‘Futuremakers’ from St. Scho, Miriam make their voices heard
In an effort to promote freedom of expression, exchange ideas, and encourage “futuremakers” to empower others, The Philippine STAR and PhilSTAR L!fe have partnered with St. Scholastica’s College Manila and Miriam College to put up a “freedom wall” where students wrote down their advocacies and inspiring messages.
The initiative was part of “She Slays,” which had its first in-person event last March 28 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura. It also featured panel discussions led by women leaders at the top of their respective fields, and empowering performances by KLLY, dwta, MI MI, Illest Morena, YARA, DENY, and CALISTA PH.
Hear ye! Hear ye!
Both schools are known for their active championing of women empowerment. Last Feb. 14, for example, St. Scholastica’s College Manila hosted the institution’s annual “1 Billion Rising” event, where the Scholastican community rose for women’s freedom against violence and oppression through song and dance performances.
Miriam College, on the other hand, has a Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) which offers gender training programs certified by the Philippine Commission on Women.
In celebration of International Women’s Month in 2021, WAGI hosted webinars on exploring new masculinities among men, responding to violence against women migrants, celebrating young women leaders, and discussing women in a more inclusive, empowering Philippine media.
Check out what the students wrote on the She Slays 2023 freedom wall:
- ‘Bangon, babae, bangon!’ This message serves as a wake-up call to every woman who has been silenced, abused, and wronged. It is a note that urges women to stand up for themselves, especially in times of adversity.
- Turn pain into power. For every woman who is going through a painful time, this message inspires her to convert pain into motivation that can propel her forward.
- Be your own believ-HER. In times when no one believes in you or accepts you for who you are, always remember that the only opinion that matters is yours. In doing so, other people’s opinions will be drowned out in no time.
- This is me. “I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I want to be. This is me.”
People don’t have to love you; people don’t have to like you. Accept yourself for who you are because that is what an empowered woman does.
The iconic lyrics sung by the character Lettie Lutz (Keala Settle) from the musical “The Greatest Showman” has been inspiring people for six years now. These are the perfect words to help you embrace your inner and outer woman.
People don’t have to love you; people don’t have to like you. Accept yourself for who you are because that is what an empowered woman does.
- Let women be part of the narrative. For most of history, women have been excluded from major decision-making aspects of society. This is still true in many forms these days.
This message encourages women to let their voices be heard. Don’t let anyone silence you for being a woman.
- A woman who stands up for herself stands up for all women. This is a reminder urging every woman to assert their needs, their wants, and their rights. When a woman stands up for herself, she does it not only for herself, but for every other woman, especially those who have been silenced into submission.
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Check out the music video featuring the messages of the students of St. Scholastica’s College Manila and Miriam College on the SheSlays Freedom Wall. Edited by The Philippine STAR Creative Services Unit, it will be uploaded on the YouTube account of PhilStar Life soon!