SAN FRANCISCO – On June 18, 2025, at Dusit Thani Manila, the world will witness history in motion, inside a ballroom alive with Filipina women changemakers boldly redefining the face of leadership.
DISRUPTing Manila is a tribute, a reckoning, and a rising.
We are honored to gather in celebration of Rosemarie Rafael (Global FWN100™ 2023), the trailblazing founder and Chairperson of Airspeed, as she is formally confirmed as the FWN ambassador for Manila.
A visionary leader in the logistics industry, Rosemarie transformed a modest operation, just one van and six employees, into a powerhouse logistics company that is now a vital part of the Philippines’ economic infrastructure. But her most powerful cargo has always been her unwavering belief in the transformative potential of Pinay Power.
More than a corporate success story, Rosemarie Rafael is a tireless advocate for women’s economic empowerment and gender equality. She currently serves as:
- Chairperson, Women’s Business Council Philippines
- Commissioner on Labor, Philippine Commission on Women
- Treasurer, ARISE Philippines (Alliance for Risk Reduction and Resilience)
Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including:
- Circle of Excellence, Woman Leader of the Year, ASIA CEO Awards
- Leader of the Year, Italian Chamber of Commerce
- Woman of Power, Philippine Daily Inquirer
This event also heralds the official Manila launch of DISRUPT 5.0: Filipina Women Leading with Intersectionality, the fifth volume in the groundbreaking book series that continues to answer a single burning question:
What happens when Filipina women stop waiting for permission and start designing power on their own terms?
Twenty-two women. Six countries. One shared truth: we are no longer asking for a seat, we are building the whole table. DISRUPT 5.0 is a blueprint for what comes next. The stories in this book confront systems, redefine leadership, and dare us to imagine a world where equity isn’t aspirational, it’s operational.
If you’re ready to be part of what’s next, these DISRUPT 5.0 authors will see you on June 18:
- Marily Mondejar – Founder and CEO, Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network
- Benel Se Liban – Managing Partner, JBC Group LLC | US FWN100™ 2011, Global FWN100™ 2022
- Grace Jamon – President, Lapu-Lapu Cebu International College | Global FWN100™ 2022
- Lorna Kapunan, Esq. – Owner and Lawyer, Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices | Global FWN100™ 2016
- Mary Joy Abaquin – Founding Directress, Multiple Intelligence International School | Global FWN100™ 2021
- Nora Kakilala Terrado – Founder, Caroleon Global Solutions Philippines | Global FWN100™ 2016
- Regina Berba, MD, MSc – Infectious Disease Physician and Professor 1, University of the Philippines | Global FWN100™ 2022
- Rhodora Palomar Fresnedi – Founder, President, CEO, Sunshine Farm Philippines | Global FWN100™ 2019
- Rosemarie Rafael – Chairperson and President, Airspeed Group of Companies | Global FWN100™ 2023