One woman has been at the forefront of transforming the tourism industry of the town of Bolinao. Ms. Mary De Guzman-Suarez, a dynamic leader and passionate advocate of sustainable tourism, continues to break barriers and paves the way for other women leaders in the sector.

Ms. Mary’s journey into the tourism industry was fueled by her deep love and pride for her hometown. “Ang nag-motivate sa akin to pursue this job and career [is] yung love ko for Bolinao. Before pa ako naging tourism officer, nakita ko kasi yung potential ng bayan naming as the future tourist destination, not only in the province but [also] in the Philippines… Thankfully, nabigyan naman ako ng opportunity to work, at nabigyan ako ng chance to showcase the beauty of our municipality.” She recognized the town’s rich cultural heritage, tourist-attracting beaches, and scrumptious food products. With this in mind, she has worked tirelessly to promote Bolinao by making sure that the locals and the tourists alike appreciates its beauty.

While her work has gained recognition and success, she has also faced her share of challenges. She opened up about the common struggles faced by the women leaders in every sector that is the gender bias. In a field traditionally dominated by men, being a woman in leadership has sometimes meant facing different perceptions and expectations. “Kasi minsan ang perspective ng ibang tao, mas may authority kapag lalaki ang leader. Iba ang perspective nila kapag babae ang leader,” she admits. Despite this, she has remained resolute in proving that leadership isn’t defined by gender. Especially when she received a national award of the ‘Most Outstanding Tourism Officer’ at the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards in Boracay Island on October 5, 2023.

More than the award itself, she considers it as a reflection of the collective effort of the Bolinao community—its resilience, unity, and shared vision for progress. She has worked closely with various women’s organizations and local associations and creates opportunities for them to showcase their talents and …  in the growing tourism industry. “As a woman leader, pinakita ko kung ano ba ‘yung kaya ng mga babae. Sa sinasabi po ng iba sa ating mga babae na, “Hindi ka babae lang.” Babae tayo, at hindi lang tayo ‘babae lang.’ I started working with different women organizations and associations in the municipality, like the buri weavers, the Binungey Vendors Association, women tour guides, restaurant operators, and the Bolinao Business Tourism Associations, whereby, may mga women members.”

Ms. Mary has a clear message for aspiring women leaders: “Work hard, work with love, and work with passion.” She greatly believes that women can achieve anything when they approach their work with determination and a sense of purpose.

She continues to inspire those around her by proving that the future of tourism, and leadership in general, is not only inclusive but thriving because of the strength and contributions of women.

/MJGE