Mothers as Changemakers Take Center Stage at Bayanihan’s International Women’s Day Celebration

This year’s International Women’s Day celebration held on March 8, 2025 at Dona Daria centered on the theme: “Mothers as Changemakers: Building Families & Transforming Societies.” The event featured a dynamic panel discussion, bringing together diverse perspectives from mothers across generations, each sharing their journey of motherhood, career, and personal growth. The dialogue was rich with insight, exploring the defining moments of motherhood, strategies for balancing responsibilities, and the lessons learned along the way.

Defining Moments: The Motherhood Journey

Motherhood is a transformative experience, shaping priorities and perspectives.

Representing the voices of grandmothers, Bayanihan Senior Core Group Member Nora van der Does-Gonzales shared how she consciously chose to prioritize raising her children while traveling with her husband, whose work required the family to move across countries. Her story underscored the sacrifices and commitments of motherhood, including the deliberate decision to forgo career advancement. For her, being a mother became the career.

Representing the voices of the working mothers, Bayanihan Board Treasurer Veronica Balbuena provided a different perspective. Veronica became a mother at 20, before completing her degree, but later pursued education and a career in finance after moving to the Netherlands, despite initially wanting to work in agriculture. Her story reflected resilience and adaptability, demonstrating that career paths can evolve and are often shaped by life circumstances.

Representing the voices of stay-at-home mothers, Bayanihan Board Secretary Myra Colis shared a clear message: every mother should carve her own journey, free from societal constraints. Becoming a mother at 35—a stage often considered late in her culture—was a defining moment in her life. She explained that motherhood in her mid-30s challenged societal expectations and reinforced the idea that life does not follow a single, predefined path.

Balancing Responsibilities and Self-Care

The three speakers—all members of the organization itself—embody the very essence of this year’s theme: mothers as changemakers. Their stories prove that we don’t have to look far to find inspiring voices; they are already among us. This highlights the importance of looking within our own communities and valuing local perspectives—a mindset we must always uphold. Likewise, mothers create change in tangible ways—whether by challenging societal expectations, making conscious career and family choices, or proving that personal growth doesn’t have to stop with motherhood.

Capturing their thoughts on managing family, work, and personal well-being, the speakers shared key strategies that have guided them through the challenges of motherhood and career balance:

Nora’s approach was simple yet powerful: “Deal with it.” She emphasized the importance of accepting the realities of motherhood—the highs and the lows—without overcomplicating things. Instead of dwelling on difficulties, she focuses on finding solutions, adapting to changing circumstances, and moving forward with resilience. For her, motherhood comes with inevitable struggles, but facing them head-on, rather than resisting or avoiding them, builds strength and confidence.

Veronica advocated for a mindset of flexibility, embracing the philosophy of ‘going with the flow.’ She acknowledged that life doesn’t always unfold according to plan, but sometimes, unexpected turns can lead to new and fulfilling opportunities. Rather than resisting change, she encourages mothers to trust their instincts—when something feels right, it’s worth pursuing. Her story was a reminder that personal and professional growth often happens in moments of uncertainty, and embracing change with an open mind can lead to unforeseen possibilities.

Myra underscored the importance of time management and prioritization in maintaining balance. She stressed that while juggling multiple responsibilities, it’s essential to recognize what truly deserves one’s time and energy. This includes identifying toxic relationships or environments that drain emotional and mental well-being and having the courage to let them go. For her, setting clear boundaries, learning to say no, and focusing on what truly matters—be it family, career, or personal growth—are key to achieving both stability and fulfillment.

Lessons Learned and Advice for Mothers

When asked about one key lesson they wished they had known earlier, the panelists shared insights that deeply resonated with the audience:

Nora van der Does-Gonzales: “Make a choice. Stand for something and know why you’re doing it.” She emphasized the importance of being patient when raising children and the necessity of integrating into a foreign society. Learning the local language and culture, as well as actively socializing, makes a significant difference. She shared how her family embraced this approach while living in Samoa, immersing themselves in the local community.

