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Photo courtesy of Col. Francel Margareth Padilla

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Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/20240229080252_AFP spox.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Photo courtesy of Col. Francel Margareth Padilla </div>CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – It all started with a challenge to pass the entrance exams of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in the late ‘90s.“My brother kasi, siya ang nauna. He was an original member of the PMA Class of 1997 but he chose to take the civilian path. Naging piloto siya sa labas,” Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla told ABS-CBN News in an interview.“Sabi lang ni kuya, ‘Mag-exam ka lang. Just try it.’ That was the first challenge,” she added, explaining that passing the exams would mean her name will be published in the newspapers.Padilla, the only female among four siblings, had never entertained the idea of becoming a soldier.The PMA entrance exams were tough, she said. Out of over 18,000 people who took it then, only 1,100 passed, 100 of which were female examinees and Padilla was one of them. This was when her older brother pushed her further.“Hindi na ako nag-medical kasi sabi ko hindi naman ako magka-kadete. So, he [older brother] called and said, ‘Take mo lang kasi it’s free. Full body check-up, mahal ‘yan sa labas.’”What ultimately influenced her decision to pursue studying at the PMA was meeting the other female passers during their week-long medical exams at the Victoriano Luna Medical Center.“Doon nagkick-off, kasi you do V. Luna one week and there’s a bonding that’s gonna happen. Kasabay mo lahat doon. Since wala nga akong sisterhood growing up, doon nagkaroon ako ng bond with female cadet candidates,” Padilla recalled.She continued, “Sa quota, 400 cadets, 20 lang ang allowed na females. Sa 100 [females who passed the written exams], 20 lang ang papasok [allowed to enter the PMA].”<div> </div><div>AN ALL-AROUND FEMALE CADET</div>Reality began to sink in during Padilla’s first day at the academy.“In PMA, wala na talaga pag start. You live by the day. You have no time to think. Hindi ka na makapagquit. It was tedious—from blue jeans to army green na. That was the start of it,” she said.Padilla noted, it was their batch, the PMA “Sanghaya” Class of 2000, that was the first to complete four classes at the academy with female cadets.“We were the guinea pigs of sorts. Pag may competitions, required na may babae. I would join everything: nasa 100-meter dash ka, nasa 200-meter dash ka, lahat ng events you’re there. They asked me to join the Athletic Sports Squad. Lahat ng shotput, javelin throw, long jump, ikaw pa rin,” she said, laughing.“It was a very good run. That’s one thing I enjoyed—the physical and athletic part of it. Over and above that, we have the 100th Nite Show. Doon naman, artista ka, singer ka, dancer ka,” she added.But aside from her all-around role in the arts and sports, Padilla was also the only female rifleman in their class’ silent drill.“Maho-hone ka sa lahat talaga. It’s a regimented life but you become the jack of all trades, master of none,” Padilla said.“Those were really the highs in the academy. Anything that molds and hones you to become a better person. Ang tinuturo talaga sa amin ay leadership,” she added.<div> </div><div>FIRST FEMALE SPOKESPERSON IN THE AFP</div>Twenty-four years later, Padilla made history as the AFP’s first female spokesperson. She succeeded Colonel Medel Aguilar, who had taken on the role for one year and six months.Padilla admitted to being surprised when she was given the post.But being a soldier, saying no was not an option, she said.“I was designated January 15. Hanggang ngayon, lutang pa ako. Parang tinatanong ko pa rin sarili ko, ‘Bakit ako?’ This is a post usually for Public Affairs and I am from the Signal Corps,” Padilla said.She went on, “For whatever reason, a soldier always says yes when given a task. For us, if duty calls, you have to really perform. May wisdom siguro behind sila, but I am honored to be selected to be the voice of the AFP.”“It’s a humbling experience. It’s a challenge na paano ko ipoprove ang sarili ko na kaya ko ito. I’m learning bit by bit. At this point in time, I am like a sponge trying to learn all the ropes and the tricks of the trade, and I am really very open to constructive criticisms. I really want to hear more on how I can improve myself,” she continued.Throughout her 28-year military career, Padilla has held numerous positions.She first joined the Signal Corps, where she received training in Communications, Electronics and Information Systems (CEIS).“It evolved to become C4S—Command, Control, Communications and Cyber,” she shared.Padilla also served in the Army Management Information Center during her lieutenant days.