In celebration of Women’s Month, the Enderun Hospitality Hub (EHHUB) launched its first-ever S.H.E.: Support Her Empowerment event last March 18, 2025, at Enderun Colleges. The day-long initiative was a great success, combining advocacy, education, and engagement to honor women’s achievements and spotlight key issues found in gender inequality. Organized by a passionate team of student leaders, the event created a space where conversations around empowerment, equity, and opportunity could be embraced.

The initiative was led by Event Head Natassia Zalameda, alongside Co-Heads Kristin Villavicencio and Kyla Evangelista, supported by a capable team of students who handled marketing, logistics, operations, public relations, and finance, with the direction and support of their supervisor, Ms. Bel S. Castro. Collaborating with organizations such as ZONTA, PATA, and the Office of Student Life, EHHUB created the S.H.E. event not only as a celebration, but also as a call to action for a more equitable and inclusive future.

At its core, the S.H.E. event focusing on three key elements: Strength, Heart and Empowerment, and rooted in seven main objectives: honoring women’s achievements, raising awareness on vital issues such as gender equality and reproductive health, highlighting women in leadership and business, supporting student-led fundraising, bridging career pathways with advocacy, and building a symbolic culture of solidarity through bracelet sales—all with the overarching goal of promoting action toward gender equity. Although some objectives remain works in progress, these core pillars serve as a strong starting point for continued growth and advocacy in future S.H.E. events.

An Inspiring Speaker Series

A major highlight of the event was the Speaker Series, which brought together four accomplished women who shared their stories, insights, and advice in areas ranging from leadership to mental wellness. Each session was met with enthusiastic student participation, filling rooms and leaving audiences inspired. So much so that as soon as the pre-registration forms were released, the slots filled up within 2 days. 

Allison “Ally” Canita, founder of Align Coaching & Training and Clean Greenius, opened the day with a timely and heartfelt discussion on “Work-Life Balance and Avoiding Burnout: Managing Career, Personal Life, and Self-Care Effectively” Drawing from her experience as a wellness coach, Ally emphasized practical strategies for maintaining mental health and navigating the pressures of modern life—a talk that resonated deeply with students juggling academics and extracurricular commitments.

In the afternoon, Annika Lacson, professional makeup artist who was internationally certified from MUD Studio Manila, gave a vibrant talk on “Confidence & Empowerment Through Beauty.” She explored how self-expression through makeup can empower individuals, cultivate confidence, and challenge narrow beauty standards.

The joint panel at 2:30 PM featured Kaye Pernia-Naval and Abetina Valenzuela-Mader, both of whom left a strong impression on attendees. Kaye, founder of Vitamin Marketing Studios, delivered an insightful talk on “Leading the Change: Women in Leadership & the Future of Marketing,” sharing how she built and led a Gen Z-driven, women-led agency. Her session sparked a flurry of student engagement and interest in further mentorship opportunities. Meanwhile, Abetina, CEO of Equilife Medical, presented “Womenpreneurs: Starting and Scaling a Business Successfully – Practical Steps to Launch and Grow a Business ,” where she highlighted her journey as a female entrepreneur and offered practical business-building insights. Her reflections on growth, resilience, and leadership offered valuable takeaways for aspiring student entrepreneurs.

Overall feedback from attendees remained overwhelmingly positive. Many students expressed a desire for follow-up sessions and deeper collaboration with the speakers in the future.

Fundraising and Advocacy in Action

The spirit of empowerment extended beyond talks into hands-on advocacy through a student-led booth, and concessionaire towards fundraising efforts. A central attraction was the Bracelet Booth, organized by EHHUB and operated by our EHHUB Lugs, where purple-themed bracelets—symbolizing women’s solidarity—were sold to raise funds for special causes. The booth drew attention not only for its symbolic value, but also for the genuine support it received from attendees curious about its meaning. The bracelet booth was also a place for student bonding and interaction towards an honorable cause as students gathered to make their own bracelets for the cause. 

Adding to the fundraising efforts was the Mix and Matcha booth, owned by a relative of an EHHUB member, which voluntarily donated 20% of its sales to the event’s chosen beneficiaries. The matcha drinks, blending perfectly with the green of Women’s Month colors, added a refreshing and thematic touch to the day’s activities. Combined, these efforts generated over P9,000, which will be donated to two organizations: the Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB), a feminist legal NGO, and Elsie Gaches Village, a DSWD-managed residential facility for women and children with special needs. 

The Future of S.H.E. 

Beyond its success, the S.H.E. event sets the tone for more impactful advocacy initiatives in the future for the Enderun Hospitality Hub as they aim to continue to create events to positively contribute to society wherever and however they can. Organizers recommended reserving larger rooms, enhancing booth experiences, and strengthening coordination with partner organizations to make next year’s event even more engaging. Ideas such as interactive bracelet-making stations, requisition participation from other registered student organizations to be part of advocacy to help generate even more funds for donation, photobooths, and community interviews were also suggested for deeper campus-wide involvement.

The S.H.E. event proved to be more than a Women’s Month celebration—it was a dynamic platform for students to learn, reflect, and act. Through empowering conversations, community partnerships, and student-led engagement, the event demonstrated how meaningful change can begin right on campus. As Women’s Month drew to a close, S.H.E. wanted to leave a lasting message: empowering women means shining light on their accomplishments, building inclusive spaces, sharing diverse stories, and turning advocacy into action—one student, one voice, and one bracelet at a time.

About Enderun Hospitality Hub (EHHUB)

The Enderun Hospitality Hub (EHHUB) is a student-led initiative under the International Hospitality Management (IHM) Department. Composed of scholars and passionate student leaders, EHHUB is dedicated to fostering leadership, creativity, and purpose through events and projects that bridge academic learning with real-world impact. By empowering its members and the greater student body, EHHUB continues to create meaningful experiences that contribute positively to society.