Anna Marie Lukban

Karylle, Anji, Gela and Sheena on empowering women through their craft

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

Women have been breaking barriers and proving their fearlessness in every field, and the stage is no exception. In the world of performing, women like Kapamilya stars Karylle, Anji Salvacion, Gela Atayde, and Sheena Belarmino redefine what it means to be powerful through their talent and the bold choices they make in their careers. In this feature, they share their bravest career moves, which not only changed their own lives but also inspired others to embrace their own power.For many artists, saying “yes” feels like the default. Therefore, for Anji, it takes power to learn to say &#x27;no&#x27; and protect her boundaries. &quot;It&#x27;s really important for every artist out there [to learn] na it&#x27;s okay,&quot; she shares. &quot;I know we all say &#x27;yes&#x27; kasi we want to please and we want to build relationships. But at the same time, learn din kung saan ka na naabuso.&quot;While Sheena has always been passionate about singing and dancing, there was something about stepping into the world of theater that gave her a deeper purpose as an artist. The “Tawag Ng Tanghalan Kids” alum sees theater as a way to connect with audiences on a more meaningful level through storytelling. She also hopes that this bold leap inspires fellow young artists to embrace new paths, no matter how daunting they may seem at first.For Gela, who’s best known for her talent in dancing, courage means taking on a role that pushes her beyond her comfort zone. The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/timetodance">“Time To Dance”</a> host found this challenge in the upcoming &quot;Bagman&quot; series, where she struggled to deliver lines in straight Filipino. But she pulled it off with effort and determination.For Karylle, one of her most empowering moves as a performer was creating &quot;Kababaihan,&quot; a song she delivered for <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime/articles-news/its-showtime-hosts-amuse-viewers-with-heartwarming-performances-for-magpasikat-2021-16199">“It’s Showtime’s Magpasikat”</a> in 2021 alongside Kim Chiu and Amy Perez. She even filmed its music video in the West Philippine Sea with the Philippine Coast Guard during the pandemic. One of the coast guards was Noelle Wenceslao Penefrante, her former classmate who made history as one of the first Filipinas to traverse Mount Everest. Karylle takes pride in showing up with her team at a time when local fishermen and coastal communities felt uncertain, using music to send a powerful message.The true essence of empowering women is about lifting each other up and fighting together. So, we threw a fun question at these fierce ladies: If they could form an ultimate girl squad with three inspiring women, who would they pick?For Karylle, her sisterhood with Sunshine Dizon, Iza Calzado, and Diana Zubiri—called the &#x27;Sang&#x27;gres,&#x27; taken from the characters they played in a fantasy series two decades ago—is her forever squad. &quot;I&#x27;ve always been inspired by these women, and I like that I get to keep them in my life,&quot; she says. Karylle adds that &#x27;women empowerment&#x27; wasn’t even a big conversation yet when their friendship started, so she&#x27;s really proud to see how this topic has evolved and impacted so many lives today.As for Anji, she would pick Diana, Princess of Wales, whom she admires for her kindness and influence, calling her “a lovely woman” after watching several documentaries about her. She would also choose her mom, her role model when it comes to strength and wisdom. &quot;Palaban kami,&quot; she states proudly, sharing how her mom taught her the importance of keeping God in their hearts. And of course, that wisdom had to come from somewhere—her grandma, who would complete their team.For Sheena, nothing beats family. So, her clique would include her mom, her sister, and her late grandma—the women who have shaped her life.Gela would want to be surrounded by the women who inspire her most, and that would be her mom, Sylvia Sanchez, along with two of the people she looks up to the most, Iza Calzado and Angelica Panganiban.As we continue to celebrate Women&#x27;s Month, take inspiration from these unstoppable Kapamilya ladies.

Karylle, Gela, Anji and Sheena talk about their most empowering career moves.