MERALCO EMPOWERS WOMEN TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND
‘Women are not just women. We are women who can — can do what men do and can excel in whatever we put our mind and heart to.’ — Meralco Female Linecrew Mary Rose Calasin

Photo courtesy of Meralco
Over the years, significant progress has been made in narrowing the gender gap across various industries including the energy sector which is historically dominated by men. However, despite steady advances in representation, women only account for less than 20 percent of the industry workforce as of 2023, according to the World Energy Employment 2024 report.
With major industry players like Manila Electric Company (Meralco), efforts toward diversity, inclusion, and sustainability continue to increase, leading to more opportunities for women to showcase their expertise, advance in their careers, and drive meaningful change in the industry.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Month, the Philippines’ largest electricity distributor honors the achievements of women who continue to break glass ceilings and redefine success. Whether in the workplace, at home, on the field, or in their communities, Meralco is proud to recognize and support the invaluable contributions of women who lead with passion, resilience, and excellence both within the company and beyond.

Go for gold. Bien Zoleta made history in 2019 as the first Filipino to win not just one but two gold medals for the Philippines for Soft Tennis. Zoleta went on to repeat the feat in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia after recovering from an ACL injury.
An empowered woman on and off the court
Among Meralco’s shining examples of excellence both on and off the court is Bien Zoleta — a customer care representative, four-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist for Soft Tennis, and one-half of the 2024 World Pickleball Champion duo.
Zoleta, who has been with Meralco for over 12 years, embodies the distribution utility’s commitment to empowering women to reach their full potential — proving time and again that success is not limited to a single path, and that women can achieve whatever they put their minds and hearts to.
“Because of Meralco, I’m able to pursue my passion for sports while thriving in a professional career in the corporate world,” Zoleta said, explaining that it’s possible for her to achieve fulfillment in both the personal and professional aspects of her life.
“I’m very passionate about sports because as an athlete, I represent the country. In being an employee, meanwhile, I serve the people through Meralco’s service,” she said.
Zoleta made her mark in sports as the first Filipino to win not just one but two SEA Games gold medals for Soft Tennis back in 2019, which coincided with the Philippines’ hosting of the regional sports meet.
Wiping a tear from her right eye during the interview, Zoleta can only beam with pride and joy as she looked back on her historic journey to win the medal — sharing that it would not have been possible without Meralco’s supportive and positive work environment that enables her to thrive as an employee-athlete.
“Meralco made me realize that I am not just an employee — that I can go beyond my role to contribute more to the community, which in my case, is through sports,” Zoleta said in Filipino, crediting the company’s athletic leave benefit which enabled her to focus on her sports training while maintaining her corporate career.
In 2023, Zoleta repeated her SEA Games feat — winning two more gold medals for Soft Tennis even after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
The victory, which cemented her status as a decorated Soft Tennis player, was made sweeter when Meralco collaborated with the Philippine Soft Tennis Association and the Quezon City local government unit to introduce the sport to persons with disability (PWDs).
“I find fulfillment in the fact that I don’t only go to work for my personal career but also to contribute to the community as well,” she said.


