As we approach the start of our 2024 Delegation, we’re excited to introduce the incredible Filipina tradeswomen who have partnered with TBB to bring this event to life. Their expertise, dedication, and passion have been instrumental in making the planning process both seamless and enjoyable. As our North American delegates prepare to embark on this journey, we want to take a moment to highlight the remarkable women whose contributions made it all possible.

“A big part of my life has been in the organization; I have learned a lot. I want to encourage more women to enter construction works, for me not only to learn  the skill but also to know more about their own abilities and raise awareness, because there is no gender in all types of work.” 

Mheanne Vargas from Philippines, started as a construction house  painter, she trained scaffolding and Safety officer, member of AWWCI  since 2024. 

She is a community leader, organizer, and volunteer facilitator of  various community organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Human Resource  Development Management (BSBA-HRDM) and is the former Secretary general of the Association of Women Workers in the Construction Industry, and now the current President. 

She has extensive experience in the community and has participated in various trainings such as leadership training, gender awareness seminars, trainer’s training, facilitator training, construction health and safety including Hazard Identification Risk Awareness and  Control (HIRAC) and Paralegal training for workers. She has also been part of promoting women’s agendas locally and on the national level.

Lucelle Terencio, started training as a construction painter year 2006, 3rd batch in Barangay Escopa Quezon City chapter. She has painted many housing  projects in her community. In addition to her part-time business, she has  two children. She divides her time between work, family and serving as the current Vice President of the Association of Women Workers in the  Construction Industry (AWWCI).

Through training she became more active in advocacy and campaigning against the marginalization of women. She believes that women should  be multi-skilled. 

Also participated in various women’s campaigns such as Stop Violence Against Women, Environmental Issues, Reproductive health campaigns and  became an active volunteer for women and the community. Her husband also supports women’s advocacy and her two children are involved in the  community activities.

“It’s very unusual for us women to work in construction, especially here in the Philippines, but AWWCI taught me to be the woman who breaks the  stereotypes. That woman can and should have rights to show their skills  and work in male dominated industry. I am proud to tell to everyone that I’m  working in the construction.”

Patricia Tapas, studied at the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila  Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration, she is a member of AWWCI, San  Jose del monte chapter from the province of Bulacan Philippines. She is a plumber  and the current President of the Plumbing Guild. 

She stumbled into a skills training program in plumbing. After that, she tried to  apply to the company and was immediately accepted, she enjoyed the  work and being skilled plumbing, which motivated her to pursue her career  in the construction industry. Now, she is a safety officer in a mechanical company. 

“Don’t think that construction works are only for men. Don’t be afraid to try something  new. Many women have succeeded in the skilled trades, and all women can. All that is  needed, is determination, perseverance, and willingness to learn.” 

Christine Joy Palit-ang, formally became a member of AWWCI in  2019. She studied at the Philippine Maritime Institute, in the BS Marine Engineering course. It was there that she trained to become a welder. Later advancing to the positions of welding  trainer and certified welding inspector. She is currently a teacher at a private training center in a community and the president of the Women  Welder’s Guild under the AWWCI. 

At first, she only studied welding to enter the ship as a cadet with  additional knowledge and requirements, but her talent for welding was discovered, and she was encouraged to become a trainer. 

According to CJ, she enjoys welding because of the improvements she sees in herself. She likes when she sees that each weld she makes is getting better. 

She also attended Basic Occupational Safety and Health  (BOSH), Leadership Training and other programs for women with the help of AWWCI and other allied organizations.

“It’s important not to give up and not be afraid to reach the dreams.  Get to know own strengths more. WOMEN POWER!” 

Maria Icely Villagracia is a plumber, plumbing trainer, assessor, registrar, and technical expert in plumbing.  She works contracting plumbing services for extra money and she includes  her unemployed students. 

When she joined AWWCI, the women construction group, she became part of various other women’s campaigns and advocacy, cross cutting to other issues like wage increases, benefits, health and safety, maternity leave, and  many other women’s issues in the community. She is an elected officer of AWWCI. 

The trainings and other activities of the organization help her to be able to handle situations especially involving the women whom she usually teaches. She believes guidance is important to new women entering the field of construction, especially in the Philippines where there are high rates of discrimination and bias within the workplace.

Jane Vargas  is a women and workers advocate, Construction Safety Officer, Community Development, Organizer, Union leader, Co-founder and  coordinator of the Association of Women Workers in the Construction Industry (AWWCI) 

She started organizing youth and women in the community at the age of 16. She has organized company based and community-based workers for a variety of organizations.

Throughout her career, Jane became part of women’s campaigns, led mobilizations, and volunteered for a long time in non governmental organizations (NGOs), peoples organizations (PO) and other sectors. Jane has been elected to positions at the local and national levels. She is the former Co-chair of the Local Poverty  Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) and she serves as a representative of the civil  society organization in Caloocan City Metro Manila Philippines, to promote the participation of  grassroots organizations and local communities, empower citizen groups and to engage with  local governments and national government agencies.

She is a council member for the National  Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) – Women Sector and was elected as national treasurer of the National  Union of Building and Construction Workers (affiliated with Building and Woodworkers  International)

She also trained construction painters in housing projects and various community areas through volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Jane is proud to have been part of various campaigns and  enactment of several laws for women, youth, children, lgbt, and workers’ rights. 

“Community work is more meaningful. 

Workers create the nation’s wealth; workers must have social protection and There is No Society, without Women! 

Let’s continue to Develop, Educate and Multiply!“