Female engineers, executives reshape Philippine energy sector

In an industry long defined by hard hats and male-dominated boardrooms, a quiet but profound transformation is taking hold at Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN).

From the high-pressure environment of thermal plant control rooms to the evolving landscape of solar farms and legal strategy, women are increasingly at the helm of the Philippines' energy transition.

The shift is visible in the daily routines of leaders like Engr. Cristine Albarando, who serves as the lone female control room engineer at MGEN Thermal in Cebu.

Albarando, who originally pursued mechanical engineering at her father’s encouragement, now oversees the complex systems that provide electricity to hospitals and homes across the region.

Her workday begins 30 minutes early, a habit she developed to ensure a seamless transition between shifts as she monitors system parameters and coordinates with maintenance teams.

Albarando said the weight of the responsibility initially caused her to doubt herself, but the support of her colleagues helped her find her footing. She noted that her journey from fear to confidence serves as proof that women are essential to the future of the power grid.

The rise of female leadership extends into the renewable energy sector, where Engr. Jennylene Baluyot manages the MGEN Renewables solar plant in Bulacan.

For Baluyot, leadership is a balance of data-driven precision and operational grit. Her mornings involve reviewing generation targets and inverter statuses before walking the site to inspect modules against the elements.

Baluyot recalled a high-pressure incident where a portion of the plant went offline during peak hours. She had to make the immediate call to isolate the affected section and restore power safely.

She said that being a woman leading an entire plant means breaking both personal and industry expectations, proving that capability—not gender—defines success in the field.

While engineers maintain the physical flow of power, Atty. Maan Ballesteros, MGEN’s chief legal counsel and corporate governance officer, builds the frameworks that make these operations possible.

Her work spans the company’s entire portfolio, including thermal, natural gas and renewables.

Ballesteros, who pivoted to law after initially being expected to pursue medicine, views legal strategy as a human-centric discipline. She said her approach involves listening for what is unsaid and turning perceived disadvantages into strategic opportunities.

She stressed that creativity, humility and persistence have no gender, and she encourages those she mentors to protect their self-worth while navigating complex corporate environments.

Collectively, these women represent a broader movement within MGEN to diversify leadership as the Philippines seeks more resilient and sustainable energy solutions. Baluyot said she hopes her presence in a technical role signals to younger women that they do not need permission to lead or excel in this field.

As MGEN continues to expand its footprint in the Philippine energy sector, the contributions of these leaders suggest that the industry’s future will be defined by a wider range of perspectives.

Albarando said that for any young girl who feels the energy sector was not made for her, she should realize the industry was actually waiting for her to redesign it. By taking up space in control rooms and boardrooms, these women are lighting a path for the next generation of Filipino leaders.