Soroptimist leader Aileen Macatangay pushes for more programs for women

Women continue to face numerous challenges and issues, such as opportunities, violence, a lack of healthcare, and many others.

If many women come forward together, especially during these divisive times in the country, they will feel more seen and valued, particularly younger girls.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Aileen Macatangay, an entrepreneur, advocate, and charter president of Soroptimist International of San Pascual, discussed how his role as a woman extends beyond being a wife and mother.

“Beyond my family, I have a deep passion for helping others, particularly women and girls. This passion has become an important part of my journey as the charter president of Soroptimist International of San Pascual, a global volunteer service organization committed to improving the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment, and opportunities for a better future,” Macatangay told ABS-CBN News.

“As a leader, I have the privilege of leading 16 empowered women who share a common heart for service. Together, we are building a club that believes in the power of women to create positive change, support one another, and respond to the needs of our community,” Macatangay added.

Going deeper, Macatangay stated that creating meaningful women-centered initiatives has always been in her DNA.

“We work toward initiatives that support education, women’s health, livelihood, leadership, and community development,” she shared with ABS-CBN News.

“These initiatives reflect our belief that service should go beyond good intentions. It should respond to real needs and create opportunities that help people improve their lives,” she added.

Along with leading advocacy efforts for women, true sisterhood has been built, since more voices equals more chances of being heard.

“I believe that every woman has the potential to lead, inspire, and contribute to society. Sometimes, all she needs is an opportunity, a supportive environment, and people who believe in her capabilities. This belief is one of the reasons I embraced the responsibility of establishing and leading our club,” she pointed out.

“It is a sisterhood of women who choose to use their time, talents, and hearts to uplift others. My goal is not simply to lead, but to help each woman recognize her own power to make a difference,” she added.

However, the female advocate admitted that one of the first challenges she faced was balancing her roles as a mother and civic leader.

“I have learned that balance does not mean doing everything perfectly. It means making intentional choices, managing my time, and understanding where my presence is most needed,” she said.

“I want my daughters to see that a woman can love her family deeply while pursuing meaningful goals and serving others. I hope they will learn that compassion begins at home but does not have to end there,” she added.

In the interview, she also talked about what success means in both her personal and professional life, reflecting, “For me, success is having a family filled with love, a life guided by purpose, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.”

“Success is being able to see my daughters grow, knowing that I am doing my best as a wife and mother, and having the opportunity to serve my community with women who share my heart for helping others,” she added.

Defining success as president of Soroptimist International in San Pascual, Batangas, a global volunteer organization founded in 1921 to promote human rights and gender equality. With nearly 66,000 members in 118 countries, it empowers women and girls through education, economic independence, and grassroots community service.

“I do not consider success an individual achievement. Whatever we accomplish as a club belongs to every member who gives her time, energy, resources, and heart to our shared mission,” she said.

“To me, true success is when the people around us grow, when our community benefits from our service, and when we leave others feeling supported, valued, and empowered,” she added.

As she hopes to see more female advocates and female-led initiatives, Macatangay concluded her interview with ABS-CBN News by giving women advice on leading, speaking up, and achieving fulfillment.

“I want us to create initiatives that do more than provide temporary assistance. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. Sometimes, the first step is simply having the courage to try, the humility to learn, and the determination to keep going when things become difficult,” she said.

“I also encourage women to use their success to uplift others. There is something powerful about a woman who succeeds and then reaches back to help another woman rise. We do not have to walk the same path, have the same resources, or share the same experiences to support one another,” she added.

“To every woman who dreams of becoming more: never underestimate what you can accomplish when you believe in yourself, remain faithful to your values, and choose to make your success meaningful not only for yourself but also for others,” she ended.