TAGUIG CITY, Metro Manila – In celebration of 2026 National Women’s Month, PNOC partnered with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to bring Lakbay Cine to its employees on March 11, 2026, at the company’s Mini Theater.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Maria Terrisa A. Tripulca, Chairperson of the PNOC Gender and Development Focal Point System – Technical Working Group (GFPS-TWG), highlighted how film can be a powerful tool to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. “I hope this film inspires all of us to see our roles as public servants through a gender-sensitive lens,” she challenged the participants, encouraging reflection and action in both professional and personal spheres.

The Lakbay Cine screening featured the Cinemalaya award-winning film, The Last Supper No. 3, directed and written by acclaimed women filmmakers Ms. Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel. Both filmmakers personally attended the screening and participated in a dynamic talkback session following the film.

During the session, Ms. Velasco and Ms. Laurel guided participants through a debriefing of the film, sharing insights into their creative process and experiences while making the film. They described the project as a memorable and empowering chapter in their careers.

Participants expressed appreciation for how the film captures societal issues of its time while inspiring contemporary audiences. While the filmmakers’ original intent was to highlight women breaking stereotypes in some of the scenes in the film, viewers today see it as a source of inspiration, demonstrating the enduring impact and evolution of women’s voices in cinema.

As part of PNOC’s month-long National Women’s Month celebration, the film screening also welcomed participants from PNOC’s subsidiary, the Exploration Corporation (PNOC EC).

The film screening was conducted in two batches. During the afternoon session, aside from the talkback discussion, an on-the-spot poetry writing activity was facilitated by Ms. Beverly Wico Siy from the Cultural Center of the Philippines Intertextual Division. This is part of CCP’s GAD initiative for its stakeholders.

Through the activity, participants gained deeper appreciation of how literature can be used to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusivity. Given a very limited time, the winners of the on-the-spot poetry writing contest were James E. Zaragosa from the Treasury Department and Mhiara Angelu B. Padilla from the Strategy Management Office demonstrated exceptional creativity in both writing and reciting their poems during the session.

On the same day, members of the PNOC GFPS-TWG supported PNOC EC’s GAD Symposium, which highlighted inspiring women who began their careers in the company. Among the distinguished guests were Ms. Clarisa T. Mirano, Consultant for Fuel Management at Aboitiz Corporation; Ms. Lyra Esmeralda-Hewitt, Country Head of Verdant Energy Philippines; Former Energy Regulatory Commission Atty. Monalisa C. Dimalanata; and Atty. Fe Guirnalda-Lucero, Director for Legal and Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary at Philippine Geothermal Production Company.

The GAD Symposium highlighted the inspiring stories of these women leaders in the energy sector, where they shared their journeys—how they started, overcame challenges, and continue to inspire and guide their organizations toward success.

The film screening and participation in other agencies’ Women’s Month activities marked just the beginning of PNOC’s celebration. With the full support of PNOC GFPS Executive Committee headed by PNOC President and CEO and GFPS Chairperson Ms. Ma. Cristina Sheila C. Cabaraban​, the company also has a lineup of online health seminars and outreach programs, reflecting its ongoing commitment to recognizing and empowering women across various sectors.