Int’l Women’s Day 2019 Features Filipinas in Business in Metro DC

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Metro DC organized a panel discussion entitled “Filipinas in Business: Making Mindset Matter,” in celebration of International Women’s Day at the Embassy Chancery Annex on 08 March 2019. (Washington DC PE photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. 13 March 2019 – In line with the Philippines’ national celebration of Women’s Month and the global celebration of International Women’s Day, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Metro DC (PACC-Metro DC), organized a panel discussion entitled “Filipinas in Business: Making Mindset Matter” at the Embassy’s Chancery Annex on 08 March 2019.

The panel discussion brought together successful Filipino-American women who have ventured and succeeded in various fields of business. These include Precious Lopez, owner of the sewing business Sew Magarbo; Cristina Sison of Compass Realty and President of PACC-Metro DC; Sonia Aranza, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Training and Development Consultancy business Aranza Communications, and; Maia Paglinawan Carney, owner of personal training studio The Worx by Maia.

The discussions were moderated by Joni Rayos Samilin, owner of personal and professional development business Influencer Mindset, and hosted by lawyer-entrepreneur Olma Inocentes of OMLLI Group.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Chief of Mission Patrick A. Chuasoto said, “Contributions of women in business are more widely recognized now than at any other time in modern history. And the truth is that when women participate actively in the economy, and on terms equal to those of the men, the rest of society stands to benefit, particularly in achieving good governance, economic growth, poverty eradication, and environment sustainability, among others.”

The powerhouse panel shared with the audience the inspiration and motivation behind their own businesses, the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, and how they see themselves and their businesses years from now.

Ms. Aranza emphasized the importance of venturing outside the comfort zone, while Ms. Sison added the value of dreaming big and taking risks in putting up a business.

For her part, Ms. Carney stressed the key role of mindset and self-confidence, while Ms. Lopez underscored the importance of genuinely caring for clients in order to develop a lasting relationship with them.

During the open forum, panelists fielded various questions including on how to encourage and mobilize the community into promoting diversity and inclusion in businesses, how to help foster more investments to the Philippines, and what advice to give to those entrepreneurs who are still starting. A simple reception followed the discussion.

Prior to the panel discussion, PACC-Metro DC Auditor Thrina Lim gave a background on the Chamber’s history and mission.

The Philippines celebrates National Women's Month every March and participates in the worldwide observance of International Women's Day.

In 2017, the theme "We Make Change Work for Women" was adopted for the period 2017-2022. It highlights the empowerment of women as active contributors to and claim holders of development. END

(From left) Precious Lopez, owner of the sewing business Sew Magarbo, Cristina Sison of Compass Realty and PACC-Metro DC President, Sonia Aranza, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Training and Development Consultant business Aranza Communications, Maia Paglinawan Carney, owner of personal training studio The Worx by Maia, serve as panelists while Joni Rayos Samilin, owner of personal and professional development business Influencer Mindset, as the moderator. (Washington D.C. PE photo)

Guests line up for the open forum of the panel discussion. (Washington D.C. PE photo)

Group photo of the panelists with Deputy Chief of Mission Patrick A. Chuasoto (center) and event host lawyer-entrepreneur Olma Inocentes (thirf from right) of OMLLI Group. (Washington D.C. PE photo)

For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippineembassy-usa.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA or @philippinesusa on Twitter