Lifestyle
What Really Goes Down At The Women of Influence Dinner? A Cosmo Editor's POV
Your Cosmo-exclusive pass to the celebration of girlhood.
Published on Apr 1, 2025
Like one too many girls' nights out, it all starts with a group chat.
March is one of the busiest months at Cosmo HQ, all thanks to our biggest (and arguably most important!) project—our Women's Month campaign, a.k.a. the Women Of Influence Awards.
Every year, we recognize a group of fun, fearless, and forward Pinays who have inspired us and made their mark in their different advocacies and fields. But before the big night happens, the work starts months before—first, with a simple message on Slack: "Okay, let's start planning."
From there, the chat bubbles never stop. Pre-production for Women Of Influence (WOI) officially kicked off in October 2024, right in the middle of another campaign(!), and the first order of business? Setting the theme.
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Photo by Paui Guevarra.
Every year, we ask ourselves: What's a collective experience that captures what it means to be a woman today? And this time, one word kept coming up: girlhood—the shared experiences and innocent feelings from our younger days, now stories that form and unite us as women.
From there, we set meetings, hop on calls, and go back and forth on names—nominating women who embody not just this theme but the spirit of what it means to be influential in 2025.
The Cosmo team doing a tech run at the venue before the big event.
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Janine Gutierrez behind the scenes of her Women Of Influence campaign shoot as our headliner.
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Janine Gutierrez answering our questions on video for the Women of Influence campaign.
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Our test subjects! Assistant Managing Editor Alyana Olivar and Bea Bognot, who assisted our Art Director.
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Cosmo's Associate Publisher Dominique Domingo holding the (v pretty!) Women Of Influence trophy.
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The Summit Events team making sure every color is as it should be for our event collaterals.
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Finally, after weeks of discussions, we landed on our Class of 2025 awardees: Janine Gutierrez, AC Bonifacio, Maxine Esteban, Mae Layug, Chezka Carandang, Jo Sebastian, Dr. Issa Matibag, Ann and Billie Dumaliang, Charmaine de Leon, and Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma. Their stories and advocacies continue to inspire countless women—especially the Cosmo team.
Cosmopolitan Philippines' Women Of Influence 2025 Awardees (Photos by: BJ Pascual for Janine; Miggy Broño; Lena Nugent for Maxine)
Somewhere in the middle of all this, we also had a jam-packed, back-to-back shoot with our awardees. Meeting them, getting to know them, capturing their photos and videos, and sitting down for interviews—it was a busy AF schedule, but it was also a rare chance to see these women beyond the screen. And, as if that wasn't enough, we also pulled off a two-in-one shoot for Janine—both as our WOI headliner and as our March cover star.
It was a whirlwind of planning, refining, and pulling things together—but the best part? Doing it with the Cosmo Girls. Long meetings turned into creative free-for-alls, stressful days were broken up by inside jokes, and somehow, even the most packed schedules came with moments of collective chaos and fun.
In between all the madness, there were the little things: when meeting rooms slowly filled with chatter and laughter as the day (and night) came to a close, reminding us why we love doing this in the first place.
Vibe check!
Getting Ready With Cosmo
The culmination of our Women Of Influence campaign is our annual Recognition Dinner. And this year, it was held at Casa Buenas at Newport World Resorts. The Filipino-Spanish restaurant was transformed into an intimate space for our awardees for a night filled with good food, meaningful conversations, inspiring talks, and just… girls being girls—yet another reminder of our theme.
Before the main event even started, we were already sparking conversations with our awardees and guests, thanks to the three (!) TikTok live streams we did. The first two were hosted by our Cosmo Vibe Tribe content creators, Vada So and Courtney Buenaventura. As soon as they stepped in, our guests spilled the details on their looks, revealed who they were most excited to see, and dished on the moments they couldn't wait for.
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Cosmo Vibe Tribe member Courtney Buenaventura interviewing WOI awardee Jo Sebastian on TikTok Live. (Photo by Paui Guevarra).
The third TikTok Live was hosted by yours truly (*wink*). And it went on for much longer as I interviewed nearly all our awardees, special guests, and team members from both Cosmo and Summit Media.
I got them to open up about their own personal woman of influence, and because it's Cosmo and we're nosy af here, I asked all of them for a quick "what's in my bag" reveal. From Pat Lasaten's emergency snacks to nearly everyone having a nasal inhaler in their clutches, it was fun to see another side of our esteemed guests and awardees.
Name twins! (Well, almost.) I got to interview WOI awardee Chezka Carandang. (Photo by Paui Guevarra)
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WOI awardees Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma had a secret stash of snacks! (Photo by Paui Guevarra)
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From one beauty girl to another—what could be in Mae Layug's bag for the night? (Photo by Paui Guevarra)
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Next up for Cosmo's TikTok Live: Dr. Issa Matibag looking fresh from her duty at the hospital. (Photo by Paui Guevarra)
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WOI awardee Jo Sebastian was all smiles for our live interview! (Photo by Paui Guevarra)
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Everyone gets a turn! Even Summit Media Deputy Group Publisher Iza Santos ;) (Photo by Paui Guevarra)
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As for the venue? Well, it was nothing short of spectacular. From the photo walls (which was the clear favorite spot of the night as everyone took pics for the 'gram) to the display of products from our lovely sponsors, everything was set up to be the perfect Instagrammable spot—a must for any Cosmo event, TBH!
