As part of National Women’s Month, the University of the Philippines Visayas Gender and Development Program and the Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Network Western Visayas invited women leaders to share their stories and roles in their respective sectors during a panel discussion March 6, 2026, at the UPV Auditorium in Iloilo City.
The event, titled “Embodied Leadership: The Babaylan Spirit in Filipina Women Leaders,” aligned with the Philippines’ monthlong March observance of women’s contributions and with Ugsad’s continuing work as a regional gender resource network in Western Visayas.
The organizers invited Lilian Diana B. Parreño, president of Guimaras State University; Josephine Z. Tahan, former chieftain of the Ati Indigenous People of Kati-Kati in San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras; and Daphne Karina De Pedro, assistant vice president for human capital management at MORE Electric and Power Corp.
According to the organizers, the conversation brought together women leaders whose journeys reflect the Babaylan spirit—grounded in heritage, driven by purpose and committed to transformative change in their communities.
For Parreño, the responsibility of leading a university that is “leading people” and “molding the young” pushed her to take on the presidency.
She said it was best for the institution to have someone from within its ranks serve as its leader and help steer then-Guimaras State College through its transition, prompting her to step up.
Before becoming GSU president, Parreño served as the university’s vice president for research and extension.
She credited leadership roles at home and in school at a young age for shaping her willingness to lead.
Tahan, meanwhile, rose to the challenge after seeing—and personally experiencing—discrimination against Ati communities.
She persevered by taking on work to finish her studies and, after graduating, represented her community in meetings, seminars and forums.
A chieftain for almost 20 years, she said she had to lead by example so the stories of the Ati community would be heard.
For De Pedro, her path to her current leadership role began when she entered the workforce after being absorbed by the electric company where she had interned.
She said her employer later recognized her leadership potential when she began offering recommendations to improve management.
She worked her way up until she became assistant vice president for human capital management at MORE Electric and Power Corp.
Topics discussed included balancing work and family life, leadership mentors and influences, and empowerment. (Carlson Alelis/IPO)
