In a candid and thought-provoking roundtable co-hosted by leading insurance firm AIA Philippines and women empowerment platform SheTalks Asia, women from diverse backgrounds came together to discuss topics that are often kept under wraps, challenge stereotypes, and unpack limiting beliefs that hinder their wealth and well-being.
Women from across industries connect over lunch, sharing their experiences and breaking down barriers around finances, health and well-being.
This conversation created a much-needed safe space to rethink how women view money, defy societal norms, and prioritize both immediate needs and long-term goals. From discomfort around discussing finances to undervaluing one’s worth, these are the dialogues we need to have—more openly and more often. Topics like these often get swept under the rug, but platforms like this can help change that.
Challenging limiting beliefs among Filipinas
She Talks Asia founders Lynn Pinugu, Bianca Gonzales, and Iza Calzado got real about how cultural conditioning and hiya(shame) can make it tough for Filipino women to talk about money. “We’re often taught that talking about money is taboo and conditioned to just accept what’s given to us,” Lynn shared. Iza added, “Many of us were raised to think that asking for more is just too much. But it’s totally okay to ask for what you deserve, knowing your worth.”
AIA Philippines’ CEO Melita Teo (center) and AIA Philippines CMO Melissa Henson (leftmost), and the founders of She TalksAsia join forces to initiate conversations that challenge lingering beliefs and inspire women to invest in themselves.
This hit home for a lot of women, highlighting how many still believe they should not be assertive about money. This often leads to self-doubt about financial decisions and feeling embarrassed to ask for help. The women in the room made it clear that it is time to ditch those outdated beliefs, own our financial power, and shape our futures.
AIA Philippines CEO Melita Teo shared her own experience, stressing how important it is to initiate these conversations: “I also needed to become more comfortable discussing finances as part of my work. By striving to do my best in every role and always asking for guidance, I gradually gained that confidence.”
CMO Melissa Henson agreed, and added, “The earlier you take charge of your finances, the more peace of mind you will have as you progress on your journey.”
Mariel Bitanga, Janna Simpao, and Zara Carbonell-Near share their wisdom through actionable tips designed to empower women to take control of their well-being.
Achieving financial confidence and goals
The roundtable flowed with practical tips and inspiring ideas for boosting financial well-being. Janna Simpao, who founded Bride and Breakfast, pointed out that understanding your worth and finances begins at home. “If we start in our homes and within our circles, we can create change and normalize conversations about money among women.”
Athlete and entrepreneur Zara Carbonell-Near suggested swapping the restrictive word “budget” for the more empowering “priorities,” a simple yet powerful mindset shift. Meanwhile, Mariel Bitanga, founder of Simply Finance PH, reminded everyone that financial know-how is a learnable skill, not an innate talent. Her top tip: “Face your finances. It’s the hardest but most important part.”
They also looked into the power of seeking guidance and exploring financial tools, including insurance products such as AIA Ascend, for reaching both short-term and long-term goals and building a secure future for themselves and their families. These tools can provide a crucial safety net and empower women to invest confidently. The importance of financial security was a key theme, with participants emphasizing the peace of mind that comes with planning for the future.
As AIA Philippines CMO Melissa Henson explained, “Insurance isn’t an expense. It’s an investment in your peace of mind.Getting insured early means protecting your future at a lower cost, especially while you’re healthy.”
Learning to prioritize one’s well-being
The discussion then turned to the vital connection between financial well-being and overall health, discussing how societal pressures often lead women to prioritize others, resulting in burnout and neglecting their own needs. They explored the “good woman” archetype—often seen as self-sacrificing—and its impact on emotional labor, caregiving, and the guilt many women feel when prioritizing their own needs due to societal expectations.
Practices like exercise, mindfulness, and setting firm boundaries emerged as crucial for sharper decision-making, stress reduction, and safeguarding their health and financial stability simultaneously. The participants learned that true well-being encompassed all aspects of life, not just financial success, and that prioritizing one’s own well-being is essential for being the best partners, parents, and professionals they can be.
More than just a conversation, the AIA Philippines and She Talks Asia roundtable ignited a powerful shift, helping women reclaim their confidence, rethink their beliefs about health and finances, own their worth, and build a future rooted in well-being. This spark is bound to inspire generations.
