Women’s leadership is an integral part of development and progress. In the Philippines, this tradition dates back to the pre-colonial era, through the Babaylan, a pre-colonial change-maker, leader, and primary symbol of gender balance.
The sub-theme of the 2026 Women’s Month Celebration stems from this history and tradition: “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!” This reaffirms the role of Filipino women in leadership whose authority was grounded in wisdom, empathy, mediation, and moral guidance rather than force or hierarchy.
The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), joined the celebration by holding its own activities and supporting various activities led by its mother agency, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). On 03 March 2026, the DOST led the kick-off celebration at the DOST Compound, featuring a parade and a pageant showcasing Babaylans. Courageously accepting the challenge of representing the agency, Ms. Ma. Betina Andrea P. Perez from the Science Heritage Unit graciously represented the NAST PHL Secretariat in the field, along with eight other representatives from DOST agencies: DOST Central Office, PCIEERD, PCHRD, MIRDC, DOST-NCR, DOST-STII, ITDI, and PSHS System.