of women across various fields. In commemoration of this significant month, I would like to reflect on a remarkable event held last year that I attended as a volunteer. This major event featured distinguished women speakers in the field of technology under the TEDx platform, highlighting their contributions, insights, and impact on the industry.

Hosted by Gian Dizon and Monique Angelika, TEDxUPV Women: Anchored in Tech was held at The Theatre at Solaire, Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines, on November 15, 2024. The event brought together diverse personalities, leaders, and notable figures in technology, business, and society.

The full lineup of speakers included:

• Anda del Rosario – Leadership Coach and Team Coach, Coach Anda
• Belle Rodolfo – Beauty Editor & Content Creator
• Carla Mae Leonor – Design Division Chief, Design Center of the Philippines; Co-Founder, Bughaw Creative Collective
• Chezka Gonzales – Blockchain Advocate and Entrepreneur
• Fabi Cariño – Multi-awarded HR and Wellness Global Thought Leader; Founder, Ifacilitate Thrive and Mind Your Mind Academy
• Jade Bonacolta – Head of North America Marketing for Media, Entertainment, and Games at Google; Founder, The Quiet Rich
• Jason Hugh Uy – Legal Intern, Saladanan & Ampuan Law Firm; Undergraduate Student, De La Salle University
• Jommel Macabagdal – CEO, MAC Management Inc.; CEO, What Matters Inc.; CFO, MAXIMUS Built Solutions Inc.; Programs Execom Lead, Project Management Institute - Philippines Chapter; Part-time Professor, De La Salle University (Civil Engineering)
• Joyce Santiago Savage – International Motivational Speaker & Mindset Mentor, Joyce Savage
• Karen Gil – Commercial Director and AGM, The Astbury
• Katrina Balmaceda Uy – Head of Strategy at With Content
• Lotis Ramin – Country President, AstraZeneca; President, PHAPCares Foundation
• Mary Claire Delgado – School Leader, Oakland Unified School District
• Mary Lou Cunanan – International Business and Cross-Cultural Communications Lecturer; Business Development Executive; Writer
• Nandini Singh – Statistics & Data Science Student
• Neeta Bhushan – Founder and CEO, Highest Self Institute; 5x Award-Winning Author; Top 50 Podcast Show Host, The Brave Table
• Nikki Huang – Writer
• Rana Gujral – CEO, Behavioral Signals
• Sam Sammane – Founder and CEO, TheoSym
• Sofia Tajanlangit – Founder and CEO
• Stewart Levitt – Principal and Managing Partner, Levitt Robinson Solicitors & Attorneys
• Susan Blanchet – CEO, Origen Air Systems Ltd.
• Sydney Lai – Co-Founder, GaiaNet.ai

As a member of the volunteer corps who worked closely with the speakers and enjoyed exclusive access to the backstage and other areas of the venue, the experience provided me several valuable takeaways, notably:

Mother Knows Best:

Mary Jane Kurup, Managing Director of VP Events Philippines, learned the importance of balance after a health scare caused by the stress of juggling motherhood, marriage, and a career. Regretting not taking care of her son, she adopted the "three 8s" system: 8 hours for self-care, 8 hours for work, and 8 hours for family. This shift allowed her to prioritize what mattered most and set boundaries. As she has said:

“For all women leaders out there, don’t forget to say ‘no’ or ‘not available.’ Empower yourself with the right gadgets that can help you work more efficiently and quickly,” Kurup urged.

Update your “Personal” Operating System:

Motivational speaker Mary Joyce Savage stressed the importance of aligning one’s beliefs, values, and life choices to create a cohesive and fulfilling life. She compared this process to updating a personal operating system, where individuals must actively address and eliminate the “glitches” in their mindset and habits. By focusing on self-improvement and personal growth, instead of comparing oneself to others, Savage encourages us to embrace the latest version of ourselves. As she puts it,

“Updating the glitches into greatness, installing the latest you.”

Life is a Continuous Learning Journey:

Rana Gujral, CEO of Behavioral Signals, as I remembered once said,

“My titles are my learning journey,”

Reflecting how each role is a step in personal and professional growth. He explained that when things become comfortable, he seeks out new challenges, seeing them as opportunities to learn and evolve. This mindset underscores that each new venture or position is more than just an achievement; it’s a chance to build knowledge, take risks, and continue growing.

Conclusions:

March, celebrated as Women's Month, is a time to recognize the achievements of women and advocate for greater inclusivity in all fields—including technology. TEDxUPV Women: Anchored in Tech was more than just an event; it was a powerful testament to resilience, passion, and the limitless potential of women in the tech industry. It showcased brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds—women who are breaking barriers, individuals overcoming personal challenges, and those relentlessly pursuing their dreams despite the odds.

But beyond this one event, the movement toward inclusivity continues to grow, both locally and globally. Initiatives such as BuildHers+, PyLadies, She is DevCon, Code Without Barriers and more, actively support and uplift women in tech, creating opportunities for learning, mentorship, and career advancement. These programs are a testament to the fact that innovation thrives when diverse voices are heard, and when talent is nurtured regardless of gender.

As a male in tech, I firmly believe that the industry is stronger when women are equally represented, empowered, and given the space to lead. To the women striving to make their mark—keep pushing forward.

Your ideas, your skills, and your presence are shaping the future. The challenges you overcome today will pave the way for the next generation, proving that technology is a space for everyone.

The road may not always be easy, but your journey is worth it, and the tech world is better because you are part of it.