High School Students Engage Women in Business from the Americas in DFA Forum 

DFA Undersecretary for Administration Ma. Hellen De La Vega (4th from R) and Office of American Affairs Officials represented by Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga (4th from L), Deputy Assistant Secretary Ma. Corina Reyes (3rd from R), and Director Stephanie Alexis Cruz (Rightmost), with speakers Paty Bucio (leftmost), Suzanne Gaboury (2nd from L), Sara Murphy (3rd from L), and Rosa Hibbert at the opening ceremony of the lecture forum “Dream BIG: Inspiring Stories of Women Business Leaders from the Americas”

MANILA 28 March 2025 — In commemoration of National Women’s Month, the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of American Affairs (DFA-OAA) organized a lecture forum titled “Dream BIG: Inspiring Stories of Women Business Leaders from the Americas” on 25 March 2025 at the DFA Conference Room, Double Dragon Tower, Pasay City. 

Aligning with this year’s theme for National Women’s Month, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas,” the DFA-OAA invited esteemed female business leaders from the Americas to share their stories and journey as women leaders who have built their business from the ground up, and who rose through the ranks in the corporate world. The distinguished speakers included Ms. Sara Murphy from the United States of America, President of Capital One Philippines and President of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines; Ms. Suzanne Gaboury from Canada, the Director General of Private Sector Operations for the Asian Development Bank; Ms. Patricia “Paty” Bucio Garcia from Mexico, entrepreneur and owner of Distribuidora PAUSAM and the restaurant Ay, Papito!; and from Brazil, social entrepreneur and co-founder of One Weave, Ms. Rosa Hibbert. Though not present, social media personality, and owner of Bolzico Beef and Chingolo Deli, Mr. Nico Bolzico of Argentina made a pre-recorded video for the attendees.

In his welcome remarks, Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga shared that this forum was conceptualized to inspire and guide the young girls in the audience who will soon be at a cross-roads wherein they will be making life-altering decisions, especially in this day and age of unprecedented change. “Our challenge thus, in this time of flux and uncertainty, is to dream big. To dream big so that we may restore confidence in ourselves, in what can be achieved, and confidence in the future.”

Echoing this sentiment in her keynote address, Undersecretary for Administration Ma. Hellen B. de la Vega stated that “Dreaming big is the gift of our youth and one that you should not take for granted. You have time and with all the developments in technology and human innovation – the future is bright.” She encouraged the young girls in the lecture forum to take to heart and learn from the resource persons and their experiences, and urged them to stay motivated, reminding them that, despite the challenges and roadblocks, and the seemingly-limited opportunities for women to succeed and balance both a successful career and their personal lives, their immediate community of women will always be rallying behind them and supporting them.

A common message from the resource speakers is to always say “Why not?! What’s the worst that could happen?” They encouraged the young women to take chances, grab all opportunities, and to never let fear stop them from reaching their goals. Nico Bolzico, on the other hand, shared insights on the role of supporting a successful partner, and gave advice to the young women to inspire them to reach for their dreams and to choose the right partner in the future who will support them and not block their path to success. 

The forum was attended by female junior and senior high school students from Kalayaan National High School, Pasay City East High School, Pasay City West High School, Pasay City National High School, President Corazon “Cory” Aquino High School, Philippine School for the Deaf, and Baclaran National High School. Students had the chance, during the panel discussion, to ask the speakers their insights, advice, and guidance on pursuing a career, maintaining work-life balance, and overcoming the various individual struggles they have had to face to become who they are today. This was followed by a Women Empowerment-themed Quiz Competition, which tested the students’ knowledge of historical milestones on gender equality and women’s successes. Pasay City East High School clinched the 1st Prize, while Kalayaan National High School won 2nd Place, and President Corazon “Cory” Aquino High School 3rd Place. 

Ambassadors from the United States of America, Canada, Brazil, and Chile, and the CDA of Argentina, attended the lecture forum, in addition to other members of the Diplomatic Corps, media and the private sector. This is the 3rd event where the DFA-Office of American Affairs has engaged the immediate Pasay City community, a testament to the Department's commitment to actively engage the public with activities and projects, with the objective of inspiring and making an impact in the lives of the everyday Filipino. The forum also circles back to the overarching theme of the United Nations Women’s Month theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” and brings to the forefront the sense of optimism and hope for a future where women’s lives – no matter where they are and what they do – are truly uplifted. END

Left: DFA-Office of American Affairs Assistant Secretary Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga during his Welcome Remarks, as he enjoined the young female students to take this opportunity to learn “[...] lessons of resilience, community, and of hope in a more equitable, more just, and more fair future.” Right: Undersecretary for Administration Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega delivers her Keynote Address, citing the Department’s championing of the advancement of women’s rights and empowerment, and encouraging the forum participants to “study well, work hard, and Dream Big.” (Photo courtesy of DFA-OAA)

(From left:) Ms. Suzanne Gaboury, Director General for Private Sector Operations at the ADB, Ms. Rosa Hibbert, co-founder of social enterprise One Weave, and Ms. Patricia “Paty” Bucio, CEO and owner of the restaurant Ay, Papito! provide their insights on overcoming challenges in business during the Panel Discussion of the Lecture Forum. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OAA)

Group photo of Undersecretary Ma. Hellen De La Vega (1st row - center left) and Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga (1st row - center right) with speakers, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, and participating schools. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OAA)