Casa Buenas at Newport World Resorts—with its high ceilings, wooden beams, and stained glass windows—was all dressed up for Cosmopolitan Philippines' Women of Influence 2025 Recognition Dinner.
And as expected, the food was top-tier and featured a thoughtfully curated menu with a mix of Filipino and Spanish cuisine. From the tasty appetizers like the "Tabla" (made up of barquillos picante, citrus cured salmon tostada, and queso fonduta) to the roasted barramundi ajo blanco entrée and the braised U.S. beef caldereta as our main dish, each course left us full and satisfied.
Saved you a seat!
Our Girls Night Out Hall Of Fame
After the warm hellos, TikTok Lives, and Instagram duties, guests settled in as the program began. Host Janeena Chan brought the room to life before welcoming our Chief Editor, Ida Aldana, who opened the night with reflections on girlhood and the power of women taking up space.
Ida took us back to shared girlhood moments—from lunch break games at school to navigating crowded concerts together—before setting the tone for the evening.
"Women Of Influence is about honoring Filipinas who are leading movements, opening doors, and showing the next generation what's possible. These women redefine success—not just for themselves but for those who come after them," she said.
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Cosmopolitan Philippines' Associate Editor Ida Aldana shared her own girlhood experiences that everyone went through, too. (Photo by Paui Guevarra).
She reminded us why we were there: "Beyond the awards and titles, what we're really celebrating tonight is the ripple effect of our awardees' work—the young girl who sees herself in them, the community that is made better because of what they do, and the culture shift that happens when women take up space unapologetically."
It made me think about how girlhood shows up in the everyday—how my teammate helped me put on body shimmer so I'd glow in photos, how we all shimmied into each other's gowns, and the simple "message me when you get home" texts that closed the night.
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"Girlhood is as soft as a whispered 'Kaya mo yan!' before a big presentation—God knows how many of those I got before this very moment right now," Ida quipped. (Photo by Paui Guevarra).
As the night gets deeper, the talk gets realer
Cosmo Convos IRL
This year, we figured that since we were already all in the same room—why not bring the GC to life onstage?
Before honoring our awardees, we held the first-ever live (!) edition of our video series, Cosmo Convos With Ida. Ida and Janeena caught up with some of the night's guests to tackle the burning questions of every Cosmo Girl—love, sex, relationships, career, and, of course, girlhood.
And who better to ask about girlhood than Myrza Sison? As Cosmopolitan Philippines' first-ever Editor-in-Chief back in 1997, Myrza helped shape the Cosmo Girl we know today. She took us back to the magazine's early days, giving us both nostalgia and inspiration.
"When we created Cosmo, we weren't just making a magazine—we were building a safe space for young Filipinas to explore who they were and what they wanted in life. They wanted to feel seen and empowered, whether it was through tackling taboo topics that you just whispered about with your friends," she shared.
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Cosmopolitan Philippines' first-ever (!) Editor-in-Chief Myrza Sison shared some fun facts about starting the mag back in the '90s. (Photo by Paui Guevarra).
"Kasi nung time ng mom niyo, 'whispered' talaga, wala pang Internet—giving advice on love, life, celebrating authenticity and female ambition," Myrza continued. "So our loyal readers, called Cosmo Girls, wrote letters. They said reading the pages felt like having conversations with their best friend. They found a sense of community and belonging among fellow Cosmo Girls—even those they'd never met."
And if you've ever wondered why we call our readers Cosmo Girls (not Cosmo women or Cosmo Pinays), Myrza had the perfect answer: "Nothing quite encapsulates that adventurous, fun, and fearless spirit like the word 'girl.' That's girlhood. That's the magic of girlhood that we celebrated then, and it's something I still carry with me today."
No wonder she's the OG.
Say it louder for my inner child!
The Lines That Live In Our Heads Rent-Free
Of course, with a room full of powerhouses, I had to take notes. Because one by one, our Women Of Influence 2025 awardees were introduced onstage so they could receive their trophy and deliver a short message.
As much as I'd love to narrate every moment, I'll leave you with the best quotes of the night—words that will stay with you long after the evening ended:
Janine isn't just a powerhouse on screen—she's undeniable proof that creativity isn't just about art—it's about making an impact.
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Ann, a conservationist and Masungi Georeserve co-founder, leads efforts to protect the country's natural landscapes with her sister Billie.
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Charmaine empowers Pinays with financial literacy, making education accessible through her relatable content and practical advice.
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Chezka is a pilot, period—no "female" needed before it. In a male-dominated field, she strives to be the representation she once sought.
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As the founder of GRWM Cosmetics, Mae highlights the importance of inclusivity in the local beauty industry.
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Pat and Agnes, lovingly called "PatNes" by Liwanag (Ben&Ben's fans), are one of the most visible queer couples in the OPM industry.
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Dr. Issa, known online to her followers as @obgynoncall.ph, is a dedicated OB-GYN and sexual health content creator.
