“THE TIMES THEY are a-changin’.” From the notion that “women can’t do what men can” to “women can do what men can,” the annual celebration of Women’s Month serves as a reminder to all of us that men should not be the standard. Instead, all women should focus on the idea that we can be whoever we want to be. 

THE COLLEGE OF Arts and Sciences (CAS) is a testament to the incredible achievements of six remarkable female department chairpersons, namely, Asst. Prof. Jenny S. de Guia, DBA of the Department of Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Asst. Prof. Rosemarie M. Perreras, M.I.T of the Department of Information Technology, Assoc. Prof. Annabel D. Quilon, PhD. of the Department of Psychology, Assoc. Prof. Jackqui R. Moreno, CPA, DBA, of the Department of Accountancy and Taxation, who also serves as the Vice Dean of the Business Cluster of CAS, Prof. Liwaway H. Acero, Ed.D. of the Department of Natural Sciences, and Asst. Prof. Rulina B. Viloria, MS of the Department of Economics and Public Policy. For this issue, three of these department heads, who were available to sit down with The Bedan, shared their stories of overcoming stereotypes and hardships to reach the heights of success they have today.

This month emphasizes women’s vital role in society, focusing on feminism and the pursuit of equality. In a world dominated by patriarchal norms, where women’s empowerment is often challenged, let’s examine how three of our female Bedan department chairpersons defy stereotypes and demonstrate that gender is not a barrier to success. 
 
A Chairperson’s role in the Department 

Bedans may know department chairpersons by their name, title, or their face but little about the things that they do. Aside from being our proud stewards of knowledge, leaders, and as the epitome of academic integrity, the responsibilities of being a department chairperson reach far and wide. 

Assoc. Prof. Jackqui Moreno, CPA, DBA, the Vice Dean of the Business cluster of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the concurrent Chairperson of the Department of Accountancy and Taxation, gave us a glimpse into her career, which essentially revolves around three major things: “the faculty, the students, and the curriculum.” In addition, she also delved into her role in academic advising and in resolving other student concerns, such as disciplinary actions.  

As one of the College’s Vice Deans, she mentioned being involved with the departments under the Business Cluster: Marketing, Financial Management, Human Resources, Operations Management, Legal Management, and Entrepreneurship. 

But beyond this, a Vice Dean’s responsibilities isn’t confined to San Beda University (SBU) alone. While she works in SBU from Mondays to Thursdays, every 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., during Fridays, however, “wala talaga ako dito kasi I’m at the review center. I teach for a CPA Board Review Class,” while also serving as a Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) accreditor.  

On the other hand, Asst. Prof. Rulina Viloria, MS, the Chairperson of the Department of Economics and Public Policy, says that her responsibilities include “the formulation of programs and policies related to the academic program of the department, which is the Bachelor of Science in Economics and Public Policy.” In addition to this, she also mentioned the management of other programs like the department’s thesis program.  

For her part, the Department of Business Management and Entrepreneurship’s (DBME) Chairperson, Asst. Prof. Jenny de Guia, DBA, introduced herself not merely as the department’s head, but also as the moderator of three professional organizations, namely: the Human Resources Development Management Society (HRDMS), Management and Entrepreneurship Society (MANSOC), and Society of Operational Management Students (SOMS).  

Aside from the programs, syllabi, and service to the faculty of DBME, she mentioned other responsibilities, like “[facilitating] the needs and concerns of our students under the department, and also those students under the servicing ng DBME. “When I say servicing, we provide service kasi sa mga subjects like Operations Management, Human Resource Management, na tine-take din ng ibang course, so we give assistance din sa kanila,” she added. 

Beyond their titles and faces, these individuals serve as stewards of knowledge and academic integrity. They oversee faculty, students, and curricula while prioritizing their success and well-being. 

The highlights of their careers 

Everyone has their moment. Everyone has their time. Everyone gets to shine. For Dr. Jackqui, it was when she became a full-time administrator, which she considers as a “huge leap” from her original position as a part-time instructor back in 2003.  

“I became the first chairman na solo n’ung sinolo na ‘yung Financial Management. Kasi dati, merged siya sa Accountancy—nag-merge siya sa Economics. So n’ung lumaki siya, hiniwalay siya, tapos ‘yun na, ako na ‘yung naging chairperson,” according to Dr. Jackqui. 

She also mentioned that becoming the Vice Dean is another one of her career’s highlights. Through that position, she explained how she has had the ability to guide students who need assistance, “and, of course, just set a tone that all of us should be at the same level. Walang program na naiiwan,” Dr. Jackqui added.  

For Prof. Viloria, one of the highlights of her career was when she carried her government and development skills over to the academe. “Because of the orientation and experience, naging part ako ng founding members ng Council of Economics Educators,” she said. Additionally, she was able to co-author two books—Managerial Economics and Health Economics—at the height of the pandemic.  

Dr. Jen, on the other hand, says that the highlights of her career at SBU include the University offering her a full-time position, then becoming a regular professor, until finally being offered the position of Department Chairperson. 

“I always say this to my students: You’ll realize na talagang ‘yung efforts mo ay may impact at [saka] effect sa community mo if madadaanan mo yung journey from scratch, from the start, tapos makikita mo that may growth ka by receiving opportunities, and recognitions, as well as promotions sa community ninyo rather than you start na nando’n ka kaagad sa taas,” she added. 
 
Common struggle as women 

In the vast tapestry of human history, the struggles of women have been intricately woven, often obscured or minimized, yet are still profoundly impactful. Even in this era, women continue to confront multifaceted obstacles related to their gender.  

