FOR THE LONGEST time, women were told to earn their place at the table—to prove, to persist, to justify the spaces that were never built with them in mind. For these eight student presidents, the story does not end with access. Each of them brings a different voice, a different experience, and a different understanding of what it means to lead, challenging what leadership has long looked like and proving that it was never meant to stay the same.

Across their respective organizations, these women lead with purpose shaped by advocacy, experience, and the community they serve. While their approaches differ, they are united by one shared reality: leadership, as they know it, is no longer tied down to traditional expectations.

Embracing creativity in the world of photography

In creative organizations, leadership takes the form of empowering expressions and building confidence among members.

Jeamm Christen Cuña, President of the San Beda Red Lens Organization (SBRL), describes leadership as rooted in amplifying voices through visual storytelling.

She emphasized that their work “reaches beyond producing outputs.” It serves as a platform where Bedans can explore and showcase their creativity through media—whether in photography, video production, or even publication. 

For Cuña, leadership goes hand in hand with empowerment—they are the same: encouraging members to trust in their creativity and speak through their craft. 

As she puts it, the goal is to “empower my members to tell their stories, and express themselves creatively,” reinforcing that leadership becomes a space where individuals are guided to step forward and share their perspectives.

Endless inquiry creates endless possibilities

Maxinne Marie Lampa, President of the San Beda Debate Society (SBDS), put into view that their organization is centered on providing platforms where “people’s thoughts and opinions [are] heard and… relevant issues [are] talked about from different perspectives.” 

In this environment, leadership transforms into a guarantee that dialogue remains open and inclusive. Rather than focusing on hierarchy, leadership transforms into enabling meaningful participation from all members.

Lampa also emphasizes that women in her organization play an “indispensable” role in shaping outcomes, especially in ensuring that projects and competitions are executed effectively, as they are the ones who “set things into motion.” In this sense, leadership is not limited to titles, but is reflected in the ability to contribute to collective progress. 

Beyond leadership roles, women, as she observes, also contribute as members in ways that strengthen group dynamics and performance. Their presence helps “balance the group and maximize potential,” framing leadership not as a rigid structure, but as a collective function, shared responsibility, and equal regard for every voice.

Music comes within connection

In performance and music-based organizations, leadership becomes deeply relational, centered on empathy, community, and shared expression.

Erika Patricia Malapitan, President of the Bedan Musicians Guild (BMG), describes their advocacy as rooted in creative expression that inspires confidence, aiming to “create a ripple effect where one person’s expression encourages others to find their voice,” highlighting that leadership extends beyond performance itself—to cultivating spaces where individuals can grow, connect, and express themselves freely. 

She also calls attention to the importance of safeguarding emotional well-being and fostering supportive environments within the organization, reminding us how music serves not only as artistry but as an “avenue for connection, mental health support, mutual regard, and understanding” among members. 

Malapitan exemplifies that leadership includes ensuring members feel safe, valued, and encouraged to express both their creativity and individuality. 

Engraving inclusivity in leadership

Across organizations, women leaders consistently illuminate inclusion and participation, central to how leadership is understood and practiced.

Maria Novalyn Charisse Lagasca, President of the Bedan Scholars’ Guild (BSG), takes into account the importance of building a “tight-knit community” where members are supported not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. 

She translates that leadership involves creating systems that allow members to grow together and eventually give back to others, forming a cycle of support within the organization. 

Lagasca stresses that women are “given a platform to speak for [themselves],” inscribing that leadership today enables women to actively participate and influence decisions and initiatives that affect the broader community. 

For her, leadership is a “representation that ensures voices [are] heard and valued.”

The pen of productivity uncovers opportunity

In the field of publications, women bring not only creativity to the table, but also inclusivity, adaptability, and empathy. 

Angela Stacey Talens, Editor-in-Chief of ECHOES, is defined by her commitment to collective empowerment, where leadership remains a tool to ensure every member feels “valued, motivated, and heard.” 

Managing a women-dominated organization, Talens views decision-making not as a top-down approach, but as an empathy-driven manner that invites fresh ideas and creative solutions from across the organization.

By creating a safe space for mentorship and open communication, she transforms the technical task of producing a yearbook into a mission of memory-keeping, preserving the diverse stories, voices, and purposes of every Bedan student. 

Talens’ leadership proves that equal opportunities for women create a more productive, fair, and progressive environment.

Commitment to cultivating trust

As women redefine leadership, their role in elections has become essential to creating a transparent and inclusive system where every voice counts.

Darlene Pamiloza, Chairperson of the San Beda Electoral Board (ELBO), is an embodiment of this evolution. For Pamiloza, leading the University’s electoral arm is more than just an administrative exercise in counting ballots: it is a commitment to “cultivating trust” within the Bedan community.

While society often expects flawlessness from those in power, she argues that leadership is not just about perfection. Instead, she emphasizes the courage to step forward, proving that leadership is not a gendered trait, but a shared ability to serve with fairness, accountability, and purpose.

Her advocacy centers on integrity, credibility, and impartiality. By championing these values, Pamiloza highlights the unique strengths women bring to leadership, such as empathy and collaboration. She encourages others to step out of their comfort zones, empowering every voice to lead with confidence.

Culture is everyone’s duty

Throughout history, women have been a driving force, shaping the world even when denied formal power. In cultural organizations, leadership means balancing modern growth with the preservation of shared identity.

Sandra Nicole Audencial, President of Bedistang Alagad ng Sining at Kultura (BASK), describes their advocacy as rooted in creative expression that ensures personal talents like writing and poetry are not sidelined by the pressures of academics. 

She aims to beautify the Bedan community through music videos and theater, illustrating that leadership extends beyond management and goes deep into the cultivation of a distinct Filipino identity.

Audencial also highlights the importance of reclaiming spaces, noting that women are the “backbone” of creativity within the organization. She reflects on San Beda’s history as a formerly all-male institution, emphasizing that women in leadership are simply occupying the space they were always meant to hold. 

By creating environments where women are encouraged to reject the “submissive”  roles of the past, she exemplifies a leadership style that ensures members feel empowered to lead with confidence, artistic pride, and a commitment to gender equality. 

What beat beams

The world of dance is often a field where women have to struggle to reclaim their space. However, as women increasingly occupy leadership roles, their presence has become essential to creating a culture of directness and creative integrity.

Shane Dialde, President of the Bedan Dance Theater (BDT), is currently leading the group this batch, and for the first time, the organization is defined by a “sisterhood” rather than the male-dominated structure it had been before. 

Dialde rejects the outdated expectation for women to remain silent; instead, promoting a space where they can lead with confidence and speak with conviction. By choosing to be straightforward, she ensures that BDT is a fortress for honest and empowered expression. 

While her confidence may often be misunderstood, Dialde views it as a “necessary tool,” one that allows her to lead without the hassle of trying to please everyone. She believes women are vital in decision-making because they think deeply about consequences and balance the needs of the collective. 

These leaders show that a woman’s journey is no longer defined by the limits of the past. By breaking down old barriers and expectations, they are doing more than just entering rooms of power—they are transforming them. Across every industry, their leadership is the driving force that moves progress forward.

The shackles of history have been cast aside, leaving behind a past that is broken. Without the sacrifices of women, there is no path forward, paving the way for a generation of women that answers to no one but the future.

(with Kryztyn Alexandrea Jaine Narbasa and Catherine Mae Botalon)