In the Philippine conservation sphere, women have grown in influence and power. The gender discourse looks into the concept of women as nurturers.

While the idea of women having a “biological affinity to nature” has received mixed reactions from feminist groups, one cannot deny that the voices of Pinays (a common reference to Filipino women) resound in the field of environmental work.

These women often belong to different spheres – programmatic, institutional, and grassroots. But despite these differences, they are united by a shared commitment to nurturing the environment.

Here are some wonderful women who dedicate their lives to conservation:

1. Dr. Annadel Cabanban (Country Manager, Wetlands International Philippines)

Having years of technical experience as a marine biologist, “Dr. Ann” began her involvement in wetlands conservation when she became a project manager for Wetlands International’s Project for Resilience back in 2016. As the country manager of Wetlands International Philippines, she leads the management of how the organization implements its projects in the Philippines. 

When asked about the unique contribution of women in the conservation space, Dr. Ann said, “I think women can contribute to the caring of nature, you know, because women are nurturers. So this inherent attitude of women is important in the conservation of wetlands because conservation is basically caring–caring for the environment, caring for nature. So, our natural instinct to nurture the things around us, it applies to conservation efforts as well.”

2. Maria Josella Pangilinan (Program Development and Project Manager, Wetlands International Philippines)

Josella Pangilinan, often referred to as “Ate Jo” by her fellow members in the conservation sphere, is a BS Zoology graduate. Considering her collaborative work with communities, Ate Jo shares an interesting anecdote about why she studied Zoology, “The reason why I took up zoology is because I don’t actually like working with people. That’s the irony of it,” she shared.

Now, having over 25 years of experience in environmental conservation and community work, Ate Jo is one of the leading women dedicating her time and energy to providing meaningful contributions to the protection of wetlands and the empowerment of coastal communities, often involving women leaders.

“I consider myself sort of like a marine biologist-social scientist. Because all of my work is actually geared towards how we really help improve the well-being of coastal communities, given the challenges that they have.”

Ate Jo is also the coordinator of the Global Mangrove Alliance Philippines (GMAP), an alliance of conservation organizations and individuals that aims to protect and restore Philippine mangrove forests.

As the coordinator, she leads GMAP in developing initiatives to help address the three goals of the GMA, which are “Halt Loss, Restore Half, and Double Protection.” This involves working on policy and governance, socioeconomic concerns, technical and biological support, and sustainable financing.

Ate Jo holds high hopes for the role of women in wetlands conservation, given the changes she has observed in her years of experience in this line of work, saying that “May ganun pa ring patriyarkal na perception na mas nakakataas pa rin ang kabilang gender. Pero, unti-unti namang nababago ‘yun, marami na ngayon na very strong-willed na mga leaders na babae, development workers na babae, na talagang napapakita kung ano yung kaya nilang gawin at ibigay.”

(The patriarchal perception that the masculine gender is superior still exists. But it is changing little by little. Nowadays, there are plenty of strong-willed women leaders and women development workers who truly shine in what they do and give.)

3. Genea Nichole Cortez (Science Communication Lead, Mangrove Matters PH)

Genea Cortez, who is most fondly referred to as Ney in the conservation community in the Philippines, can be best described as a young achiever with a veteran’s resume. This description becomes even more powerful considering that she never planned to be involved in wetland conservation. 

Ney graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Biological Sciences. After graduating at 19, she still felt too young to teach, which made her decide to pursue a master’s degree. Long story short, she ended up taking MS Biology without planning to, and she eventually got involved in studying the floral diversity of the Del Carmen Mangrove Forest in Siargao Island, as a mangrove botanist.

“I have always shared that I turned out to be a mangrove illustrator because I was studying the parts of the plants, an integral component of being a mangrove botanist. I am a botanist turned artist. I was able to share my mangrove artworks, and it became a form of science communication.”

For Ney, one of the unique contributions of women in wetland conservation is the interesting way their role as housewives actually leads to making them representatives of their communities. In one of her research studies conducted in Del Carmen, Siargao Island, she noticed that women in wetland conservation “show up.” It was the women who helped and guided their team through the interviews, because their husbands were out working in fisheries.

“Hence, this is the unique contribution of women in wetland conservation. They show up and they are there when you need them the most,” she said.

As a young, passionate environmentalist, Ney holds hope that just like her, more women will make their voices heard in the conservation space.

4. Rosana Laxa (Chairman, Tubo-Tubo Fisherfolk Association)

“Chair Ana” is the only female member of the Tubo-Tubo Fisherfolk Association, is a people’s organization comprised of community members dedicated to caring for mangroves and the environment in Orani, Bataan. She is also their well-respected Chairman.

TTFA is passionate about conserving the Orani mangroves, as they have experienced firsthand how the mangroves have protected them during times of disasters. 

Chairwoman Ana has lived on the island with her parents since she was a child. She recalled a time when their house and everything they owned were flooded and destroyed during a strong typhoon.

“Muntik na mamatay at matangay yung father ko noon, buti nalang may mangrove. Tinali niya ‘yung sarili niya sa bakawan kaya sumusunod lang siya sa hangin pero yung baha, talagang mataas,” she said. 

(My father was almost killed and swept away by the waves. Good thing there were mangroves. He tied himself to the mangrove and swayed with the wind, but the flood was really high.)

When asked how she got involved in mangrove conservation, Chair Ana answered, “Nung nagbuo kami ng samahan na poprotektahan ‘yung mangrove, ‘di ako nagdalawang isip [bumuklod] kasi inisip ko yung magulang ko, [na] dahil dyan ay nakaligtas siya. Ngayon, mula nung nagkaroon ng mangrove na ganyan na matataas, hindi na halos nilulubog yung pulo.”

(When we formed the organization to protect the mangroves, I didn’t think twice because I remembered how the mangroves saved my father. Now, since there are now tall mangroves like the ones we have, the island is rarely flooded.)

As the head and only female member of the association, Chair Ana believes that gender does not matter in mangrove conservation. For her, what matters most is the unity that people have in their commitment towards protecting and recognizing the importance of mangroves. “Mapababae ka, mapalalaki ka, pareho kayong may contribution, pareho kayong may role na magtulungan talaga sa isa’t-isa. Kasi ngayon, kaya nang gawin ng babae ‘yung ginagawa ng lalaki.”

(Whether you are a woman or a man, you equally have a contribution, you equally have a role to help each other. In this day and age, women can also do what men can do.)

About the Author

Krixian Ann Magpayo, fondly called “Inch”, is a development communication student of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños and a previous intern at Wetlands International Philippines. Her advocacies include child protection and gender equality. She is also exploring opportunities in the conservation field.