#ShineStrong: Women redefining labels

MANILA – Philippines – Maarte ka kasi. For someone who hears this all the time, it’s easy to fall into the trap – I’m maarte, so I can’t be other things.  I can’t be an alpha female if I’m maarte. I can’t possibly be smart. 

Or can you?

But what if you can turn this remark into a badge? Maarte? Own it. Accept it. Make it something you can be proud of. Maarte could be telling you something. No, it’s not that you are flawed. It can mean that you are creative and that you should be doing something artistic. Maybe you are destined for a career and a life of unpredictability but beauty. (Arte, is after all, rooted in that word.) 

As tackled in previous discussions, labels have significant effects on people. On women especially, there are double standards. And these labels are not exactly temporary flashes, oftentimes they linger and sometimes, they influence our lives. 

But there are women who are creating their own terms. These are women who literally set their own definitions. 

Labels are not taken at face value but are flipped around. They are turned from weapons into armor, into something that you can proudly wear and even call your own. 

Rappler, in partnership with Pantene, launched #ShineStrong: Redefining Labels. Hosted by Issa Litton, the roundtable gathered women who are multi-layered. Bianca Valerio is a self-confessed “maarte” who used this to become an author, an artist and a host.

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz is a social entrepreneur who turned “ambitious” into something that also helps a community, not just herself.

And finally, Jessica Tan-Gan, is a society girl who never rested on her “anak mayaman” laurels. Even with a famous mom, she has proven herself by leading the charge for their eponymous brand.

The discussion was held on November 11, 2pm to 3pm. Watch the video and continue the conversation using the #ShineStrong. We want you to also live life on your own terms. – Rappler.com