“Doon nagstart ang IS [information systems] career ko. I would be recruiting special enlistees, fresh graduates. We were able to create a lot of systems for the Army and the AFP,” she added.She later transitioned towards physical security, where she served under the Presidential Security Group and became the aide to then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.Under the late former President Noynoy Aquino’s leadership, Padilla found herself focusing anew on information systems and technology. It was also at this time when she underwent training to be an “ethical hacker.”By being an ethical hacker, an individual uses his or her skills and knowledge to secure and improve the technology of different organizations.“Doon nagsimula ang career ko in cybersecurity,” she said.<div> </div><div>CYBERSECURITY EXPERT</div>What about cybersecurity interests her the most?For Padilla, cybersecurity transcends to the physical realm.“Ang cybersecurity kasi, it’s all encompassing. Cyber domain is where everything happens: scamming, phishing, all that,” she explained. “Ang pera na nakuha ng scammer, pinaghirapan mo siya sa physical domain… May nanggaling sa physical going to cyber.”Cyber systems come in handy for development as well, she added.Padilla spearheaded the “Cyber for Peace” initiative, aimed at promoting the use of technology among communities for sustainable development through partnerships with various agencies and stakeholders.“That was my advocacy during my Battalion Commander days. It was implemented in the Northern Luzon area. It was embraced by the 7th Infantry Division and also the other units in Fort Magsaysay,” she said.For such initiative, she bagged several recognitions for the Philippine Army. She was hailed as one of the ASEAN’s Top 30 Women in Security in 2021, and was included in the Top 10 Women in Cybersecurity Philippines in 2020.In 2023, Padilla won the Global Cybersecurity Woman Leader of the Year, besting nominees from 62 countries.To this day, Padilla continues to conduct lectures, both in the Philippines and abroad, aimed at raising awareness on cybersecurity.“Medyo takot ang mga tao pag sinabing cybersecurity. They think it’s very technical. When I teach it, I say ‘Cybersecurity for every Juan and Juana’ para kaya siyang magrasp ng pinakasimpleng tao,” the AFP spokesperson said.“I’m already 28 years in the service. I believe that kung ano ang naattain ko, more on mentoring na ako ngayon. I would like to really share my experience, how I did it, but I do not claim to be successful. Success kasi is nasa tao iyan. Meron tayong kanya-kanyang definition ng success. For me, if I am of value to every unit [na nanggaling] ako, bawat tao may napulot silang aral, that is success for me,” she continued.<div> </div><div>SON FOLLOWING FOOTSTEPS</div>Padilla’s husband is the late Lieutenant Senior Grade Felicisimo “Jun” Taborlupa Jr., a retired Philippine Navy officer who was deputy commander of the Philippine Coast Guard’s Air Group.Taborlupa died in a helicopter crash in Batangas in 2015.Padilla and Taborlupa were mistahs at the PMA. They have two sons.Padilla said their eldest son recently graduated from one of the Philippines’ top universities with a major in Management Information Systems.Their youngest, meanwhile, is a “yearling” or third class cadet at the PMA and is set to follow his mom and dad’s footsteps.<div> </div><div>‘BREAK THE GLASS CEILING’</div>The AFP remains to be a male-dominated institution, but Padilla said this should not hinder women from pursuing a career in the military.In fact, she hopes more women to imagine careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the AFP.“Use your womanhood, so to speak, to your advantage. Pag male-dominated siya, ang female has something else to offer to the table. We deal more on the specifics and details, ganyan ang babae. Ang lalaki more on the whole chunk of the picture. The thing with females is, when we speak, they listen to us. Maternal ang Philippines eh. You should also make sense. You make yourself relevant,” Padilla said.She went on, “Don’t let negativity get to you… Women, go out there and break glass ceilings.”

Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla talks about being the Armed Forces of the Philippines' first female spokesperson.

Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla talks about being the Armed Forces of the Philippines' first female spokesperson.

AFP’s first female spox to women: ‘Break the glass ceiling’

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AFP’s first female spox to women: ‘Break the glass ceiling’

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 29, 2024 05:30 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 04, 2024 04:30 PM PHT

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Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla

Armed Forces of the Philippines

AFP

National Women’s Month

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