Veronica Balbuena: “Know yourself—your values, what you want, and where you want to go. It’s not always easy, but self-awareness is key.” She also stressed the importance of building a strong support network within the neighborhood. Having a trusted community allows families to support one another, whether through childcare arrangements—such as taking turns watching each other’s children—or simply offering encouragement and assistance when needed.

Myra Colis: As a migrant mother in the Netherlands, I realized that learning Dutch early on would have significantly eased both my career and integration.” She reflected on how crucial language skills are in adapting to a new country and wished she had immersed herself in Dutch from day one. Mastering the language earlier, she noted, would have opened up more opportunities, made daily life smoother, and strengthened her sense of belonging in a foreign country. “The feeling of belonging starts from speaking the same language—whatever format that may take.”

Can Women Have It All?

IWD participant and previous IWD speaker Judy Anne Santos-Sarzuela raised one of the most thought-provoking questions: Can women have it all? After discussions and sharing, the consensus was a resounding YES. As Corazon Dee, also a participant, perfectly summed it up: Yes, women can have it all, but not at the same time.

The definition of “having it all” varies from person to person. For instance, for Nora, success meant raising her children as she envisioned while supporting her husband. For others, like Veronica, success meant career achievements, personal growth, or finding a balance between work and family. As Myra put it, define ‘having it all’ or ‘success’ on your own terms, not based on societal expectations.

Regrets and Reflections

When asked about regrets, the speakers reframed the question—rather than focusing on what could have been done differently, they viewed their experiences as lessons that shaped their lives.

For instance, Nora shared that if she hadn’t focused on raising her children, she wouldn’t have the close bond she now shares as both a mother and grandmother.

Similarly, Veronica reflected that if she hadn’t pursued her studies in finance, despite her desire to be an agriculturist, she wouldn’t have realized her potential to thrive in the corporate world.

Myra also looked back at past job rejections, acknowledging that missing certain opportunities led her to a more fulfilling and flexible career path, one that allows her to spend quality time with her children.

Key Takeaways from the Book Launch: Heart of a Mother

The event also featured the launch of Heart of a Mother by Maya, which delved into the complexities and beauty of motherhood. . Ms. Blanche Pennings, a community leader of PiNANAYs—an online platform with over 2,000 Filipina mothers in the Netherlands—provided a positive and encouraging book review.

Some of the key insights included:

Working moms and stay-at-home moms are equally valuable. One is not better than the other, and both play crucial roles in shaping families and communities.
A mother’s heart is expandable. Maya shared her initial fear of not having enough love for a second child, only to realize that love multiplies rather than divides.
The mother’s heart as a safe haven. One of the book’s most touching stories emphasized that no matter the struggles, challenges, or relationship difficulties, the heart of a mother remains a place of unconditional love and refuge.

Conclusion

The International Women’s Day event was a powerful reminder of the pivotal role mothers play in shaping families and societies. Whether as a career-driven professional, a stay-at-home parent, or a grandmother guiding future generations, mothers are changemakers in their own right. Their journeys are diverse, their struggles real, but their impact is undeniable. This celebration reinforced the importance of defining success on one’s own terms, embracing life’s twists and turns, and recognizing that the love and strength of a mother truly knows no bounds.

And more!

Not to be forgotten, the welcoming remarks from Stichting Bayanihan Founding Chairperson and Social Cultural Worker Diana Oosterbeek-Latoza set the tone for the celebration, which came to life even further with the dynamic dance presentation by the Bayanihan Seniors Core Group. Led by Nila Tayco, the dance, called Subli, is a traditional Filipino folk dance symbolizing deep respect and devotion, often performed during festive occasions.

In Philippine culture, no event is complete without a delicious merienda cena, which rounded off the afternoon, leaving everyone with full hearts and satisfied stomachs.

Notably, this day also marked the final activity for Stichting Bayanihan at Dona Daria, adding a sense of closure to an unforgettable chapter. The event was not only a time to reflect on the power of mothers as changemakers but also a reminder of the importance of community, culture, and connection. IWD 2025 celebration day was a beautiful representation of what it means to come together, celebrate our roots, and honor the contributions of those around us.