Dr. Jackqui says that she experienced a lot of struggles in the accountancy profession, but the most notable of which is how it treated women way back in the early 90’s. “Medyo mahirap makakuha ng client kapag babae ka, kasi feeling nila hindi ka makakapagtayo ng opisina mo kapag babae ka. Ang lumalabas, laging support ka lang,” she narrated.  

Retaliating against a sexist domain, Dr. Jackqui registered her name as ‘J.R. Moreno’ in BPI and not her full name to make her look more masculine. “So, ngayon, may signage sa pintuan ko sa opisina, they come in. Kasi kumbaga parang feeling nila, ‘Ah lalaki.’ Tapos, n’ung nagtatanong na sila kung sino ‘yung mag-a-attend sa kanila, sabi ko, ‘I am actually the proprietor of the accounting office,’” she shared. 

For Prof. Viloria, time management, as a woman with a career in the academe while being a mother, was difficult. “If you are a married individual with a family, mahahati talaga ‘yung oras mo,” she explained.  

Despite this, considering how she was already exposed to the field of working at the age of 19, time management, she contended, was “not new” which made it easier for her to handle said responsibilities.  

On the other hand, Dr. Jen said that her struggle is related to age. While some would argue that being young is an asset, for her, being young, “sometimes, feeling mo you need to prove yourself na you’re worthy of what they offer to you,” she elaborated. Still, Dr. Jen still felt “lucky” that, despite her age, students would not disrespect her. While there are some instances of such, these were “very seldom and few,” while explaining how, in such a reality, it is important to “establish that ‘I am your professor. I am the one who’s handling and managing your class,’” she asserted. 
 
A mother’s touch 

Teaching, like motherhood, involves nurturing, guiding, and shaping individuals to reach their full potential. Female professors may find parallels between their role in the classroom and their experiences as mothers, since both involve imparting wisdom and offering love and support. For our female Department Chairpersons, their own mothers serve as invaluable guiding influences, offering insights, encouragement, and the much-needed inspiration that shape their approach to education and mentorship.   

Dr. Jackqui reflected on her mother’s influence, describing her as both “carefree yet resolute” in her convictions. “Strikto sa bahay, disciplinarian. Pero ‘pag nakita mo, she knows what she can do, and she knows what her limits are because she’s a decent woman,” she shared. 

Prof. Viloria echoes this sentiment, noting her mother’s commitment to honesty and openness: “Halimbawa, nagsinungaling ka. Ayaw niya ng gano’n. Hindi niya hahayaan ‘yon. Gusto niya ‘yung open ka sa kaniya, so I think ‘yun ‘yung namana ko.” 

Being raised in a family with its own business, Dr. Jen reminisced back to the time when she had worked as a bagger, cashier, displaying groceries, and carrying boxes around since she was a child. Instilling with it a profound strong work ethic that continues ‘til date, she contended how “nakuha ko ‘yung gano’ng ugali pagdating sa trabaho sa mother ko.”  
 
The camaraderie among women 
Women should support other women. The bond formed between women supporting one another emerges as a powerful force for empowerment, solidarity, and collective advancement. Women share experiences, which helps them understand each other better. Therefore, women in other women’s lives bring sisterhood and camaraderie that can transcend age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, and other facets of human life. These are ideas that are affirmed by our female academic heads. 

“I grew up in a family wherein women are considered very strong because they were left by their husbands to take care of the house. I think it’s a very big job during wartime. Wala silang magagawa kundi talagang asikasuhin ang mga bata,” shared Dr. Jacqui. 

On her part, Prof. Viloria says that her sister “also a very strong woman.” This appreciation grew further when her sibling opted to be a full-time mother. In addition to this, she also mentioned that her former boss in development work, Dr. Mina Ramirez, whose commitment to work and knowledge of topics, like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), inspired her the most. Going back to the 1980s when environmental care and the SDGs weren’t discussed as much, Dr. Ramirez was one of the few to have challenged the status quo.  

 
Their message to Bedan women 

“The Bedan community, right from the beginning, it was supposed to be a man’s community. So even if you say it appears to be like only for boys before, it’s so inclusive, and it has a very hospitable community that it embraces everybody. It does not see a person by its gender. So they just see people here in San Beda working together as people members of the community. So we are very thankful that we thrive in San Beda regardless whether you are a woman or a man by gender. Mabuhay ang mga babae sa San Beda.”

– Assoc. Prof. Jackqui Moreno, CPA, DBA 

“Learn to say no when it is really no and learn to say yes when it is really yes. Kailangan may sarili kang opinyon. Kailangan may sarili kang paninindigan.”  

– Asst. Prof. Rulina Viloria, MS

“Strive hard, do your best, and gender will never be an issue or a limitation, an obstacle, for you to grow. As early as now, as much as you can, disregard the idea na ‘babae ako, limited lang yung growth ko.’ For me, just perform, just strive hard, give your 100% sa lahat ng ginagawa. Quantity and quality, hindi pwedeng isa lang.”

– Asst. Prof. Jenny de Guia, DBA  

To embrace greatness, one must embrace oneself. To be a woman with pride, one must accept that she is a woman, and a woman is capable of doing great things.  

These women have achieved great things while embracing their womanhood. Through their stories, let us be inspired to carry the spirit of empowerment and self-acceptance, recognizing that greatness knows no bounds when we embrace our authentic selves and support one another on the journey toward equality and excellence. 

(with Dianne Radel Magallon)