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Jo, a nutritionist-dietitian and content creator, promotes balanced, science-backed wellness through intuitive eating and self-love, advocating for inclusivity and a mindful approach to health.
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AC's journey from viral dancing sensation to multifaceted artist demonstrates her dedication to both setting trends and breaking boundaries.
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Ranked 27th worldwide in fencing, Maxine breaks barriers while advocating for local athletes' rights alongside fellow Filipino Olympians.
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Each quote was a gem—little nuggets of wisdom about chasing dreams, owning your space, and lifting others up. From career lessons to reflections on girlhood, these aren't just one-liners; they're the kind of words you'll keep coming back to, long after the night is over.
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Cosmopolitan Philippines' Women of Influence 2025 awardees (from left to right): Ann Dumaliang, Charm De Leon, Patricia Meliisa Joaquin-Publico, Mae Layug, Jo Sebastian, Janine Gutierrez, Vanessa Maria Dolores Bueno, Pat Lasaten, Agnes Reoma, Chezka Carandang, Issa Matibag, Mia Esteban (representative of Maxine Esteban) (Photo by Paui Guevarra).
After all the speeches were said and the trophies were handed out, the awardees gathered for a group photo—first just them, then with the Cosmo team. There was that familiar girlhood moment of making sure everyone looked good, adjusting poses, and fit in the frame.
If this were the group chat, this would be the part where everyone just sends "we love this for us."
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What's a girls' night without a group pic? The Women Of Influence 2025 awardees with the Cosmo editorial team and Summit Media's COO, Howard Go. (Photo by Paui Guevarra).
Tipsy on good vibes
One Last Cheers Before We Go
Summit Media's General Manager for Online, Christine Sandejas, closed the night with an inspiring speech, sharing fun stories exchanged with her tablemates, and highlighting how Cosmo has been empowering Filipinas to live fearlessly for nearly 30 (!) years.
"At Cosmo, our mission has always been clear: to empower women to live their best lives—now. For decades, we've been their friend and go-to guide for confidence, empowerment, and the fearless pursuit of their dreams and of themselves. And tonight, as we honor our Women Of Influence, we celebrate not just their success but the power of women lifting each other up."
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Summit Media General Manager for Online, Christine Sandejas, reflects on almost 30 years of Cosmopolitan Philippines..
She also reflected on a common theme among the honorees: holding on to the spark of girlhood.
"The wide-eyed belief that we can do anything, that we should be there for our best friends, that we can dream big—before the world tells us otherwise. Before norms try to limit us, before we are told to shrink ourselves. Tonight, we reclaim that spirit—we choose to stay curious. To ask questions, to listen, to dare, and to seek new paths for ourselves and the women who will follow."
Core memory in the making
When The Heels Come Off
As the night came to an end, I stumbled back to my hotel room shared with my work BFFs and began getting un-ready for the night. We were all huddled in our shared bathroom, letting each other use our skincare products, and we laughed as we recounted everything that had happened earlier—the good and the what-could-have-gone-better. We took turns sending each other all our pictures, hyping each other up ("Giving ka diyan, post mo 'yan!), and getting ready to make the customary Post-Event IG Carousel Dump™.
It took me right back to the beginning, back to all our pre-production meetings, when work didn't feel like work at all as the Cosmo team brainstormed and shared inside jokes in the process, when we would rack our brains for hours and end up having countless team dinners in the process, when we would hop on hours-long creative meetings that eventually become chikahan sessions.
It was those little moments that reminded me why I love being a girl—and being part of an all-girls team.
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Nothing says "girlhood" more than getting glammed up together and picking each other's outfits.
And as I finally crawled into bed, exhausted but happy, I realized that beyond the glitz of the event and the thrill of pulling it off, these little moments were what truly mattered. The laughter, the shared skincare routines, the creative chaos—all of it was a testament to the magic of working with women who just get it.
At the end of the day, it all started with a group chat. And by the time we wake up, the GC notifs will be alive again, filled with event selfies, new inside jokes, and more girlhood memories.
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The Cosmopolitan Philippines Team (left to right): Marketing Lead Marie Bilgera, Social Media Lead Aina Lizarondo, Sr. Staff Writer for Entertainment Kate Sarmiento, Sr. Staff Writer for Beauty Cheska Santiago, Associate Editor Ida Aldana, Asst. Managing Editor Alyana Olivar, Sr. Staff Writer for Lifestyle Clara Umali, Video Producer Cherrie Julian, Art Director Ica Del Mundo, and Associate Publisher Dominique Domingo. (Photo by Paui Guevarra).
The Cosmopolitan Philippines Women of Influence 2025 Recognition Dinner was made possible thanks to our co-presenter, Globe Business; and major sponsors EZ by Trust and Rexona. Special thanks to Sofy; Casa Buenas at Newport World Resorts, our official venue partner; Moki Gray, our official event stylist; and Team Muriel Vega Perez for the hair and makeup of the Cosmopolitan Philippines team.
Cheska is Cosmo's resident beauty girl. When she's not waiting for the next sale, you can find her buried in a book or obsessing over her latest hyperfixation.