Women have long fought for power and recognition in society. Through the years, they have achieved their space and are now acknowledged in all aspects as capable and contributing to the progress of the world. To see them succeed is to see the world as a place of acceptance and tolerance. More importantly, to see them through what they feel is tantamount to see them fulfilled in overcoming the challenges they have encountered.
For Joyce Rica Jimenez, a third year student of the Bachelor of Special Needs Education at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), she has always envisioned herself as an empowered woman. Her visual impairment never stopped her from being a confident and decorated woman in the field of music. She emphasized that “true beauty is beyond what the eyes can see, but felt by the heart,” reflecting that her fulfillment is not solely based on what is ‘seen’, but what drove her emotion to satisfaction.
“Dili ka mu-look down sa imong self, porket nga blind ka kay wala na kay pulos, useless naka, di na mao. Kinahanglan nato mu-stand for yourself as a woman and a visually impaired person (You should not look down on yourself, being blind does not mean you are nothing and useless, that’s not it. We need to stand for ourselves as a woman and visually impaired person.),” Jimenez said.
As she recalled her milestones in the field of music, Jimenez shared that her passion for singing started when she was in elementary school, but was set aside during her secondary school years. When she stepped into the portals of HCDC, her passion to sing was once again ignited.
HCDC, she said, has been her avenue to showcase her first love – singing. Garnering multiple awards, the guidance from her teachers and motivations from her classmates and fellow visually impaired peers has truly empowered her. Jimenez has won the top spot in HCDC’s song composition, and championed in the prestigious Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) 2025 vocal duet.
“Be yourself, and then, don’t let anyone belittle you. Ipaglaban ang right as a woman, and then sa mga visually impaired (VI) nga woman, akong masulti kay padayon lang g’yud ‘ta bahalag lisod basta ipakita nato nga bisag VI ‘ta ,tao gyapon ta (Be yourself, and then, don’t belittle you. Fight your rights as a woman, and to those who are visually impaired (VI) women, keep going forward even if we are VI, we are still human),” Jimenez said.
“Women can be found in different workplaces. [They are found in] politics, and in the field of police [work],” she added.
Courageous, resilient, and compassionate, this is how she described her mother, whom she looks up to as among her sources of inspiration. She also emphasized that women are not only mothers, nor do they belong at home. Instead, she pointed out that women have accompanied men in the evolving demands of society.
“Naa tay capability na makipagsabayan sa uban. ‘Di nato kalimantan nga i-love atong self (We have the capabilities to keep up with others. Let’s not forget to love ourselves.),” Jimenez added.
Jimenez is a testament that women can be empowered and beautifully confident regardless of any condition. Her skills and passion in the field of music has helped her to gain self-confidence and acknowledge herself that if she can be capable, others as well can be. Jimenez may not ‘see’ what others can ‘see’, but she sees fulfillment from the appreciation of the people around her, and championing her passion one song at a time.