Joy P. Mendoza
In an industry long dominated by men, every woman who rises through the ranks represents more than personal success. She becomes part of a larger shift—one that signals changing workplaces, broader opportunities, and a more inclusive future for leadership.
At Manila Electric Company (Meralco), that shift is becoming more visible. As the world marked International Women’s Month, the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led power distributor highlighted the growing role of women in its organization—not only as participants in the energy sector, but as leaders helping shape its future.
The significance of that progress becomes even clearer in the context of the global energy workforce. According to the International Energy Agency’s 2025 World Energy Employment Report, women remain significantly underrepresented in the sector, making up only around 20 percent of the workforce. Against this backdrop, Meralco’s push to empower and elevate women in the workplace reflects a broader commitment to diversity, inclusion, and leadership development.
Among the women who embody this transformation is Joy P. Mendoza, now Vice President and Head of Home and MicroBiz – Central Business Area. Her career began 24 years ago at the customer service counters of Meralco’s Valenzuela Business Center, where she worked directly with customers and handled service applications and complaints. Over the years, those frontline experiences helped shape not only her professional growth, but also her leadership philosophy.
For Mendoza, some of the most meaningful moments in her career have come from serving customers and seeing the impact of that work firsthand.
“In my 24 years here, serving the customers, seeing them smiling and saying a simple ‘thank you’ gives me a certain fulfillment,” she said.
Her leadership style is rooted in adaptability and empathy. She believes leadership is not confined to titles or office walls, but is built through responsibility, resilience, and the ability to respond to challenges with purpose.
“Leadership does not require perfect conditions, and leadership does not only stay within the four corners of your work office. It can also be at home, but it grows in the middle of any challenges, it grows from one’s responsibilities, it grows from any adversities,” she said.
For young women aspiring to lead, Mendoza offers a message that goes beyond individual ambition. She encourages women not only to pursue success, but also to create room for others to grow alongside them.
“Don’t just aim to succeed, but always strive to advocate, to uplift, and to create space for others and produce new leaders that could go with you on your side, not in front of you, not on your back, but they should be at your side, both on your right and on your left,” she said.
She added that empowerment is not simply about reaching the top, but about making sure others can rise as well.
Janice Enriquez
Another inspiring example is Janice Enriquez, who rose from being a linewoman in 2014 to becoming the Administrative Head of Meralco’s Dasmariñas sector. Her story is one of grit, courage, and determination in a role that demands both physical endurance and mental strength.
Enriquez was part of Meralco’s first batch of professional female linecrew, a pioneering group that underwent intensive training that included climbing 60-foot utility poles and handling heavy equipment. Though she initially had doubts, she pushed forward with a mindset that has since defined her journey: “Kung kaya ng mga lalaki, kaya rin namin mga babae.”
One of the defining moments in her career came seven years ago, when a strong typhoon hit Cavite and left many communities without electricity. Despite dangerous conditions, she and her team pressed on, carrying poles and equipment into hard-to-reach areas to help restore power.
“Kapag bumabagyo, sa mga liblib na lugar na di na madaanan, bitbit namin yung mga poste at lahat ng gamit para lang maibalik yung ilaw ng mga residente. Iba yung sense of fulfillment na naramdaman ko noon kasi isa ako sa nagbalik ng liwanag sa kanilang mga tahanan,” she shared.
For Enriquez, the experience affirmed not only her strength, but also the value of the support system around her. She credits both her family and Meralco for helping her endure the challenges of a demanding job.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Meralco kasi hindi nila kami pinapabayaan, pati ang pamilya ko. Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kumpanyang ito,” she said.
Her advice to other women is rooted in resilience: “Hindi lahat ng magagaling ay umaangat, pero lahat ng matatag ay nakaka-survive.”
Looking back on her own path, she said, “Akala ko noong una hindi ko kakayanin, pero sa tulong ng mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho at pamilya ko, nakatayo pa rin ako ngayon bilang babae na kinayang gawin ang mga trabahong panlalaki.”
The stories of Mendoza and Enriquez reflect more than individual achievement. They underscore what becomes possible when companies move beyond diversity as a talking point and instead build real systems of support that allow women to thrive, lead, and break barriers.
At Meralco, that commitment is anchored in its broader diversity and inclusion program, #Mbrace, which seeks to strengthen gender equality across the organization. The company has set a target of increasing female representation in its workforce to 40 percent by 2030. It has also launched the Yes You Can! Program, a coaching and mentoring initiative led by female executives to help women managers and supervisors unlock their leadership potential.
For Meralco, empowering women is not separate from its mission—it is part of building a stronger, more resilient organization for the future. And through leaders like Mendoza, Enriquez, and many others across the company, it is proving that when women are given the opportunity, support, and space to lead, they do not simply rise—they help lift the entire industry with them.