Imagine a gender equal world: free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; diverse, equitable, and inclusive; a world where difference is valued and celebrated.
The International Women’s Month (IWM) not only celebrates women’s progress and achievements, but also aims to educate and raise awareness for women’s equality, call for positive change advancing women, lobby for accelerated gender parity and fundraise for female-focused charities, so as to forge gender equality and embrace equity.
In an interview, Cynthia Romero-Mamon, a performer, dreamer, achiever and leader, has shared her insights about IWM 2023 and what power means to her.
“Power emanates from above,” said Romero-Mamon, the chief operating officer of the theme park Enchanted King (EK) in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines, who makes EK inclusive. “I’m a person who believes that we are here for a purpose; we are created in God’s image and likeness, so we are created to serve God.”
And if women are given leadership positions whether as a president of a company or a council, or even head of a women’s organization, that power was given to them, Romero-Mamon also said.
Together with knowledge, skill sets, and talents, they are meant to serve God in the country and they are not for themselves. “We end our lives making sure that we leave a legacy. We leave a good name not just to the bigger society, but especially to the smallest unit of society, which is family,” she added.
A mother and grandmother herself, Romero-Mamon believes that women must focus on family, “because if you do well in your family, then the rest of the society will be influenced.”
She considers herself a powerful woman because she is empowered. In the Women’s Business Council — which is composed of the country’s top women business leaders and entrepreneurs and the leading voice of women in commerce, inspiring and empowering women in the country — they want to build empowered women by providing training and women empowerment.
Because of this women empowerment, they are getting their acts together on their own, and now associating themselves with the Women’s Business Council to create that multiplier effect.
“With all the programs supporting women, I believe they’re becoming more empowered than ever. More women also have access to markets, financial support, technology, digital transformation, even fintech,” she noted.
“As long as we don’t discriminate, then I think there’s mutual respect,” she underscored.
“Despite the gender, despite the limitation, it’s not the size or status; it’s respect that we are all created in God’s image and likeness.”
Romero-Mamon shared she’s blessed to be recognized by other people. In fact, in her previous work, she was recognized as one of the most powerful women in information technology (IT) because at that time, she was president for Sun Microsystems, president of the IT Association, and founder of Information System Security.
She was also chosen to be one of the most influential women in the world in 2016, given by the Filipino Women’s Network. “I’m blessed and very grateful to other organizations who gave me the title. So if you think I’m powerful, they see the same; but maybe powerful because of what God has given us. If we are able to influence our family, our division, company, our community, and develop future leaders, that is power when you’re able to help others.”
According to Romero-Mamon, women had been given the rare experience of delivering future citizens. “So, I believe that she who rocks the cradle, rocks the world. We were given the task of carrying our babies and delivering them to the world . . . that in itself is a rare gift or rare responsibility and blessing. We’re naturally nurturing.”
The powerful woman she really admires the most is her mother, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, as “she has really offered her life or service to others, and helped the poor.”
Romero-Mamon believes everyone is all called to be saints. “So, in all our own little ways, if we do well, we do good, and always look at the best in every person, I think we are all called to be saints.”
“Now, my role is mentoring,” she pointed out. Four of her children are already working at EK. The eldest heads the creative division, while her older girl heads digital transformation and business development. Her younger girl handles all the front gate services, making sure that the guests have an elegant entry, and the youngest is now joining their organizational development, helping them in corporate planning and future major projects.
For Romero-Mamon, it’s about building one’s expertise. “When you build your expertise, then you can be very confident because you have competence . . . competence and confidence go together.”
She has proven herself not just a Filipina, but a Filipina businesswoman who can call the shots. “Yes, I feel that I know the market well, and if they want me to be successful, they have to respect my decisions because we differ in dealing with non-performing people; we’re more compassionate.”
Romero-Mamon said she wants to be patient with people to see how she brings out their best. “Even in the worst, even in the perceived worst, there is always goodness in every person,” she stated.
While there is acceptance of women leaders maybe in the cities at the national level, “we still need to address the cases of violation of human rights, especially women rights and children in some areas. We also need to address the lack of support for women-led businesses. That’s why MSMEs have to be focused on because there is a lack of information, so we need to educate them, train them, because once given the opportunity, women really do well in business.”
