Women’s Month is a time to celebrate the women who have made a difference in our lives. For me, that’s my mom and my two eldest sisters, Jodie and Joan. They didn’t just raise me. They shaped me, they shaped the way I see the world, handle challenges, and keep going no matter what.

Losing my mom when I was 15 changed everything. But even though she was gone, the things she taught me stayed. In the following years, my sisters stepped in, each teaching me something valuable about life, responsibility, and resilience.

From Mama: Learning to Stand on My Own

Mama believed in letting me figure things out on my own. She didn’t hold my hand through every little thing. Instead, she let me handle my own school concerns, find my way around our town, and make my own choices. There was little to no pressure to be part of the honor roll.

Back then, it just felt normal. But looking back, I see that she was perhaps unknowingly preparing me for life. She wanted me to be independent, to trust myself, and to know that I could handle things even when they felt unfamiliar or scary.

That lesson stuck. Even now, whenever I face something new, I remind myself that I can figure it out because that’s what she taught me. I always keep in mind what Mama would say in different situations.

From My Eldest Sister: Strength Without Words

When our Papa passed, my eldest sister, Jodie, became our breadwinner. She didn’t have a choice. She just had to step up. She took care of us, worked hard, and made sure we had what we needed, even if it often meant sacrificing her own.

Apart from this, she also made sure I got the most out of the opportunities around me, even when she and our other siblings didn’t have the same chances. Through my Ate Jodie, I realized that sometimes, strength is also about empowering those around you. This is something I grew up appreciating.

That’s how I learned that real strength isn’t about how loud you are or how much attention you get. It’s about showing up, pushing through, and doing what needs to be done, even when no one is watching.

From My Older Sister Joan: The Love of Learning

My Ate Joan shaped a different side of me. She helped me prepare for a quiz bee, which I eventually won twice, taught me spelling during her free time, and introduced me to my alma mater, UP, showing me a world beyond what I knew.

She never pressured me to be more than “good enough.” Instead, she encouraged me to love learning for its own sake. She made studying feel less like a task and more like an adventure, where every new word, idea, or challenge was something to be curious about.

Because of her, I’ve carried that love for learning into everything I do. Whether it’s in my career, my personal goals, or even simple things like reading and writing, I always want to grow.

Lessons That Stay With Me

The things they taught me weren’t just about childhood. They shaped how I move through life today. These became my stepping stones to continuously discover who I am and who I want to become.

• Independence. Trusting myself to handle things even when they’re unfamiliar.
• Strength. Pushing forward even when it’s hard.
• Curiosity. Seeing learning as a lifelong journey, not a finish line.

At the time, these felt like small, everyday things. Now, I realize they were shaping me into the person I am today.

This Women’s Month, I Celebrate Them

Women’s Month is about honoring women who inspire us. Some change the world in big ways. Others shape lives quietly in ways we don’t always notice at first.

For me, it’s about Mama, my sisters, Jodie and Joan. They may not be famous (yet haha), but their impact on my life is everything. They taught me how to be strong, capable, and always willing to learn. Every time I stumble, I have at least two pairs of hands to help me get back on my feet and try again.

Here’s to all the strong women out there—to our Mama, Mommy, Nanay, Inay, Ate, Tita, Lola, and every woman who has lifted someone up in ways big or small. May we continue to celebrate all the strong women around us, not just this Women’s Month but every day as well.

Who are the women that shaped you? What lessons did they leave you with that you still carry tod