To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, we’re putting the spotlight on Filipina entrepreneurs who have built their own businesses from the ground up. We hope this inspires you to take that first step in making your own brand happen.
Aira Medina and Chi Gibbs of Neon Island
The online clothing company was started by best friends Aira Medina and Chi Gibbs in 2013. They have since released several collections as well as collaborated with brands like Havaianas and Wanderskye. Their products are 100% made in the Philippines with patterns that they draw by hand themselves.
Shop Neon Island on their website and follow them on Instagram @neonisland.
Lynn Pinugu of Mano Amiga Philippines
Lynn Pinugu is the co-founder and executive director of Mano Amiga Philippines, a nonprofit organization which aims to provide quality education for all. The Mano Amiga system originated in Mexico in the 1960s and its first school in the Philippines was started in 2008 in Taguig. Two years later, Lynn began a social enterprise to make Mano Amiga sustainable. Bistro 3846 was the resulting venture and currently serves school lunchrooms in the Philippines with 100% of its profit going straight to the Mano Amiga scholarship fund.
Learn more about Mano Amiga on their website.
Krizanne Ty and Nikka Arcilla of Girls Got Game
The founders of Girls Got Game, Krizanne Ty and Nikka Arcilla, were also the original managing directors when they started the nonprofit organization aimed at empowering young women through sports. They still help the core team members along with current managing directors Mariana Lopa and Gely Tiu with the organization. In 2015, they began organizing sports camps for girls in difficult economic situations. Their mission is to teach young women important life skills through sports.
Learn more about Girls Got Game through their website.
The future is female and this is only the beginning. Who inspires and empowers you to move forward?