Front & Female Awards 2025: the founders advancing the female agenda in the Philippines through technology and entrepreneurship

Dhang Tecson is a Filipino ocean advocate, social entrepreneur and community development expert with over a decade of experience focused on marine conservation, sustainability and supporting artisanal, small-scale fishing communities in the Philippines. She is the founder and ‘chief executive mermaid’ of Sinaya Seafood, a social enterprise named after the ancient Philippine goddess of the sea, which promotes sustainable fishing practices and markets fresh, local and responsibly sourced seafood from fishing communities.

Before founding Sinaya Seafood, Tecson served as the Global Operations Director at Plastic Bank, where she helped combat ocean plastic pollution across several countries. She has also co-founded Fishers and Changemakers Inc, working to improve livelihoods and promote sustainable fishing methods among small-scale fisherfolk, particularly in Cebu. 

What is your greatest strength? 

As a passionate community development champion committed to ocean and marine life preservation, my greatest strength lies in connecting people with meaningful, sustainable solutions. What truly sets me apart is my ability to unite diverse communities, supporters and changemakers, forging partnerships that work toward common goals and drive transformative progress. When we come together with purpose, we can build a future where both people and nature thrive.

Why is it important to you to support/inspire women in the Philippines?

Empowering women fishers—and women across related sectors—is key to building a future where equality, sustainability and lasting change are deeply rooted in our communities, especially in the fishing industry. Women play critical yet often overlooked roles in harvesting, processing and preserving our marine resources. By recognising their contributions and equipping them with the tools, support and leadership opportunities they deserve, we not only uplift coastal communities but also help build climate-resilient livelihoods. This is a matter of both equity and national importance—seafood is the second staple food in the Philippines and vital to our country’s livelihood and food security. 

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Marife Zamora is a highly respected Filipino business executive and leader known for her extensive contributions to the corporate sector and advocacy for women in leadership. She is the founder and chairman of the Filipina CEO Circle, an organisation dedicated to empowering and connecting Filipina corporate leaders. Zamora holds multiple influential positions, including non-executive director at PLDT, Inc, independent director of SM Investments Corporation and Pru Life Insurance Corporation of U.K, chairman of Willis Towers Watson Insurance Brokers Philippines, Inc and is a board trustee of FTW (For the Women) Foundation.  

Her professional background includes serving as managing director for Asia-Pacific and EMEA at Convergys Corporation and Country Manager of Convergys Philippines, the country’s largest private employer with 55,000 employees. She has also been managing director at Headstrong Philippines and division manager for Banking & Finance at IBM Philippines. Zamora was the first woman president of the Management Association of the Philippines (M.A.P.) and has held leadership roles at the Philippine Software Association and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Who is your hero and why? 

I am reminded of the love and strength of my mother, Patria, a teacher who believed that education and focus on excellence could provide opportunity. When she was the school principal in Masbate, she prepared students for the increasingly global context they would encounter by championing English speaking, thinking globally and acting locally. 

What impact do you want to make in the next five years?

I want my insights to turn into revenue growth, and implement business strategies that lead to more effective leadership and employee development. I hope that my involvement in socio-economic organisations (FTW Foundation, Filipina CEO Circle, Management Association of the Philippines and more) will ably support initiatives focused on educating and empowering women. 

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