Hanna Katrina ‘Trina’ Andres, the first female mayor of Rizal, Nueva Ecija, underscored the determination, resilience, and capabilities of women in leadership and the workforce during a recent engagement at Central Luzon State University.
Andres, an alumna of the university, served as a resource speaker during the institution’s celebration of National Women’s Month, where she highlighted the strength and potential of Filipino women.
Organized by the university’s Gender and Development Office, the event held at the CLSU Auditorium gathered students and faculty members to recognize women’s leadership and contributions to society.
In her message, Andres emphasized that women leaders move forward with courage and conviction despite challenges.
“She leads anyway, with heart, conviction, and with unstoppable grit,” Andres said, stressing that determination and inner strength enable women to overcome obstacles.
She added that when women combine compassion and competence, there is little they cannot achieve.
The mayor also pointed out that the celebration of National Women’s Month goes beyond wearing purple or posting on social media, noting that it should serve as a reminder of women’s progress, strength, and potential to lead.
According to Andres, leadership is not defined solely by a position but by the courage, dedication, and determination to create meaningful change.
CLSU’s month-long observance includes several activities for students and faculty such as the **GADmazing Challenge, JuanaSayawit, and SHEnergy: Feel the PowHER.
The celebration aligns with this year’s theme, “Lead Like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, which honors the Babaylan—pre-colonial female spiritual leaders and healers recognized in Philippine history for their role in empowering women and guiding communities.
